Is a unified Korea a lost cause? Justice Michael Kirby has hope

Has Russia’s war with Ukraine spread beyond both countries borders? From cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns to attacks on critical infrastructure, one of Poland's leading Russia analysts Marek Menkiszak argues that Moscow sees itself in a broader confrontation with what it calls the "collective West". Speaking with Geraldine Doogue, Menkiszak explains why Poland considers itself on the frontline, how Russia seeks to influence elections across Europe, and why countries like France, Germany and the UK matter so much to the Kremlin's strategy. He also discusses whether NATO's response has been strong enough, how Russia is using nuclear threats as psychological warfare, and why some European leaders believe Moscow will continue testing Western resolve until it faces much higher costs. If Russia already believes it's at war with the West, how should democracies respond without triggering a wider conflict? Guest: Marek Menkiszak, head of the Russian department at the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) in Warsaw. Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

In the wake of the attack on Independent MP Helen Haines, Geraldine Doogue and Latika Bourke revisit their interview on the violence aimed towards women in politics. NOTE: This episode was initially broadcast on Thursday 13th of August A growing body of research suggests women in public life are facing a wave of online harassment that has been amplified by artificial intelligence, deepfakes and coordinated misinformation campaigns. In this episode of Global Roaming, Geraldine Doogue and Latika Bourke examine the implications for democracy. If women are increasingly targeted with sexualised abuse, fake images and threats of violence, will fewer choose to enter public life? Australian journalist and academic Dr Julie Posetti, who led a landmark UN study on online violence against women in public life, explains how AI is changing the threat landscape and why research is drawing links between online abuse and real-world harm. Former NSW minister Bronnie Taylor reflects on her own experience of abuse in politics and why she fears the problem could deter women from putting their hands up for elected office. Could online misogyny be reshaping democracy itself? And what can governments, regulators and technology companies do about it? Guests: Dr Julie Posetti, journalist, academic and UN researcher Bronnie Taylor, former NSW Nationals minister and Women for Election advisory board member Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert weighs in on the upcoming election, and the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Francom. With Israel heading to the polls on 27 October in what many say is the country's most consequential election in decades, Hamish Macdonald and Geraldine Doogue are joined by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert – a longstanding and vocal critic of Benjamin Netanyahu – to unpack what’s at stake. Olmert argues the election will determine the character of Israeli democracy itself, and explores the possibility that a higher turnout among Arab-Israeli voters could deny Netanyahu the numbers to govern. He also addresses the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza, saying those responsible should face court martial. Guest: Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] Find all the episodes of Global Roaming now via the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts.

Political tradition usually dictates that the midterm elections are bad news for the incumbent president. But when has Donald Trump ever been traditional? Despite returning to the White House promising lower prices, a stronger economy and fewer overseas conflicts, voters remain frustrated by inflation, rising fuel costs and an ongoing war with Iran. Will Democrats capitalise on the dissatisfaction? Former White House correspondent Josh Lederman joins Hamish Macdonald and Waleed Aly to explain why Democrats are suddenly competitive in deeply Republican states like Texas, Alaska and Kansas, why some Republican candidates are distancing themselves from Trump, and whether the polls can be trusted at all. They also examine the growing influence of the Democratic Party's progressive wing, the future of MAGA after Trump, and what happens if Republicans lose control of Congress. Guest: Josh Lederman, journalist, former White House correspondent Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

ABC Asia editor Karishma Vyas joins Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald to unpack a week of fast-moving stories across Asia. In India, a youth protest movement – born after the the chief justice of India offhandedly called unemployed graduates “cockroaches and parasites” – has taken to the streets of New Delhi following the government's decision to strike 130 million names from the electoral roll, triggering a police crackdown, mass arrests and detention of the movement's leaders. Meanwhile, in Laos, China has opened its first foreign air base, a former Vietnam War-era facility now repurposed with Beijing’s backing. Vietnam is watching the development closely given its own territorial disputes with China. Plus: the trial date is set for Simon Carman, the Australian man accused of murdering 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, and what the case reveals about Pattaya’s sex tourism economy. Guest: Karishma Vyas, the ABC's Asia editor Recommendations: Karishma – NAZA documentary by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor Hamish – 2026 ABC Boyer Lecture Series Geraldine – David Brooks, author Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] Find all the episodes of Global Roaming now via the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts.