Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

In his first weeks in office, President Donald Trump has made a point of purging the federal government of D.E.I. - Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives. For many Americans the message is clear –  women, African Americans and non-white communities are less capable, and if they are in positions of power or authority in business or government, it’s because the standards were lowered.​ The stor...

Historically Germany has been one of the most politically stable nations in Europe and an economic powerhouse. But over the past few year’s things have changed – the German economy has started to slow; politics has become more fragmented and the extreme far right party the Alternative for Germany or AfD has doubled its political support. Last year the centre left three-party coalition government o...

President Donald  Trump wants Panama to hand back, one of the most important waterways on the planet, the Panama Canal, to the United States and he hasn’t ruled out force if Panama won’t agree. It’s a far cry from 48 years ago when another very different US President - formally gave the Panama canal to the nation of Panama. This week from the Rear Vision archives - the story of the building of the...

President Trump wants to buy or take control of Greenland from Denmark. But Denmark has made very clear, they don’t have the right to sell Greenland because Greenland is owned by the people of Greenland.  Donald Trump is not the first US president to try and buy Greenland. The story of Greenland and America’s many attempts to gain control of the largest island on the planet.

On 26 January 1788, the ships of the First Fleet started unloading the first of more than a thousand people – convicted criminals, officers, marines, women and children – who would set up camp in what became the city of Sydney. What happened during the first days, weeks and months of contact between the British who arrived and the Aboriginal people who lived there?

In June 2015 Donald Trump, real estate tycoon and TV personality, announced he was running in the Republican Presidential race. At first many people dismissed him as having no chance but within weeks of nominating, his polling numbers rocketed, and he became the front runner in a field of 17 candidates and the rest as they say is history. This week on Rear Vision we revisit the story of Donald Tru...

It’s a truism of peace talks that we’re not negotiating with our friends but rather our enemies. And when most of our enemies have been designated as terrorist 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.

The assassination attempt on Trump was a shocking mission failure for the Secret Service.  From JFK to Reagan, we examine what the agency’s history and response to past failures.

Joe Biden became the 46 President of the United States. Twice before he ran for the Democrat presidential nomination and both times he lost - but he didn't give up. Born in 1942 he has spent most of his working life in the US Senate, except for the eight years as Vice President in the Obama administration. What does his record in the Senator, and his previous attempts at the presidency tell us abo...

While America was founded on lofty ideas – like democracy, equality and freedom – it’s was also shaped and continues to be shaped by political violence. The history of political violence in America from the time of slavery through to the assassination attempt on Donald trump.

Nancy Pelosi was the Democrat Speaker of the House of Representative, during Donald Trump's first presidency. She was a constant thorn in his side and lead the push to impeachment him. For over four decades has has been a major player in US politics. And despite having retired from the House is said to have played a key role in getting Joe Biden to step aside last year. So, who is Nancy Pelosi.

Australia starting taxing capital gains in 1986, stamping out a whole lot of tax evasion in the process. So why in 1999 did the Howard government introduce a discount on that tax? And how has that concession impacted investing in property? 

Rear Vision puts contemporary events in their historical context.

International leaders are calling for a two-state solution – as the only long-term way to solve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in the occupied territories. But just how viable is the creation of a Palestinian state and does the political will exist on either side to negotiate a final agreement?

Bernie Sanders was the first independent and first self-professed socialist to be voted first into the House and then the US Senate, for decades. He has espoused the same message for over 40 years: affordable education, universal health care and economic equality. For most of those 40 years he was a voice in the wilderness but suddenly his message is resonating with thousands of young Americans -...

Coles and Woolworths didn't start out in food retail but after making the switch in the 1950s they quickly started taking over the competition.  We examine their rise to market dominance, and who are the winners and losers when an industry is dominated by just two players?

Does history rhyme? Should we make comparison between Germany in the 1930 and America in 2024? Are there parallels between the rise of Adolf Hitler and Donald Trump. Or are such comparison – ahistorical and ridiculous. 

President Trump loves tariffs but most economists hate them. We look at how tariffs work and what history can tell us about their impact on economies. And the industries protected by them.

This week in New Zealand saw one of the biggest protests its seen for decades. A nine-day march ending in the capital Wellington – with a demonstration of around 55,00 people outside parliament house. The protesters are opposing the introduction of a bill which seeks to reinterpret New Zealand’s founding document between the British Crown and Māori chiefs and there are fears it will dilute the rig...

For over a century having or performing an abortion was a crime across Australia – but over the past decade it’s been decriminalised every state and territory. Yet despite being legal - access to an abortion is not equally available to all women. The story of abortion reform in Australia and the fight for access.  Guests Dr Erica Millar, Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe University. Barbara Baird...

The yes in my backyard movement (YIMBY) wants greater density in established suburbs and inner city.  Nimbies (NIMBY) are happy with the status quo and object to change. But does the framing of the YIMBY vs NIMBY debate help us understand the complexities of urban planning?  

This week the America goes to the polls to elect its President. It will be close, possibly coming down to a few swing states and a few thousand voters, and if that’s the case, we’re likely to see challenges in courts and accusations of election fraud. But we’ve seen it all before - the story of the 2020 election and scheme to overturn it.

In recent years, several Arab nations had begun to normalise relations with Israel. We examine what normalisation meant for the Palestinian cause. And how Arab countries with closer ties to Israel are responding the current conflict. 

The far-right party the Alternative for Germany or AfD has made impressive electoral gains in recent states elections in Germany – but only in East Germany or the former GDR. The story of East Germany from the Romans to the Soviets, through to unification - it’s a history that is defining German politics today. 

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxy Hezbollah, has escalated over the past month to a point where a region conflict seems almost inevitable. But could it also lead to a broader conflict between Iran and the United States. Part 2 of our series on the role the United States played in the making of Modern Iran - the Iranian revolution of 1979.