Independent Thinking

As trade tensions, security concerns, and diplomatic crossroads converge, the UK’s bid for economic growth faces hard choices on the global stage. In this episode host Bronwen Maddox [https://x.com/bronwenmaddox] explores the UK’s complex balancing act between the EU, US, and China with guests Janka Oertel [https://x.com/oertel_janka] and Sir Martin Donnelly [https://x.com/MDonnelly2011]. Read our latest: The UK–EU summit will bring some progress on defence cooperation. But more could be done on aid and trade [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/05/uk-eu-summit-will-bring-some-progress-defence-cooperation-more-could-be-done-aid-and-trade] Trump’s Gulf tour exposes Netanyahu’s increasingly isolated position on Gaza [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/05/trumps-gulf-tour-exposes-netanyahus-increasingly-isolated-position-gaza] The UK government should prioritize linking carbon markets at the UK–EU summit [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/05/uk-government-should-prioritize-linking-carbon-markets-uk-eu-summit] Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-nunn/]. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media [v] production for Chatham House. Read the Spring issue of The World Today  [https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2025-03] Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-climate-briefing/id1500769861] 🎧  Listen to Africa Aware podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/africa-aware/id1551785390] 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have surged following a deadly attack in Kashmir and air strikes by India inside Pakistan. With nuclear risks, regional diplomacy, and rising domestic pressures in play, what could prevent this crisis from spiralling further?  In this episode, Bronwen Maddox [https://x.com/bronwenmaddox] discusses what this means for South Asia and the world with Marion Messmer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-messmer-06b85353/], a senior research fellow with our International Security Programme; Chietigj Bajpaee [https://x.com/Chietigj], the senior research fellow for South Asia with our Asia-Pacific Programme; and Stephen Farrell [https://www.linkedin.com/in/farrellreporter/?originalSubdomain=uk], our head of News and Comment. Read our latest: After India’s missile strikes on Pakistan, the risk of accidental escalation is high [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/05/after-indias-missile-strikes-pakistan-risk-accidental-escalation-high] India–UK free trade agreement signals deepening bilateral relations [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/05/india-uk-free-trade-agreement-signals-deepening-bilateral-relations] Urgent mediation to save the Indus Waters Treaty could be a route to de-escalation between India and Pakistan [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/05/urgent-mediation-save-indus-waters-treaty-could-be-route-de-escalation-between-india-and] Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-nunn/]. Executive producer - John Pollock [https://x.com/John_Pollock22]. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media [v] production for Chatham House. Read the Spring issue of The World Today  [https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2025-03] Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-climate-briefing/id1500769861] 🎧  Listen to Africa Aware podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/africa-aware/id1551785390] 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.

As Donald Trump floats a controversial peace deal that could leave Ukraine facing territorial losses and NATO exclusion, Kyiv is forced to weigh an impossible choice between sovereignty and survival.  Bronwen Maddox [https://x.com/bronwenmaddox] speaks with Orysia Lutsevych [https://x.com/Orysiaua] from Chatham House and Matthew Savill [https://x.com/MTSavill] from RUSI about battlefield fatigue, shifting alliances, and the future of European security. Find out more: Trump’s 100 days have been like no other [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/04/trumps-100-days-have-been-no-other] The Kashmir attack will renew hostilities between India and Pakistan [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/04/kashmir-attack-will-renew-hostilities-between-india-and-pakistan] Merz and Macron can restart Europe’s Franco–German engine [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/05/merz-and-macron-can-restart-europes-franco-german-engine] Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-nunn/]. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media [v] production for Chatham House. Read the Spring issue of The World Today  [https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2025-03] Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-climate-briefing/id1500769861] 🎧  Listen to Africa Aware podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/africa-aware/id1551785390] 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.

As the IMF Spring Meetings unfold in Washington DC, Bronwen Maddox [https://x.com/bronwenmaddox] asks whether we are witnessing the twilight of the US dollar’s global dominance. Amid political shocks and shifting financial allegiances, could the world be inching towards a post-dollar era?  Bronwen is joined by Isabelle Mateos y Lago [https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-mateos-y-lago-3725363b/?originalSubdomain=uk], chief economist at BNP Paribas, and David Lubin [https://x.com/davidlubin] from Chatham House’s Global Economy and Finance Programme to explore the dollar’s uncertain future, the rise of digital and alternative currencies, and what it all means for global power and stability. Find out more: The US dollar’s role in the international monetary system is now dangerously in flux [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/04/us-dollars-role-international-monetary-system-now-dangerously-flux] President Trump’s tariffs increase pressure on allies to reduce security dependence on the US [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/04/president-trumps-tariffs-increase-pressure-allies-reduce-security-dependence-us] How China–India relations will shape Asia and the global order [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/04/how-china-india-relations-will-shape-asia-and-global-order] Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-nunn/]. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media [v] production for Chatham House. Read the Spring issue of The World Today  [https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2025-03] Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-climate-briefing/id1500769861] 🎧  Listen to Africa Aware podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/africa-aware/id1551785390] 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.

In this episode of Independent Thinking, we explore the root causes of corruption in Nigeria, its impact on everyday life, and potential solutions for change. Bronwen Maddox [https://x.com/bronwenmaddox] speaks with Leena Koni Hoffmann [https://x.com/leenahoffmann?lang=en] about her in-depth report on the issue, as well as insights from speakers at a Chatham House conference focused on Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption. Read our work on Nigeria: Taking action against corruption in Nigeria [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/03/taking-action-against-corruption-nigeria] Renewing Nigeria’s anti-corruption agenda [https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/research-event/renewing-nigerias-anti-corruption-agenda] Tackling judicial bribery and procurement fraud in Nigeria [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/10/tackling-judicial-bribery-and-procurement-fraud-nigeria] Democracy in Nigeria [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/06/democracy-nigeria] Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-nunn/]. Executive Producer - John Pollock [https://x.com/John_Pollock22]. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media [v] production for Chatham House. Read the Spring issue of The World Today  [https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2025-03] Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-climate-briefing/id1500769861] 🎧  Listen to Africa Aware podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/africa-aware/id1551785390] 🎧 Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.