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Independent Thinking

Chatham House
Ukraine
China
United States
Russia
Donald Trump
European Union
Iran
Gaza
Israel
NATO
Venezuela
Chatham House
Hamas
Taiwan
Labour Party
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Sudan
United Nations
Trump Administration

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes132Founded7 years ago
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Latest Episodes

President Trump and President Putin's back-door deal to release hundreds of thousands of tonnes of Russian diesel into international markets has revitalized the Kremlin's war effort and left President Zelenskyy incandescent. Is the US president sacri... more

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The rightward movement in democracies in Europe and beyond shows little sign of slowing. Germany has elected its first far-right regional government in Saxony-Anhalt. In France, voter anger with Emmanuel Macron puts the Rassemblement National's Marin... more

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The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels' capture of Yemen's port city of Mocha means that Iran now effectively controls two crucial waterways in the region – the Bab al-Mandab Strait to the Red Sea and thus the Suez Canal, as well as the Hormuz Strait. Why ... more

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President Donald Trump welcomes Xi Jinping to Washington with the US-China dynamic in a moment of historic flux. China is rising economically and militarily, while the US is mired in the Iran war, alienating allies and pursuing Trump's unpredictable ... more

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Recent Guests

Richard Barrons
Former Commander of the Joint Forces Command, UK Armed Forces; Senior Consulting Fellow
Chatham House
Episode: How will Ukraine get through winter after the Trump-Putin diesel deal?
Sharon Hudson-Dean
Associate Fellow in US and North America Programme
Chatham House
Episode: How will Ukraine get through winter after the Trump-Putin diesel deal?
Grégoire Roos
Director of the Europe and Russia and Eurasia Programmes at Chatham House
Chatham House
Episode: Europe, Brazil and beyond: Is the populist wave gathering momentum?
Nic Lawley
Special Advisor in Bronwen Maddox's office, specializes in the politics of Spain
Chatham House
Episode: Europe, Brazil and beyond: Is the populist wave gathering momentum?
Chris Sabatini
Director of the Latin America Programme at Chatham House
Chatham House
Episode: Europe, Brazil and beyond: Is the populist wave gathering momentum?
Farya Al-Muslimi
Co-founder of Yemen's premier think tank, Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies
Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies
Episode: Why the Houthis' Red Sea power play makes Iran even stronger
Alex Krasodomski
Director of the Digital Society Programme
Chatham House
Episode: Artificial Intelligence, Real Fears: Is it time to slow down?
Farea Al-Muslimi
Research Fellow in Middle East and North Africa Programme
Chatham House
Episode: How did 9/11 shape the world we live in?
Jason Burke
International Security Correspondent, The Guardian
The Guardian
Episode: How did 9/11 shape the world we live in?

Host

Bronwen Maddox
Host of Independent Thinking, Chatham House.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 204 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
    Australia5 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 Kingdom7 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 Kingdoma year 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 Kingdoma year 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.

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Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#81
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#193
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#112
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#149
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#229
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#234
Australia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Artificial Intelligence, Real Fears: Is it time to slow down?
Q: Can we slow down the AI race, and what would that look like in practice?
Slowdown could come from sustained political pressure, public sentiment against data centers, or breakthroughs that reset the pace; a governance-focused slowdown is possible if major powers agree to new rules.
Artificial Intelligence, Real Fears: Is it time to slow down?
Q: Marion, how is this playing out in the defense world and how are governments handling data security and safety?
Anthropic and other labs provide safety reports and guardrails, while governments grapple with keeping classified data secure, integrating AI into militaries, and balancing openness with protection.
Artificial Intelligence, Real Fears: Is it time to slow down?
Q: Alex, what is your take on this? How worried should we be?
There is a range of plausible risks, including existential threats and immediate harms, but the real challenge is distinguishing which risk is being discussed at any given moment; multiple risks can be true at once.
How did 9/11 shape the world we live in?
Q: What were the consequences of using drone warfare as a primary tool of counterterrorism?
Drones reduced ground deployments but introduced ethical concerns, risked civilian harm when misapplied, and shifted the political calculus away from traditional troop-based solutions toward higher-velocity, remote operations that complicated local legitimacy.
How did 9/11 shape the world we live in?
Q: Jason, how did the plot evolve from a radical idea to a global security challenge?
It began with a conception in the late 1990s that leveraged aviation vulnerabilities, was scaled through Al-Qaeda's network, and was followed by a shift in policy from purely security-focused responses to broader counterinsurgency and state-building strategies that often bred mixed results.

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, policy-forward conversations featuring leading policymakers, journalists, and think-tank experts. Episodes explore international relations, defense, energy, technology, and global governance through high-level analysis, with a steady emphasis on Europe, North America, and geopolitical strategy. A standout trait is the host's ability to frame complex issues with historical context and invite a diverse set of perspectives, from diplomats to economists to regional specialists. The show often balances practical policy implications with broader strategic questions, making it valuable for listeners who want credible, in-depth insights into current international affairs. A few episodes lean into structural questions about alliances and... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Independent Thinking?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Independent Thinking:

1. Global Security Briefing
2. The Rachman Review
3. Hold Your Fire!
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes

How many episodes of Independent Thinking are there?

Independent Thinking launched 7 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. Richard Barrons
2. Sharon Hudson-Dean
3. Grégoire Roos
4. Nic Lawley
5. Chris Sabatini
6. Farya Al-Muslimi
7. Alex Krasodomski
8. Farea Al-Muslimi

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