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
Apr 11, 2019 • 18min
RUSSIA | S02 04 - Sergey Kislyak: The radioactive ambassador
Everyone who meets Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak ends up in deep trouble. But what if that was the point?Robert Mueller seems to have found no evidence that the Trump campaign were willing participants in the criminal Russian effort to disrupt the 2016 election.But what if the Trump campaign were unwitting targets of a spy operation, led from the Russian EmbassyWere they tricked into taking pointless but suspicious-looking meetings - which the media and FBI would discover and investigate?
Apr 4, 2019 • 20min
RUSSIA | S02 03 - Rob Goldstone: 'I regret all of it'
Affable Englishman Rob Goldstone was literally in the room for the infamous Trump Tower Meeting, and he was with Donald Trump the weekend of the mythical "pee tape".But when you look at the rest of the characters involved in the Trump/Russia saga - Republican operatives, Trump family members and Russian spies - Rob Goldstone seems like the odd man out.He puts a lot of his story down to accidents and misunderstandings, but is that all there is to it?You can get a link to the full interview on our website.
Mar 28, 2019 • 19min
RUSSIA | S02 02 - Maria Butina: Russian in the NRA
An undercover Australian journalist from Al Jazeera spent three years inside the National Rifle Association of America. He wasn't the only one trying figure it out. Simultaneously, a Russian secret agent was trying to infiltrate the NRA.She is now the only Russian secret agent behind bars for Russia's meddling in the election, and could hold the key to understanding Putin's plans.
Mar 25, 2019 • 18min
RUSSIA | S02 01 - Trump's best day ever
After 22 months Mueller's report has dropped. But it hasn't been made public - yet.US Attorney General Bill Barr has the report in his hot hands - and according to him - Mueller found no evidence of collusion.But who is Bill Barr? And can we trust his summary of Mueller's findings?
Sep 9, 2018 • 22min
RUSSIA | S01 17 - Robert Mueller: 'Trump's worst nightmare'
We end the season with the head of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election - Robert Mueller.He's been taking down key players, circling closer and closer to Donald Trump.But can he finish before the President shuts him down?This is our last deep dive into a key character in the Russia investigation for this season, but we'll keep you updated with Trumpdates every time an important development in the story breaks.Keep an eye on your feed.Want to get in touch? Email russia@abc.net.au.
Sep 2, 2018 • 22min
RUSSIA | S01 16 - Michael Cohen: The fixer with the hush money
Michael Cohen is called Donald Trump's personal lawyer, but really he's a "fixer" - a man who solves problems for the boss.It all came unstuck when investigators probed into hush money payments he made to a model and a porn star.He pleaded guilty to eight criminal counts, and announced he was happy to tell the truth to anyone who asked for it.So what information will he give up and should Trump be worried?Want to get in touch? Email russia@abc.net.au.
Aug 26, 2018 • 21min
RUSSIA | S01 15 - Felix Sater: Criminal, informant, developer, spy
Felix Sater's life is a mystery.He went to jail for stabbing a guy in the face, he was involved with the Russian Mafia, and was an informant for the CIA.He also helped Donald Trump build his property empire. So are there any secrets? And what does he know?
Aug 19, 2018 • 19min
RUSSIA | S01 14 - Trump's Business: Secrets and deals
Donald Trump's business flourished with the 80s real estate boom and bled money when the recession hit.These days no one really knows how much he really has.Why the secrecy?Today, the story of the Trump Organization, and when Russian money might have ended up in his pocket.
Aug 12, 2018 • 21min
RUSSIA | S01 13 - James Comey: Integrity at all costs
Former FBI director James Comey is both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton's biggest nightmare.He's the grandson of a cop with a dogged commitment to integrity, independence and note taking.But could his integrity be what cost Hillary Clinton the election? And did it cause Donald Trump to commit a crime?
Aug 5, 2018 • 23min
RUSSIA | S01 12 - Michael Flynn: General for hire
General Michael Flynn was a high ranking defence official and a Democrat before he joined up with Donald Trump.He's now accused of planning a kidnapping, acting illegally as an unregistered foreign agent, and found guilty of lying to the FBI.Why was he allowed to stay in the White House when he was compromised by the Russian Government?
