If You're Listening
ABC Australia
The world is on fire. There's a coup. Inflation is through the roof, and AI is taking our jobs. What does it all mean? Each week, Matt Bevan explains the biggest story in world news while hiding in his basement from assassins and authoritarian regimes.
Recent episodes include an exploration of the relationship between India and China, a closer look at the Saudi Arabian city of NEOM, the conflict in the Middle East, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and Ukraine's incursions into Vladimir Putin's Russia. Matt Bevan draws connections between stories from the past and the events of the present to help listeners understand world news and international affairs.
The podcast also features series about big moments in world news; previous series have focused on the United States presidential election, the United Kingdom's 14 years of Conservative Party leadership, Donald Trump's relationship with Russia, Donald Trump's presidency and promise to Make America Great Again, the Mueller Report, Vladimir Putin's scheme to destroy western democracies, how the relationship between Australia and China came to the verge of collapse, and Australia's turbulent history with climate change.
There's a new episode of If You're Listening every Thursday.
Recent episodes include an exploration of the relationship between India and China, a closer look at the Saudi Arabian city of NEOM, the conflict in the Middle East, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and Ukraine's incursions into Vladimir Putin's Russia. Matt Bevan draws connections between stories from the past and the events of the present to help listeners understand world news and international affairs.
The podcast also features series about big moments in world news; previous series have focused on the United States presidential election, the United Kingdom's 14 years of Conservative Party leadership, Donald Trump's relationship with Russia, Donald Trump's presidency and promise to Make America Great Again, the Mueller Report, Vladimir Putin's scheme to destroy western democracies, how the relationship between Australia and China came to the verge of collapse, and Australia's turbulent history with climate change.
There's a new episode of If You're Listening every Thursday.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 26, 2023 • 18min
How "General Armageddon" and a bromance almost brought down Vladimir Putin
Former chef Yevgeny Prigozhin's bromance with General Sergei Surovikin nearly brings down Vladimir Putin and the Russian government. The podcast explores their betrayal, involvement in the Wagner group, attempted coup in Syria, and the aftermath of the mutiny
Jul 19, 2023 • 2min
INTRODUCING | If You're Listening
If You're Listening is back, and better than ever. Same espionage, same corruptions, same scandals, but more often.Not only will we be in your feed every Thursday, we'll also cover a different story each week. And if you prefer to watch rather than listen, we're also making videos for iView and YouTube.Episode one drops Thursday, 27th July.
Dec 13, 2022 • 31min
RUSSIA | S07 E6 - How will the war against Ukraine end?
After ten months of war, a few likely outcomes of the war in Ukraine are emerging.A win for Vladimir Putin. A win for Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A bitter frozen conflict. Neither Putin or Zelenskyy will sign a peace agreement and admit defeat. But what if Putin’s regime ends?Guests:Dr Paul Dibb - Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at ANU; Former Director of the Australian Joint Intelligence OrganisationLieutenant General (retired) Ben Hodges - former commanding general of the US Army in EuropeDr Mykhailo Minakov - Philosopher; Editor in Chief of Focus Ukraine blog from the Kennan Institute at the Wilson CenterMichael Bociurkiw - Global Affairs Analyst and former spokesperson for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in EuropePhilip Short - Former BBC Moscow Correspondent; Author of Putin: His Life and TimesProfessor Daniel Treisman, University of California, Los Angeles, co-author “Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century”
Dec 6, 2022 • 30min
RUSSIA | S07 E5 - Has Putin finally pushed the Russian people too far?
Protest is not allowed inside Russia.There was little resistance from the Russian people to the invasion of Ukraine, and those who didn’t like it simply left. But Vladimir Putin has made a decree that has caused discord across Russia. Has he finally pushed his people too far?Guests:Zoya Sheftalovich - Contributing editor for POLITICODr Christina Ezrahi - Historian; author of Swans of the Kremlin and Dancing for StalinDenis Volkov - Director - Levada Centre, MoscowDr Yevgenia Albats - Chief Editor of The New TimesDr Mykhailo Minakov - Philosopher; Editor in Chief of Focus Ukraine blog from the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center
Nov 29, 2022 • 34min
RUSSIA | S07 E4 - Undersea sabotage? The mysterious pipe blasts
On 26 September, a series of underwater explosions destroyed a cluster of natural gas pipelines on the bottom of the Baltic Sea.The pipes were designed to deliver gas directly from Russia to Germany, and the explosions exacerbated the already dire energy crisis in Europe.Everyone agrees it was sabotage, but nobody can agree on who did it. Today: the mystery of the Baltic Sea bubbles, and the story of how Germany’s plan for peace-through-capitalism blew up in their face.Featuring:Dr James Henderson - Chairman of the Gas Research Programme at the Oxford Institute for Energy StudiesMichael Bociurkiw - Global Affairs Analyst and former spokesperson for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
Nov 22, 2022 • 33min
RUSSIA | S07 E3 - Why it’s hard to fight when you don’t know why
Two soldiers, one Ukrainian and one Russian, share their experiences on the battlefield and shed light on Russia's mistakes and Ukraine's hidden strength. The podcast explores the transformation of the Ukrainian military, the aftermath of a failed mission and the horrors of Russian occupation. Additionally, a soldier gives insights into the challenges of fighting on the Eastern Front.
Nov 15, 2022 • 34min
RUSSIA S07 E2 | Zelensky's big call: run away or stay to fight
Vladimir Putin's plan for a three day takeover of Ukraine relied on a quick strike to take out Volodymyr Zelenskyy - to kill him, to capture him, or to make him flee. Putin assumed that Zelenskyy was weak, but on the very first day of the invasion, two events showed that Putin was wrong, and led to the transformation of a man into a symbol of defiance against Russian tyranny.Guests:Simon Shuster - Reporter for Time Magazine; author of an upcoming biography of Volodymyr ZelenskyyZoya Sheftalovich - contributing editor for POLITICOPhilip Short - Former BBC Moscow Correspondent; Author of Putin: His Life and TimesDr Paul Dibb - Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at ANU; Former Director of the Australian Joint Intelligence OrganisationPOW interview audio courtesy of Volodymyr Zolkin
Nov 8, 2022 • 34min
RUSSIA | S07 E1 - How war weakened strongman Putin
Former BBC Moscow Correspondent and author of Putin: His Life and Times, Philip Short, discusses how war weakened strongman Putin on this episode. They explore Putin's aggressive history, his invasion of Ukraine, and his perspective on the war. They also touch on the parade celebrating Ukrainian independence and Ukrainian President Zelensky's policies and challenges with oligarchs.
Nov 2, 2022 • 3min
RUSSIA | 07 INTRODUCING Russia, If You're Listening series seven
This podcast explores the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the personalities of Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. It discusses the messaging skills of the leaders and teases upcoming episodes.
Apr 12, 2022 • 37min
AUSTRALIA | S06 E8 - The 49-year-old energy prophecy that is finally coming true
Dr Alan Finkel, former Australian Chief Scientist, and other energy experts discuss the missed opportunities in Australia's transition to renewable energy. They explore topics such as the rapid shutdown of coal-fired power stations, achieving a zero emissions electricity system, the debate on Australia's net-zero emissions target, exporting solar energy, and the challenges and opportunities in Australia's transition to renewable energy.
