Independent Thinking

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 st...

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 fo...

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 domes...

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 coul...

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 wit...

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...

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 Finan...

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 a...

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 , Rober...

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 Eco...

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 t...

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 har...

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...

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 Ar...

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 I...

Ties between the US and Ukraine have soured with Donald Trump calling Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy a 'dictator' in a public war of words. Meanwhile US and Russian diplomats met in Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine's future without representatives from Kyiv or Europe. Should the continent be preparing for a future without the US as an ally? Bronwen Maddox is joined by historian and author Timothy Ga...

Sixty countries signed a declaration on 'inclusive' artificial intelligence at a global summit in Paris this week, but the UK and US refused. What was agreed at the summit, why did London and Washington decline to sign and what comes next? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Professor Birgitte Andersen from Birkbeck Business School, Lord Tim Clement-Jones , Co-Chair of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group...

President Trump has threatened to put tariffs on Mexico and Canada and imposed them on China, fuelling fears of a looming global trade war. With the European Union likely next in his sights – what is the US president trying to achieve with these tactics? And what are the consequences? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Creon Butler , the director of our Global Economy and Finance programme, economist Lin...

President Trump wants a peace deal in Ukraine and has signalled he's willing to put pressure on Vladimir Putin to achieve it. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also appears more open to a deal – if there is a guarantee for Ukraine's security. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Mark Landler , London Bureau Chief of the New York Times, The Telegraph 's Francis Dearnley who hosts the award-winning podcast Ukraine: The La...

Donald Trump has signed a wave of executive orders in his first days as America's 47th President. The panel discuss the president's changes to US foreign policy and their potential impact on America and the world. Guest host Mike Higgins , editor of The World Today magazine, is joined by Leslie Vinjamuri , the director of our US and the Americas Programme, Samir Puri , the director of our Centre f...

A fragile ceasefire and hostage deal has been agreed between Israel and Hamas to end 15 months of war and suffering. Chatham House experts discuss the timing of the deal, whether it can hold and what comes next. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Sanam Vakil , the director of our Middle East and North Africa (MENA) programme, Leslie Vinjamuri , the director of our US and Americas programme, and Amjad Ira...

From the devastating wars in Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza to Donald Trump's threats over Greenland and the Panama Canal, what are the places to watch this year? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Gideon Rachman , the FT's chief foreign affairs commentator, Leslie Vinjamuri, the director of our US and America's programme and Renad Mansour , a senior fellow for our Middle East and North Africa programme. Read o...

Does Bashar al-Assad's removal offer a renewed chance for peace in Syria, or is his fall the start of a new phase of conflict in the Middle East? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Gideon Rachman , the FT's chief foreign affairs commentator, former BBC Persia journalist Rana Rahimpour and Haid Haid , a senior consulting fellow for our Middle East and North Africa programme. Read our latest: The fall of A...

Five months in, has Sir Keir Starmer's foreign policy been a success? The UK-EU relationship remains a major challenge for 2025, as does the prospect of a new US president. How will Starmer respond, and will the recent Chagos Islands deal impact the UK's international standing? Bronwen Maddox is joined the BBC's diplomatic editor James Landale , Professor Anand Menon , the director of UK in a Chan...

Europe is contending with a stagnating economy, political dysfunction in Germany and France, and Russia's relentless attacks on Ukraine, all while it looks to the return of Donald Trump. Will the continent's democracies hold together in the face of such challenges? Bronwen Maddox is joined by journalist and historian Timothy Garton Ash , Mujtaba Rahman , Europe Managing Director at the Eurasia Gro...