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Independent Thinking

Chatham House

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.

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S4 · E53
September 18 · 35 min
Artificial Intelligence, Real Fears: Is it time to slow down?
A call by leaders of the tech giants on the frontier of Artificial Intelligence to 'slow the pace' of its development has sparked debate over the risks associated with AI. Does AI represent an existential threat, and if so, how urgent are the warnings? Or can humanity harness this powerful technology to our benefit? Our experts discuss the implications for international security, from cyber to the increasing use of AI in today's conflict zones, and the dynamics of the race toward the cutting edge – not only among industry competitors, but also in the realm of geopolitics. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Dr Marion Messmer, director of our International Security Programme, and Alex Krasodomski, director of our Digital Society Programme. Produced by Podmasters, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell. Explore Chatham House's latest: Magazine article | UK's armed forces can keep control of their AI kill switch – here's how Magazine article | 'We are at a moment of peril with AI ... The sooner [it is regulated], the better' Policy paper | How AI could change the world Magazine issue | The World Today autumn issue Audio | Africa Aware🎧 Audio | The Climate Briefing🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E52
September 11 · 46 min
How did 9/11 shape the world we live in?
Twenty five years ago the deadliest terrorist attacks in human history, on 11 September 2001, saw 2,977 people killed in New York, Washington, and aboard the planes hijacked by 19 members of Al-Qaeda. An immediate response followed with the US-led 'war on terror', which saw Western forces occupy Afghanistan and Iraq, and two decades of military operations across the Middle East and beyond. We look back over a quarter of a century to examine the longer-term consequences of 9/11. We examine how US foreign policy and military power changed perceptions of America and its allies. We look at the consequences for a Middle East still riven by conflict. And we discuss how the focus on counterterrorism left the US positioned to deal with a new multipolar era in which it faces challenges from Russia and the rise of China. This week's episode is hosted by Laurel Rapp, director of Chatham House's US and North America Programme, standing in for Bronwen Maddox. She is joined by General Sir Richard Barrons, a senior consulting fellow with the International Security Programme. Also by Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme. And by Jason Burke, International Security Correspondent of the Guardian. Produced by Podmasters, with thanks to Stephen Farrell. About Independent Thinking Independent Thinking is a weekly international affairs podcast hosted by our director Bronwen Maddox, in conversation with leading policymakers, journalists and Chatham House experts providing insight on the latest international issues. More ways to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Explore our other Chatham House podcasts.
S4 · E51
September 4 · 34 min
What is the United Nations for?
The United Nations convenes for its 81st General Assembly next week amid turmoil around the world that it seeks to bring together. The conflicts in Iran, Ukraine and Gaza, and the US, China and Russia's undermining of the rules-based international order cast a shadow over UNGA. Can the organization renew itself for a dangerous multipolar world? Or is it doomed to the same fate as the League of Nations? Bronwen Maddox discusses the UN's present and future with Heather Hurlburt, associate fellow with our US and North America Programme; Marc Weller, head of our Global Governance and Security Centre; and Zizette Darkazally, associate fellow with our Middle East and North Africa Programme. Produced by Podmasters, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell. Explore Chatham House's latest: Research paper| What Haitians want from the next phase of UN and international support Comment | Can the UN close the global AI gap? Policy paper | What the Burnham government should do in its foreign policy Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | Africa Aware🎧 Audio | The Climate Briefing🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E50
August 28 · 35 min
Iran, Gaza, Trump and Netanyahu: Understanding the Middle East's crises
It's been a tumultuous year in the Middle East – and it's far from over. Six months after the US and Israel launched their offensive against Iran, the conflict continues to disrupt trade, energy and food security. President Trump struggles to escape a deadlock that threatens to seriously damage him in the American mid-term elections. Meanwhile, Gaza remains locked in a humanitarian crisis despite a ceasefire, while Israel faces growing political division ahead of an October election that will determine Benjamin Netanyahu's fate. As leaders wrestle with security, alliances and the fallout from multiple conflicts, we discuss the future of a troubled region. Bronwen Maddox is joined by director of Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme, Dr Sanam Vakil; associate professor in politics and international relations at UCL, Dr Julie Norman; and Israeli politician and journalist, Ksenia Svetlova. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell. Explore Chatham House's latest work: Policy paper| What the Burnham government should do in its foreign policy Comment | Should Egypt join the Mecca Pact? Comment | Nigeria will need more than a bigger army to tackle security challenges Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | Africa Aware🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E49
August 21 · 33 min
The summer of '26: A turning point for the climate crisis?
The climate crisis has seldom been dramatized so vividly as in the summer of 2026. Apocalyptic fires, widespread droughts and drained rivers in Europe made clear a worsening situation that even the most fervent denier can't wave away. But is there the necessary time, commitment and technology to slow or reverse the climate spiral – even in the face of a US administration that is committed to fossil fuels? How do the two approaches of mitigation and adaptation translate into real life on the ground? And is there any good news amid the smoke and gloom? Bronwen Maddox is joined by water and climate specialist Dr Beatrice Mosello and sustainability expert Dr Patrick Schröder from Chatham House, and special guest Oliver Morton, The Economist's planetary affairs correspondent. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell. Explore Chatham House's latest work: Comment | Wildfires and extreme heat show climate change is now Europe's biggest security threat Video | Burning questions facing Burnham Comment | Melting ice and power shifts: Europe and Canada should seize their Arctic moment Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | Africa Aware🎧 Audio | The Climate Briefing Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E48
August 14 · 29 min
The foreign policy challenges Labour can't ignore
Britain's new prime minister Andy Burnham is not known for his interest in foreign affairs, but foreign affairs are eternally and often unforgivingly interested in Britain. What should Burnham and his new foreign secretary Ed Miliband prioritise on the global front? How can they balance the urgent demands of defence, climate action, resetting relations with the EU and Britain's place in the wider world? And who is going to pay for it all? To discuss what should be on Burnham and Miliband's to-do lists, Bronwen Maddox is joined by Olivia O'Sullivan, director of Chatham House's UK in the World Programme, and Owen Jenkins, research director for Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Produced by Podmasters, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Video | Burning questions facing Burnham Comment | Why Carney's pipeline gamble is a bad bet for Canadian taxpayers Comment | Zambia's election: President Hichilema must preserve his country's democratic reputation Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing🎧 Audio | Africa Aware🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E47
August 7 · 41 min
Is the AI boom about to bust?
The $2.6 trillion spent on artificial intelligence, data centres and advanced chipmaking dwarfs the cost of previous infrastructure megaprojects. Yet AI has become a money pit for tech giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta, and the tech is failing to hit its stratospheric targets. Could an AI crash take overinvested economies down with it? In the longer term, whose approach will dominate? Will it be the US's private-led model with tech giants at the top? Or China's tactic of spreading low-cost AI throughout the Global South, with an eye on dominating the future? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Alex Krasodomski, director of Chatham House's Digital Society Programme; James Kynge, a senior research fellow for China and the World with the Asia-Pacific Programme; and Creon Butler, director of the Global Economy and Finance Programme. Produced by Podmasters, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | What the UK should learn from Kimi K3, WAICO and the Hugging Face incident Comment | What the UK government should do on AI and tech policy Research paper | Breaking the deadlock on AI governance Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing🎧 Audio | Africa Aware🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E46
July 31 · 34 min
If Ukraine is winning the war, why did Zelenskyy fire his defence minister?
Ukraine's drone strikes deep into Russian territory coincided with one of Kyiv's biggest political and military convulsions of the war: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired the popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov only for his decision to spark protests across the country. Why did Zelenskyy do it? Has the power struggle damaged his authority? Is Ukraine really regaining the initiative in the war? And what will it take to force Russia to the negotiating table? John Lough examines the potential turning point in the war with Vadym Prystaiko, former Ukrainian ambassador to the UK; Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at Kings College London; and Jaroslava Barbieri of Chatham House's Ukraine Forum. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | Ukraine's allies should make an offer to Russians before September's 'elections' Comment | Will Ukraine's Wildberries attacks force Putin to the negotiating table? Comment | Ukraine needs help against Russian missiles now. What more can allies do? Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing🎧 Audio | Africa Aware🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E45
July 24 · 38 min
Can Andy Burnham remake Britain at home and abroad?
Andy Burnham took over as UK prime minister with a vow to restore hope in British politics – and an early volley of voter-friendly policy promises. But are they quite as significant as billed? How much room to manoeuvre does Burnham really have? Will new chancellor John Healey release enough funds to the Ministry of Defence, which he quit in frustration? Does Ed Miliband have what it takes to succeed as foreign secretary? And how will Britain's place in the world change? Olivia O'Sullivan, director of Chatham House's UK in the World Programme, is joined by The Economist's political correspondent Hugo Gye and Chatham House associate fellow Jamie Gaskarth to discuss the first days of Burnham's premiership. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | How Burnham should engage with Africa Comment | The wishful thinking behind the war with Iran Comment | 'Structural divergence' in China's economy exposes a growing problem Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing🎧 Audio | Africa Aware🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E44
July 17 · 29 min
Has Trump made the presidency too powerful?
The 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey may represent the pinnacle of soft power for the USA and a moment of global prestige for President Donald Trump. But at home, concerns are growing over his ever-expanding vision of presidential power. Is America now living with an 'imperial presidency'? Has the Supreme Court given the president powers that future generations might find hard to take back? How might Trump's autocratic style affect the November midterm elections? And why does he like to associate himself so closely with sports? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Heather Hurlburt and Max Yoeli of Chatham House's US and North America Programme to discuss presidential overreach, football red cards and the unitary executive theory of power. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | Trump's threats – and U-turn – on Hormuz fees further undermine US credibility in the Gulf Comment | US refusal to renew USMCA trade deal brings uncertainty for Mexico. But the treaty is far from dead Upcoming event | US at 250: Separation vs. concentration of power Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing🎧 Audio | Africa Aware🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E43
July 10 · 37 min
NATO in Ankara: Is Europe ready for a Russian attack?
This year's NATO summit brought together the leaders of all 32 member states in Ankara. President Donald Trump's return to the summit brought renewed controversy, with remarks on Greenland and Iran underscoring the geopolitical tensions that continue to test the unity and purpose of the transatlantic alliance. What happened in Ankara and what does it mean for NATO's future? If the Ukraine conflict winds down, will Russia pivot to test Article Five? And is Britain doing enough to prepare for a potential conflict? Bronwen Maddox looks at the summit and NATO's future with special guest General Sir Richard Barrons – former Commander of Joint Forces Command in the UK, now a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House – plus Dr Marion Messmer, director of our International Security Programme, and Galip Dalay who runs Chatham House's Turkey Initiative. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell. Explore Chatham House's latest: News release | European NATO has four years to re-establish 'escalation dominance' over Russia, conference hears Magazine article | Yvette Cooper on Britain's place in the new world order Comment | Will NATO be convinced by the UK Defence Investment Plan? Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing🎧 Audio | Africa Aware🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E42
July 3 · 42 min
USA at 250: Soft power, hard power and the future of the American dream
The United States marks its 250th birthday at a moment of intense division and international uncertainty. At home, President Donald Trump is aggressively remodelling America's governance around expanded White House power and burning through firewalls intended to prevent presidential overreach and self-enrichment. Internationally, his capricious mix of transactional diplomacy, coercive tariffs and naked hard power has left American allies shell-shocked – and opened the door for China to spread its influence. Former US ambassador to Qatar Tim Davis joins host Bronwen Maddox and Laurel Rapp, director of our US and North America programme, to discuss the future of the United States in the world – and whether, for ordinary citizens, the American dream still exists. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | On its 250th birthday, the US is still defined by its fault lines Comment | Europe watches the next American revolution take shape Comment | The US government's latest U-turn on Anthropic's Mythos sends mixed signals on AI governance Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Audio | Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E41
June 26 · 39 min
Can Andy Burnham save Labour?
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves No.10 a decade since the Brexit referendum that began the UK's cycle of chaos, and Andy Burnham seems set to take over unopposed. Our experts discuss what the new regime will mean for Britain's future and its role in the world. Will attempts to bring the UK closer to Europe without actually rejoining the EU continue? Will Burnham want to increase Britain's defence budget, or will his priorities lie elsewhere? And why can't Britain hold on to its prime ministers? Bronwen Maddox reflects on a historic week with Ben Judah, former adviser to David Lammy and visiting fellow at Chatham House, and Olivia O'Sullivan, director of our UK in the World Programme. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | Britain's next prime minister faces deep foreign policy challenges – whether Burnham or another Comment | Macron's Evian summit shows the limits Trump places on the G7 Research paper | Three foreign policy priorities for the next UK government Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Audio | Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E40
June 19 · 36 min
It isn't easy being green: The UK's net zero trilemma
Can Labour's prized plans to decarbonize power generation by 2050 withstand growing demands for extra defence spending – an acrimonious argument that has already claimed two senior defence ministers? Or pressure to preserve and extend welfare benefits from the party's left and the unions, many of whom see net zero as a job killer? Plus: China's colossal subsidization of green technology has created a surplus of cheap equipment for clean power. Would Britain be wise to take advantage? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Pelin Zorlu and Chris Aylett of Chatham House's Climate and Energy team, plus special guest Archie Hall, acting economics editor of The Economist. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | Even Hormuz reopening will not resolve Europe's key energy vulnerability Comment | The next Strait of Hormuz crisis could be even worse Research paper | Why renewables and electrification hold the keys to EU energy security Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Audio | Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E39
June 12 · 41 min
Defence Investment Paralysis: Why the UK's defence minister quit, and what it means
A tumultuous week for Britain's faltering rearmament plans sees Defence Secretary John Healey resign from Keir Starmer's cabinet, saying the prime minister and the Treasury lack the will to properly fund the defence of the nation. Al Carns, the armed forces minister, also resigned saying the government's long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP) was 'not built for the threat we face'. The departures raise further questions over whether the DIP can address the costs and trade-offs involved in strengthening UK defence. Meanwhile, European leaders struggle to coordinate their own rearmament amid concerns that America will withdraw from the defence of the continent. Bronwen Maddox looks at the defence predicament in the UK and Europe, with UK in the World Programme director Olivia O'Sullivan, and International Security Programme director Marion Messmer. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House. Read Chatham House's latest: Comment | The FCAS fighter jet looks like it's dead. Could that be a good thing? Comment | Will the UK's Defence Investment Plan finally be honest about Britain's defence? Comment | John Healey's resignation highlights profound strategic failure in the UK government's approach to defence Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Audio | Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E38
June 5 · 35 min
Rules against power: Does the world need a new economic alliance to balance the US and China?
Would the world benefit from a new economic alliance to stop China and the US from undermining the global rules we all depend on – a new 'third pole'? That's the conclusion of a new Chatham House report published this week. How would an economic bloc like this work? Who could build it? And how would China and the US – even post-Trump – react to such a challenge to their power? Laurel Rapp, director of our US and North America Programme, talks over an audacious plan for a new world order with the report's author and director of our Global Economy and Finance Programme, Creon Butler. They are joined by director of our Europe and Russia and Eurasia Programmes, Grégoire Roos. Read our report: Saving global economic governance from the 'Trump shock'. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House. Read Chatham House's latest: Comment | Global trade imbalances have changed since the 2008 financial crisis. Now they reflect new risks Comment | Global cooperation on nuclear disarmament looks even further away Comment | In the face of growing AI cyber threats, do middle powers have agency? Magazine issue | Spring issue of The World Today Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Audio | Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E37
May 29 · 31 min
Ebola in DR Congo: A 'catastrophic collision of disease and conflict'
The major Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo's northeast is not just a public health emergency in an already impoverished and violence-beset region. Armed rebellion, fragile government and a collapse in public trust are combining to make outbreaks more frequent – and fostering dangerous disinformation that makes the virus harder to fight. How dangerous is the Ebola virus? Could it spread to the rest of the world? And is America's withdrawal from global health leadership at least partly to blame for its return? Bronwen Maddox finds out from director of our Africa Programme Tighisti Amare, and director of our Global Health Programme Emma Ross. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House. Read Chatham House's latest: Comment | The flow of arms and money feeding the war in Sudan can be cut. What is missing is the will Upcoming event | Targeting medics on the battlefield: addressing the crisis through law and practice Comment | Ethiopia needs more than an election to calm internal and regional conflict Magazine issue | Spring issue of The World Today Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Audio | Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E36
May 22 · 37 min
Could Britain really rejoin the EU?
Almost exactly ten years since Britain's seismic vote to leave the EU, the debate reopens thanks to early skirmishes in the fight for leadership of the Labour Party and thus the prime ministership. Could a credible bid to rejoin make its way onto Britain's political agenda? Are the drastically changed economic and defence environments making the case for re-entry unanswerable? And under what terms would European leaders consider the return of their often-troublesome former partner? Bronwen Maddox talks over a major potential shift for the entire continent with Chatham House visiting fellow Ben Judah, director of our UK in the World programme Olivia O'Sullivan, and associate fellow and Financial Times international trade specialist Alan Beattie. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House. Read Chatham House's latest: Comment | A 2026 'super El Niño' could expose gaps in UK preparedness Comment | China and Russia's strategic duo endures – but its limits are clear Research paper | Avoiding a new nuclear arms race Magazine issue | Spring issue of The World Today Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Audio | Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps.
S4 · E35
May 15 · 32 min
The Trump-Xi summit: What does the US want from China and will Trump get it?
President Donald Trump brings a band of senior US business executives seeking trade deals to China for what is possibly the biggest bilateral summit of 2026. But what does the US hope to achieve? More sales of Boeings, beef and soybeans; an off-ramp from the US-Israel war on Iran; a sense of world pre-eminence; or all three? Our experts discuss whether Taiwan will end up paying the price for Chinese help in ending the Iran war, and whether the success of the summit really boils down to the chemistry between Trump and the world's other most powerful man, Xi Jinping. Host Bronwen Maddox discusses the visit and what it means with Dr Yu Jie, senior research fellow with our Asia-Pacific Programme, and Laurel Rapp, director of our US and North America Programme. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell. Chatham House's latest: Comment | Trump–Xi summit will be about managing US–China rivalry, not resolving it Comment | Rare earths are on Trump's agenda in China. But US electronic waste offers an untapped source at home Comment | Xi and Trump won't discuss China's growing nuclear arsenal Magazine issue | Spring issue of The World Today Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Audio | Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts.
S4 · E34
May 8 · 33 min
Is Putin losing control of his war in Ukraine?
Is the initiative on the Ukraine war slipping out of Russian president Vladimir Putin's hands? And how has the US-Israel war on Iran affected Moscow? The economic crisis is tightening, and Moscow and St Petersburg are increasingly subject to lengthy internet and mobile blackouts. Fearing Ukrainian drone attacks, Russia has vastly scaled down its traditional celebration of military power – the Victory Day parade – while Putin is reported to be increasingly isolated, micromanaging the war from an assortment of bunkers. Bronwen Maddox talks to Grégoire Roos, director of Chatham House's Europe and Russia and Eurasia programmes, and associate fellow John Lough. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell. Chatham House's latest: Comment | China will benefit from the Iran war, regardless of any deal between Trump and Tehran Comment | Germany rearms – but can it lead? Europe's hesitant superpower in waiting Comment | A naval coalition in the Strait of Hormuz should learn these lessons Magazine issue | Spring issue of The World Today Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Audio | Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts.

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