Independent Thinking

Sébastien Maillard, a Chatham House Associate Fellow, provides keen insights on European political trends following the recent Dutch elections, while Karien van Gennip, former Deputy Prime Minister, discusses the implications for domestic and business perspectives. They analyze the significance of Geert Wilders' setbacks and the rise of Rob Jetten, emphasizing the complexities of coalition-making in a fragmented political landscape. They also touch on the evolving dynamics of populism, socioeconomic grievances driving voter behavior, and the far-right's impact on centrist narratives across Europe.

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.

Laurel Rapp, Director of the U.S. and North America Programme, shares insights on the domestic chaos from the ongoing government shutdown and its economic implications. Max Yoeli, Senior Research Fellow in London, analyzes the political dynamics and symbolism of U.S. policy amid these tensions. They discuss Trump's efforts in brokering a peace deal for Gaza, its potential impact on his domestic standing, and how a successful outcome could reshape international views of the U.S., alongside the immediate risks involved.

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.

James Kynge, a seasoned journalist with three decades of experience on China, and Samir Puri, an expert in global governance, dive into the shifting international landscape. They discuss China's ambitions to lead a new world order and challenge U.S. dominance through financial initiatives and technology. The pair also explore the geopolitical dynamics of China with Russia and India, touching on military alliances and Taiwan tensions, raising crucial questions about the future of global stability as the U.S. navigates its role.

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.