“Maximum lethality”: the US military under the Trump administration

Описание: Defense Secretary Hegseth doesn’t want the US military to fight with “stupid rules of engagement”.


On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Angus Blackman discuss the American ‘double-tap’ strike on an alleged drug boat, Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal to share sensitive military information, and why Trump spent a night posting 160 times on Truth Social.


This discussion was recorded on Friday 5 December 2025.


A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage (https://australiainstitute.org.au/sto...) is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off.


Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future (https://australiainstitute.org.au/sto...) by Professor George Williams is also available now.


Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute


Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB (https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky...)


Show notes:


War Crimes: Where do Responsibility and Accountability Start and End? (https://australiainstitute.org.au/rep...) By Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (May 2025)


What legal experts say about second US strike on Venezuela boat (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v...) by Lucy Gelder, BBC (December 2025)


Pentagon Report: Hegseth Risked Endangering Troops With Signal Messages (https://www.theatlantic.com/national-...) , The Atlantic (December 2025)


Trump’s night of 160 posts on Truth Social fuels debate about US president’s stamina (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...) by Richard Luscombe, The Guardian (December 2025)


Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions


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