Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, joins Lina Khatib and Yossi Mekelberg, both associate fellows at Chatham House, to delve into Israel's recent military escalation against Hezbollah. They discuss the political and historical context behind these strikes, examining the psychological toll on both soldiers and the Lebanese population. The impact on Hezbollah's morale is analyzed, alongside broader implications for U.S.-Israel relations, Iran's nuclear ambitions, and the overall dynamics of the Middle East conflict.

In this insightful discussion, journalist Christopher Miller from the Financial Times, military analyst Michael Kofman, and OSUN fellow Olga Tokariuk dive into Ukraine's struggle for military support. They explore the implications of long-range missile systems, the intense battles in Kursk and Donbass, and the evolving strategies as winter approaches. The trio also delves into the political reshuffling in Zelensky's government and the societal challenges of youthful conscription. Their analysis sheds light on the complexities of the conflict and the possible paths forward.

Tuesday’s debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump brought fierce exchanges over immigration, abortion and foreign policy, and showed that America's global role matters in this election. Bronwen Maddox is joined by David Weigel from Semafor and Clare Malone from the New Yorker to discuss what we learned and what to watch in the rest of the race. With them is Heather Hurlburt, associate fellow of our US and Americas programme. Read our latest: The Harris–Trump debate showed US foreign policy matters in this election The US election will take place in a polluted information space US dollar dominance is both a cause and a consequence of US power Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest 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. Audio clip credit: ABC News Presidential Debate: Race for the White House

Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, dives deep into the rising coalition of autocracies challenging global democracies. She discusses how regimes like China, Russia, and Iran form opportunistic alliances. The conversation highlights the implications of misinformation in digital spaces and the fragility of leadership within authoritarian systems. Applebaum also critiques the West's role in these dynamics and advocates for flexible coalitions to address pressing global issues.

Venezuelans are protesting against Nicolás Maduro’s claim to have won the presidential election. Bronwen Maddox is joined from Caracas by journalist turned opposition politician Paola Bautista de Aleman and the FT’s Latin America editor Michael Stott. With them is Chris Sabatini, our Senior Research Fellow for Latin America. Read our latest: Venezuela’s stolen election encourages the world’s autocracies Israel’s strikes in Iran and Lebanon don’t hurt Hamas and Hezbollah much Does President Ruto have the means to appease Kenya’s protestors? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. 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.

Democratic big hitters have coalesced around Kamala Harris as the Party’s new nominee, but what do we know about her world view, especially on Gaza, and the place of US leadership in the world? Bronwen Maddox is joined by chief correspondent at the Washington Post, Dan Balz, political scientist Dan Drezner, and the Director of our US and Americas Programme, Leslie Vinjamuri, to discuss what a Trump-Harris race will look like, and how the winner might approach America’s global role. Read our latest: Kamala Harris would bring greater foreign policy experience than most new US presidents Biden’s decision to withdraw is an act of true leadership. It is also his best chance at ensuring his legacy Netanyahu’s speech sought bipartisan support by invoking the threat of Iran Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Ruth Gold. Take part in The World Today's Reader Survey✏️ 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 Republican National Convention is underway in Wisconsin just days after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Bronwen Maddox is joined by journalists Edward Luce and David E Sanger to discuss the selection of J. D. Vance as Trump's running mate and what this means for America's future foreign policy. Joining them is Leslie Vinjamuri, the director of our US and Americas Programme. Read our latest: Three key issues require progress as the UK hosts European leaders for the EPC summit The new government must work hard to restore the UK’s reputation as a champion of international law The illusion of legitimacy: unveiling Syria’s sham elections Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock.  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. 

NATO’s Washington summit takes place amid growing uncertainty about US leadership, and some of Russia’s heaviest missile attacks on Ukraine since the start of the war. Bronwen Maddox is joined by two former US ambassadors to NATO, Kurt Volker and Ivo Daalder, to discuss the challenges facing the alliance. With them is The Telegraph’s Roland Oliphant and Chatham House’s Armida van Rij. Read our latest: As NATO leaders gather, Putin has been making peace proposals – why? Orbán is using Hungary’s EU Council presidency to bulldoze EU norms China’s third plenum marks a sea change in growth model Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock.  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 recording of a Chatham House event, Bronwen Maddox is joined by an expert panel on the morning of Labour’s landslide win in the UK general election. Will Hutton, Anne McElvoy, James Heappey and Olivia O’Sullivan discuss the Conservatives' collapse, the new prime minister and his likely cabinet, and what the result means for the UK and its place in the world.  Read our latest: Can Labour improve Britain’s place in the world? South Africa’s foreign relations under a new government: consistent policy with a new style The UK election debate has missed important conversations on defence Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock.  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. 

Commodore Jay Tarriela from the Philippines Coast Guard, along with other experts, discuss the heightened tensions in the South China Sea, including China's aggressive actions, legal aspects of territorial claims, historical origins of boundary disputes, and the implications of the US presidential election on regional relations.