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Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

ABC Australia
United States
Donald Trump
China
Australia
Israel
Bangladesh
Russia
NATO
World War II
United Nations
Democratic Party
Iran
Hamas
Hezbollah
Jair Bolsonaro
South China Sea
Ukraine
Brazil
Immigration
Tiktok

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes373Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Rear Vision

Latest Episodes

Our understanding of the past has always been contentious and ripe for argumentation.

How we think and write about historic events changes as new sources of information are found, and fresh details emerge about people and events.

In this episode,... more

Today the Red Sea’s crucial choke-point at the Bab el-Mandeb is becoming as infamous as the Strait of Hormuz.

Dictators and autocrats deride human rights as a “western concept” – think Vladamir Putin and Xi Jinping, among others. They reject the narrative that a global concern for individual freedoms has steadily grown since the end of WWII. What if they’re ... more

This year has seen an uncharacteristic flurry of meetings and engagement between North Korea, China and Russia.

Is a North Asia bromance blossoming or are we seeing a calculated collaboration?

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Samuel Moyn
Professor at Yale University, expert on human rights history
Yale University
Episode: Reality check - why a belief in human rights has never really been universal
Jenna Reinbold
Associate Professor at Colgate University
Colgate University
Episode: Reality check - why a belief in human rights has never really been universal
Barbara Keys
Professor at Durham University
Durham University
Episode: Reality check - why a belief in human rights has never really been universal
Alison Brysk
Professor at University of California, Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara
Episode: Reality check - why a belief in human rights has never really been universal
Rachel Min-Young Lee
Senior fellow with 38 North at the Stimson Center
38 North / Stimson Center
Episode: North Korea - powerplay in the Northwest Pacific
Michael Pembroke
Former Supreme Court judge and author
Korea, Where the American Century Began
Episode: North Korea - powerplay in the Northwest Pacific
Justin Hastings
Author of Our Most Enterprising Country, North Korea and the Global Economy
Australian National University / Author
Episode: North Korea - powerplay in the Northwest Pacific
Leonard Petroff
Dean at the International College of Management in Sydney
International College of Management
Episode: North Korea - powerplay in the Northwest Pacific
Jamie Riley
Associate Professor in Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
Episode: North Korea - powerplay in the Northwest Pacific

Hosts

Antony Funnell
Host of Rear Vision
Ros Bluett
Host of Rear Vision

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Past and present impact

    Enjoy the history of current issues and how they inform what is happening now.

    Balanced, well researched and easy listening. Every episode teaches me about how our world operates. I am left pondering how much we have learnt from history

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dalekflower
    Australia2 months ago
  • You don't know how important it is not to repeat history unless you know your history.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Aurorespera
    2 months ago
  • My never miss podcast

    I love how this show takes a current topic and deep dives through history to give the issue context.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Diddoms69
    Australia3 months ago
  • Best podcast in Australia

    This podcast continually provides excellent historical analysis to understand our world in context. Really love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JayKayEmPee
    Australia4 months ago
  • Dead set fantastic stuff

    What an absolute gem this podcast is (in-depth, well researched, &

    beautifully put together) straight up information, no nonsense, no faffing, no extended intros - absolutely love this. I dead set love it - you peeps who put it together - I love your work ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tim Brunero
    Australia7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality, evidence-based analysis with balanced perspectives.
Insightful historical context helps make sense of current events.
Engaging guests and rigorous scholarship are strong positives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#195
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#167
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#14
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#111
Hong Kong/History
Apple Podcasts
#119
South Korea/History
Apple Podcasts
#120
Singapore/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Whatever happened to Libya?
Q: How have external powers influenced Libya's trajectory since 2011?
Various regional and global powers—especially the UAE, Turkey, Russia, and, at times, the United States—have supported different Libyan factions for strategic reasons, often pursuing their own interests over a coherent international peace plan, which has prolonged instability.
Whatever happened to Libya?
Q: Who is Khalifa Haftar, and why has he been such a persistent obstacle to a unified Libyan state?
Haftar built a large, independent armed force in eastern Libya with backing from regional players, which enabled him to wield military power beyond political reach, undermining national-level negotiations and contributing to the country's enduring split.
Whatever happened to Libya?
Q: What drove the West to intervene in 2011, and why did that intervention not lead to a stable post-Gaddafi Libya?
The consensus was to protect civilians from mass atrocities, but the lack of a clear post-conflict plan and the exit of international sponsors allowed regional powers and Libyan factions to fill the vacuum, leading to ongoing fragmentation rather than a cohesive transition.
The history and future of women in combat
Q: Was there significant pushback when women began serving in combat roles?
There was surprisingly limited pushback in some countries at the time, largely because scandals and ongoing sexism within the forces made the change more palatable to the public, though some conservative voices opposed it.
Weaponised trade and a return to gunboat diplomacy
Q: What are the implications of US-China tensions?
There will be significant global GDP losses and double-digit welfare losses for developing countries.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rear Vision

What is Rear Vision about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Across recent episodes, the show consistently probes how historical forces shape current events, from regional conflicts and diplomacy to social and political transformations. Listeners encounter deep context on questions like state-building, war accountability, migration, and global power dynamics, anchored by historians, policy experts, journalists, and regional scholars. The program stands out for its rigorous sourcing, nuanced debates, and a tendency to present multiple perspectives—often reframing familiar topics through long-view historical analysis. This combination makes it especially valuable for decision-makers seeking context for complex global issues, as well as for curious listeners who enjoy evidence-based storytelling grounde... more

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1. Big Ideas
2. If You're Listening
3. Late Night Live — Full program podcast
4. Saturday Extra - Full program podcast
5. Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

How many episodes of Rear Vision are there?

Rear Vision launched 20 years ago and published 373 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Rear Vision?

Recent guests on Rear Vision include:

1. Samuel Moyn
2. Jenna Reinbold
3. Barbara Keys
4. Alison Brysk
5. Rachel Min-Young Lee
6. Michael Pembroke
7. Justin Hastings
8. Leonard Petroff

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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