Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

ABC Australia

4.4 (44)
HISTORY
UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

6D AGO

Is Scottish independence once again in play?

In 1707 the Scottish national parliament was disbanded, not to be reconvened until 1999. How and why Scotland regained its own Assembly is the story of rising Scottish nationalism and Westminster’s attempts to dampen such feelings and keep Scotland in the Union. On May 7th, Scots go to the polls, and the outcome could impact significantly on both the nationalist cause in Scotland and on the ongoing viability of Keir Starmer’s Labour government at Westminster. Guests: Dr Clement Macintyre – Professor Emeritus, School of Society and Culture, Adelaide University Dr Nicola McEwen – Professor of Public Policy and Governance, University of Glasgow Alyn Smith – Former UK MP and MEP, candidate for the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections, Scottish National Party Tom Chidwick – Manager, Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London

30 min
APR 23

Cuba and the US President - from FDR to Trump

IN 1959 Fidel Castro transformed Cuba into a socialist state. And ever since then, American presidents have been trying to undo it. Now it’s Donald Trump’s turn – and he’s determined to succeed.

29 min
APR 17

The history and future of women in combat

Australia’s incoming Chief of Army, Lt. General Susan Coyle, will be the first woman ever to hold the Army’s top post. Her appointment in the lead-up to Anzac Day reflects a change that’s been decades in the making. The true history of warfare is the story of men and women together on the battlefield. But in the early 20th century that reality changed, and at the same time, female fighters began to be written out of the history books. This is the story of how western women successfully fought their way back onto the front line. It’s also a story about how the current US administration is once again trying to wrest them from the field. Guests: Ashleigh Percival-Borley – Military historian, Durham University Dr Sarah Percy – Associate professor, School of Political Science and International Studies, University of Queensland Dr Megan McKenzie – Professor, School for International Studies, Simon Fraser University Dr Kyleanne Hunter – CEO of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Links: Sarah Percy’s Forgotten Warriors Kyleanne Hunter’s Invisible Veterans Megan MacKenzie’s Beyond the Band of Brothers

30 min
APR 15

Ending conflict — the art of negotiation

It’s a truism of peace talks that we’re not negotiating with our friends but rather with our enemies. And when our enemies have been designated as terrorists and murderers, it’s not an easy task. How have violent conflicts ended in the past and are there lessons we can learn from previous peace negotiations? Guests Youssef Mahmoud, Senior Advisor at the International Peace Institute. Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and head of peace operations in Burundi, the Central African Republic and Chad. Randall Lesaffer, Professor of Legal History at KU University in Leuven, Belgium and author of Peace Treaties and International Law in European History: From the Late Middle Ages to World War One. Philipp Kastner, Senior Lecturer in International law at the University of Western Australia and author of Legal Normativity in the Resolution of Internal Armed Conflict. Luxshi Vimalarajah, senior mediator advisor at the Berghof Foundation. Previously involved in peace negotiations in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Turkey, Yemen, North Macedonia and Colombia.

31 min
APR 10

Australia’s energy security and resilience

The conflict in the Middle East has led to a sharp rise in energy prices – and highlighted the issue of Australia’s energy security. Why haven’t we all transitioned to renewables? The story of Australia’s energy transition and why it’s had so many false starts and missteps.

30 min
APR 3

Flags, “flag-shaggers” and the co-opting of historic symbols

Wrapping yourself in the national flag has become a common practice for far-right activists right across the Western world, particularly anti-immigration demonstrators. In the UK the co-opting of the Union Jack and the flag of St George has become so common it’s now described in derogatory terms as “flag-shagging”. In this episode, we explore the historic power of national flags as symbols of division, not just national unity. Guests: Dr Anne Platoff – Flag expert and former librarian, University of California, Santa Barbara Laura Scofield – Design Director, The Atlantic Dr Dominic Bryan – Professor of social anthropology, Queens’s University Belfast

30 min
MAR 27

Pete Hegseth - war monger or true believer?

Pete Hegseth U.S. Secretary for War (previously Defense) is one of the most powerful people on the planet. He says that two things have defined his life – his military service and his religious faith.

29 min
MAR 20

Beijing’s justification for wanting to invade Taiwan

Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping are due to meet in Beijing in the near future, following a March postponement. China’s wish to subsume democratic Taiwan is certain to be one of the topics on the summit agenda. President Xi has reportedly instructed his military to be at capacity for an invasion by 2027, so 2026 could be Taiwan’s last year of freedom. Some analysts fear US military action in Iran and Venezuela may embolden Beijing. The Chinese Communist Party justifies its claim to Taiwan based on what it calls its “One China Principle”. But what exactly does “One China” mean? Guests: Jessica Drun – Washington-based China and Taiwan analyst Dr Andrew Phillips – Professor of International Relations, University of Queensland Dr Mei-fen Kuo – lecturer in Contemporary Chinese Culture and History, Macquarie University Dr Sow Keat Tok – Asia Institute, University of Melbourne Dr Mark Harrison – Senior Lecturer, Chinese Studies, University of Tasmania

30 min

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Annabelle Quince

Host
Antony Funnell

Host
Ros Bluett

Host

4.4

out of 5

44 Ratings

Great 30 minute history lesson

12/01/2017

The Don Says

As the name suggests this programme looks back over topics of interest in what is usually an informative, balanced, & mature manner. A great weekly history lesson.
World affairs from an Australian point of view

07/04/2015

Duncan McHale

Interesting to hear something else than the US point of view.
On the fascist episode.

06/24/2017

Imseancena

This video was incorrect in several ways. Fascism rose in ancient Rome, not Germany in WWI. The word fascist comes from a fasces which was a bundle of sticks around an axe. It was used to show power in Rome. You portray Fascism as only a bad thing and you are incapable of showing it from both sides.
Interesting and relevant

12/13/2006

BillyBill

So far I have listened the podcasts on Syria and Afghanistan. The information was presented well and in an unbiased format. Well done.

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.