A new collection of essays explores the role of time in military strategy. War Time: Temporality and the Decline of Western Military Power asks why, in an age of relative military dominance, the United States and its allies have become unable to successfully conclude conflicts. The book is the latest in the Chatham House Insights series, which is published by Brookings Institution Press.&nbsp; In this episode Ben is joined by the editors of War Time, Sten Rynning, Olivier Schmitt and Amelie Theussen, to discuss the influence of time on the political, strategic and normative aspects of military action. Find the book:  Credits: Speakers: Sten Rynning, Olivier Schmitt, Amelie Theussen Host: Ben Horton Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 73: War Time

A week after the UK government published its , Ben is joined by two Chatham House experts to assess what we have learnt about the future of UK foreign policy. Richard Whitman from the Europe Programme explains the thinking behind the 'tilt' towards to the Indo-Pacific region, the key allies and relationships the UK will need to foster, and the role that development spending will play in realizing this articulation of Global Britain. Then Patricia Lewis from the International Security Programme provides an insight into the defence aspects of review, with particular emphasis on the shift in UK nuclear policy and the role that science and technology policy will play in building strategic resilience at home and abroad.&nbsp; Read the Expert Comments:    Credits: Speakers: Patricia Lewis, Richard Whitman Host: Ben Horton Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 75: Reflections on the Integrated Review

The Strategic Perspectives on the Indo-Pacific podcast follows the Chatham House research team as it travels to the United States, the United Kingdom, France, India, the Kingdom of Tonga and Japan to talk to strategic and policy experts about how they see the region evolving over the next few years. 

Recorded between September 2019 and March 2020, the series captures trends as they were before COVID-19 and the global lockdown. The research paper, Indo-Pacific strategies, perceptions and partnerships: The view from seven countries, continues the story as it developed over the following year.   

In this episode, recorded in September 2019, the team is in Washington DC, at the home of the project’s American partner, the East West Center in Washington. Research lead Cleo Paskal speaks with Dr. Satu Limaye (East-West Center), Ambassador Steven McGann (Stevenson Group) and Richard Fontaine (Center for a New American Security).

Episode 2: Perspectives from Washington D. C.

The Strategic Perspectives on the Indo-Pacific podcast follows the Chatham House research team as it travels to the United States, the United Kingdom, France, India, the Kingdom of Tonga and Japan to talk to strategic and policy experts about how they see the region evolving over the next few years. 

Recorded between September 2019 and March 2020, the series captures trends as they were before COVID-19 and the global lockdown. The research paper, Indo-Pacific strategies, perceptions and partnerships: The view from seven countries, continues the story as it developed over the following year.   

In this episode, recorded in September 2019, the team is in London, where research lead Cleo Paskal speaks with Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti (Chatham House), Bill Hayton (Chatham House) and Veerle Nouwens (RUSI).

Episode 1: Perspectives from London

This week the Undercurrents team dive into two critical issues for the global economy. Amrit speaks to Chris Sabatini from the US &amp; Americas programme about his latest briefing on how governments and economic institutions can protect informal workers in the post-pandemic gig economy. Then Ben is joined by Yu Jie from the Asia-Pacific Programme, who explains the key developments and implications arising from China's 14th five-year plan, which was published in March 2021. Read the briefing:  Read The World Today article:  Credits: Speakers: Yu Jie, Chris Sabatini Hosts: Ben Horton, Amrit Swali Editor: Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 77: The post-pandemic gig economy, and China's 14th five-year plan

This week the Climate Briefing turns its attention to how societies are can deal with the real-time effects of climate change. While mitigation remains a central focus of the international climate negotiations, vulnerable states and communities are calling for greater cooperation on addressing the fallout from climate-related environmental devastation. To discuss this, Anna is joined by H.E. Saida Muna Tasneem, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to the UK and Ambassador to Ireland and Liberia. They discuss the international politics around climate adaptation, and the contested issue of 'loss and damage'.&nbsp; Then Ben discusses how governments and aid agencies can improve adaptation practices through locally-led approaches, with Marek Soanes from the International Institute for Environment and Development.&nbsp; Read the IIED report:  Credits: Speakers: Saida Muna Tasneem, Marek Soanes Hosts: Anna Aberg, Ben Horton Editor: Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 12: Managing the impacts of climate change

In this episode of Africa Aware, Dame Rosalind Marsden discusses the state of Sudan’s transition, while Dr Adam Elhiraika speaks about the country’s economic reform priorities and international support.

Episode 4: Sudan’s Economic Stabilization

In this episode, Undercurrents has teamed up with Saferworld's  to discuss security forces in Nigeria and the role played by young people in trying to bring about change. The episode is broken into two halves. Abigail Watson and Delina Goxho are first joined by Tarela Ike from Teesside University and Odeh Friday from Accountability Lab. They discuss the problems with responses to Boko Haram in the North East of the country and the recent EndSars movement.&nbsp; Then Amrit Swali speaks to Mariam Haruna, a member of Chatham House’s Common Futures Conversations, and Tolu Oni, a member of Chatham House’s Panel of Young Advisers, about their experiences of the EndSARS movement in 2020, the role of social media in the protests and how to move towards sustainable change in policing structures.&nbsp; The episode can also be listened to on the Saferworld . Please note the views and opinions expressed during this podcast are those of the contributors featured. They are not the views or opinions of Saferworld or Chatham House.&nbsp; Read the Common Futures Conversations article:  Read the Chatham House expert comment:  Credits Speakers: Odey Friday, Mariam Haruna, Tarela Ike, Tolu Oni Hosts: Delina Goxho, Amrit Swali, Abigail Watson Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House and Saferworld.

Episode 80: The impact of #EndSARS

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused governments across the world to re-imagine their systems for engaging with citizens. Many have turned to digital tools to find new ways of tracking the spread of the virus, and to deliver public services during national lockdowns. In this episode of Undercurrents, Ben is joined by Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the Minister of Digital Governance for the Hellenic Republic (Greece). They discuss the e-governance tools Greece is pioneering under the administration of Prime Minister Mitsokakis, and the challenges involved with rolling out digital systems to the public.&nbsp; Then, Mariana is joined by Dr Kate Ferguson, Co-Executive Director of the charity Protection Approaches. They discuss Ferguson's new book, Architectures of Violence, which explores state involvement in violent mass atrocities, from Yugoslavia to Syria.&nbsp; Read the book:  Credits: Speakers: Kate Ferguson, Kyriakos Pierrakakis Hosts: Ben Horton, Mariana Vieira Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 81: Greek digital governance, and rethinking atrocity prevention

In this episode of Africa Aware, Ahmed Soliman discusses the context in which the Ethiopian elections are taking place, while Lidet Tadesse emphasizes the importance of peacebuilding and intercommunal dialogue during and after the elections.

Episode 5: Peacebuilding Amidst Elections in Ethiopia

In the wake of the storming of Capitol Hill on 6 January 2021, social media platforms took steps to remove former President Donald Trump from their websites for infringing community standards. This step was welcomed by many, but also raised serious questions about the power of social media companies to limit free speech and censor elected officials. The suspension of President Trump from Facebook was referred to the Oversight Board, an independent body of experts set up to scrutinise the platform's content moderation decisions.&nbsp; In this episode, Ben speaks to Thomas Hughes, Director of the Oversight Board Administration, and Dr Kate Jones from Chatham House's International Law programme. They discuss the outcome of the Oversight Board's inquiry into the Trump suspension, and the wider implications for content moderation on social media.&nbsp; Then Lara is joined by Hans Kundnani from the Europe Programme at Chatham House, to assess the political outlook in Germany and reflect on the legacy of Chancellor Angela Merkel.&nbsp; Read the Chatham House expert comments:   Credits: Speakers: Thomas Hughes, Kate Jones, Hans Kundnani Hosts: Lara Hollmann, Ben Horton Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House.

Episode 82: The Oversight Board's Trump decision, and Merkel's legacy

In this week's episode, Mariana is joined by Hameed Hakimi from the Asia-Pacific Programme to discuss the implications of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. They consider, among other things, the strength of Afghan governance structures, the prospects for the Taliban, and the complexity of responding to widespread population movement in the region.&nbsp; Then Amrit speaks to Debashish Roy Chowdhury and John Keane about the state of Indian democracy under PM Narendra Modi. Their latest book, To Kill A Democracy, describes India's daily struggles for democratic survival, and explains how lived social injustices and unfreedoms rob elections of their meaning, while at the same time feeding the decadence and iron-fisted rule of its governing institutions. Read the World Today article:  Credits: Speakers: Hameed Hakimi, Debashish Roy Chowdhury, John Keane Hosts: Amrit Swali, Mariana Vieira Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House.

Episode 83: Afghanistan, and Indian democracy under Modi

The G20 - an international gathering of leaders from 19 major states and the European Union - has a significant role to play in coordinating global action on climate change. Accounting for around two-thirds of the world's population and by some estimates 84% of global carbon emissions, agreeing on reforms within this forum could be a game-changer ahead of COP26.&nbsp; In July 2021, G20 ministerial meetings are taking place ahead of the leaders summit in October. To assess the prospects for progress on climate change at the G20, Ben is joined by Luca Bergamaschi, co-founder of ECCO, the Italian climate think tank.&nbsp; Read the Chatham House briefing:  Credits: Speaker: Luca Bergamaschi Host: Ben Horton Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 15: Can the G20 act on climate change?

In this bonus episode, Chatham House has teamed up with the Asia Matter podcast to co-publish a discussion of the latest developments in Myanmar.&nbsp; The most shocking political development in Asia so far this year is arguably the seizure of power by the military in Myanmar, and the arrest of the country’s former de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The military’s crackdown on protests and other resistance against the coup has so far resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests. In this episode the Asia Matters podcast discusses the impact of the coup and how the current situation may develop in the months ahead. Joining the conversation is Thant Myint-U, one of the best known historians of the country and the author most recently of The Hidden History of Burma. Undercurrents will return on Friday with a regular episode.

BONUS: Thant Myint-U on Myanmar

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered national lockdowns and closed down borders across the world. In this context, the need to protect the rights and welfare of refugees has become even more acute. To discuss the threats facing forcibly displaced populations, and the policy responses required to mitigate them, Ben is joined by Emily Venturi, the Schwartzman Academy Fellow in the Asia-Pacific programme. Together they interview Gillian Triggs, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Assistant High Commissioner for Protection with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.&nbsp; Read the Expert Comment:  Credits: Speaker: Gillian Triggs Hosts: Ben Horton, Emily Venturi Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House.

Episode 84: Gillian Triggs on refugee protection

The COVID-19 pandemic, new systems of digital repression and the strengthening of authoritarian governments around the world have put significant strain on the international human rights system. To consider the prospects for multilateral human rights protection and the role that civil society activism can play in this, Ben is joined by Dr Agnès Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International.&nbsp; Then Amrit discusses new developments in cybercrime with International Security Programme colleagues Esther Naylor and Isabella Wilkinson. They assess the prevalence and impact of ransomware attacks, and how governments and the private sector can respond. Read the Chatham House expert comment:  Credits: Speakers: Agnès Callamard, Esther Naylor, Isabella Wilkinson Hosts: Ben Horton, Amrit Swali Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House.

Episode 85: The global human rights system, and responding to ransomware

Amidst severe governance challenges, Hezbollah has risen to become the dominant political actor in Lebanon. In this episode, Mariana is joined by Dr Lina Khatib, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, to discuss the dynamics underlying the Lebanese political system, and how a series of crises have affected the balance of power in the country. Then Ben explores how digital technologies are enabling state repression in both authoritarian and liberal states, in conversation with Dr Steven Feldstein from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Read the Chatham House research paper:  Find the book:  Credits: Speakers: Steven Feldstein, Lina Khatib Hosts: Ben Horton, Mariana Vieira Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House.

Episode 86: Politics in Lebanon, and the rise of digital repression

In this episode of Africa Aware, Christopher Vandome introduces key questions facing decision-makers in response to the challenges facing the mining sector in Africa. While Sheila Khama discusses continent-wide priorities for the mining sector, and the industry’s role in supporting national development ambitions.

Episode 6: Mining in Africa

20 years ago the United States suffered the worst terror attacks in its history, sparking a fundamental shift in US foreign policy towards the Middle East. Many citizens in the United States and beyond can still remember where they were on 11 September, 2001. But what do younger generations think about 9/11? To find out, Ben speaks to three colleagues who were all young children at the time of the attacks, and whose political consciousnesses have formed in the post-9/11 world. Anar Bata is a coordinator in the US &amp; Americas Programme. She provides an insight into the experience of Muslim Americans after the attacks, and reflects on how 9/11 is taught and thought about in the US education system. Samantha Potter is a programme manager in the United States Air Force and member of the Chatham House Panel of Young Advisors. She shares how her understanding of 9/11 encouraged her to pursue a career in service, and considers the impact of the War on Terror on US global leadership. Finally, Mondher Tounsi is a member of the Common Futures Conversations community. He remembers how 9/11 was framed within Tunisian society during his childhood, and how America's actions in the wake of the attacks have affected its reputation within the Arab world.&nbsp; Note: The views expressed by Samantha Potter in this podcast are solely her own and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the US Government. Credits: Speakers: Anar Bata, Samantha Potter, Mondher Tounsi Host: Ben Horton Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House.

Episode 87: Youth perspectives on 9/11

The controversial AUKUS security agreement, perceived by some as a way to counter China's expansionist ambitions, has underlined the geopolitical significance of the Indo-Pacific region. One possible site of future conflict in the region is the Taiwan Straits, which separate the Republic of Taiwan from the Asian mainland. In this episode, Amrit speaks to Dr Yu Jie and Dr Liana Fix about a recent study on how military escalation in the Taiwan Straits could play out, and how Europe might respond.&nbsp; Then, Mariana is joined by Dr Chris Sabatini to discuss the trends and lessons emerging from a series of recent elections in Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile. Read the briefing:  Credits: Speakers: Liana Fix, Yu Jie, Chris Sabatini Hosts: Amrit Swali, Mariana Vieira Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 88: Taiwan, and elections in Latin America

September 2021 saw a series of significant diplomatic events which could be key to successful climate negotiations at COP26. Now with mere weeks to go before the main event, attention is increasing on the major actors in Glasgow. To find out the state of play, Anna speaks with Bernice Lee, Hoffmann Distinguished Fellow for Sustainability at Chatham House.&nbsp; Read The World Today article:  Credits: Speaker: Bernice Lee Host: Anna Aberg Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced at Chatham House

Episode 16: COP26, the state of play

In Hungary, France and Spain, new political movements from the far-right are attempting to reshape their education systems. Under the supportive eye of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the recently established National University of Public Service seeks to embed nationalist illiberal values in a new generation of Hungarian students. Meanwhile in France and Spain, far-right&nbsp; public figure Marion Maréchal has turned away from the electoral politics of the Front Nationale to set up a new conservative research institute, ISSEP. Both of these developments represent a challenge to the liberal values which underpin the existing international order. To find out more, Ben spoke with Professor Dorit Geva from the Central European University and Dr Felipe Santos from City, University of London, whose recent article in the Chatham House journal International Affairs considers the implications of this illiberal educational turn.&nbsp; Read the International Affairs article:  Credits: Speakers: Dorit Geva, Felipe Gonzales Santos Host: Ben Horton Editor: James Reed Sound Services Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 89: Europe's far-right educational institutions

This week Ben takes a deep dive into the US-China economic competition over technology, and then discusses intelligence agencies in the Global South.&nbsp; Marianne Schneider-Petsinger from the Americas Programme and Yu Jie from the Asia-Pacific Programme explain their recent co-authored report on US-China strategic competition, and  Zakia Shiraz from the University of Leicester draws on her recent article in International Affairs to explore the culture and practice of intelligence agencies beyond the 'Five Eyes' alliance.&nbsp; Read the Chatham House Research Paper:  US-China Strategic Competition: The Quest for Global Technological Leadership Read the International Affairs article: Secrecy, spies and the global South: intelligence studies beyond the 'Five eyes' alliance

Episode 42: The US-China Tech War, and Spying in the Global South

The Climate Briefing is a monthly podcast from Chatham House, exploring the major issues shaping international debates around climate change.&nbsp; In this first episode, the team focus on what happened – and what didn’t happen - at the last UN Climate Change Conference, the COP25 in Madrid, and what it will mean for the upcoming COP26 in Glasgow. Anna and Johanna are joined by two guests; Archie Young, the UK’s lead climate negotiator, and Peter Betts, an Associate Fellow at Chatham House with long experience from the UN climate negotiations. Read the Meeting Summary: Outcomes of the Madrid COP25 and what this means for 2020. [Forthcoming] Follow us on Twitter:  Credits: Speakers: Peter Betts, Archibald Young Hosts: Anna Aberg, Johanna Tilkanen, Ben Horton Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced at Chatham House.

Episode 1: What Does Success Look Like At COP26?

Design In An Age of Crisis is a new mini-series on the Undercurrents podcast feed. COVID-19 could provide a moment to recast work as a social as well as economic activity, as business models change and people find new ways of organising work and life. At the same time, the pandemic has demonstrated the urgent need for us to radically rethink environments to be sustainable, just and resilient in the face of shocks to come, including the climate and biodiversity crises. In this episode,  and  discuss the role design could play in making work more meaningful, and in designing better, more sustainable places. Design In An Age Of Crisis is a global open call from the &nbsp;and&nbsp;. The open call is looking for radical and rapid responses, in any format, to problems facing humanity across four briefs: Health, Environment, Work and Society. Read the briefs and submit your radical design thinking by 31 August 2020. Submit your radical design idea:  Credits: Speakers: Bruce Daisley, Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg Host: Ana Yang Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Design in an Age of Crisis: Rethinking Work and the Environment

A new Chatham House mini-series on the Undercurrents podcast feed explores the ongoing international debate on how to govern cyberspace.&nbsp; In the first episode of Who Rules Cyberspace? Ben Horton and Dr Joyce Hakmeh, from the International Security Programme at Chatham House, trace the recent history of cyberspace and outline the major dividing lines that characterise debates at the United Nations and beyond.&nbsp; For the rest of this week Ben and Joyce will be interviewing a wide range of individuals from governments, the private sector and civil society to find out the latest thinking on how cyberspace can be made a safe and prosperous tool for societies throughout the world.&nbsp; Read the Journal of Cyber Policy article:  Watch the video:

Who Rules Cyberspace? The State of Play

In the latest episode of the Climate Briefing, the team explore the concept of carbon pricing, a set of mechanisms which incentivise businesses and consumers to reduce their carbon emissions. Could these tactics play a big role in increasing national climate ambitions at COP26? To find out, Ben speaks to  from Vivid Economics before Anna is joined by  from the Perspectives Climate Group. They discuss the various policy tools that fall under the umbrella of carbon pricing and how these figure in the UN climate negotiations, particularly within the hotly contested discussions around Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.&nbsp; Credits: Speakers: Stuart Evans, Aglaga Espelage Hosts: Anna Aberg, Ben Horton Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 10: Understanding Carbon Pricing

Undercurrents returns for its first episode of 2021 with an extended interview on the future of UK foreign policy. The United Kingdom is emerging from four long years of intense debate abouts its relationship with the European Union. While the effects of Brexit are still to be felt, questions now confront policymakers about how the UK should position itself in an increasingly complex global landscape.&nbsp; In this episode Ben is joined by Chatham House Director Dr Robin Niblett to discuss his new report, Global Britain, Global Broker, which proposes a new approach to understanding Britain's international role.&nbsp; Read the Chatham House report:  Credits: Speaker: Dr Robin Niblett Host: Ben Horton Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 69: Global Britain and the Future of UK Foreign Policy

As countries across the world begin to roll out vaccine programmes to counter the COVID-19 pandemic, questions are emerging over how to ensure that competition for supply does not derail the global response. In this week's Undercurrents, Amrit Swali speaks to  about the looming threat of vaccine nationalism and what can be done to realize more equitable distribution.&nbsp; Next, Ben learns about the legal regimes that govern how militaries behave in the 'greyzone' between war and peace, with . They cover how militaries respond to threats such as cyber and economic warfare, and how the national security establishment can adapt to an evolving battlespace.&nbsp; Read the Expert Comment:&nbsp;  Read the Expert Comment:  Watch the Chatham House Event:  Credits: Speakers: Juliet Skingsley, Rob Yates Hosts: Ben Horton, Amrit Swali Editor: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House&nbsp;

Episode 70: Vaccine Nationalism, and Military Action in the Greyzone

More than five years have passed since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, and there are only nine months to go until COP26. To kick off its second season the Climate Briefing podcast focuses on how climate change politics have shifted since COP21 in Paris, and explores the roles of the three largest emitters – China, the United States and the EU – in global climate action. The episode also provides a timely recap of the main aims of COP26. To discuss these themes, Anna and Ben are joined by Camilla Born (Deputy Director of Strategy for COP26 in the UK Cabinet Office) and Antony Froggatt (Deputy Director of the Energy, Environment and Resources Programme at Chatham House). Credits: Speakers: Camilla Born, Antony Froggatt Hosts: Anna Aberg, Ben Horton Editor: Jamie Reed Original Music: Jamie Reed Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 11: The Shifting Politics of Climate Change

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