Independent Thinking

Rishi Sunak called a 4 July election saying the world is more dangerous than at any time since the end of the Cold War. Bronwen Maddox discusses those threats with Chatham House experts Olivia O’Sullivan, director of our UK in the World; David Lubin, our Michael Klein Senior Research Fellow in our Global Economy and Finance Programme; and Tim Eaton, senior research fellow in our Middle East and North Africa Programme. Read our latest: An election for ‘dangerous times’ Three foreign policy priorities for the next UK government Is the Kremlin behind Georgia’s foreign agents law? 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. 

Bronwen Maddox is joined by Shashank Joshi, defence editor of The Economist and historian and commentator Helene von Bismarck to discuss what the next government must prioritize in the UK's foreign policy. With them is Olivia O’Sullivan, Director of our UK in the World programme and co-author of the report: Three foreign policy priorities for the next UK government.  Read our latest: UK parties are pitching a ‘pragmatic’ foreign policy, but can a new government make the necessary hard choices? A Gaza ceasefire rests on preventing a full-scale Israeli offensive in Rafah Russia is using the Soviet playbook in the Global South to challenge the West – and it is working 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. 

Ambassador Dennis Ross discusses US-Israel relations, Biden's pressure on Netanyahu, global protests against Israeli actions, and prospects for peace. They explore campus protests, deep-seated trauma in Israeli-Palestinian relations, and the potential impact of Donald Trump on diplomatic relations. The podcast provides insights into the evolving dynamics of the conflict and the challenges ahead.

Bronwen Maddox and guests discuss the resurgence of nuclear threats globally, focusing on challenges in dealing with potential threats in East Asia and the Middle East. They explore the emotional impact of nuclear weapons, Russian nuclear threats in Europe, and the intersection of civil nuclear power and non-proliferation efforts. The conversation also touches on navigating nuclear politics in Ukraine and the intricacies of preventing nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

Journalist Oz Katerji, Prof. Phillips P. O'Brien, and Olga Tokariuk discuss Ukraine's challenges, impact of US ammunition flow, Russian attacks on cities, aid uncertainty, strategic maneuvers in Crimea, diplomatic tensions, US election implications, and European response to Russian aggression.

Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Sanam Vakil, the director of our Middle East programme to discuss Iran's missile attack on Israel and the possible consequences across the region. Joining them both are Professor Yossi Mekelberg and Dr Elham Fakhro, Associate Fellows with our Middle East programme.  Read our latest: Iran-Israel exhanges are a test for China’s influence in the Gulf Iran’s attack on Israel was not the failure many claim but it has ended Israel’s isolation The strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria could be the spark that ignites the Middle East Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. 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.

Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Mohammed al-Ta’ishi, a civilian member of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council - where he served as the chief negotiator and main architect of the Juba Peace Agreement. Joining them both are BBC journalist James Copnall and Rosalind Marsden, an Associate Fellow with our Africa programme and the former UK ambassador to Sudan. Read our latest: Sudan’s forgotten war: A new diplomatic push is needed The ‘conflict economy’ of sesame in Ethiopia and Sudan How Sudan’s forgotten war is being fought 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.

Bronwen Maddox is joined by Soli Özel, a Professor of International Relations at Istanbul Kadir Has University, and Hürcan Aslı Aksoy, the Head of the Centre for Applied Turkey Studies at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. With them is Galip Dalay, a Senior Consulting Fellow with our Middle East and North Africa programme. Read our latest: Has David Cameron’s return revitalised UK policy in the Middle East? Maduro is flouting his commitment to hold free elections in Venezuela. The US must respond – carefully Securitizing the Ethiopia–Sudan border: How cross-border conflict is shaping trade and the control of land  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.

Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Mujtaba Rahman, the Managing Director Europe of the Eurasia Group and Georgina Wright, a Senior Fellow with Institut Montaigne. Joining them all is journalist John Kampfner, the former head of Chatham House's UK in the World Programme. Read our latest: Is Moldova a new battleground in Russia’s war? Has David Cameron’s return revitalised UK policy in the Middle East? Britain must rearm to strengthen NATO and meet threats beyond Russia and terrorism 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.

Bronwen Maddox is joined from Dakar, Senegal by Gilles Yabi, the founder and CEO of WATHI, the West Africa Citizen Think Tank and Idayat Hassan, a Senior Associate with CSIS. Joining them in the Chatham House studio is Paul Melly, a Consulting Fellow with our Africa Programme. Read our latest: Democracy in West Africa: Why Senegal’s election crisis matters Sudan’s forgotten war: A new diplomatic push is needed The UK should help coordinate support for Ukraine by backing EU defence initiatives 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.