Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

Since the end of WW2, the security alliance between Australia and the United States ANZUS has been the cornerstone of our foreign policy and security. And the AUKUS agreement announced in 2021 by Prime Minister Morrison only deepens that alliance. But just how well has the alliance served Australia and will the AUKUS deal enhance our security or lead us into a war with China we don’t want? And if AUKUS does pan out, do we have a plan B or is our plan B to make sure plan A works?

It was after the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington – that the drone became America’s weapon of choice in war on terror. Unpiloted planes, capable of finding and destroying target on the other side of the world, known as – Reaper or Predator Drones. But it’s over the past 25 years the use of drones - both civilian and military - has really taken off globally. Nowhere more so than in the war between Ukraine and Russia where they have literally reshaped the battlefield. The history of the drone.

Since the end of World War II, America has dominated the Pacific, but China’s expanding economy and growing military might is challenging that dominance

What can Australia do to maintain its mineral wealth in a decarbonising world? Rear Vision drills down into our coal and iron-ore industries. And asks, can Green Iron save us?

The Israeli settlements in the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem are are illegal under international law. They are a key stumbling block to the creation of a viable Palestinian state. Yet for 50 years they have increased in number and size. Today, the story of the Israeli settler movement and its impact on Israeli politics.

Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990's, Vladimir Putin has emerged as a powerful player in world events. How has this happened?

The Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – once part of the Soviet Union - are now all members of NATO. But Latvia and Estonia both have large Russian speaking minorities. Analysts worry that Russia could use these minorities as an excuse to impinge on their sovereignty. Could the Baltic States become the new Ukraine and if so, would the rest of NATO invoke article 5 and go to war with Russia?

The history of the Russia Ukraine conflict. The situation in Ukraine today and why Russia invaded.

The rise and rise of Australian superannuation. Having now reached the 4 trillion dollar mark we ask, How did we get here? And is our retirement system serving its purpose?

After 1991 Ukraine followed the bumpy path of many post-Soviet states, attempting to forge a modern democracy next door to a powerful neighbour with interest and influence in its internal affairs. The 2014 political crisis in Ukraine turned into a tug-of-war between the Russia and the West. Russia’s occupation of Crimea, an autonomous region in Ukraine, become a test of US power and its limits as well as a critical moment for the Russian president. Rear Vision looks at this moment which arguable led to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

The United States like to see itself as a nation of immigrants, yet it’s always had a difficult relationship with immigrants. The history of US immigration and detention policy from the nation's founding in 1776 through to Donald Trump.

This week on Rear Vision, the story of Israel's nuclear industry.

This week on Rear Vision we revisit the story of Iran's nuclear industry.

The story behind the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia on October 16, 2017.

Rare earth minerals are in the headlines. Their supply and who control’s them, are ringing alarm bells, as Tariff negotiations put world trade on edge. Rear Vision looks into their backstory, their significance, and their role in today's geopolitics.

Periods of rapid technological and social unrest are not unique. Over 100 years ago, many of the same conditions existed. What can we learn from this period in American history known as The Gilded Age - and what might it tell us about where the country is heading.

Rear Vision puts contemporary events in their historical context.

100 years ago there were more electric vehicles on the road than gasoline or petrol cars.

Last Sunday a far-right anti-European candidate won the first round of the Romanian presidential election with 40 per cent of the vote. The stage is now set for the second-round runoff between the far-right candidate George Simion and the progressive pro-European Mayor of Bucharest Nicusor Dan. So why has a far-right candidate done so well in Romania and how might the election result reshape Romania and possible the European Union?

Kashmir is a mountainous region bordering India and Pakistan. The Pakistanis will tell you that Kashmir is in the north east corner of Pakistan. The Indians, that it is in the north west corner of India. Today on Rear Vision we take a look at the long history of this dispute.