Independent Thinking

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kamala Harris would bring greater foreign policy experience than most new US presidents

Biden's decision to withdraw is an act of true leadership. It is also his best chance at ensuring his legacy

Netanyahu's speech sought bipartisan support by invoking the threat of Iran

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Ruth Gold.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Donald Tusk awarded 2024 Chatham House Prize

UK election manifestos make promises on security and foreign policy – but tough choices await a new government

The evidence suggests Putin is not grooming Alexei Dyumin as his successor

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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India's shock election result is a loss for Modi but a win for democracy

After a landslide victory, global engagement is a necessity and an opportunity for Mexico's next president

An ANC–DA alliance is the outcome investors want in South Africa. But the parties see risks in partnership

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock.

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