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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
International Law
Tariffs
United Nations

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
NewsNews CommentaryPolitics

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Latest Episodes

Would the world benefit from a new economic alliance to stop China and the US from undermining the global rules we all depend on – a new 'third pole'?

That's the conclusion of a new Chatham House report published this week. How would an economic b... more

The major Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo's northeast is not just a public health emergency in an already impoverished and violence-beset region. Armed rebellion, fragile government and a collapse in public trust are combining to m... more

YouTube

Almost exactly ten years since Britain's seismic vote to leave the EU, the debate reopens thanks to early skirmishes in the fight for leadership of the Labour Party and thus the prime ministership. Could a credible bid to rejoin make its way onto Bri... more

President Donald Trump brings a band of senior US business executives seeking trade deals to China for what is possibly the biggest bilateral summit of 2026. But what does the US hope to achieve? More sales of Boeings, beef and soybeans; an off-ramp ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Ben Judah
Author of London and Fragile Empire
Chatham House (visiting fellow)
Episode: Could Britain really rejoin the EU?
Alan Beattie
Financial Times journalist, associate fellow
Financial Times
Episode: Could Britain really rejoin the EU?
John Lough
Associate fellow of the Russia and Eurasia program and head of foreign policy at the New Eurasian Strategy Center
Chatham House / New Eurasian Strategy Center
Episode: Is Putin losing control of his war in Ukraine?
Chietij Bajpaee
Senior Research Fellow for South Asia
Chatham House
Episode: What lessons will China, India and other Asian nations draw from the Iran war?
Dieter Helm
Professor of Economic Policy at Oxford University
Oxford University
Episode: Why are UK energy costs so high? And how to bring them down
Grégoire Roos
Director of Europe, Russia and Eurasia programs
Chatham House
Episode: Iran war: regional shock or global crisis?
Neil Quilliam
Associate fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Programme
Chatham House
Episode: Is Iran one crisis too many for Trump?
Christopher Sabatini
Senior research fellow for Latin America
Chatham House
Episode: Is Iran one crisis too many for Trump?
Sanam Vakil
Director of our Middle East and North Africa Programme
Chatham House
Episode: Iran: Will Trump declare early victory and risk leaving hardliners in charge?

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 196 ratings
  • 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 Kingdom2 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 Kingdom6 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 Kingdom7 months ago
  • Quality

    Level-headed, informative & insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MickOrd
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Insightful

    Insightful views on geopolitical issues every week, well worth following

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jontycrane
    New Zealanda 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
#115
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#239
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#27
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#107
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#185
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#227
Italy/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
As Ukraine peace talks stall, can Europe step up in its defence? Independent Thinking podcast
Q: What is the state of play in the peace talks?
The peace talks seem to be more of a diversion for Russia while leveraging its position without any real concessions.
As the UK lurches from crisis to crisis, is it becoming ungovernable?
Q: Do you think Britain will manage to address these difficult decisions?
Currently, it seems unlikely under the existing government, but a change in leadership might provide an opportunity for more decisive action.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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. Political Fix
5. Hold Your Fire!

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. Ben Judah
2. Alan Beattie
3. John Lough
4. Chietij Bajpaee
5. Dieter Helm
6. Grégoire Roos
7. Neil Quilliam
8. Christopher Sabatini

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