Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

Epizode

• A turning point for Türkiye? Erdogan moves against his rivals 03.06.2026 29min

  Moves by President Erdogan to arrest and imprison two of his key political rivals have prompted warnings that Türkiye is sliding into authoritarianism.   There are fears he may change the constitution next to stay in power.
• Happy Birthday Mr President: cage fighting at the White House 02.06.2026 29min

  President Donald Trump is throwing himself an 80th birthday to remember. Cage fighting on the White House lawns, organised by his best mate, and UFC CEO, Dana White.  It's a spectacle the President's backers hope will resonate with young men, once his biggest fans, but whose support for him is cratering.
• 'Indonesia Rising': Is now the time to embrace our neighbour? 01.06.2026 29min

  To mark the end of our popular 'Indonesia Rising' series, a special episode sharing your feedback and questions. Hamish Macdonald and Geraldine Doogue reflect on your thoughts about economic opportunity, big ideas for the future, and concerns over diplomatic blind spots. Oh, and there are some beautiful personal stories along the way.
• Global Roaming LIVE - Two veteran foreign correspondents share their stories 29.05.2026 29min

  What actually is foreign news in 2026, when stories of the world's pain and joy are accessible in the click of a button? And who can we trust to tell it?  Recorded live at the Sydney Writers' Festival, Hamish and Geraldine talk to two veteran foreign reporters, about their careers and how to tell honest human stories in a world jam-packed with information.   
• 'Welcome to Iran' - a correspondent's surreal week in wartime Tehran 28.05.2026 29min

  Getting a journalist visa for Iran is not an easy feat at the best of times, and this is not the best of times. ABC Asia editor Karishma Vyas talks to Kylie and Latika from Tehran, where she's had a glimpse of how the capital is operating in wartime, the control still exercised by the authorities, and the level of need felt by everyday citizens.
• Springtime in Prague: Why is Europe feeling optimistic? 27.05.2026 29min

  At a leading European security and policy conference in Prague, Latika buttonholes one of Australia's top political scientists to interrogate an unusually upbeat, even optimistic, mood. Is it that Europe's leaders are getting used to dealing with Donald Trump?  Or could it be Ukraine fending off the Russians, with increasing success?  The answer is worth a listen.
• 'If you're weak you'll get invaded': Poland prepares for war with Russia 26.05.2026 28min

  On the frontline with Russia, Poland is now spending a massive $90 billion on defence, bolstered by a loan from the EU and multinational forces from Europe and the US stationed in the country. In Warsaw, the view is that the only way to stop Russia is deterrence. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has condemned what he calls the disintegration of NATO from within, declaring the greatest threat is not its external enemies. 
• Indonesia Rising: 'WhatsApp' Diplomacy with Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia 25.05.2026 29min

  On this episode of Global Roaming's 'Indonesia Rising' series, Hamish Macdonald is granted a rare glimpse into how diplomacy is done in 2026 by Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia, Rod Brazier. Gone are the days of formal emails and deals done behind gated walls. Ambassador Brazier uses social media and a 'street style' diplomacy that is winning Indonesian hearts,  minds and crucially access.   Beyond Bali and beaches, Ambassador Brazier puts the case that now is the time for Australians to embrace our neighbour, and pursue a true partnership. 
• Does AUKUS make more sense (or less) in a conflicted world?  22.05.2026 28min

  AUKUS has a confidence problem.  In a bid to reassure industry over the slow pace of AUKUS, the Australian and US governments are set to announce future collaborations under Pillar Two of the deal, with unmanned underwater vehicles top of the list.   But industry aside, what about the heavy lifting to be done in building public confidence? 
• Is the tide turning in favour of Ukraine? 21.05.2026 29min

  Is the unthinkable becoming possible?  For the first time in two years, Ukrainian forces have regained more territory than was lost to Russia.  Armed with locally made drones, and missiles, Ukraine has hit targets in Moscow, and is damaging Russian morale. Its campaign against military manufacturing has proven effective.  Russia's spring campaign has failed to meet its objectives, and suddenly after five years of war, victory no longer feels inevitable.
• Africa's population is about to double. Who will power it? 20.05.2026 28min

  The latest outbreak of Ebola in the Congo is the kind of crisis we most hear about when Africa rates a mention on our televisions, or in our feeds. But there is a lot of change, and an immense complexity across that great continent, that escapes attention.  Prompted by a listener's feedback, this episode Geraldine and Latika ask how Africa will power the massive growth required by a population set to double in the next 30 years...   
• Philippines' 'Game of Thrones': Senate moves to impeach the Vice President 19.05.2026 29min

  High stakes political chaos is unfolding in the Philippines with a missing Senator, an ex-President in the Hague, and bitter, duelling family dynasties. The drama is happening as a trial gets underway in the Philippines to impeach Philippine Vice President, Sara Duterte, the daughter of Rodrigo Duterte who is currently in the Hague being tried for crimes against humanity. With one camp pro-China and the other US and whispers of secession in the South growing louder there is a much at stake in Philippines Game of Thrones.
• Indonesia has high speed rail. How come Australia can't get there? 18.05.2026 28min

  Indonesia's 'WHOOSH' train does exactly that.  The high speed link from Jakarta to Bandung used to take three to four hours, now it's a 35 minute journey, peaking at speeds of 350 km/hour. It's a remarkable piece of high tech infrastructure, but it's also been the subject of corruption investigations and questions over debt to China.
• Australia's Delta advances, but who's missing from this Eurovision? 15.05.2026 29min

  Challenging, thoughtful and fun — a user's guide to what the world is talking about.
• Enter the "dealmaker": Donald Trump in Beijing 14.05.2026 29min

  Going into the summit in Beijing between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the narrative from China is that President Trump is weak and distracted.  Beijing sees the Iran war, and mid term elections on the horizon as weaknesses for President Trump, who last month postponed his planned meeting with President Xi on account of the war.  President Trump arrives with his own agenda, with trade, tech and Taiwan high on the list.
• What the world needs now: a Trump-Xi summit free of fireworks 13.05.2026 29min

  In this over-stimulated moment in international affairs, observers have set a low bar for success for the summit this week scheduled between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. A lack of fireworks would be nice, they say.   In the Asia Pacific, there's hope for a summit where President Trump doesn't rile Beijing's emotions, and that instead ushers in a period of stability. What are the chances? Guest: Kirsty Needham, Australia and Pacific correspondent, AFP and former SMH Beijing correspondent  
• Populist Britain: Is two-party politics over in the UK? 12.05.2026 29min

  The UK's local council elections last week saw Labor lose Wales for the first time in 100 years. Reform UK and the Greens also made big strides in traditional Tory and Labor heartland. Old loyalties are breaking down, and with it Britain's traditional political system. What does this mean for the UK's first-past-the-post electoral system? What foundation does this lay for Scottish and Welsh independence? And if the UK isn't safe from populism, is Australia? Guest: Krishnan Guru-Murthy, British journalist and Channel 4 News presenter. ------- Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au Find all the episodes of Global Roaming on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.
• Indonesia Rising: What does it mean to be Indonesian? 11.05.2026 29min

  Indonesia is one of Australia's nearest neighbours but the nature of its people, art and culture remain a mystery to many. In the fourth instalment of Global Roaming's Indonesia Rising, hosts Hamish Macdonald and Geraldine Doogue leave the politics behind for a deeply personal insight into Indonesian identity and the country's rich history of literature, poetry and art. Guest: Laksmi Pamuntiak, Indonesian poet and novelist. Reading recommendations: Hamish: The Question of Red by Laksmi Pamuntiak. Geraldine: The Year of Living Dangerously by Christopher Koch Laksmi: Indonesia, Etc. by Elizabeth Pisani, Race, Islam and Power by Andreas Harsono, Saman by Ayu Utami, the essays of Goenawan Mohamad in Tempo,  Beauty Is a Wound by Eka Kurniawan, and the Buru Tetralogy and The Mute’s Soliloquy Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Mentions: Global Roaming with David Van Reybrouck - Indonesia Rising: The struggle to reclaim history Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au Find all the episodes of Global Roaming on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts. *Hamish is in Indonesia as the winner of the 2024 Elizabeth O’Neill Journalism Award.
• Is Australia ready for drone warfare? 08.05.2026 29min

  From Ukraine to Iran, the rapid advancement of cheap and mass-produced drones is reshaping battlefields around the world. Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, only four militaries around the world were using small drones. Now, according to today's guest on Global Roaming, there are more than 40. Host Hamish Macdonald visits a counter-drone technology factory in an undisclosed location in Sydney to find out more. Guest: Terry Van Haren, vice president of DroneShield, an Australian military technology company Mentions: Global Roaming with Peter Pomerantsev: Is Russia's time as a dominant power coming to an end?  Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au Find all the episodes of Global Roaming on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.
• Is the Iran war supercharging the energy transition? 07.05.2026 29min

  The war with Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent oil and gas prices through the roof. As countries scramble to secure energy supplies, sales of rooftop solar and electric vehicle sales are soaring. Is the war forcing the world to break its fossil fuel addiction? And how viable are alternative low-emissions fuels?    Guest: Dani Alexander, the chief executive of the University of New South Wales Energy Institute Get in touch: We’d love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au Find all the episodes of Global Roaming on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.