How much of Donald Trump’s sanctions strategy is substance — and how much is performance?

In this episode of Independent Thinking, Chatham House experts unpack whether sanctions work. And at Trump’s shifting use of sanctions, tariffs and personal power plays in global economic policy. With Dr Christopher Sabatini, Timothy Ash, and Christopher Vandome from Chatham House.

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Understanding and improving sanctions today

Russia’s struggle to modernize its military industry

Why the Indo-Pacific should be a higher priority for the UK

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Executive producer - John Pollock. Produced by Jonathan Coates and Warren Nettleford. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

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What does President Donald Trump’s promise of Patriot missiles for Ukraine — and a 50-day tariff ultimatum to Putin — really mean for Ukraine and Russia? 

Chatham House experts Jaroslava Barbieri, John Lough and Samir Puri look at whether it is a significant pivot towards Ukraine, how both sides are faring in the war, and how U.S. credibility is affected by Trump’s changing positions. They are joined by guest host Stephen Farrell, standing in for Bronwen Maddox.

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Trump is changing his words about Putin, who only cares about actions

After Brexit: E3. New treaty puts UK, Germany and France back at the heart of European security

New Zealand should rethink its pivot towards the US to retain strategic autonomy in the Indo-Pacific

Presented by Stephen Farrell. Executive producer - John Pollock. Produced by Jonathan Coates and Warren Nettleford. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

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What does Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House mean for the likelihood of a Gaza ceasefire? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Stephen Farrell, Yossi Mekelberg, Sanam Vakil and Max Yoeli to examine the state of negotiations, U.S.-Israel and regional dynamics, and competing plans for what comes next.

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Lebanon’s moment of truth

The Rio summit showed that BRICS is less anti-Western than Russia would like it to be

Mobilizing ‘Team Ukraine’ for a successful recovery

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

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After a crisis week for Britain’s ruling Labour Party, host Bronwen Maddox and Chatham House’s Olivia Sullivan are joined by economist Professor Stephen Millard and pollster Joe Twyman to look at the foreign and domestic challenges facing the country just one year after Keir Starmer won a landslide election victory.

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Is China friend or foe to the UK? A government audit says: ‘It’s complicated’

Brazil’s BRICS agenda may be hard to accomplish after the Iran–Israel war

The Middle East still fears Israel – and Iran

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

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Did US strikes cripple Iran’s nuclear programme — or just set the stage for the next crisis? Bronwen Maddox hosts from Jordan, joined by international security expert Marion Messmer and Middle East associate fellow Lina Khatib in London, to examine the claims and counter-claims and what it means for the region’s fragile balance of power.

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US strikes on Iran: What next for Iran, Israel and President Trump?

For NATO’s collective defence, Europe must lead on data sharing

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

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Following Israel’s strikes on Iran on 13 June, and the subsequent sequence of retaliation and counter retaliation, fears are rising that the conflict could escalate.   In this special episode of Independent Thinking (an edited version of a live webinar) Galip Dalay joins a panel of experts to discuss strategic goals, the responses of the key regional and international actors, including the Gulf states and the US, and what if any viable diplomatic or military off-ramps exist to prevent a broader regional war.

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Trump must take control as Israel–Iran war threatens to escalate

Iran–Israel conflict: Iran has run out of good options

It’s time to rethink the G7 

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

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Is Britain chasing faded glory or forging a credible future? As the government lays out its latest spending review, Bronwen Maddox is joined by Jeremy Hunt and Samir Puri to ask whether bold talk of growth, defence and science hides a deeper strategic drift – or a real path back to global influence.

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Europe could win the battle for the future of digital money

History suggests Trump’s snapped back sanctions won’t deliver change in Venezuela

Why peacebuilding fails and what to do about it

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

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Drones, AI, cyber warfare and nuclear weapons are a key part of the UK’s new Strategic Defence Review, along with conventional weapons. Chatham House experts unpack the strategy, spending pledges and how Britain should adapt its military to deal with Putin, China, and Donald Trump.

Bronwen Maddox is joined by Chatham House experts Grace Cassy, Marion Messmer and Olivia O’Sullivan to unpack the strategy, spending pledges, and the UK’s place in a rapidly shifting global security landscape.

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The SDR presents an opportunity for the UK to become a leader in space – if it is followed by urgent investment

The UK Strategic Defence Review draws the right lessons from Ukraine – but still relies on continued US commitment

I was part of the team behind the UK Strategic Defence Review: Here is what shaped our thinking

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Executive producer - John Pollock. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

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As Gaza reels from staggering humanitarian devastation, Bronwen Maddox speaks with Yossi Mekelberg, Stephen Farrell, and Julie Norman to unpack the political drivers of Israel’s war, the role of Donald Trump, and the region’s competing visions for Gaza’s future. From internal power struggles to shifting U.S. policy and Arab diplomatic proposals, this episode asks: what future is even possible for Gaza now?

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Gaza: War, hunger and politics

The dissolution of the PKK could transform Turkey’s domestic politics and foreign policy

Escalating conflict in Tripoli exposes the realities of false stability – and international neglect in Libya

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

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Nine years after the Brexit vote, a new UK–EU deal promises smoother trade and deeper cooperation — but is it the end of the Brexit saga or just another chapter? Bronwen Maddox digs into what the deal really means with Rod Liddle and Nicolai von Ondarza, from political fallout to Britain’s shifting role on the world stage.

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The dissolution of the PKK could transform Turkey’s domestic politics and foreign policy

The Pandemic Agreement may weaken, rather than strengthen multilateralism

Escalating conflict in Tripoli exposes the realities of false stability – and international neglect in Libya

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Amanda Nunn. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

Read the Spring issue of The World Today 

Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 

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Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.