Chatham House

The World Bank Group (WBG), along with the other multilateral development banks (MDBs), plays a critical role in helping its client countries transition to low-carbon economies and strengthen their resilience to the impacts of climate change. In late June, however, following pressure primarily from the United States, the WBG abandoned its target of allocating 45 per cent of its financing to climate-related activities. The Bank's broader Climate Change Action Plan, which was due to expire on 30 June 2026, was nevertheless extended.

What are the implications for the WBG's work on climate change? How can 'climate-progressive' MDB shareholders navigate these challenging dynamics? And what might the US administration do next?

To find out, Anna and Bhargabi speak with Melanie Robinson (Global Climate, Economics and Finance Program Director at the World Resources Institute) and Dr Nancy Lee (Senior Fellow and Director for Sustainable Development Finance at the Center for Global Development).

The 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey may represent the pinnacle of soft power for the USA and a moment of global prestige for President Donald Trump.

But at home, concerns are growing over his ever-expanding vision of presidential power. Is America now living with an 'imperial presidency'? Has the Supreme Court given the president powers that future generations might find hard to take back? How might Trump’s autocratic style affect the November midterm elections? And why does he like to associate himself so closely with sports?

Bronwen Maddox is joined by Heather Hurlburt and Max Yoeli of Chatham House's US and North America Programme to discuss presidential overreach, football red cards and the unitary executive theory of power.

Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth.

This year's NATO summit brought together the leaders of all 32 member states in Ankara. President Donald Trump's return to the summit brought renewed controversy, with remarks on Greenland and Iran underscoring the geopolitical tensions that continue to test the unity and purpose of the transatlantic alliance.

What happened in Ankara and what does it mean for NATO's future? If the Ukraine conflict winds down, will Russia pivot to test Article Five? And is Britain doing enough to prepare for a potential conflict?

Bronwen Maddox looks at the summit and NATO's future with special guest General Sir Richard Barrons – former Commander of Joint Forces Command in the UK, now a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House – plus Dr Marion Messmer, director of our International Security Programme, and Galip Dalay who runs Chatham House's Turkey Initiative.

Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell.

At COP30, Parties agreed to develop a 'Just Transition Mechanism', which many hailed as one of the real bright spots of the conference. Climate Action Network International, for example, called the decision 'one of the strongest rights-based outcomes in the history of the UN climate negotiations'.

What is the Just Transition Mechanism? What impact could it have? And what are the next steps in operationalizing it?

To find out, Anna and Bhargabi speak to Anabella Rosemberg, Senior Advisor on Just Transition at Climate Action Network International (CAN) and Beatriz Mattos, Projects and Research Coordinator at Plataforma CIPÓ.

The United States marks its 250th birthday at a moment of intense division and international uncertainty. At home, President Donald Trump is aggressively remodelling America's governance around expanded White House power and burning through firewalls intended to prevent presidential overreach and self-enrichment. Internationally, his capricious mix of transactional diplomacy, coercive tariffs and naked hard power has left American allies shell-shocked – and opened the door for China to spread its influence.

Former US ambassador to Qatar Tim Davis joins host Bronwen Maddox and Laurel Rapp, director of our US and North America programme, to discuss the future of the United States in the world – and whether, for ordinary citizens, the American dream still exists.

Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth.

The United States marks its 250th birthday at a moment of intense division and international uncertainty. At home, President Donald Trump is aggressively remodelling America's governance around expanded White House power and burning through firewalls intended to prevent presidential overreach and self-enrichment. Internationally, his capricious mix of transactional diplomacy, coercive tariffs and naked hard power has left American allies shell-shocked – and opened the door for China to spread its influence.

Former US ambassador to Qatar Tim Davis joins host Bronwen Maddox and Laurel Rapp, director of our US and North America programme, to discuss the future of the United States in the world – and whether, for ordinary citizens, the American dream still exists.

Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves No.10 a decade since the Brexit referendum that began the UK’s cycle of chaos, and Andy Burnham seems set to take over unopposed. Our experts discuss what the new regime will mean for Britain’s future and its role in the world.

Will attempts to bring the UK closer to Europe without actually rejoining the EU continue? Will Burnham want to increase Britain’s defence budget, or will his priorities lie elsewhere? And why can't Britain hold on to its prime ministers?

Bronwen Maddox reflects on a historic week with Ben Judah, former adviser to David Lammy and visiting fellow at Chatham House, and Olivia O’Sullivan, director of our UK in the World Programme.

Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth.

Can Labour’s prized plans to decarbonize power generation by 2050 withstand growing demands for extra defence spending – an acrimonious argument that has already claimed two senior defence ministers? Or pressure to preserve and extend welfare benefits from the party’s left and the unions, many of whom see net zero as a job killer? Plus: China’s colossal subsidization of green technology has created a surplus of cheap equipment for clean power. Would Britain be wise to take advantage?

Bronwen Maddox is joined by Pelin Zorlu and Chris Aylett of Chatham House’s Climate and Energy team, plus special guest Archie Hall, acting economics editor of The Economist.

Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth.

Lawrence Freedman, author and international relations authority, reflects on the ‘utter chaos’ of the Trump administration, America’s ‘catastrophic’ foreign policy, the likelihood of an international shock to Britain’s politics, the impact of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan in his time working at Chatham House, his meetings with KGB agents, and much more, in a wide-ranging conversation with Olivia O’Sullivan, director of the UK in the World Programme, Chatham House.

A tumultuous week for Britain’s faltering rearmament plans sees Defence Secretary John Healey resign from Keir Starmer’s cabinet, saying the prime minister and the Treasury lack the will to properly fund the defence of the nation.

Al Carns, the armed forces minister, also resigned saying the government’s long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP) was 'not built for the threat we face'.

The departures raise further questions over whether the DIP can address the costs and trade-offs involved in strengthening UK defence.

Meanwhile, European leaders struggle to coordinate their own rearmament amid concerns that America will withdraw from the defence of the continent.

Bronwen Maddox looks at the defence predicament in the UK and Europe, with UK in the World Programme director Olivia O'Sullivan, and International Security Programme director Dr Marion Messmer.

Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth.