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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
Climate Change

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
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NewsNews CommentaryPolitics

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Latest Episodes

King Charles III's state visit to the US won acclaim as the monarch charmed President Donald Trump. But can it really rescue US-UK relations from their current dire state? The 'special relationship' – a term first voiced by Chatham House before becom... more

EU expansion, energy shocks, and uneasy alliances: will the conflict in the Gulf – and other crises – force a more unified European strategy? This week's episode comes from the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece, where host Bronwen Maddox is joined by G... more

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From Hormuz to Hungary and the Vatican to the Federal Reserve, it has been an unusually contentious week for the White House, even by the standards of President Trump's second administration.

This week's podcast comes from the US, where our analyst... more

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China prepared in advance for a US attack on Iran. But many of its Asian neighbours have been hit hard because their economies were heavily reliant on energy imports from the Gulf. In the short-term, the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz has trigg... more

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Recent Guests

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
David Lubin
Senior Research Fellow in Global Economy and Finance Programme
Chatham House
Episode: Iran war: regional shock or global crisis?
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?
James Kynge
Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, China Specialist, author
Chatham House
Episode: AI wars: Anthropic battles the Pentagon as China plans ahead
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?
Richard Barrons
Senior Consulting Fellow with our International Security Programme
Chatham House
Episode: Iran: Will Trump declare early victory and risk leaving hardliners in charge?

Host

Bronwen Maddox
Bronwen Maddox is a director and host, known for her insightful discussions on expert geopolitical and international issues.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 187 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 Kingdoma month ago
  • Different and thoughtful review of budget.

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

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    CliveP2
    United Kingdom5 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 Kingdom5 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.

The podcast is commended for its high-quality discussions and insightful questions that provoke thought.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth expertise brought forth by knowledgeable guests and hosts, enhancing their understanding of complex international issues.
Some critics mention audio quality issues sporadically, but overall, feedback reflects satisfaction with the content and delivery.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#85
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#191
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#205
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#204
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#224
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#27
Japan/News/Politics

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
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Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Independent Thinking

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

Engaging with a spectrum of crucial international issues, discussions center on the influence of geopolitical dynamics amid changing global relationships. The topics include the complexities of U.S.-China relations, the ongoing European responses to conflicts, especially in Ukraine and the implications of policies towards regions like Latin America and the Middle East. The format features in-depth conversations with policymakers and experts, offering diverse perspectives on pressing matters such as economic growth in the UK, military strategies in Europe, and global humanitarian crises. Unique insights into geopolitical challenges are complemented by historical context, fostering a deeper understanding of current events and their potential ... 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. The Rest Is Politics

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. Chietij Bajpaee
2. Dieter Helm
3. David Lubin
4. Grégoire Roos
5. Neil Quilliam
6. Christopher Sabatini
7. James Kynge
8. Sanam Vakil

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