

Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today
ABC
Move beyond the headlines to see how the past defines our world. Whether it's a local or international story, Rear Vision's expert analysis gives you the background you need to understand today's news.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 14, 2025 • 29min
Pauline Hanson – Australia’s Greatest Political Lazarus
Back in 1996 Pauline Hanson – rocked Australian politics when she was elected to the House of Representative in the seat of Oxley espousing anti-Asian and anti-Aboriginal views. But her time in Canberra didn’t last. Two years later she lost her seat.Over the next two decades Hanson stood for re-election 8 time, failing at each attempt. She looked like a spent force in Australian politics. But that was wrong – today she is back in federal parliament, and her Party’s numbers are surging. How has Pauline Hanson been able to make such an incredible political comeback.

Dec 7, 2025 • 30min
The World Trade Organization
Rear Vision traces the story of the World Trade Organization from its origins as The GATT - and asks whether the WTO can still play a meaningful role in managing the trade realities of the 21st century?

Nov 30, 2025 • 30min
Australian universities in crisis
Australian universities are confronting a firestorm, the loss of foreign students, the lay-off of academics, the underpayment of staff and radical changes to domestic university fees.Why is our university sector in so much trouble?Guests Raewyn Connell, professor emerita at the University of SydneyProfessor Glyn Davis, The Australian idea of a universityHannah Forsyth, historian of education and associate Professor at the University of New EnglandJames Waghorne, Senior Research Fellow in the faculty of Education at the University of MelbournePresenter and producer Annabelle Quince

Nov 23, 2025 • 30min
Sudan Part two— a war we’ve all ignored for too long
Sudan is engulfed in a civil war. We know little about it, but we should. Sudan sits at the crossroad between Africa and the Middle East, and many of its neighbours, the UAE, Egypt, Russia, and Saudia Arabia – are directly or indirectly involved in this conflict.In this second part of our series on Sudan - Sudan’s deeper history and the regional factors that are shaping the current conflict.

Nov 19, 2025 • 30min
The story of Sudan Part 1
The history of the current conflict in Sudan is complex and long, but it's a history that matters. Sudan sits at the crossroad between Africa and the Middle East, it controls a strategic trading port on the red Sea, Port Sudan, it has large gold reserves and is the point where the Blue and the White Nile meet before flowing into Egypt. All of which make it important in the region.

Nov 9, 2025 • 30min
America's radical left - part 2
Rear Vision puts contemporary events in their historical context.

Nov 9, 2025 • 30min
America's radical left - part 1
Rear Vision puts contemporary events in their historical context.

Nov 2, 2025 • 29min
The Gulf states - on a Middle East tightrope
The six countries of the Persian Gulf. From their rapid arrival on the world stage to their influence in Middle East politics today.

Oct 26, 2025 • 30min
Venezuela, the United States and drugs
Venezuela - the latest country on US President Donald Trump's radar in his fight against drugs.

Oct 19, 2025 • 29min
India and China - true partners or rivals?
India and China - one of the most complex and consequential relationships in modern geopolitics.


