Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

Bangladesh is having its first free and fair election in over 18 years.Rear Vision looks back at the tumultuous history of this young nation.

Only a few decades ago China was known as the land of the bicycle – today it’s an automotive goliath. The PRC is now the world’s biggest car manufacturer and exporter. It also has the largest domestic car market. We explore how it achieved such a dramatic turnaround in only a few short decades. And what role European and American car makers inadvertently played in creating a super rival. Guests: Ilaria Mazzocco – Chinese business and economic expert, Center for Strategic and International Studies Dr Tessa Thorniley – freelance business journalist Zeyi Yang – technology journalist and senior writer, WIRED Mike Colias – Us Autos Editor, Reuters 

Since the start of the 20th century, oil has been the lifeblood of global development. Today, the story behind oil — and the politics of supplying oil and denying oil.

From sanctions to tariffs to seizing oil fields — it feels like we've entered a new age of economic warfare. But experts say we're really just returning to the past. To the time before the rules-based international order was established at the end of the Second World War.Gunboat diplomacy it seems is once again de rigueur.GuestsWilliam Alan Reinsch — Senior advisor, Center for Strategic and International StudiesSaadia Zahidid — Economist and Managing Director of the World Economic ForumMarkus Jaeger — Adjunct professor, International and Public Affairs, Columbia SIPAAbraham Newman — Professor of Government, Georgetown University. Author of Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy (Holt/Penguin 2023)Hugo Slim — Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict, University of Oxford

Featuring Sharlene Bakash, commentator on Khomeini and Iran’s modern politics. The conversation traces the 1953 coup, the Shah's rule and how foreign oil interests shaped Iran. It follows the 1979 revolution, Khomeini's rise and the consolidation of clerical power. It highlights Iranian women’s long history of activism and their central role in recent mass protests.

Isis Zarakol, a Professor at the University of Cambridge, highlights the historical roots and fragmentation of international orders. George Lawson from ANU discusses the evolution of modern diplomacy and international institutions. Charles Kupchan, expert on international law, critiques the liberal order's vulnerabilities and how Trump's presidency reflects deeper domestic issues. They explore the potential collapse of this order and debate whether the crisis stems from internal US politics or external pressures, driving us toward a future of uncertainty.

President Trump not only want to make America great, he also wants to make it bigger and incorporating Canada as the 51st state would certainly do that – except for the fact that Canada is a sovereign nation. The story of Canada and the United States and why President Trump wants to turn Canada into the 51st States of the Union.

President Trump wants to buy or take control of Greenland from Denmark. But Denmark has made very clear, they don’t have the right to sell Greenland because Greenland is owned by the people of Greenland. Donald Trump is not the first US president to try and buy Greenland. The story of Greenland and America’s many attempts to gain control of the largest island on the planet.

As the world becomes an increasingly dangerous and uncertain place – how prepared are we in Australia to face these new challenges?  This week on Rear Vision the story of one nation that take security and preparedness very seriously – Finland

This year, the Australian Labor government changed the country's superannuation rules — and reduced the 15% tax concession on balances over 3 million dollarsIs this enough? And is our retirement system serving its purpose?