John Anderson: Conversations

In this conversation, Brendan O’Neill joins John to discuss the global reaction to October 7 and what it reveals about the state of Western culture. They examine why protests and activism erupted across university campuses, how narratives about Israel spread rapidly through Western institutions, and why many of these institutions appeared to respond with hostility rather than solidarity.
The discussion also explores the role of identity politics, social media, and shifting cultural attitudes in shaping Western democracies. O’Neill suggests that these reactions reflect a deeper loss of confidence within Western institutions in their own values and historical foundations. This is a thoughtful conversation that sheds light on the prevalence of anti-Semitism in the West.
Brendan O’Neill is chief political writer and former editor of Spiked. He also a writes for The
Australian and numerous other newspapers and magazines. His most recent book is After the
Pogrom: 7 October, Israel and the Crisis of Civilisation. He hosts The Brendan O’Neill Show.

Rodger Shanahan joins John Anderson to examine the true objectives behind U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran. Is this about preventing a nuclear capability, dismantling Iran’s proxy network, or ultimately forcing regime change? Shanahan argues that while public messaging has been inconsistent, the rhetoric and targeting patterns increasingly point toward regime change — a strategic ambition with a poor historical record when pursued through air power alone.
The discussion unpacks Iran’s ideological foundations, its history of foreign intervention, the erosion of its “forward defence” strategy, and the real limits of military precision in shaping political outcomes. From contested nuclear claims to the future of the rules-based order, this is a sober, strategic assessment of whether the world will emerge safer — or more unstable.
Rodger Shanahan is a non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute specialising in Middle East security and strategic affairs. He holds a PhD in Arab and Islamic Studies from the University of Sydney and is a former Australian Army officer with operational deployments to Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan and East Timor, as well as diplomatic postings to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He has also served as an expert witness in more than 30 Australian terrorism cases.

John Anderson sits down with former NSW Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Mike Newman to examine the culture, size and direction of Australia’s modern public service. While both men acknowledge the vital role of capable public servants, they question whether the system has become bloated, inward-looking and detached from the realities faced by households and businesses. At a time of falling productivity and rising cost-of-living pressures, they ask whether the balance between administration and wealth creation has drifted out of alignment.The discussion moves beyond numbers to deeper questions of accountability, incentives and institutional culture. From regulatory overreach to major project failures, Newman argues that expansion has too often come without corresponding responsibility. Yet, he also highlights examples where strong leadership and a service-first mindset have delivered genuine reform. It is a serious, practical examination of how Australia governs itself, and what must change to restore discipline, effectiveness and public trust.Mike Newman has four decades of business experience in North Asia and served as NSW’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the region. He has written insightfully on many topics, and most recently on the problem of government bureaucracies.

John Anderson speaks with Wes Huff and Dan Paterson about the striking cultural shift among younger generations towards a renewed search for meaning, transcendence, and moral grounding. They reflect on disillusionment with secular narratives and the renewed interest in Christianity as a source of lifelong direction and purpose. Huff and Paterson explore the impact of numerous online role models for young men, including Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate. This is a conversation that questions whether modern society can sustain itself without a deeper moral and spiritual foundation. Wes Huff is the Vice President for Apologetics Canada and has participated in public dialogues, debates, and interfaith events on issues of belief and religion around the world. Huff holds a BA in sociology from York University, a Masters of Theological Studies from Tyndale University, and is currently doing a PhD in New Testament at the University of Toronto’s Wycliffe College. Dan Paterson is the founder Questioning Christianity. He has experience as a pastor, lecturer, and public speaker, having studied Theology and Apologetics in Australia and at Oxford. Paterson speaks regularly to audiences across the belief spectrum on how the gospel connects to life’s biggest questions, and on the popular objections to the Christian faith.

John Anderson speaks with Ayaan Hirsi Ali to examine the growing ideological, spiritual, and civilisational pressures confronting the West. Drawing on her personal experience, historical analysis, and cultural commentary, Hirsi Ali argues that radical Islam, institutional secularism, and the erosion of Western moral confidence are converging to produce a crisis of identity and social cohesion. This conversation traces the theological roots of modern Islamic extremism, the relationship between Islam and political power, the limits of multicultural integration, and the consequences of abandoning the cultural and moral foundations that once sustained liberal democracy. It is a candid and confronting discussion that challenges prevailing assumptions about tolerance and pluralism, calling for a renewed seriousness about the civilisational principles required to preserve social stability. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a writer, public intellectual, and former member of the Dutch parliament. Born in Somalia and raised in multiple Islamic societies, she later became a prominent critic of political Islam and an advocate for liberal democracy, women’s rights, and freedom of conscience. She is the author of Infidel and other internationally recognised works on religion, culture, and identity.