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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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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Independent Thinking

Latest Episodes

American voters inflicted a crushing defeat on the Republican Party in the US midterm elections, signalling clear dissatisfaction with President Trump's agenda. Now many issues in US politics are up in the air – from the use of tariffs to policy on I... more

Israel faces weeks of political horse-trading after the most pivotal election in the country's history delivered no clear result. Neither victorious nor vanquished, Benjamin Netanyahu is still prime minister and lives to attempt another coalition neg... more

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As the world becomes more unstable and the demands for critical minerals from China and big tech increases, can greater international attention on Africa translate into greater power and prosperity for African nations?

Can African states leverage t... more

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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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Recent Guests

Anshel Pfeffer
The Economist's Israel editor, Haaretz columnist and author of Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu
The Economist
Episode: Israel in deadlock: What next for a divided country?
Zizette Darkazally
Associate fellow with Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme, previously worked for the United Nations and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Chatham House
Episode: Israel in deadlock: What next for a divided country?
Yossi Mekelberg
Senior consulting fellow with Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme and former professor of international relations
Chatham House
Episode: Israel in deadlock: What next for a divided country?
Tighisti Amare
Director of the Africa Programme at Chatham House
Chatham House
Episode: Can Africa maximize its global influence?
Lisa Musumba
Africa Programme outreach officer and host of Africa Aware
Chatham House
Episode: Can Africa maximize its global influence?
Orysia Lutsevych
Deputy Director of Russia and Eurasia Programme, Head of Ukraine Forum
Chatham House
Episode: How will Ukraine get through winter after the Trump-Putin diesel deal?
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?

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
#96
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#217
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#243
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#110
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#151
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#229
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Israel in deadlock: What next for a divided country?
Q: What are you expecting and what are you hearing about the potential for strikes on Iran?
Zizette Darkazally says Netanyahu may benefit from prolonging the caretaker government by invoking an emergency, and notes that Donald Trump has suggested further action against Iran.
Israel in deadlock: What next for a divided country?
Q: What do you mean by the questions around whether those Arab votes are valid?
Anshel Pfeffer says the votes are legally valid, but Netanyahu has argued that they should not count toward the Jewish majority, making their legitimacy a central political issue.
Can Africa maximize its global influence?
Q: How can Africa use its influence more globally to get representation on international bodies?
Musumba describes growing momentum for Security Council reform but says more support from citizens and other regions is needed. Amare says Africa has a strong case for permanent representation, while noting that reform requires agreement among existing permanent members and consensus within Africa about who would represent the continent.
Can Africa maximize its global influence?
Q: Where are African countries managing to use this new demand for resources to their own advantage, and where are they struggling?
Amare says the Accra Reset calls for stronger economic sovereignty and partnerships shaped around African priorities, while existing economic structures limit countries' ability to leverage their resources. Musumba points to critical minerals and the continent's young population as opportunities, but says value addition and infrastructure remain gaps.
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.

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. The Rachman Review
2. Global Security Briefing
3. Political Fix
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. The Rest Is Politics

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. Anshel Pfeffer
2. Zizette Darkazally
3. Yossi Mekelberg
4. Tighisti Amare
5. Lisa Musumba
6. Orysia Lutsevych
7. Richard Barrons
8. Sharon Hudson-Dean

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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