Independent Thinking

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 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.

In this insightful discussion, Sanam Vakil, a Middle East scholar at Chatham House, and Mohamed Baharoun, a Gulf expert, tackle the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Vakil highlights the existential threats to Iran's leadership, particularly its nuclear ambitions, while Baharoun outlines the nuanced responses from Gulf states as tensions rise. They explore the possible diplomatic pathways to de-escalation and the broader implications for regional stability, military dynamics, and shifting alliances in today's geopolitical landscape.

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 do about it 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.

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 our latest: The SDR presents an opportunity for the UK to become a leader in space – if it is followed by urgent investment The UK Strategic Defence Review draws the right lessons from Ukraine – but still relies on continued US commitment I was part of the team behind the UK Strategic Defence Review: Here is what shaped our thinking Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Executive producer - John Pollock. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Spring 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.

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 transform Turkey’s domestic politics and foreign policy Escalating conflict in Tripoli exposes the realities of false stability – and international neglect in Libya Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Spring 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.

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 multilateralism Escalating conflict in Tripoli exposes the realities of false stability – and international neglect in Libya Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Spring 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.

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 Gaza The UK government should prioritize linking carbon markets at the UK–EU summit Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Spring 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.

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 our Asia-Pacific Programme; and Stephen Farrell, our head of News and Comment. Read our latest: After India’s missile strikes on Pakistan, the risk of accidental escalation is high India–UK free trade agreement signals deepening bilateral relations Urgent mediation to save the Indus Waters Treaty could be a route to de-escalation between India and Pakistan Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. Executive producer - John Pollock. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House. Read the Spring 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.

Orysia Lutsevych runs the Ukraine forum at Chatham House, focusing on Ukraine's political landscape, while Matthew Savill is the Director of Military Sciences at RUSI, bringing military strategy expertise. They discuss Ukraine's tough choices regarding potential peace deals and territorial losses amid ongoing aggression from Russia. The conversation covers battlefield dynamics, Ukraine's resilience, and the implications of shifting international alliances, emphasizing the critical balance between sovereignty and survival in turbulent times.

Joining the conversation are David Lubin, a senior research fellow at Chatham House with a background in emerging markets investing, and Isabelle Mateos y Lago, chief economist at BNP Paribas, formerly with the IMF. They dive into the shifting dynamics of global finance, questioning if the U.S. dollar is losing its dominant status amid rising alternative currencies. They discuss the geopolitical ramifications of China’s strategic financial moves, America’s tariffs, and what these changes mean for the future of economic power and stability.