Independent Thinking

As the IMF Spring Meetings unfold in Washington DC, Bronwen Maddox 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, chief economist at BNP Paribas, and David Lubin 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

President Trump's tariffs increase pressure on allies to reduce security dependence on the US

How China–India relations will shape Asia and the global order

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 🎧

Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧

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 speaks with Leena Koni Hoffmann 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

Renewing Nigeria's anti-corruption agenda

Tackling judicial bribery and procurement fraud in Nigeria

Democracy in Nigeria

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

Read the Spring 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.

This week on Independent Thinking, we explore the growing battle for influence in Latin America between the U.S. and China. In just two decades, China has gone from a minor player in the region to a dominant force—challenging the US.

How is President Trump's government responding and could his policies actually give Beijing more room to expand? Guest host Chris Sabatini is joined by Yu Jie, Robert Evan Ellis, and Bruno Binetti to discuss the shifting power dynamics and what they could mean for the global balance of power.

Read our latest:

South Korea's domestic tumult risks being exploited by China

US ownership of TikTok won't protect democracies from digital threats

Trump's tariffs will push Southeast Asia uncomfortably close to China

Presented by Chris Sabatini. Produced by Amanda Nunn. Executive Producer - John Pollock. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

Read the Spring 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.

President Trump has unveiled sweeping new trade tariffs—but what happens next? Bronwen Maddox explores the global reaction, the economic fallout, and whether this marks the beginning of the end for globalization.

She's joined by Jason Furman, former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama, alongside Dame DeAnne Julius and David Lubin from Chatham House's Global Economy and Finance Programme.

Read our latest:

Trump's 'liberation day' tariffs are likely just the beginning of a longer-term vision.

Putting the Digital Services Tax on the table in US negotiations sends worrying signal on UK digital sovereignty.

The false economy of DOGE.

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

Read the Spring 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 this week's episode of Independent Thinking, Bronwen Maddox discusses whether Europe can take up the mantle of the US, and lead the world as an economic and political powerhouse.

Can Europe can fill the vacuum caused by America's shifting foreign policy, and in doing so, become more of an economic force?

Bronwen explores this topic with three Chatham House experts - Creon Butler, Director of the Global Economy and Finance Programme, Olivia O'Sullivan, Director of the UK in the World Programme, and Nicolai von Ondarza, an Associate Fellow in our Europe Programme.

Read our latest:

Europe must forge a new role in the global economy

China's military build-up indicates it is serious about taking Taiwan

Competing visions of international order

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

Read the Spring 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.

This week on Independent Thinking, three Chatham House experts look at the view from China now that Donald Trump is in charge.

Ben Bland speaks to Yu Jie, William Matthews and David Lubin, about how China is repositioning itself on the world stage, viewing its own security and preparing for a potential trade war.

We'll also explore what the Chinese Communist Party is really thinking, what harm tariffs are doing and what the AI battle could mean for the world.

Read our latest:

New US attacks on the Houthis will not bring Iran to the negotiating table – but could provoke worse violence

The US and Iran are on the road to escalation. Europe can and should create an off-ramp

Taking action against corruption in Nigeria

Presented by Ben Bland. Produced by Jonathan Coates. Executive Producer - John Pollock. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

Read the Spring 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 this week's episode Haid Haid, Rim Turkmani, and Lina Khatib discuss the recent developments in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

We delve into the country's economic struggles, the rise of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the resurgence of sectarian violence, and the challenges facing Syria's path to democracy. It also explores the roles of regional and international players, including Turkey, Israel, and Iran, in shaping Syria's future.

Read our latest:

Ukraine enters a perilous phase of fighting and talking with no assured end in sight

France should join NATO's nuclear sharing arrangements to strengthen European deterrence

China's 'two sessions': What did we learn about the Chinese economy?

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Jonathan Coates. Executive Producer: John Pollock. 'Independent Thinking' is an Indio Media production for Chatham House.

Read the Spring 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.

With the UK pledging to increase defence spending to levels not seen since the Cold War, what does the future of British defence look like?

In this episode, we discuss the evolving nature of warfare, the impact of technology on modern battlefields, and whether Britain is truly prepared for the next conflict. Joining Bronwen Maddox are Sir John Sawers, former head of MI6; James Heappey, former Armed Forces Minister; and Chatham House experts Samir Puri and Olivia O'Sullivan.

Read our latest:

Picking up the pieces after the Trump–Zelenskyy summit: Europe has mobilized, but the road will be bumpy

What Ukraine can teach Europe and the world about innovation in modern warfare

Europe must take the gamble and engage with China on Ukraine

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock with Indio Media.

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.

As Donald Trump moves to reshape America's foreign policy, we discuss what this means for the allies in Europe. Can the the United Kingdom, France and Germany forge a new path or is transatlantic unity fading fast?

Bronwen Maddox is joined by the Chair of Chatham House Sir Simon Fraser, former Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief Gerard Baker, Marion Messmer, a senior research fellow with our International Security programme and Sebastien Maillard, an associate fellow with our Europe programme.

Read our latest:

It's not too late for the US to back Ukraine – for its own benefit

After German election win, can Merz deliver leadership at home and in Europe?

Trump is pushing Europe and China closer together. Europe should tread carefully

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock with Indio Media.

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.

Ties between the US and Ukraine have soured with Donald Trump calling Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy a 'dictator' in a public war of words. Meanwhile US and Russian diplomats met in Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine's future without representatives from Kyiv or Europe. Should the continent be preparing for a future without the US as an ally?

Bronwen Maddox is joined by historian and author Timothy Garton Ash, Georgina Wright, visiting fellow at the German Marshall Fund and Orysia Lutsevych, deputy director for Chatham House's Russia and Eurasia Programme.

Read our latest:

What the UK should do in defence of Ukraine and Europe

Europe needs to make its own plan for peace in Ukraine – and rouse its people to the threat from Russia

German election: Far-right firewall weakens as immigration concerns take centre stage

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock with Indio Media.

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.