Explore every episode of the podcast Independent Thinking
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezuela's stolen election: Will Nicolás Maduro retain power? | 02 Aug 2024 | 00:27:56 | |
Venezuelans are protesting against Nicolás Maduro's claim to have won the presidential election. Bronwen Maddox is joined from Caracas by journalist turned opposition politician Paola Bautista de Aleman and the FT's Latin America editor Michael Stott. With them is Chris Sabatini, our Senior Research Fellow for Latin America. Read our latest: Venezuela's stolen election encourages the world's autocracies Israel's strikes in Iran and Lebanon don't hurt Hamas and Hezbollah much Does President Ruto have the means to appease Kenya's protestors? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| What would a Harris presidency mean for the world? | 26 Jul 2024 | 00:40:50 | |
Democratic big hitters have coalesced around Kamala Harris as the Party's new nominee, but what do we know about her world view, especially on Gaza, and the place of US leadership in the world? Bronwen Maddox is joined by chief correspondent at the Washington Post, Dan Balz, political scientist Dan Drezner, and the Director of our US and Americas Programme, Leslie Vinjamuri, to discuss what a Trump-Harris race will look like, and how the winner might approach America's global role. Read our latest: Kamala Harris would bring greater foreign policy experience than most new US presidents Netanyahu's speech sought bipartisan support by invoking the threat of Iran Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Ruth Gold. Take part in The World Today's Reader Survey✏️ Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| How will foreign affairs shape the UK election? | 24 May 2024 | 00:36:52 | |
Rishi Sunak called a 4 July election saying the world is more dangerous than at any time since the end of the Cold War. Bronwen Maddox discusses those threats with Chatham House experts Olivia O'Sullivan, director of our UK in the World; David Lubin, our Michael Klein Senior Research Fellow in our Global Economy and Finance Programme; and Tim Eaton, senior research fellow in our Middle East and North Africa Programme. Read our latest: An election for 'dangerous times' Three foreign policy priorities for the next UK government Is the Kremlin behind Georgia's foreign agents law? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| What choices will the next UK Foreign Secretary face? | 17 May 2024 | 00:37:37 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined by Shashank Joshi, defence editor of The Economist and historian and commentator Helene von Bismarck to discuss what the next government must prioritize in the UK's foreign policy. With them is Olivia O'Sullivan, Director of our UK in the World programme and co-author of the report: Three foreign policy priorities for the next UK government. Read our latest: A Gaza ceasefire rests on preventing a full-scale Israeli offensive in Rafah Russia is using the Soviet playbook in the Global South to challenge the West – and it is working Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Will the US continue to support Israel? | 10 May 2024 | 00:35:58 | |
In this special episode, Bronwen Maddox interviews a key figure in US foreign policy to the Middle East for over a decade, Ambassador Dennis Ross. Ambassador Ross engaged directly with both Israeli and Palestinian parties in peace negotiations under multiple US presidents, and was instrumental in brokering agreements between them, including the 'Oslo II' accord of 1995 and the 1997 Hebron Accord. They discuss topics including the US-Israel relationship, what pressure President Biden can exert on Benjamin Netanyahu over a possible invasion of Rafah, global protests against Israeli action in Gaza and whether any hope remains for a deal to end the conflict. Read our latest: Xi Jinping hopes to improve EU–China relations – and drive a wedge between Europe and the US Vietnam's political turmoil reveals a turn towards China – and away from the West The UK should not rule out sending troops to Ukraine – despite Putin's nuclear threats Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Take part in The World Today's Reader Survey✏️ Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Which country is next to go nuclear? | 03 May 2024 | 00:40:30 | |
This week, Bronwen Maddox discusses whether we are seeing a resurgence of the threat posed by nuclear weapons, given recent events in the Middle East and rhetoric from world leaders. She is joined by Robert E Kelly, Professor of Political Science at Pusan National University, Dr Hanna Notte, Director of the Eurasia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies and Dr Patricia Lewis, Director of the International Security Programme at Chatham House. Read our latest: Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Take part in The World Today's Reader Survey✏️ Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Is time running out for Ukraine? | 25 Apr 2024 | 00:38:48 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by journalist Oz Katerji and Phillips P. O'Brien, a Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews. Joining them both in the studio is Ukrainian journalist Olga Tokariuk, the OSUN Academy Fellow in the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House. Read our latest: The US aid package to Ukraine will help. But a better strategy is urgently needed As yet another UN Libya envoy quits, his successor must be bolder The Baltic Sea is far from a 'NATO lake' – the alliance must strengthen its defences Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Take part in The World Today's Reader Survey✏️ Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Are Israel and Iran on the brink of all out war? | 19 Apr 2024 | 00:30:07 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Sanam Vakil, the director of our Middle East programme to discuss Iran's missile attack on Israel and the possible consequences across the region. Joining them both are Professor Yossi Mekelberg and Dr Elham Fakhro, Associate Fellows with our Middle East programme. Read our latest: Iran-Israel exhanges are a test for China's influence in the Gulf Iran's attack on Israel was not the failure many claim but it has ended Israel's isolation The strike on Iran's consulate in Syria could be the spark that ignites the Middle East Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Take part in The World Today's Reader Survey✏️ Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Has the world forgotten Sudan? | 12 Apr 2024 | 00:34:51 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Mohammed al-Ta'ishi, a civilian member of Sudan's Sovereignty Council - where he served as the chief negotiator and main architect of the Juba Peace Agreement. Joining them both are BBC journalist James Copnall and Rosalind Marsden, an Associate Fellow with our Africa programme and the former UK ambassador to Sudan. Read our latest: Sudan's forgotten war: A new diplomatic push is needed The 'conflict economy' of sesame in Ethiopia and Sudan How Sudan's forgotten war is being fought Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Has Turkey turned against Recep Tayyip Erdoğan? | 04 Apr 2024 | 00:33:33 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined by Soli Özel, a Professor of International Relations at Istanbul Kadir Has University, and Hürcan Aslı Aksoy, the Head of the Centre for Applied Turkey Studies at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. With them is Galip Dalay, a Senior Consulting Fellow with our Middle East and North Africa programme. Read our latest: Has David Cameron's return revitalised UK policy in the Middle East? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Can Germany lead in a divided Europe? | 27 Mar 2024 | 00:34:21 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Mujtaba Rahman, the Managing Director Europe of the Eurasia Group and Georgina Wright, a Senior Fellow with Institut Montaigne. Joining them all is journalist John Kampfner, the former head of Chatham House's UK in the World Programme. Read our latest: Is Moldova a new battleground in Russia's war? Has David Cameron's return revitalised UK policy in the Middle East? Britain must rearm to strengthen NATO and meet threats beyond Russia and terrorism Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Senegal, Nigeria and the Sahel: can democracy deliver in West Africa? | 21 Mar 2024 | 00:38:39 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined from Dakar, Senegal by Gilles Yabi, the founder and CEO of WATHI, the West Africa Citizen Think Tank and Idayat Hassan, a Senior Associate with CSIS. Joining them in the Chatham House studio is Paul Melly, a Consulting Fellow with our Africa Programme. Read our latest: Democracy in West Africa: Why Senegal's election crisis matters Sudan's forgotten war: A new diplomatic push is needed The UK should help coordinate support for Ukraine by backing EU defence initiatives Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Will MAGA redefine America's foreign policy? | 19 Jul 2024 | 00:27:47 | |
The Republican National Convention is underway in Wisconsin just days after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Bronwen Maddox is joined by journalists Edward Luce and David E Sanger to discuss the selection of J. D. Vance as Trump's running mate and what this means for America's future foreign policy. Joining them is Leslie Vinjamuri, the director of our US and Americas Programme. Read our latest: Three key issues require progress as the UK hosts European leaders for the EPC summit The new government must work hard to restore the UK's reputation as a champion of international law The illusion of legitimacy: unveiling Syria's sham elections Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| China's National People's Congress: the view from Japan | 13 Mar 2024 | 00:30:48 | |
Bronwen Maddox is in Japan this week, and is joined from Taipei by journalist Bethany Allen to discuss China's National People's Congress and the political calculations of Beijing's neighbours. Joining them are Robert Ward from The International Institute for Strategic Studies and Dr Yu Jie – a Senior Fellow with our Asia-Pacific programme. Read our latest: Why Egypt's improved economic outlook is mostly down to luck, not skill This time Haiti really is on the brink. The US and UN must act to restore order The EU's new AI Act could have global impact Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Has Donald Trump changed US foreign policy forever? | 08 Mar 2024 | 00:32:44 | |
Guest host Leslie Vinjamuri is joined on the podcast this week by Ben Smith, the Editor-in-Chief of Semafor News and Professor Jennifer M Lind – an Associate Fellow with our US and Americas programme. Read our latest: How foreign policy might impact the outcome of the US election This time Haiti really is on the brink. The US and UN must act to restore order How geopolitical competition in the Black Sea is redefining regional order Presented by Leslie Vinjamuri. Produced by John Pollock. Follow Chatham House on Bluesky 🦋 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Iran's elections: What's at stake for the Middle East? | 29 Feb 2024 | 00:35:03 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined on the podcast this week by Gregg Carlstrom, the Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Siavash Ardalan from BBC Persia and Dr Sanam Vakil – the Director of our Middle East and North Africa programme. Read our latest: The Gaza war is testing Hezbollah's strategic capability Sweden brings benefits for NATO but accession delay raises difficult questions Watch the keynote address by Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Follow Chatham House on Bluesky 🦋 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Is Alexei Navalny's death a watershed moment for Russia? | 23 Feb 2024 | 00:34:07 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Bill Browder – who for years has worked as a human rights and anti-corruption campaigner against the Putin regime. Alongside him is Nikolai Petrov, a Consulting Fellow with our Russia and Eurasia programme and Yulia Mineeva, an Academy Fellow with Chatham House, who was previously Head of News for Novaya Gazeta, the main independent newspaper in Russia. Read our latest: Alexei Navalny's most powerful legacy is urging Russians to imagine their country without Putin China's 'renminbi trap': The economy needs a weaker currency, but Beijing is unable to act Ukraine means enlargement is again the EU's priority – but not for the reasons it claims Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Follow Chatham House on Bluesky 🦋 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| What does Prabowo Subianto's election mean for Indonesia? | 16 Feb 2024 | 00:28:14 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week from Jakarta by Professor Burhanuddin Muhtadi, executive director of the Indonesian polling organization Indikator Politik Indonesia, and Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a former advisor to Indonesia's Vice President and chair of Indonesian think tank, The Habibie Center. Joining them all is Ben Bland, the director of our Asia-Pacific program at Chatham House. Read our latest: 'Continuity' Prabowo means change for Indonesia Indonesia's Democracy Is Stronger Than a Strongman (Foreign Affairs) Indonesia's elections: new president, new parliament, same old politics? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Follow Chatham House on Bluesky 🦋 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Can the UN's first cybercrime treaty protect us? | 08 Feb 2024 | 00:26:55 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Ciaran Martin, the former Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre; Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo, Vice Chair of the African Union's Cyber Security Experts Group; Amy Hogan-Burney, General Manager of Cyber Security Policy at Microsoft and Joyce Hakmeh, the Deputy Director of our International Security Programme. Read our latest: Yes, China pressured Iran on Red Sea attacks – but only to protect its own ships A long war works against Ukraine – and the West's own security Pakistan must ensure free and fair elections to avert a meltdown Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Alex Moyler. Follow Chatham House on Bluesky 🦋 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Is Pakistan's democracy on the brink? | 02 Feb 2024 | 00:26:40 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Madiha Afzal, an author and Research Fellow at Brookings in Washington DC. Joining them are Dr Farzana Shaikh, an Associate Fellow with our Asia-Pacific Programme and Dr Chietigj Bajpaee, our Senior Research Fellow for South Asia. Read our latest: Pakistan must ensure free and fair elections to avert a meltdown February/March issue of The World Today The world is already in Trump-induced chaos. Prepare for things to get worse Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Alex Moyler. Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review and subscribe. | |||
| Why is Orbán blocking EU aid for Ukraine? | 25 Jan 2024 | 00:25:19 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by journalist Olga Tokariuk, an Academy Fellow in our Ukraine Forum, and Natalie Sabanadze, a Senior Research Fellow in our Russia and Eurasia Programme to discuss Viktor Orbán and Ukraine. Don't miss our expertise: The Director's Annual Lecture 2024 Orban's Ukraine gamble is a blow to the EU's geopolitical ambitions Are we heading for World War Three – and is Britain's military ready? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Matthew Docherty. | |||
| Can Western airstrikes stop the Houthis? | 18 Jan 2024 | 00:31:33 | |
Roxanne Escobales, Editor of The World Today, is joined this week by Tom Sharpe, a former commander in the Royal Navy and defence columnist with The Telegraph. Joining them are Dr Sanam Vakil, the Director of our Middle East and North Africa programme, and Farea Al-Muslimi, a Research Fellow with Chatham House and Yemen specialist. Don't miss our expertise: The Director's Annual Lecture 2024 The Houthis won't back down after strikes on Yemen When Netanyahu falls, Israel's democracy will need new political realignments Read the latest edition of The World Today here. Presented by Roxanne Escobales. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Alex Moyler. | |||
| What are the stakes in Taiwan's election? | 12 Jan 2024 | 00:36:52 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by journalist Jojje Olsson and Dr Chun-Yi Lee from the University of Nottingham's Taiwan Research Hub to discuss Taiwan's presidential election. Joining them in the studio is Ben Bland, Director of our Asia-Pacific programme. Don't miss our expertise: Taiwan elections offer no clear answers to China challenge The horrors of Ecuador are not just Ecuador's The Director's Annual Lecture 2024 Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Matthew Docherty. | |||
| What more can NATO do for Ukraine? | 12 Jul 2024 | 00:31:50 | |
NATO's Washington summit takes place amid growing uncertainty about US leadership, and some of Russia's heaviest missile attacks on Ukraine since the start of the war. Bronwen Maddox is joined by two former US ambassadors to NATO, Kurt Volker and Ivo Daalder, to discuss the challenges facing the alliance. With them is The Telegraph's Roland Oliphant and Chatham House's Armida van Rij. Read our latest: As NATO leaders gather, Putin has been making peace proposals – why? Orbán is using Hungary's EU Council presidency to bulldoze EU norms China's third plenum marks a sea change in growth model Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| What can we expect from 2024? | 15 Dec 2023 | 00:28:19 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs commentator for the Financial Times to discuss the elections and geopolitical flashpoints in 2024. Joining them in the studio are Leslie Vinjamuri, Ben Bland and Armida van Rij. Don't miss our expertise: The Director's Annual Lecture 2024 Collapsing foreign direct investment might not be all bad for China's economy The hidden scale of laboratory accidents: The need for transparency and engagement COP28: What was achieved, and what needs to happen now Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Matthew Docherty. | |||
| Bonus episode: How will the Hamas-Israel war end? | 13 Dec 2023 | 00:20:34 | |
At the Doha Conference, Bronwen Maddox speaks with Dr Majed Al Ansari, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr Al Ansari shares the Qatari perspective on the war between Hamas and Israel and the role the country has played as a key interlocutor. Don't miss our expertise: What does Turkey's policy on the Gaza war mean for the region? Why the time is now for a Palestinian national unity government Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Matthew Docherty. | |||
| What do India's state elections mean for Narendra Modi? | 08 Dec 2023 | 00:26:41 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by writer and academic Nishtha Gautam to discuss what India's state elections mean ahead of the 2024 general election. Joining them in the studio are Professor Louise Tillin from Kings College London and Senior Research Fellow Chietigj Bajpaee from our Asia-Pacific programme. Don't miss our expertise: Maduro hoped to mobilize Venezuelans around an old grievance in Guyana. He seems to have failed Why the time is now for a Palestinian national unity government Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Matthew Docherty. | |||
| Independent Thinking: UK election reaction special | 05 Jul 2024 | 00:27:59 | |
In this recording of a Chatham House event, Bronwen Maddox is joined by an expert panel on the morning of Labour's landslide win in the UK general election. Will Hutton, Anne McElvoy, James Heappey and Olivia O'Sullivan discuss the Conservatives' collapse, the new prime minister and his likely cabinet, and what the result means for the UK and its place in the world. Read our latest: Can Labour improve Britain's place in the world? South Africa's foreign relations under a new government: consistent policy with a new style The UK election debate has missed important conversations on defence Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Is the South China Sea the world's next flashpoint? | 28 Jun 2024 | 00:37:04 | |
On 17 June China's coastguard clashed violently with the Philippines near an isolated coral reef in the South China Sea. Tensions are running high between Beijing and Manila, a key US ally. Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippines Coast Guard, Collin Koh, Olivia Cheung, and Bill Hayton to discuss the dangers posed in one of the world's busiest shipping routes. Read our latest: The next UK government must bridge the Indo-Pacific and Europe Israel and Hezbollah are destroying the meaning of red lines China blocks Philippines access to South China Sea reef Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Is America turning its back on the world it helped to build? | 21 Jun 2024 | 00:22:13 | |
Joining Bronwen Maddox this week is Fareed Zakaria, the host of Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN. Recorded at our 2024 London Conference, they discuss the consequences of the US stepping back from its alliances, and the international order that relies on them. Read our latest: Donald Tusk awarded 2024 Chatham House Prize The evidence suggests Putin is not grooming Alexei Dyumin as his successor Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Has the world forgotten the women of Afghanistan? | 14 Jun 2024 | 00:40:34 | |
With Bronwen Maddox this week is Shaharzad Akbar, the former chair of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission and an Academy Associate at Chatham House. Joining them are Nilofar Sakhi, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's South Asia Centre and Heather Hurlburt, an Associate Fellow with our US and the Americas Programme. Read our latest: What the US wants from the next UK government's foreign policy Advanced economies must urgently address their public debt overhangs How will gains by the far right affect the European Parliament and EU? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Watch Chris Sabatini on Mexico's election 📺 Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Is the far-right a threat to the European Union? | 07 Jun 2024 | 00:32:29 | |
With Bronwen Maddox this week is Suzanne Lynch, the Global Playbook author and Associate Editor at POLITICO Europe. Joining them are Armida van Rij, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Europe Programme at Chatham House, and journalist Sebastien Maillard, Associate Fellow of the Europe Programme. Read our latest: India's shock election result is a loss for Modi but a win for democracy Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| What's next for Israel after events at the ICC and ICJ? | 31 May 2024 | 00:44:55 | |
Bronwen Maddox is joined by Philippe Sands, a barrister specialising in international law and a Professor of the Public Understanding of Law at University College London. Joining them both are Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne, an Associate Professor in Law at the University of Bristol and Nomi Bar-Yacoov, an Associate Fellow of the International Security Programme at Chatham House and an international negotiator in the Middle East. Read our latest: The ICJ and ICC put Israel on notice but cannot stop the war What are the first foreign affairs questions for the new government? The ICC Prosecutor's applications for arrest warrants explained Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Are autocracies at war with democracy? | 06 Sep 2024 | 00:25:02 | |
To kick off the third series of the podcast, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anne Applebaum joins Bronwen Maddox to discuss the network of autocracies that now challenge liberal democracies and the world order they once relied on. They explore how China, Russia, Iran and others cooperate, their attacks on liberal democracies – and what the rest of the world can do about it. Read our latest: Event | Why do autocrats survive? Are Ukraine's F-16s another case of too little, too late? More and more cases on war and genocide are being litigated at the ICJ Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Trump vs Harris: Did the debate change the race? | 13 Sep 2024 | 00:42:33 | |
Tuesday's debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump brought fierce exchanges over immigration, abortion and foreign policy, and showed that America's global role matters in this election. Bronwen Maddox is joined by David Weigel from Semafor and Clare Malone from the New Yorker to discuss what we learned and what to watch in the rest of the race. With them is Heather Hurlburt, associate fellow of our US and Americas programme. Read our latest: The Harris–Trump debate showed US foreign policy matters in this election The US election will take place in a polluted information space US dollar dominance is both a cause and a consequence of US power Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today📕 Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. Audio clip credit: ABC News Presidential Debate: Race for the White House | |||
| Missile diplomacy: What is a winning strategy in Ukraine? | 20 Sep 2024 | 00:36:52 | |
As Ukraine waits to hear if it can use Western missiles to strike deep into Russia, we explore the current state of the Kursk offensive and the front lines in Donbas, and ask what if any strategy might change the course of the war into 2025. Guest host James Nixey is joined by the FT's Christopher Miller and military analyst Michael Kofman. With them is Olga Tokariuk, the OSUN academy fellow with our Ukraine Forum. Read our latest: Attacks on Hezbollah pagers will not improve Israel's situation on its border with Lebanon Austerity measures are on trial in Sri Lanka's first election since its economic collapse Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Why is Israel striking Hezbollah now? | 27 Sep 2024 | 00:36:15 | |
With the Israeli military launching sustained attacks across Lebanon against Hezbollah, we explore why Israel has decided to ramp up strikes on Hezbollah now, even as the war in Gaza rages on and tensions continue to rise in the West Bank. Bronwen Maddox is joined by The Economist's Middle East correspondent, Gregg Carlstrom. With them are Lina Khatib and Yossi Mekelberg, associate fellows with our Middle East and North Africa Programme. Read our latest: Could Israel's attacks on Hezbollah open the way to a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities? Illicit gold is exacerbating Ethiopia's conflicts The three key priorities new NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte must get right Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Can there be peace for Israelis and Palestinians after 7 October? | 06 Oct 2024 | 00:34:32 | |
On the first anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks, we discuss the possible pathways for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Daniel Levy, the president of the US/Middle East Project. With them are Sanam Vakil, director of our Middle East and North Africa programme (MENAP) and Amjad Iraqi, a MENAP associate fellow. Read our latest: Israel needs a strategy for its place in the region that is not just attacks on current threats Israel's wars have sustained the destructive leadership which brought it to this crisis Palestinians must be given the space to reorganize their political agency Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Do sanctions work? | 11 Oct 2024 | 00:30:38 | |
Sanctions regimes are intended to be preferable to military force as a tool of foreign policy, but do they work to change behaviour or end up hurting ordinary people? With Bronwen Maddox is Daniel W Drezner, Professor of International Politics at Tufts University, Allie Renison, Associate Director at SEC Newgate, and Chris Sabatini, Senior Research Fellow for Latin America with our US and Americas Programme. Read our latest: How not to sanction | International Affairs journal Why the US–India relationship needs a healthy dose of realism What the US election means for trade policy Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| How can France survive its budget crisis? | 18 Oct 2024 | 00:36:36 | |
France is facing political turmoil. The survival of Michel Barnier's new government rests on whether he can pass a controversial budget intended to rescue the country from its huge fiscal deficit. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Sophie Pedder, the Paris Bureau Chief of The Economist, Shahin Vallée, a former advisor to Emmanuel Macron and Armida van Rij, the head of our Europe programme. Episode includes a clip of Nancy Pelosi at Chatham House. Read our latest: Four scenarios for the end of the war in Ukraine Moldova and Georgia face crucial elections – and diverging paths How Beijing is closing surveillance gaps in the South China Sea Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Will debt constrain Western foreign policy? | 25 Oct 2024 | 00:36:11 | |
Ahead of a crucial budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the UK's national debt is at almost 100 per cent of GDP - and it's not alone. Many G7 economies face massive debt levels, restricting ambitions when it comes to foreign policy and global engagement. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Patrick Wintour, the Guardian's Diplomatic Editor and Ranil Dissanayake, a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Global Development. With them are Olivia O'Sullivan and David Lubin from Chatham House. Read our latest: Trust in US democracy is at stake in this election US election rhetoric on migration undermines Washington's soft power in Latin America Azerbaijan's climate leadership challenge Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Why is North Korea sending troops to Russia? | 01 Nov 2024 | 00:34:57 | |
North Korea is sending troops to Russia, but what is Kim Jong Un hoping to get from Vladmir Putin for military assistance against Ukraine? The panel also discuss the role military conscription plays in Israel, South Korea and Ukraine. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Edward Howell, the Korea Foundation fellow at Chatham House, Orysia Lutsevych, the head of our Ukraine Forum and Yossi Mekelberg, a senior consulting fellow with our Middle East and North Africa Programme. Read our latest: Watch: 2024 US election: What will America choose? Watch: Is the world ready for the next pandemic? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| What does Donald Trump's re-election mean for the world? | 08 Nov 2024 | 00:37:35 | |
Donald Trump has decisively defeated Kamala Harris in the US presidential election. What does his return to the White House mean for America and the world? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Edward Luce, the FT's North America editor, Gerald Seib, the former Washington bureau chief of The Wall Street Journal and Leslie Vinjamuri, the head of our US and Americas programme. Read our latest: The election shows that Trumpism is here to stay America chooses a new role in the world 2024 US election results: what we know and what we expect Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| How will China respond to Donald Trump 2.0? | 15 Nov 2024 | 00:33:03 | |
The re-election of Donald Trump has major consequences for America's relations with China. The panel discuss how the US-China relationship might change under the next president. Guest host Ben Bland is joined by historian and political scientist Professor Rana Mitter, the FT's US-China correspondent, Demetri Sevastopulo and Dr Yu Jie, a senior research fellow with our Asia-Pacific programme. Read our latest: Trump's 'America First' foreign policy will accelerate China's push for global leadership The Gulf will seek to manage Trump through self-reliance and pragmatism Donald Trump's policies risk making the US dollar a source of global instability Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Has COP29 made a difference on climate change? | 22 Nov 2024 | 00:36:25 | |
The panel discuss whether the COP29 climate summit delivered anything meaningful and what Donald Trump's election means for combating climate change. As the world moves closer to crossing the 1.5 degree threshold, Bronwen Maddox is joined by former BBC journalist Roger Harrabin and Maria Netto, executive director of the Institute for Climate and Society in Brazil. Also with them from COP29 in Baku is Ruth Townend, senior research fellow with our Environment and Society Centre. More from Roger Harrabin: BBC Radio 4 - The Year We Lost the Climate Read our latest: Closing the climate finance gap Azerbaijan's climate leadership challenge What is COP29 and why is it important? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Is Europe falling apart? | 29 Nov 2024 | 00:33:29 | |
Europe is contending with a stagnating economy, political dysfunction in Germany and France, and Russia's relentless attacks on Ukraine, all while it looks to the return of Donald Trump. Will the continent's democracies hold together in the face of such challenges? Bronwen Maddox is joined by journalist and historian Timothy Garton Ash, Mujtaba Rahman, Europe Managing Director at the Eurasia Group and Armida van Rij, senior research fellow and the Head of our Europe programme. Read our latest: The break-up of Scholz's coalition government signals the end of Germany's old economic model The ceasefire in Lebanon has dealt a huge blow to Iran's regional strategy Why cyber doomsday warnings do more harm than good Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| Europe, Trump and Chagos: What will UK foreign policy look like in 2025? | 06 Dec 2024 | 00:39:15 | |
Five months in, has Sir Keir Starmer's foreign policy been a success? The UK-EU relationship remains a major challenge for 2025, as does the prospect of a new US president. How will Starmer respond, and will the recent Chagos Islands deal impact the UK's international standing? Bronwen Maddox is joined the BBC's diplomatic editor James Landale, Professor Anand Menon, the director of UK in a Changing Europe at King's College London and Olivia O'Sullivan and the director of our UK in the World programme. Read our latest: Starmer and his government must make a better case for an active UK foreign policy Syria's conflict was never going to stay frozen. A new push for a lasting peace is needed North Korea and Russia's dangerous partnership State capacity, mining and community relations in Peru Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the latest issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| What next for Syria and the Middle East after Assad? | 13 Dec 2024 | 00:35:48 | |
Does Bashar al-Assad's removal offer a renewed chance for peace in Syria, or is his fall the start of a new phase of conflict in the Middle East? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Gideon Rachman, the FT's chief foreign affairs commentator, former BBC Persia journalist Rana Rahimpour and Haid Haid, a senior consulting fellow for our Middle East and North Africa programme. Read our latest: The fall of Assad has exposed the extent of the damage to Iran's axis of resistance While international support is crucial, Syrians must lead their country's political transition How South Korea's turmoil will reverberate beyond its borders Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the Winter issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| What will be the flashpoints of 2025? | 10 Jan 2025 | 00:34:53 | |
From the devastating wars in Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza to Donald Trump's threats over Greenland and the Panama Canal, what are the places to watch this year? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Gideon Rachman, the FT's chief foreign affairs commentator, Leslie Vinjamuri, the director of our US and America's programme and Renad Mansour, a senior fellow for our Middle East and North Africa programme. Read our latest: A rapid ceasefire in Ukraine could lead Donald Trump into a Russian trap With Trump's inauguration, the EU and Turkey must finally get serious about security cooperation Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Cross-border conflict, evidence, policy and trends (XCEPT) Read the Winter issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||
| In UK politics is Reform now the party to beat? | 03 Oct 2025 | 00:34:15 | |
It's party conference season in Britain. Both ruling Labour and opposition Conservatives are nervous about the rise of Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK, successor to the Brexit Party. Pollster Joe Twyman and Olivia O'Sullivan, Director of Chatham House's UK in the World Programme, join host Bronwen Maddox for this week's podcast. Read our latest: Explainer | Can the Trump peace plan for Gaza succeed? Comment | A 'Drone Wall' is needed for Europe to defend against a new threat Comment | Africa must strengthen continental unity to boost its global influence Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell and John Pollock. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe. | |||