In the last Independent Thinking podcast of 2025, host Bronwen Maddox is joined by David Lubin, Senior Research Fellow with Chatham House's Global Economy and Finance Programme; Marion Messmer, Director of the International Security Programme; and Yu Jie, a senior research fellow on China in Chatham House's Asia-Pacific Programme. For further analysis read 'The economics of the new Monroe Doctrine' by David Lubin, examining how President Trump's actions seem to indicate the emergence of a hemispheric US foreign policy. Read our latest: Global security continued to unravel in 2025. Crucial tests are coming in 2026 The 'Trump Corollary' in the US security strategy brings a new focus on Latin America – but it is a disordered plan Russia is weakened, but its influence in the Middle East should not be underestimated Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
This is a special edition of Chatham House's Independent Thinking international affairs podcast, recorded at the Doha Forum 2025. Many of the official and backroom discussions at Qatar's annual gathering of more than 5,000 world leaders, policymakers, dialogue, corporate and humanitarian organizations from 162 countries were dominated by discussions of President Donald Trump's National Security Strategy, which was released on the eve of the forum. At one of the first events in the Doha Forum, Chatham House Director Bronwen Maddox questioned US Ambassador to NATO Mathew Whitaker about it. The podcast examines the implications for Europe, Asia, the Middle East and US foreign policy generally of the NSS document, which reinforces the Trump administration's 'America First' strategy, and contains stark language about Europe, talking about its 'economic decline' and 'the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure'. It also says: 'The days in which the Middle East dominated American foreign policy in both long-term planning and day-to-day execution are thankfully over.' Joining host Bronwen Maddox in Doha were: Leslie Vinjamuri, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and Yu Jie, a Senior Research Fellow on China in Chatham House's Asia-Pacific Programme, and Renad Mansour, a Senior Research Fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Programme. Produced by Stephen Farrell and John Pollock.
How are Europe and Ukraine reacting after the US and Russia sought to strike their own deal, and Putin warned that Moscow – while not planning for war with Europe – is 'ready right now'. Host Bronwen Maddox is joined by Grégoire Roos, Director of the Europe and Russia and Eurasia Programmes; Natalie Sabanadze, a Senior Research Fellow and former Georgian Ambassador, and Jaroslava Barbieri, Research Fellow with our Ukraine Forum. Read Chatham House's report 'Tightening the oil-price cap to increase the pressure on Russia' about how the current international sanctions regime is failing, and how to fix it. Read our latest: Zelenskyy's right-hand man has gone. Here's what should happen next Putin's India visit aims to reaffirm New Delhi–Moscow relations – just as Trump applies pressure to downgrade them UK's indecision over Chinese 'mega-embassy' highlights need for a more coherent China policy Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves published her – widely leaked – budget this week. How does it leave her ruling Labour Party positioned in Britain? And what do the calculations look like from overseas, where other countries have adopted different solutions to the problems facing them? For this discussion on Chatham House's international affairs podcast, host Bronwen Maddox is joined by Olivia O'Sullivan, Director of the UK in the World Programme. And, giving an international perspective on UK finances, are Sébastien Maillard, an Associate Fellow in the Europe Programme and James Kynge, a Senior Research Fellow for China and the World in the Asia-Pacific Programme. Read our latest: Trump's 28 point 'peace plan' marks Europe's last chance to stand up for Ukraine China's 'smart authoritarianism' has upended ideas about autocracies' limitations. The West must cooperate to respond Why an African Credit Rating Agency isn't a good idea for the region's borrowers Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
After the North Darfur capital El Fasher fell to the Rapid Support Forces, aid agencies and survivors talk of civilians being massacred in the streets. The international affairs podcast of Chatham House examines the human toll, and the dynamics of a war fuelled by regional powers and their proxies seeking to control Sudan's territory, gold, natural resources, and access to key waterways. Host Bronwen Maddox, is joined by Ahmed Soliman, a Senior Research Fellow in Chatham House's Africa Programme; Hubert Kinkoh, a Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellow; Kholood Khair, director of the think tank Confluence Advisory, and Bashair Ahmed, a researcher at the University of Sussex who focuses on migration, human rights, and humanitarian action. Read the Chatham House report Gold and the war in Sudan. It covers how Sudan's main warring parties – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – were in competition for the country's natural resources, and how the fight to control gold assets has been one of the drivers of the conflict. Read our latest: Comment: South Africa's G20 presidency demonstrates the challenge of inclusion in a fractious world Comment: Low-cost Chinese AI models forge ahead, even in the US, raising the risks of a US AI bubble Comment: Ukraine's arms deal with France faces major hurdles before it can be realized Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
Nearly four years after Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukrainian officials and analysts look at the prospects for a ceasefire, and at the military, economic and human cost that President Vladimir Putin's campaign has inflicted on the country. They discuss the Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, intended to demoralise the civilian population, and what European allies should do to bolster its defence efforts, and to rebuild the country if there is a ceasefire. Host Bronwen Maddox is joined by Andriy Zagorodnyuk, a former Minister of Defence of Ukraine; Daryna Marchak, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture; Olha Aivazovska, Chair of the Board of the Opora Civic Network; Simon Smith, Chair of Chatham House's Ukraine Forum and Dominic Nicholls, Associate Editor of The Telegraph. The discussion came as Chatham House hosted a conference - 'War in Ukraine: The battleground for the future of Europe'. Read our latest: Comment | Ukraine's best defence against Putin's energy war is more attacks on Russia's oil refining sector Comment | As the US eases sanctions on Belarus, is it time for the EU to rethink its approach? Comment | Russia and the US put nuclear testing back on the table. Is time running out for arms control? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York's mayoral race this week – and other electoral successes – energized Democrats in the US and left-wing parties worldwide. The new standard-bearer of the American left is hailed by progressives as a generational shift of leadership – at 34 he will be the first Muslim mayor of New York, and one of its youngest ever. But he faces opposition from many quarters over his plans to raise taxes on the wealthy. Not least from President Donald Trump, who has threatened to hold back federal funds from the city where he was born. This week's podcast assesses the significance of the first major elections of Trump's second term, and what it means for the Democratic Party's chances of winning back the House of Representatives in midterm elections next November. In the US, host Bronwen Maddox is joined by Laurel Rapp, director of the US and North America Programme, and Bruce Stokes, an associate fellow at Chatham House and a former director of global economic attitudes at the Pew Research Center. Joining from London is Stephen Farrell, head of News and Comment, who covered the 2013 New York City mayoral election for The New York Times. Read our latest: Trump's tariffs face Supreme Court challenge that could have significant consequences for presidential power Has Trump's Asia tour reassured the US's Asian allies? Kenya's conversion of Chinese debt to renminbi reflects economic pragmatism more than strained US ties Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders suffered a setback on Wednesday's elections, with centrists poised to take back power. Rob Jetten, 38, leader of the centre-progressive Democrats 66 party, is set to become the Netherlands' youngest leader in modern history after running on the upbeat slogan 'Yes we can'. But the hard right remains influential. To discuss the outcome, and what it tells us about Europe beyond the Netherlands, guest host Grégoire Roos, Director of Chatham House's Europe and Russia and Eurasia Programmes, is joined by Sébastien Maillard, a Chatham House Associate Fellow and special advisor to the Jacques Delors Institute. And, joining down the line, is Karien van Gennip, a former Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Read our latest: China's leaders' meeting confirms Xi's authority and shows technological self-reliance is now the priority Trump and Xi won't reset the China–US rivalry, so other nations must prepare China's economic model will continue to alarm its trading partners Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
China's ruling Communist Party leadership met in Beijing to frame the next five-year-plan. Amid a trade war with the United States, they set priorities for economic policy and technology, including how to build artificial intelligence into key sectors of society. New faces appeared and old ones vanished, with a purge of senior military officials and others as President Xi Jinping sacked some officials he had earlier promoted. As Xi prepares to meet with US President Donald Trump in South Korea, Chatham House senior research fellows Yu Jie and James Kynge join host Bronwen Maddox. Read our latest: The UK must prioritize cybersecurity or be left dangerously exposed Sanae Takaichi sees herself as the successor to Shinzo Abe. But changes in Japan's politics present big challenges Tanzania election: Erosion of democracy will also come at the cost of economic potential Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
Beset by early ceasefire disputes between Israel and Hamas, international backers of President Trump's Mideast project must move quickly to elevate it from vague wish list to viable framework. Rapid delivery of aid, reconstruction - and security for Palestinians and Israelis – are essential. But without a political end game, it will founder. Sanam Vakil, Marc Weller and Stephen Farrell join host Bronwen Maddox in this week's podcast from Chatham House. Read our latest: Comment | The US needs a new Iran strategy if Trump's Gaza plan is to endure Comment | India is seeking to reset relations with the Taliban. But can this rapprochement last? Comment | Netanyahu's concepts collapsed, one by one, as Trump piled on pressure: What next for his government? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell and John Pollock. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
At home the US is mired in domestic dysfunction with a government shutdown now in its second week. But abroad, President Trump has brokered a deal that - although it didn't win a Nobel Peace Prize - could end the two-year Gaza war. Laurel Rapp and Max Yoeli join guest host Christopher Sabatini. They discuss the effects of the government funding crisis and protracted political deadlock on the US economy, international investment, the military and foreign policy. Read our latest: Comment | Egypt is crucial to Trump's Gaza plan – but fears a security vacuum after an Israeli withdrawal Comment | The rise of Reform, the AfD and RN is more than a blip – so what happens if the E3 goes far right? Comment | Attacks on 'drug boats' are pushing the US away from the consensus on the rules of international law Presented by Christopher Sabatini. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
It's party conference season in Britain. Both ruling Labour and opposition Conservatives are nervous about the rise of Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK, successor to the Brexit Party. Pollster Joe Twyman and Olivia O'Sullivan, Director of Chatham House's UK in the World Programme, join host Bronwen Maddox for this week's podcast. Read our latest: Explainer | Can the Trump peace plan for Gaza succeed? Comment | A 'Drone Wall' is needed for Europe to defend against a new threat Comment | Africa must strengthen continental unity to boost its global influence Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell and John Pollock. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
The United Nations is a guardian of international law, its leader assured member states this week. But President Trump questioned the point of the UN. Marc Weller and Christopher Phillips join Bronwen Maddox to assess challenges to the global order in a world of strongmen and multipolarity. Read our latest: Event | Is this a new age of nuclear proliferation? Comment | Does the US want to weaken the UN or make it 'great again'? Comment | A new international order is forming. Will China make it 'green'? Comment | Recognition of Palestine can be more than symbolic if Europe and Gulf states remain aligned Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell and John Pollock. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
President Donald Trump brought AI and tech CEOs on his second state visit for a deal pledging £31 billion in investment for the UK. Olivia O'Sullivan and Laurel Rapp join host Bronwen Maddox to discuss the politics and dealmaking behind the pageantry, on Chatham House's weekly international affairs podcast. Read our latest: Event | Global Britain meets America First: What next for the 'special relationship'? Comment | President Trump's second state visit to the UK: What to expect Comment | The UK must guard against new risks to financial stability coming from the US Comment | Egypt now sees Israel as an imminent threat Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell and John Pollock. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
Are we moving into a post-American world and if so will China try to lead and set the rules for it? In the face of American withdrawal, China senses an opportunity to shape a new world order. This week on Independent Thinking, Samir Puri and James Kynge join Bronwen Maddox to discuss the changing nature of the international order. Read our latest: Event | Interview and discussion with Isaac Herzog, President of Israel Comment | It may take a generation for a stable new world order to emerge Comment | Syria's parliamentary elections: A turning point or another top-down exercise? Comment | Why ending the war in Sudan should be a higher priority for the West Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the Summer issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
How much of Donald Trump's sanctions strategy is substance — and how much is performance? In this episode of Independent Thinking, Chatham House experts unpack whether sanctions work. And at Trump's shifting use of sanctions, tariffs and personal power plays in global economic policy. With Dr Christopher Sabatini, Timothy Ash, and Christopher Vandome from Chatham House. Read our latest reports: Understanding and improving sanctions today Russia's struggle to modernize its military industry Why the Indo-Pacific should be a higher priority for the UK Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Executive producer - John Pollock. Produced by Jonathan Coates and Warren Nettleford. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Summer issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
What does President Donald Trump's promise of Patriot missiles for Ukraine — and a 50-day tariff ultimatum to Putin — really mean for Ukraine and Russia? Chatham House experts Jaroslava Barbieri, John Lough and Samir Puri look at whether it is a significant pivot towards Ukraine, how both sides are faring in the war, and how U.S. credibility is affected by Trump's changing positions. They are joined by guest host Stephen Farrell, standing in for Bronwen Maddox. Read our latest: Trump is changing his words about Putin, who only cares about actions After Brexit: E3. New treaty puts UK, Germany and France back at the heart of European security New Zealand should rethink its pivot towards the US to retain strategic autonomy in the Indo-Pacific Presented by Stephen Farrell. Executive producer - John Pollock. Produced by Jonathan Coates and Warren Nettleford. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Summer issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
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 Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Summer issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
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 East still fears Israel – and Iran Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Summer issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.
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 regional war. Read our latest: Trump must take control as Israel–Iran war threatens to escalate Iran–Israel conflict: Iran has run out of good options It's time to rethink the G7 Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Summer issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.