Independent thinking on international affairs
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In the News

Each year Chatham House experts, speakers and publications contribute to around 5000 interviews and articles in the national and international media. The list below is a short selection of contributions in recent days and weeks.

The Guardian, Friday 28 November
India's Dilemma
India's response to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai has implications for stability in India and the whole of South Asia, writes Gareth Price, Chatham House. It is clearly preferable for India to blame a 'foreign hand', but this could undermine relations with its neighbours.

The Evening Standard, Thursday 27 November
Threat in India is Increasing
The vicious attacks in Mumbai have highlighted the threat from terrorism that India faces and is likely to have serious repercussions as so far India has failed to stop attacks increasing, writes Gareth Price, Chatham House.

Agence France-Presse, Thursday 28 November
NATO Countries Split on Help for Afghan Drug War: Top UN Official
The US and Britain are preparing to fight the drug trade in Afghanistan, while other NATO nations do not want to join in, said Antonio Costa, Executive Director UNODC, at Chatham House.

The Financial Times, Tuesday 25 November
Economists' View
Alistair Darling's task in the pre-budget report was to deliver an effective fiscal stimulus in the short term while setting out a credible fiscal framework to repair damage over the medium term. He succeeded better with the first than the second, says DeAnne Julius, Chatham House.

Forbes, Tuesday 25 November
IMF Greenlights Bailout for Pakistan
Despite Pakistan being approved for a loan from the IMF, if the record of past governments is anything to go by, it would suggest we have to be cautious about whether or not the new government can meet the conditions of the loan, says Farzana Shaikh, Chatham House.

Reuters, Tuesday 25 November
Financial Crisis Dispels Doubts over EBRD Future
Given the scope of challenges faced by eastern Europe and the massive requirements for its regenerating growth, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development seems to have its work cut out for the next five years at least, says Vanessa Rossi, Chatham House.

The Independent, Tuesday 25 November
The Big Question: Who are the Elders, and Can They Do Anything to Resolve World Crises?
The influence of the Global Elders can be particularly powerful in Africa, where government is much more reliant on personal relationships than the kind of systematic approach more prevalent in the West, says Sally Healy, Chatham House.

Reuters, Monday 24 November
Yemen Powerless to Combat Somali Piracy
Yemen's window of opportunity to shape its own future and create a working post-oil economy is narrowing as oil production falls closer to consumption levels, writes Ginny Hill in her Chatham House paper on Yemen.

The Sunday Times, Sunday 23 November
Briefing: The World in 2025: Superpower Strife
The report on America's future by the US National Intelligence Council illustrates in very objective language how America sees the world, and the EU is not very prominent, says Robin Shepherd, Chatham House.

The Financial Times, Saturday 22 November
Borderless Borders
If you don't have a political solution in Somalia, the problem of piracy will simply continue. After all, there is mayhem in Somalia, and with piracy these same practices are being extended out to sea, says Roger Middleton, Chatham House.

Los Angeles Times, Thursday 20 November
World Grapples with Pirate Problem
An EU force will patrol the gulf next month with six or seven ships, but after the recent pirate attacks leaders could agree to increase that number to 10, says Roger Middleton, Chatham House.

BBC News, Thursday 20 November
Yemen 'Faces Crisis as Oil Ends'
A Chatham House report on Yemen by Ginny Hill warns that Yemen is facing an economic and political crisis as the country's oil resources near exhaustion.

USA Today, Thursday 20 November
Off Africa's Coast, Pirates 'Out of Control'
There is serious concern that terrorists see piracy as an opportunity for themselves, says Roger Middleton, Chatham House. It can provide the means to generate enormous amounts of money, or the more disturbing prospect of capturing a huge oil tanker as a floating bomb.

Reuters, Thursday 20 November
Yemen Powerless to Combat Somali Piracy
Future instability in Yemen could expand a lawless zone stretching from northern Kenya, through Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, to Saudi Arabia, concludes Ginny Hill in her Chatham House paper on Yemen.

The Guardian, Thursday 20 November
Piracy 'Will Worsen Unless Yemen and Somalia are made Stable'
Political upheaval in Yemen would lead to an increase in piracy with implications for the security of shipping routes and the transit of oil through the Suez canal, writes Ginny Hill in her Chatham House paper on Yemen.

Sky News, Thursday 20 November
Pirate Town Lures Fortune-Hunters
To put Somali piracy into perspective, the average income in Somalia is around $650 a year, but a low level pirate can earn up to $10,000 per raid, says Roger Middleton, Chatham House.

Al Jazeera, Wednesday 19 November
Q&A: Piracy in the Gulf of Aden
As a result of pirate attacks, some shipping companies will take alternative, longer routes which will push up the prices of goods. Somebody is going to have to pay for that and it's likely to be consumers in Europe and North America, says Roger Middleton, Chatham House.

Christian Science Monitor, Wednesday 19 November
Poll: World Wants Green Action, Despite Costs
Renewable energy and energy efficiency can be a fundamental part of revitalizing our economies, so many people think that the current situation offers an opportunity we cannot miss to create a 'green New Deal,' says Antony Froggatt, Chatham House.

The Times, Wednesday 19 November
Hong Kong Grain Ship Seized as Somali Pirates Hold World to Ransom
Now that Somali pirates have shown that they are able to seize an enormous ship, it is beyond a military solution. This cannot be solved without a political solution, says Roger Middleton, Chatham House.

Reuters, November 19
Kenya at a Watershed over Violence Report
Kenyans are desperate to avoid a repetition of the violence earlier this year, so it's very important that the deal between President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga works, says Tom Cargill, Chatham House.

The Independent, Tuesday 18 November
Pirates Seize Giant Oil Tanker
The capture of the oil tanker by pirates off the coast of Kenya raises the spectre of a possible 'environmental disaster' in east Africa, a prospect that a Chatham House report on piracy raised.

The Guardian, Tuesday 18 November
Lawless Tradition of Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
While the financial attractions of piracy are strong, western countries and businesses have also contributed to the problem, says Roger Middleton, Chatham House.

Reuters, Tuesday 18 November
Piracy Crisis Exposes Need for Somalia Solution
The recent hijack of a Saudi oil tanker is an escalation of what we've seen in the past, says Roger Middleton, Chatham House. There just isn't the naval capacity to cover the area they now threaten, so a military solution is not the answer.

Agence France-Presse, Tuesday 18 November
Hijacked Saudi Tanker off Somali Coast
The hijacked Saudi tanker happened incredibly far from Somalia - it puts a huge ring around Somalia where it isn't safe for international shipping, says Roger Middleton, Chatham House.

The Financial Times, Monday 17 November
Minister to Reassure Nuclear Investors
At a Chatham House conference, Mike O'Brien, Energy Minister, reassured nuclear companies and investors that Britain's drive to build the next generation of nuclear power stations will continue unabated under the new energy department.

Reuters, Monday 17 November
UK Needs More Nuclear Plant Builders, Minister Says
Nuclear must be an important part of an affordable climate change policy for the UK. Not having nuclear in the mix could threaten the economy, the climate and indeed the very way of life, said UK Energy Minister, Mike O'Brien, at a Chatham House conference.