Program: Rear Vision

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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.

Airs Sunday 12pm Repeated: Wednesday 1.30pm, Thursday 12am

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Latest

Soldiers of Fortune—The history of mercenaries and their impact on warfare

Published: YesterdaySun 30 Jul 2023 at 2:00amwith Annabelle Quince

Through most of the 20th centuries mercenaries didn’t exist but that was an anomaly - historically mercenaries have always played a major role in conflicts as they are increasing doing in the 21st century.

Duration: 28 minutes 56 seconds

More from Rear Vision

White oil: the story and politics of lithium and how Australia became the world's greatest supplier

Lithium-ion batteries power everything from consumer goods, electric vehicles, large storage batteries and everything else we need to achieve net zero.

artificial yellow white and blue large pools in a desert

Duration: 29 minutes 6 seconds

Published: 23 Jul 2023Sun 23 Jul 2023 at 2:00amwith Jennifer Leake

Vienna’s housing strategy—How this city became one of the most equitable and affordable in Europe

Australia is facing a housing crisis - there is a shortage of affordable housing, essential workers can no longer live in the areas they work, and families are finding themselves homeless.

Duration: 30 minutes 2 seconds

Published: 16 Jul 2023Sun 16 Jul 2023 at 2:00amwith Annabelle Quince

When Hollywood met China – the battle for the big screen

Following controversies involving films like 'Top Gun', 'Mulan' and now 'Barbie', there's been growing pushback against China's perceived influence over Hollywood. But are these calls too little, too late?

A mother and child walk past a poster for 'Titanic' in Shanghai in 1998

Duration: 28 minutes 57 seconds

Published: 9 Jul 2023Sun 9 Jul 2023 at 2:00amwith Taryn Priadko

The jet stream: rivers of air in the sky

Jet streams are narrow bands of strong winds in the upper atmosphere. This is the story of how they were discovered and what can happen when they behave in unexpected ways.

Duration: 29 minutes 5 seconds

Published: 2 Jul 2023Sun 2 Jul 2023 at 2:00amwith Jennifer Leake

Feature Articles

'We're not doing this again.' Ozempic and the normalising of diet drugs are stirring concern

The story of diet drugs is one full of miracle cures that often don't live up to the hype or come with serious side effects.

a tray of pills reflecting a woman's face

Published: WedWed 26 Jul 2023 at 11:30pmby Jennifer Leake

'Pay as you throw': What Australia could learn from some of the world's best recyclers

Australia has a long way to go to becoming one of the world's great recycling nations. Here's what we could learn from other countries.

Published: 14 Jun 2023Wed 14 Jun 2023 at 1:19amby Nick Baker and Annabelle Quince

'Seek help from a charity': What was Australia like before Medicare?

These experts say Medicare is at breaking point and it's time for major reform.

A black and white photo of a sign reading 'Medicare means medicine for all'

Published: 23 May 2023Tue 23 May 2023 at 11:39pmby Nick Baker and Annabelle Quince

How did this country go from 'White Australia' to a multicultural nation?

Since the arrival of the first Europeans, this country has taken in an estimated 10 million migrants. But the path to a multicultural society has not been straightforward.

A 1950s black and white photo of a crowded ship arriving.

Published: 23 Mar 2023Thu 23 Mar 2023 at 3:46amby Ruby Cornish and Keri Phillips