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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
Labour Party
Taiwan
Climate Change
Sudan
United Nations
Trump Administration
Keir Starmer

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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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

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

A call by leaders of the tech giants on the frontier of Artificial Intelligence to 'slow the pace' of its development has sparked debate over the risks associated with AI.

Does AI represent an existential threat, and if so, how urgent are the warni... more

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Twenty five years ago the deadliest terrorist attacks in human history, on 11 September 2001, saw 2,977 people killed in New York, Washington, and aboard the planes hijacked by 19 members of Al-Qaeda.

An immediate response followed with the US-led ... more

The United Nations convenes for its 81st General Assembly next week amid turmoil around the world that it seeks to bring together. The conflicts in Iran, Ukraine and Gaza, and the US, China and Russia's undermining of the rules-based international or... more

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Recent Guests

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?
Marc Weller
Director, Global Governance and Security Centre; former UN mediator
Cambridge University / Chatham House
Episode: What is the United Nations for?
Zizette Darkazally
Associate Fellow in Middle East and North Africa Programme; has worked for the UN
Chatham House
Episode: What is the United Nations for?
Julie Norman
Associate fellow in the Middle Eastern North Africa Program
Chatham House
Episode: Iran, Gaza, Trump and Netanyahu: Understanding the Middle East's crises
Ksenia Svetlova
Associate fellow in the Middle Eastern North Africa Program; former member of the Israeli Knesset
Chatham House; Ropes
Episode: Iran, Gaza, Trump and Netanyahu: Understanding the Middle East's crises
Beatrice Mosello
International water and climate expert, research fellow in Environment and Society Center
Chatham House
Episode: The summer of '26: A turning point for the climate crisis?
Patrick Schröder
Senior research fellow in the Environment and Society Center, climate change and sustainability
Chatham House
Episode: The summer of '26: A turning point for the climate crisis?
Oliver Morton
Planetary Affairs Editor, Economist; specializes in energy, climate, science and policy
The Economist
Episode: The summer of '26: A turning point for the climate crisis?

Host

Bronwen Maddox
Host of Independent Thinking, Chatham House.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 202 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
    Australia4 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 Kingdom6 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 Kingdom10 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 Kingdom10 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.

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Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#70
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#150
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#171
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#139
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#214
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#219
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The summer of '26: A turning point for the climate crisis?
Q: What are the implications for food and water given this summer's conditions?
The summer exposed the vulnerability of food systems and water supplies, with higher risks of drought, reduced yields, and increased reliance on imports; adaptation and resilience measures, including better water management and international cooperation, are essential.
The summer of '26: A turning point for the climate crisis?
Q: Just explain El Niño.
El Niño is a climate pattern where the Pacific Ocean and atmosphere exchange energy, causing global temperatures to rise as heat and energy move into the atmosphere, potentially making next year hotter than typical years if trends continue.
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.

Audience Metrics

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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. The Horn

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. Farea Al-Muslimi
2. Jason Burke
3. Marc Weller
4. Zizette Darkazally
5. Julie Norman
6. Ksenia Svetlova
7. Beatrice Mosello
8. Patrick Schröder

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