John Anderson: Conversations

Rodger Shanahan joins John Anderson to examine the true objectives behind U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran. Is this about preventing a nuclear capability, dismantling Iran’s proxy network, or ultimately forcing regime change? Shanahan argues that while public messaging has been inconsistent, the rhetoric and targeting patterns increasingly point toward regime change — a strategic ambition with a poor historical record when pursued through air power alone.The discussion unpacks Iran’s ideological foundations, its history of foreign intervention, the erosion of its “forward defence” strategy, and the real limits of military precision in shaping political outcomes. From contested nuclear claims to the future of the rules-based order, this is a sober, strategic assessment of whether the world will emerge safer — or more unstable.Rodger Shanahan is a non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute specialising in Middle East security and strategic affairs. He holds a PhD in Arab and Islamic Studies from the University of Sydney and is a former Australian Army officer with operational deployments to Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan and East Timor, as well as diplomatic postings to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He has also served as an expert witness in more than 30 Australian terrorism cases.

John Anderson sits down with former NSW Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Mike Newman to examine the culture, size and direction of Australia’s modern public service. While both men acknowledge the vital role of capable public servants, they question whether the system has become bloated, inward-looking and detached from the realities faced by households and businesses. At a time of falling productivity and rising cost-of-living pressures, they ask whether the balance between administration and wealth creation has drifted out of alignment.The discussion moves beyond numbers to deeper questions of accountability, incentives and institutional culture. From regulatory overreach to major project failures, Newman argues that expansion has too often come without corresponding responsibility. Yet, he also highlights examples where strong leadership and a service-first mindset have delivered genuine reform. It is a serious, practical examination of how Australia governs itself, and what must change to restore discipline, effectiveness and public trust.Mike Newman has four decades of business experience in North Asia and served as NSW’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the region. He has written insightfully on many topics, and most recently on the problem of government bureaucracies.

John Anderson speaks with Wes Huff and Dan Paterson about the striking cultural shift among younger generations towards a renewed search for meaning, transcendence, and moral grounding. They reflect on disillusionment with secular narratives and the renewed interest in Christianity as a source of lifelong direction and purpose. Huff and Paterson explore the impact of numerous online role models for young men, including Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate. This is a conversation that questions whether modern society can sustain itself without a deeper moral and spiritual foundation. Wes Huff is the Vice President for Apologetics Canada and has participated in public dialogues, debates, and interfaith events on issues of belief and religion around the world. Huff holds a BA in sociology from York University, a Masters of Theological Studies from Tyndale University, and is currently doing a PhD in New Testament at the University of Toronto’s Wycliffe College. Dan Paterson is the founder Questioning Christianity. He has experience as a pastor, lecturer, and public speaker, having studied Theology and Apologetics in Australia and at Oxford. Paterson speaks regularly to audiences across the belief spectrum on how the gospel connects to life’s biggest questions, and on the popular objections to the Christian faith.

John Anderson speaks with Ayaan Hirsi Ali to examine the growing ideological, spiritual, and civilisational pressures confronting the West. Drawing on her personal experience, historical analysis, and cultural commentary, Hirsi Ali argues that radical Islam, institutional secularism, and the erosion of Western moral confidence are converging to produce a crisis of identity and social cohesion. This conversation traces the theological roots of modern Islamic extremism, the relationship between Islam and political power, the limits of multicultural integration, and the consequences of abandoning the cultural and moral foundations that once sustained liberal democracy. It is a candid and confronting discussion that challenges prevailing assumptions about tolerance and pluralism, calling for a renewed seriousness about the civilisational principles required to preserve social stability. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a writer, public intellectual, and former member of the Dutch parliament. Born in Somalia and raised in multiple Islamic societies, she later became a prominent critic of political Islam and an advocate for liberal democracy, women’s rights, and freedom of conscience. She is the author of Infidel and other internationally recognised works on religion, culture, and identity.

Henry Ergas joins John to explore the erosion of historical understanding, the rise of ideological extremism, and the weakening of social cohesion across Western nations. Ergas argues that a balance of freedom and order are needed to sustain societies or else they will risk succumbing to the enemies of democracy, who possess a vitriolic hatred of the present, yet no unifying vision of the future. The discussion critiques the evolution of multicultural ideology and the rise of antisemitism in Australia, and assesses the slow decay of shared history, identity and hopes that once defined the nation. This conversation is a sober assessment of the challenges confronting liberal democracies and the values required to preserve them.Henry Ergas AO is an economist who spent many years at the OECD in Paris before returning to Australia. He has taught at many universities including Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and the National School of Statistics and Economic Administration in Paris. He is one of Australia’s foremost public intellectuals.

John Anderson hosts a candid discussion with Gerard Holland, Freya Leach and Jossiah Langton about the immense social, economic and political pressures facing Gen Z. This generation is often described as disillusioned, anxious, and disengaged, yet beneath the headlines lies a complex story shaped by economic hardship, cultural uncertainty, and a loss of shared meaning. This is a conversation with three young Australians who are working to restore, not dismantle, the institutions that hold society together. From housing affordability and family formation to energy policy and political radicalisation, the discussion considers why confidence has eroded, and what must change if Australia is to recover a sense of shared purpose, responsibility and national continuity. Gerard Holland is the Chief Executive Officer of the Page Research Centre and has previously served as the Director of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC). Freya Leach is Co-Host of The Late Debate on Sky News Australia and is the Director of the Centre for Youth Policy at Menzies Research Centre. Jossiah Langton is the Operations and Engagement Manager for FORM Australia Ltd., a not-for-profit inspired by ARC, dedicated to elevating the quality of public leadership and discourse in Australia.

John Anderson speaks with James Orr to examine the deeper moral, cultural, and institutional pressures shaping Britain and the wider Western world. Drawing on political philosophy, social analysis, and recent events, Orr challenges the prevailing assumption that economic management and procedural politics can sustain a stable society. He argues that questions of identity, belonging, and shared obligation now sit at the centre of national renewal. This conversation traces the erosion of social trust, the limits of rights-based politics, and the consequences of demographic and cultural fragmentation. It is a measured discussion that reorients political debate toward the moral and cultural foundations required for long-term national stability, rather than short-term policy adjustments. Dr. Orr holds a PhD and MPhil in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Cambridge and a BA in Classics from Oxford. He is a political philosopher, writer, and commentator whose work focuses on conservatism, political theology, identity, and the cultural preconditions of liberal democracy, with particular attention to Britain’s institutional and civilisational inheritance.

John Anderson speaks with Ted Baehr, founder of Christian film review site Movieguide, to examine what contemporary film choices reveal about the moral instincts of society. Drawing on decades of data, Baehr challenges the prevailing narratives around the relationship between a film's content and its success. He argues that popular entertainment is quietly moving in a different direction from elite commentary, with films centred on family, moral clarity, and hope consistently outperforming darker and more transgressive content.This conversation traces the historical rhythms of Hollywood, from early moral storytelling to periods of decline and renewal. This is a grounded conversation that reorients the cultural debate around what audiences reward rather than what critics promote. Dr. Ted Baehr is Founder and Publisher of Movieguide: The Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment and Chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission ministry, as well as a noted critic, educator, lecturer, and media pundit. His life’s purpose is to be used of God to redeem the values of the media while educating audiences on how to use discernment in selecting their entertainment.

Julian Leeser joins John Anderson for an assessment of the disturbing return of anti-semitism to the Australian public sphere. Leeser sets out the historical contours of anti-semitism and why Hamas's October 7 attacks became a catalyst for hostility on Australian soil.  The conversation criticises the failure of the current Australian government to curb anti-semitic rhetoric and acts of vandalism. Instead, it has instead chosen to legitimise the actions of Hamas by recognising a Palestinian state at the UN. This is an important discussion that urges Australia to have the courage to confront extremist, anti-democratic values and ensure every Australian is able to live in safety and dignity on our shores. Julian Leeser is the Liberal Party Member for Berowra in Sydney. He is the editor and author of numerous books on a bill of rights for Australia, federalism, and Indigenous issues.

John speaks with Michelle Manook about the realities of Australia’s energy system, the misconceptions driving policy, and the widening gap between ideology and practical national interest. Manook explains why technological advances in sustainable coal production, including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and High Efficiency Low Emissions (HELE) power plants, make coal a legitimate energy option for our future. The discussion urges Australians to re-examine the assumptions embedded in net zero narratives, the economic risks posed by unreliable power, and the strategic necessity of maintaining a diverse and resilient energy mix. This is a grounded, forward-looking discussion about how nations sustain prosperity and stability in an increasingly uncertain world. Michelle Manook is Chief Executive of FutureCoal. Previously, she was Head of Strategy, Government and Communications for Europe, Asia and Africa for the multinational company Orica, based in Perth, Australia.