'Just as political as Conclave’: Choosing the next Pope

Well, the world order is rocky and looking to get rockier.  US President Donald Trump has had a spectacular falling-out with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, and waging a damaging trade war, while China is cruising war ships off the Australian coast. And the conflict in Gaza is unresolved.  Not to mention closer to home, South East Queensland and northern NSW now have Cyclone Alfred bearing down on them. So, how will all this uncertainty affect the election campaign? And how can the leaders keep the focus on ordinary people, when there is so much going on around us? Today on Inside Politics, chief political correspondent David Crowe, and national security correspondent Matthew Knott, join host Jacqueline Maley.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s only been six days since what has become known as “the wildest dust-up ever televised from the Oval Office”. But of course, six days within the Donald Trump administration, isn’t your average person’s six days.  In this time, Trump has made the extraordinary move to pull all military funding from Ukraine. Vladimir Putin’s press secretary has responded by saying that American policy now “largely aligns” with Russia’s interests. And Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new peace plan on social media.  Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on how long Ukraine can survive without American support. And the signs we might have missed that show that Trump is incontrovertibly an agent of Putin.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Communities in Queensland and NSW have been spotted panic buying, and stripping supermarket shelves bare, as they brace themselves for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Because while the cyclone has already whipped up waves more than eight metres tall, in one area off the coast of Queensland, it’s expected to hit land tomorrow, or Friday. But just how bad might the damage be, this time around? Today, senior meteorologist Angus Hines, from the Bureau of Meteorology, on why Tropical Cyclone Alfred is so unusual, and where it’s expected to hit. And on the increasing numbers of Australians who are looking to social media, and storm-chasing websites, rather than government trackers, for information about this cyclone.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A meeting of world leaders is an ordinarily staid affair. With much hand-shaking, head-nodding and talk of ‘friendship’. But not this one between American president Donald Trump browbeat and Ukrainian president Vlodomir Zelensky. So what happens now? Zelensky flew to London and attended a critical summit with European leaders, who have sworn to support him and Ukraine, and draft a new peace plan. Today, Europe correspondent Rob Harris, on the so-called 'coalition of the willing' and whether it might be enough to protect Ukraine from Russia, without U.S support.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world is full of doom and gloom, so today we're bringing you something a little bit different for your Monday. It's a conversation with David Wenham, the Australian actor who has starred in blockbusters like Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Spartan epic, 300. More than 20 years ago, though, he played a character by the name of John Frances Spiteri, a two-bit criminal and ex-addict in the Aussie indie classic Gettin' Square. Wenham now stars in a spin-off about Spiteri, called Spit, which debuts this week. Today, David Wenham on why, here in Australia, and unlike North America or the United Kingdom, we celebrate the downtrodden, the criminal and the devastated, rather than classic success stories.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember Anthony Albanese’s Copacabana house drama? The PM was dragged in the media for buying a 4.3 million dollar home on the NSW central coast in the middle of a cost of living crisis.  Well now the opposition leader is facing a few questions of his own. This week, our national affairs editor James Massola has done a bit of digging, and has revealed Peter Dutton’s extensive, and rich, history of property dealings.  At the same time, News Corp has published allegations about Dutton’s share trading in the middle of the global financial crisis. Aside from denying he’s done anything dodgy, he’s also argued  that the  information is the work of Labor’s “dirt unit”. Today, our intrepid reporter James Massola joins us to talk through these stories, and delves into this mysterious “dirt unit”. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When three Chinese warships sailed within 150 nautical miles of Sydney, last week, it was enough to make global headlines. Indeed, our defence force chief admitted just yesterday hat the Australian military didn’t know that these ships were conducting a live-firing exercise, while off the coast of Sydney, until 40 minutes after it began. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on what it means that China’s stepping up its aggression towards us, at the same as Donald Trump is treating his allies like a mob boss running a protection racket.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pope Francis is in critical condition. Which means that cardinals from around the world will, more likely than not, soon congregate in the Vatican, to choose his successor. This event, called a conclave, isn’t just the subject of a new political thriller starring Ralph Fiennes; it’s a private ceremony that has long fascinated the religious. Cardinals are sworn to a lifetime of secrecy, after they cast their vote. But what impact does the pope have on any of our lives, whether we’re Catholic or not? Today, Barney Zwartz, a senior fellow of the Centre for Public Christianity, and a former religion editor of The Age, on the history of popes who have wrangled with world leaders. And the mixed legacy of Pope Francis.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many Australians, waking up to news - week after week - about yet another antisemitic attack has been confronting.  Is hatred against Jewish people, in our very own country, more prevalent than we thought? Or are these attacks the work of puppet masters, offshore, who might be pulling the strings behind the scenes, for their own nefarious - and mysterious - reasons? Today, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, on how our spy agency, ASIO, is now investigating bikie gangs as it combats antisemitic attacks and plots by hostile nations to harm our national security. For more: ASIO warns bikies, organised crime linked to antisemitism, hostile nations,The Age, Sydney Morning Herald Facing our threats, targeting Australia, where there's a will, 60 Minutes Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know that our political climate has been particularly febrile lately in the climate of the Gaza conflict. So was it political pressure that led an Australian federal arts body to pull an accomplished artist from appearing at the so-called Oscars of the art world?  Today, senior culture writer Kerrie O’Brien, on Khaled Sabsabi. And whether it was his art, or stance on the Middle East, which has led to his shock dismissal. For more: Major gallery says Venice row endangers Australia’s global reputation, Linda Morris and Kerrie O'Brien, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. Audio credit: Khaled Sabsabi & Tim Gregory - Interview excerpts from Resilient Landscape Documentary, Michael Pansini. Khaled Sabsabi: Creative Australia Award for Visual Arts | Arts Week,ABC Arts Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi pulled from global exhibit, ABC 7.30, Sarah Ferguson Who Was Hassan Nasrallah, Leader of Hezbollah? New York Times Changing Australia: Ben Quilty on fighting for the future of Australia's artists, Radio National, ABC Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.