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PODCAST

Independent Thinking

Chatham House director Bronwen Maddox hosts conversations with leading policymakers, journalists and Chatham House experts to provide insight into the latest international political issues. Independent Thinking gives listeners the opportunity to engage with the high level conversations hosted by Chatham House.

news politics

All Episodes

33:02

Gaza: What next after Trump-Netanyahu talks?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/07/10

What does Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House mean for the likelihood of a Gaza ceasefire? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Stephen Farrell, Yossi Mekelberg, Sanam Vakil and Max Yoeli to examine the state of negotiations, U.S.-Israel and regional dynamics, and competing plans for what comes next. Read our latest: Lebanon’s moment of truth The Rio summit showed that BRICS is less anti-Western than Russia would like it to be Mobilizing ‘Team Ukraine’ for a successful recovery Presented by

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30:55

One year hard Labour: Why is the UK so difficult to...

Independent Thinking ·

2025/07/04

After a crisis week for Britain’s ruling Labour Party, host Bronwen Maddox and Chatham House’s Olivia Sullivan are joined by economist Professor Stephen Millard and pollster Joe Twyman to look at the foreign and domestic challenges facing the country just one year after Keir Starmer won a landslide election victory. Read our latest: Is China friend or foe to the UK? A government audit says: ‘It’s complicated’ Brazil’s BRICS agenda may be hard to accomplish after the Iran–Israel war The Middle

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28:26

Iran's nuclear programme: destroyed, damaged or intact?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/06/27

Did US strikes cripple Iran’s nuclear programme — or just set the stage for the next crisis? Bronwen Maddox hosts from Jordan, joined by international security expert Marion Messmer and Middle East associate fellow Lina Khatib in London, to examine the claims and counter-claims and what it means for the region’s fragile balance of power. Read our latest: US strikes on Iran: What next for Iran, Israel and President Trump? For NATO’s collective defence, Europe must lead on data sharing Presented

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25:59

What does the Iran-Israel war mean for the region and...

Independent Thinking ·

2025/06/18

Following Israel’s strikes on Iran on 13 June, and the subsequent sequence of retaliation and counter retaliation, fears are rising that the conflict could escalate. In this special episode of Independent Thinking (an edited version of a live webinar) Galip Dalay joins a panel of experts to discuss strategic goals, the responses of the key regional and international actors, including the Gulf states and the US, and what if any viable diplomatic or military off-ramps exist to prevent a broader

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30:17

Can Britain be great again?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/06/13

Is Britain chasing faded glory or forging a credible future? As the government lays out its latest spending review, Bronwen Maddox is joined by Jeremy Hunt and Samir Puri to ask whether bold talk of growth, defence and science hides a deeper strategic drift – or a real path back to global influence. Read our latest: Europe could win the battle for the future of digital money History suggests Trump’s snapped back sanctions won’t deliver change in Venezuela Why peacebuilding fails and what to

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35:24

War plan or wish list - The UK Strategic Defence Review

Independent Thinking ·

2025/06/06

Drones, AI, cyber warfare and nuclear weapons are a key part of the UK’s new Strategic Defence Review, along with conventional weapons. Chatham House experts unpack the strategy, spending pledges and how Britain should adapt its military to deal with Putin, China, and Donald Trump. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Chatham House experts Grace Cassy, Marion Messmer and Olivia O’Sullivan to unpack the strategy, spending pledges, and the UK’s place in a rapidly shifting global security landscape. Read

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34:01

What's the future for Gaza?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/05/31

As Gaza reels from staggering humanitarian devastation, Bronwen Maddox speaks with Yossi Mekelberg, Stephen Farrell, and Julie Norman to unpack the political drivers of Israel’s war, the role of Donald Trump, and the region’s competing visions for Gaza’s future. From internal power struggles to shifting U.S. policy and Arab diplomatic proposals, this episode asks: what future is even possible for Gaza now? Read our latest: Gaza: War, hunger and politics The dissolution of the PKK could

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29:32

Is Brexit finally done?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/05/23

Nine years after the Brexit vote, a new UK–EU deal promises smoother trade and deeper cooperation — but is it the end of the Brexit saga or just another chapter? Bronwen Maddox digs into what the deal really means with Rod Liddle and Nicolai von Ondarza, from political fallout to Britain’s shifting role on the world stage. Read our latest: The dissolution of the PKK could transform Turkey’s domestic politics and foreign policy The Pandemic Agreement may weaken, rather than strengthen

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33:42

Can the UK take on the EU, US and China?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/05/16

As trade tensions, security concerns, and diplomatic crossroads converge, the UK’s bid for economic growth faces hard choices on the global stage. In this episode host Bronwen Maddox explores the UK’s complex balancing act between the EU, US, and China with guests Janka Oertel and Sir Martin Donnelly. Read our latest: The UK–EU summit will bring some progress on defence cooperation. But more could be done on aid and trade Trump’s Gulf tour exposes Netanyahu’s increasingly isolated position on

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30:07

Can India and Pakistan step back from the brink?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/05/09

Tensions between India and Pakistan have surged following a deadly attack in Kashmir and air strikes by India inside Pakistan. With nuclear risks, regional diplomacy, and rising domestic pressures in play, what could prevent this crisis from spiralling further? In this episode, Bronwen Maddox discusses what this means for South Asia and the world with Marion Messmer, a senior research fellow with our International Security Programme; Chietigj Bajpaee, the senior research fellow for South Asia with

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37:33

Ukraine’s impossible choice

Independent Thinking ·

2025/05/02

As Donald Trump floats a controversial peace deal that could leave Ukraine facing territorial losses and NATO exclusion, Kyiv is forced to weigh an impossible choice between sovereignty and survival. Bronwen Maddox speaks with Orysia Lutsevych from Chatham House and Matthew Savill from RUSI about battlefield fatigue, shifting alliances, and the future of European security. Find out more: Trump’s 100 days have been like no other The Kashmir attack will renew hostilities between India and

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29:40

Is the US dollar losing its dominance?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/04/24

As the IMF Spring Meetings unfold in Washington DC, Bronwen Maddox asks whether we are witnessing the twilight of the US dollar’s global dominance. Amid political shocks and shifting financial allegiances, could the world be inching towards a post-dollar era? Bronwen is joined by Isabelle Mateos y Lago, chief economist at BNP Paribas, and David Lubin from Chatham House’s Global Economy and Finance Programme to explore the dollar’s uncertain future, the rise of digital and alternative currencies,

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32:23

How can Nigeria tackle corruption?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/04/16

In this episode of Independent Thinking, we explore the root causes of corruption in Nigeria, its impact on everyday life, and potential solutions for change. Bronwen Maddox speaks with Leena Koni Hoffmann about her in-depth report on the issue, as well as insights from speakers at a Chatham House conference focused on Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption. Read our work on Nigeria: Taking action against corruption in Nigeria Renewing Nigeria’s anti-corruption agenda Tackling judicial

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33:14

Is the US confronting China in Latin America?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/04/11

This week on Independent Thinking, we explore the growing battle for influence in Latin America between the U.S. and China. In just two decades, China has gone from a minor player in the region to a dominant force—challenging the US. How is President Trump’s government responding and could his policies actually give Beijing more room to expand? Guest host Chris Sabatini is joined by Yu Jie, Robert Evan Ellis, and Bruno Binetti to discuss the shifting power dynamics and what they could mean for the

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29:14

Are Donald Trump's tariffs the end of globalization?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/04/04

President Trump has unveiled sweeping new trade tariffs—but what happens next? Bronwen Maddox explores the global reaction, the economic fallout, and whether this marks the beginning of the end for globalization. She’s joined by Jason Furman, former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama, alongside Dame DeAnne Julius and David Lubin from Chatham House’s Global Economy and Finance Programme. Read our latest: Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs are likely just the

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29:31

Can Europe replace the US as a global power?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/03/28

In this week’s episode of Independent Thinking, Bronwen Maddox discusses whether Europe can take up the mantle of the US, and lead the world as an economic and political powerhouse. Can Europe can fill the vacuum caused by America’s shifting foreign policy, and in doing so, become more of an economic force? Bronwen explores this topic with three Chatham House experts - Creon Butler, Director of the Global Economy and Finance Programme, Olivia O’Sullivan, Director of the UK in the World Programme,

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33:22

How closely is China watching the US?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/03/21

This week on Independent Thinking, three Chatham House experts look at the view from China now that Donald Trump is in charge. Ben Bland speaks to Yu Jie, William Matthews and David Lubin, about how China is repositioning itself on the world stage, viewing its own security and preparing for a potential trade war. We’ll also explore what the Chinese Communist Party is really thinking, what harm tariffs are doing and what the AI battle could mean for the world. Read our latest: New US attacks

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32:41

Will Syria’s new leader rescue or destroy the country?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/03/14

In this week's episode Haid Haid, Rim Turkmani, and Lina Khatib discuss the recent developments in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. We delve into the country's economic struggles, the rise of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the resurgence of sectarian violence, and the challenges facing Syria's path to democracy. It also explores the roles of regional and international players, including Turkey, Israel, and Iran, in shaping Syria’s future. Read our latest: Ukraine enters a

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30:03

Is the UK military strong enough?

Independent Thinking ·

2025/03/07

With the UK pledging to increase defence spending to levels not seen since the Cold War, what does the future of British defence look like? In this episode, we discuss the evolving nature of warfare, the impact of technology on modern battlefields, and whether Britain is truly prepared for the next conflict. Joining Bronwen Maddox are Sir John Sawers, former head of MI6; James Heappey, former Armed Forces Minister; and Chatham House experts Samir Puri and Olivia O’Sullivan. Read our latest:

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40:18

Can the UK, France and Germany forge a new...

Independent Thinking ·

2025/02/28

As Donald Trump moves to reshape America’s foreign policy, we discuss what this means for the allies in Europe. Can the the United Kingdom, France and Germany forge a new path or is transatlantic unity fading fast? Bronwen Maddox is joined by the Chair of Chatham House Sir Simon Fraser, former Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief Gerard Baker, Marion Messmer, a senior research fellow with our International Security programme and Sebastien Maillard, an associate fellow with our Europe programme.

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146 results

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