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Independent Thinking

Chatham House
Ukraine
China
United States
Russia
Donald Trump
European Union
Iran
Israel
Gaza
NATO
Venezuela
Chatham House
Hamas
Labour Party
Taiwan
Sudan
Trump Administration
Keir Starmer
International Law
Tariffs

Chatham House director Bronwen Maddox hosts conversations with leading policymakers, journalists and Chatham House experts to provide insight into the latest international political issues. Independent Thinking gives listeners the opportunity to engage with the high level conversations hosted by Chatham House.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes132Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

The $2.6 trillion spent on artificial intelligence, data centres and advanced chipmaking dwarfs the cost of previous infrastructure megaprojects. Yet AI has become a money pit for tech giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta, and the tech is f... more

Ukraine's drone strikes deep into Russian territory coincided with one of Kyiv's biggest political and military convulsions of the war: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired the popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov only for his decision ... more

Andy Burnham took over as UK prime minister with a vow to restore hope in British politics – and an early volley of voter-friendly policy promises. But are they quite as significant as billed?

How much room to manoeuvre does Burnham really have? Wi... more

YouTube

The 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey may represent the pinnacle of soft power for the USA and a moment of global prestige for President Donald Trump.

But at home, concerns are growing over his ever-expanding vision of presidential power. Is Ameri... more

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Recent Guests

Lawrence Freedman
Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London
King's College London
Episode: If Ukraine is winning the war, why did Zelenskyy fire his defence minister?
Vadym Prystaiko
Ukraine's former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ukraine
Episode: If Ukraine is winning the war, why did Zelenskyy fire his defence minister?
Jaroslava Barbieri
Research fellow with the Ukraine Forum, Russia and Eurasia program
Chatham House
Episode: If Ukraine is winning the war, why did Zelenskyy fire his defence minister?
Hugo Gye
British political correspondent at The Economist
The Economist
Episode: Can Andy Burnham remake Britain at home and abroad?
Jamie Gaskarth
Associate fellow for the UK in the World Programme and Professor of Foreign Policy and International Relations, Open University
Open University
Episode: Can Andy Burnham remake Britain at home and abroad?
Max Yoeli
senior research fellow focusing on US politics, foreign policy and economic statecraft
Chatham House US and North America program
Episode: Has Trump made the presidency too powerful?
Marion Messmer
Dr. Marion Messmer, director of Chatham House International Security Programme
Chatham House
Episode: NATO in Ankara: Is Europe ready for a Russian attack?
Galip Dalay
Galip Dalay, runs the Turkey Initiative; senior research fellow
Chatham House
Episode: NATO in Ankara: Is Europe ready for a Russian attack?
Tim Davis
Former United States Ambassador to Qatar (2022–2025); former US Marine
U.S. Government / U.S. Department of State
Episode: USA at 250: Soft power, hard power and the future of the American dream

Hosts

Bronwen Maddox
Host of Independent Thinking; Director at Chatham House
Laurel Rapp
Director of the US and North America Programme; guest and policy analyst
Grégoire Roos
Director of Europe and Russia programmes; geopolitical analyst

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 200 ratings
  • Reliable, knowledgeable voices

    I am an Associate member of Chatham House. This podcast brings us knowledgeable voices from a diverse range of specialties. It does so in the true spirit of enquiry, and problem-solving, for which Chatham House is famous. If you want a little taste of just how good this institution is, subscribe to this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    David W Marks
    Australia2 months ago
  • China coverage is excellent

    This is consistently prudent and sophisticated coverage. I especially like David Lubin’s economic analysis which goes beyond his peers

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ph1zz
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Different and thoughtful review of budget.

    An interesting review of the budget from both economic and political perspectives.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    CliveP2
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Excellent

    In the latest Sudan episode the Senior Research Fellow said that 90% of the gold under areas controlled by the Sudanese army and government is exported to the UAE whereas a UAE Ministry of Energy directive dated 7 August 2025 banned maritime interactions with Port Sudan, saying this was to protect the “strategic interest of the UAE”. A Reuters article dated October 21, 2025 states that there is a de facto UAE flight ban on Port Sudan and there are no direct commercial flights between the two and... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Pyankhy
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Quality

    Level-headed, informative & insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MickOrd
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the rigorous, informed analysis and the breadth of expert guests.
Audience values nuanced, non-hyperbolic policy conversations.
Quality discussions and credible hosts are frequently highlighted.
Occasional audio mixing issues noted by some listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#117
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#187
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#221
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#236
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#16
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#22
South Africa/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

USA at 250: Soft power, hard power and the future of the American dream
Q: How have Afghanistan and Iraq affected America's global reputation and its approach to promoting democracy?
They highlight that while Afghanistan was framed around a clear security objective, nation-building and long-term democratic promotion have become more contested domestically, leading to a more cautious and sometimes transactional foreign policy stance.
USA at 250: Soft power, hard power and the future of the American dream
Q: What is the current standing of the United States in the world after tumultuous decades and internal debates?
The guests suggest a complex picture: America remains influential, but its role is adapting to a multipolar world, with traditional allies re-evaluating their reliance on U.S. leadership and China rising as a counterweight, necessitating renewed diplomacy and cooperation.
Iran war: regional shock or global crisis?
Q: David, what's your response to that?
He emphasizes that while the shock could be serious, there are cushions like storage and energy efficiency that soften the impact relative to 1973; he also highlights policy transmission through inflation and monetary policy.
Why are UK energy costs so high? And how to bring them down
Q: Why is UK energy so expensive?
The guest explains that high prices stem from a combination of historical policy choices (privatization and removal of industrial policy), decline of domestic manufacturing, and structural shifts toward a gas-heavy, renewables-partial mix. Intermittent renewables require new grids and storage, and gas dependency with limited storage options raises costs, especially when global gas prices spike. The overall system costs—grids, networks, and the need for backup gas—are borne by domestic consumers, and cross-subsidies to industry have been reduced, increasing domestic bills.
As Ukraine peace talks stall, can Europe step up in its defence? Independent Thinking podcast
Q: Can Ukraine defend itself effectively with European help?
Ukraine is attempting to strengthen its defenses while maintaining support from the US and mobilizing Europe.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Independent Thinking

What is Independent Thinking about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Thoughtful conversations with high-level policymakers, researchers, and Chatham House experts explore the big geopolitical questions shaping global affairs. Episodes frequently examine U.S.–China dynamics, European security and energy policy, the Middle East, and global economic implications of political decisions, often blending strategic analysis with practical policy context. Notable strengths include a broad roster of expert guests (from defense and finance to diplomacy and regional studies), rigorous analysis grounded in current events, and a stable, institution-backed perspective that seeks to illuminate competing narratives for policymakers, executives, and informed listeners. The format is well-suited for listeners who want nuanced ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Independent Thinking?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Independent Thinking:

1. The Rachman Review
2. Global Security Briefing
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
5. The Economics Show

How many episodes of Independent Thinking are there?

Independent Thinking launched 6 years ago and published 132 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Independent Thinking?

Recent guests on Independent Thinking include:

1. Lawrence Freedman
2. Vadym Prystaiko
3. Jaroslava Barbieri
4. Hugo Gye
5. Jamie Gaskarth
6. Max Yoeli
7. Marion Messmer
8. Galip Dalay

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