Mamdani won in New York. For Trump, was it a setback or backlash?
Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York's mayoral race this week – and other electoral successes – energized Democrats in the US and left-wing parties worldwide. The new standard-bearer of the American left is hailed by progressives as a generational shift of leadership – at 34 he will be the first Muslim mayor of New York, and one of its youngest ever. But he faces opposition from many quarters over his plans to raise taxes on the wealthy. Not least from President Donald Trump, who has threatened to hold back federal funds from the city where he was born. This week's podcast assesses the significance of the first major elections of Trump's second term, and what it means for the Democratic Party's chances of winning back the House of Representatives in midterm elections next November. In the US, host Bronwen Maddox is joined by Laurel Rapp, director of the US and North America Programme, and Bruce Stokes, an associate fellow at Chatham House and a former director of global economic attitudes at the Pew Research Center. Joining from London is Stephen Farrell, head of News and Comment, who covered the 2013 New York City mayoral election for The New York Times. Read our latest: Trump's tariffs face Supreme Court challenge that could have significant consequences for presidential power Has Trump's Asia tour reassured the US's Asian allies? Kenya's conversion of Chinese debt to renminbi reflects economic pragmatism more than strained US ties Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn 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.
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Europe after the Dutch elections. Goodbye far right? Not so fast.
Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders suffered a setback on Wednesday's elections, with centrists poised to take back power. Rob Jetten, 38, leader of the centre-progressive Democrats 66 party, is set to become the Netherlands' youngest leader in modern history after running on the upbeat slogan 'Yes we can'. But the hard right remains influential. To discuss the outcome, and what it tells us about Europe beyond the Netherlands, guest host Grégoire Roos, Director of Chatham House's Europe and Russia and Eurasia Programmes, is joined by Sébastien Maillard, a Chatham House Associate Fellow and special advisor to the Jacques Delors Institute. And, joining down the line, is Karien van Gennip, a former Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Read our latest: China's leaders' meeting confirms Xi's authority and shows technological self-reliance is now the priority Trump and Xi won't reset the China–US rivalry, so other nations must prepare China's economic model will continue to alarm its trading partners Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn 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.
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AI Plus. Generals purged. China's leaders plan for 2030
China's ruling Communist Party leadership met in Beijing to frame the next five-year-plan. Amid a trade war with the United States, they set priorities for economic policy and technology, including how to build artificial intelligence into key sectors of society. New faces appeared and old ones vanished, with a purge of senior military officials and others as President Xi Jinping sacked some officials he had earlier promoted. As Xi prepares to meet with US President Donald Trump in South Korea, Chatham House senior research fellows Yu Jie and James Kynge join host Bronwen Maddox. Read our latest: The UK must prioritize cybersecurity or be left dangerously exposed Sanae Takaichi sees herself as the successor to Shinzo Abe. But changes in Japan's politics present big challenges Tanzania election: Erosion of democracy will also come at the cost of economic potential Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn 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.
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How to advance Trump's Gaza plan from magical thinking to lasting peace
Beset by early ceasefire disputes between Israel and Hamas, international backers of President Trump's Mideast project must move quickly to elevate it from vague wish list to viable framework. Rapid delivery of aid, reconstruction - and security for Palestinians and Israelis – are essential. But without a political end game, it will founder. Sanam Vakil, Marc Weller and Stephen Farrell join host Bronwen Maddox in this week's podcast from Chatham House. Read our latest: Comment | The US needs a new Iran strategy if Trump's Gaza plan is to endure Comment | India is seeking to reset relations with the Taliban. But can this rapprochement last? Comment | Netanyahu's concepts collapsed, one by one, as Trump piled on pressure: What next for his government? Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell and John Pollock. Read the Autumn 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.
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Trump, Gaza and shutdown
At home the US is mired in domestic dysfunction with a government shutdown now in its second week. But abroad, President Trump has brokered a deal that - although it didn't win a Nobel Peace Prize - could end the two-year Gaza war. Laurel Rapp and Max Yoeli join guest host Christopher Sabatini. They discuss the effects of the government funding crisis and protracted political deadlock on the US economy, international investment, the military and foreign policy. Read our latest: Comment | Egypt is crucial to Trump's Gaza plan – but fears a security vacuum after an Israeli withdrawal Comment | The rise of Reform, the AfD and RN is more than a blip – so what happens if the E3 goes far right? Comment | Attacks on 'drug boats' are pushing the US away from the consensus on the rules of international law Presented by Christopher Sabatini. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn 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.
Chatham House director Bronwen Maddox hosts conversations with leading policymakers, journalists and Chatham House experts to provide insight into the latest international political issues.
Independent Thinking gives listeners the opportunity to engage with the high level conversations hosted by Chatham House.
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