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This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

Podmasters
United States
Ukraine
Xi Jinping
China
Taiwan
European Union
Iran
Russia
Democracy
Cold War
Israel
Yemen
UK Immigration Policy
NATO
Migration
Sudan
Middle East
Communist Party
National Rejuvenation
Human Rights

Exploring threats to global stability from Ukraine to China to the Middle East with host Gavin Esler – former BBC News presenter, Washington correspondent and host of Newsnight – plus Ukraine-based war reporter Oz Katerji and independent conflict analyst Emma Beals. This Is Not A Drill dives deep into the dangers, corruption, conflicts, disinformation, rivalries and ruthless realpolitik that are m... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes209Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for This Is Not A Drill

Latest Episodes

Trump’s foreign policy means the United States is leaving a vacuum in world affairs – and China looks increasingly willing to fill it.

Following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin last month, what is the real nature of Xi Jinpin... more

In a dramatic shift over the war in Ukraine, Trump took to Truth Social this week to declare his belief that Ukraine can win back its territories.

Will Trump’s change in stance last, and will the shift in rhetoric lead to a change in policy from th... more

Trump’s economic policies have caused chaos globally and he’s made it clear he’s happy to use America’s financial might against his enemies – or help his friends. But, when it comes to security, who is this actually helping?

In the latest episode of... more

How did Nepal’s ‘Discord revolution’ spark so quickly and bring in a new national leader chosen by online poll?

On the 8th of September, a group of young Nepali gathered in Kathmandu to protest a social media ban they saw as a heavy-handed crackdown... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick
Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University's Weatherhead East Asian Institute
Columbia University
Episode: Xi's power play – What happens if China wins over Russia and India?
Tanvi Madan
Senior Fellow in the Centre for Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution
Brookings Institution
Episode: Xi's power play – What happens if China wins over Russia and India?
Jimmy Rushton
Security analyst discussing developments in Ukraine
Episode: Trump backs Ukraine – What does this mean for Zelenskyy and Putin?
Adam Posen
President of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee.
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Episode: Trump's economic warfare – Are there any winners?
Dinesh Kafle
Columnist at The Kathmandu Post and Assistant Professor at Kathmandu University
Kathmandu Post
Episode: The Gen Z protests – Inside Nepal’s ‘Discord revolution’
Emile Hokayem
Senior Fellow for Middle East Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies
International Institute for Strategic Studies
Episode: ‘A cascade of dreaded events’: The conflicts reshaping the Middle East
Stacie Goddard
Professor of Political Sciences at Wellesley College
Wellesley College
Episode: Trump, Putin and Xi – Conflict or collusion?
Dan Wang
Research fellow at the Hoover History Lab at Stanford University and author of 'Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future.'
Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Episode: Is China unstoppable? – How Beijing is fighting to own the future
Vanda Felbab-Brown
Scholar of crime, conflict, and non-traditional security threats at Brookings Institute
Brookings Institute
Episode: Trump, cartels and the war on fentanyl

Hosts

Oz Katerji
Host alongside Gavin Esler, providing insights as a war reporter based in Ukraine.
Gavin Esler
Former BBC News presenter and Washington correspondent, known for tackling global issues with expertise.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Appetite for corruption episode

    Brilliant episode from a highly respected author who can also explain the highly complex nature of money and corruption to a level that this layman finds easy to access. Also thanks to Gavin for his calm and measured analysis.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    agah1971
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Advertisements everywhere

    Ads every few minutes in the middle of content not just at the beginning and end.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    IMO_2000
    Australia4 months ago
  • Blatantly Biased

    Iran escaping blame though it’s been attacking Israel through proxies… how can u not apply the same logic to for Israel invading Palestine for decades … just another sold out show

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    alexis7778
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Superb

    Really learn a lot from this podcast. Analysis of complex issues presented in an accessible way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AW PCloud
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Unlistenable

    I had high hope as I always rated Esler in his BBC days, but this is rendered unlistenable by the number of ads and the crass jingles.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Radionoush
    United Kingdom7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Content often highlights the expertise of guests, providing a rich perspective on current affairs and international relations.
Some listeners express frustration with the frequency of advertisements disrupting the listening experience.
Listeners appreciate the balanced approach to controversial topics, though opinions on political representation vary among feedback.
Episodes feature high-caliber discussions that present complex issues in an accessible manner, catering to audiences who crave in-depth analysis.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#95
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#227
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#176
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#50
Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#58
Denmark/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#81
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Xi's power play – What happens if China wins over Russia and India?
Q: Does this in any way complicate relationships with Russia?
India's ties with Russia are complicated due to Russia's increasing closeness to China, which poses concerns for India.
Xi's power play – What happens if China wins over Russia and India?
Q: What was China trying to achieve by that recent summit in Tianjin?
China aimed to establish itself as a leader within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and propose new initiatives for cooperation.
Trump backs Ukraine – What does this mean for Zelenskyy and Putin?
Q: What impact do you believe Trump's statements will have on NATO's response to Russian airspace violations?
Rushton believes NATO might feel compelled to take stronger action in light of Trump's comments.
Trump backs Ukraine – What does this mean for Zelenskyy and Putin?
Q: Do you think the changing rhetoric from Trump reflects a shift in U.S. policy towards Ukraine?
Rushton suggests that Trump's statement might indicate a change in perspective influenced by Ukrainian diplomacy and frustrations with Putin.
The Gen Z protests – Inside Nepal’s ‘Discord revolution’
Q: Who is the new leader, and how were they brought into power?
Sushila Karki was elected by the Gen Z protesters through a vote on Discord, largely due to her moral integrity and support shown during the protests.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Is Not A Drill

What is This Is Not A Drill about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content predominantly explores global geopolitical issues, focusing on the interplay between power dynamics, conflicts, and the challenges posed by authoritarian regimes. Episodes delve into regions ranging from Ukraine and Russia's ongoing conflict, to China's ascension as a global superpower, and the implications of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. The discussions are framed by a backdrop of corruption and disinformation, with expert guests sharing insights that dig into historical contexts and present challenges. What sets this apart is the combination of seasoned journalistic perspectives with academic insights, which likely appeals to listeners interested in a nuanced understanding of contemporary global affairs.

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Which podcasts are similar to This Is Not A Drill?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Is Not A Drill:

1. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
2. Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
3. Oh God, What Now?
4. American Friction
5. Quiet Riot

How many episodes of This Is Not A Drill are there?

This Is Not A Drill launched 4 years ago and published 209 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on This Is Not A Drill?

Recent guests on This Is Not A Drill include:

1. Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick
2. Tanvi Madan
3. Jimmy Rushton
4. Adam Posen
5. Dinesh Kafle
6. Emile Hokayem
7. Stacie Goddard
8. Dan Wang

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