
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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 266 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture | |||

A new four-part series from This Is Not A Drill… Putin thought he could conquer Ukraine with a tank, air and infantry-led attack straight out of the Second World War. Instead Kyiv turned the tables on Russia with the fastest, most intensive transform... more
Is everything we knew about warfare changing right before our eyes? The war in Ukraine began with tanks and infantry...and now drones dominate in the battle for dominance.
In a brand new four-part series New Weapons for New Wars, we explore what the... more
Space is now an essential part of military planning and operations. Recent reports suggest Russia and China have discussed targeting Starlink satellites, highlighting their increasing importance in conflicts. Are ‘space wars’ no longer science ficti... more
As Russian casualties mount in brutal frontline assaults on Ukraine, Putin’s recruitment is growing ever more desperate. With international sanctions biting and Ukraine’s own campaigns targeting critical Russian infrastructure - can Putin sustain his... more
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This podcast’s introductory music is just unbearable.
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.
Ads every few minutes in the middle of content not just at the beginning and end.
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
Really learn a lot from this podcast. Analysis of complex issues presented in an accessible way.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
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Apple Podcasts | #192 | |
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Apple Podcasts | #33 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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This program consistently analyzes escalating global flashpoints, with a focus on Ukraine, China, the Middle East, and European defense dynamics. It features in-depth conversations with policy experts, journalists, and regional specialists, unpacking how geopolitical competition, disinformation, and realpolitik shape stability and risk. A standout is its willingness to connect broad strategic trends to concrete incidents, from military leadership shifts to alliance reconfigurations, often through historical context and forecasting. Listeners looking for rigorous, issue-driven geopolitics with expert guests will likely find it valuable, though the format can be dense for casual news consumers. The breadth of topics and access to frontline an... more
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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
This Is Not A Drill launched 5 years ago and published 266 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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Recent guests on This Is Not A Drill include:
1. Illya Sekirin
2. Mick Ryan
3. Peter Apps
4. Mark Hilborne
5. Nigel Gould-Davies
6. Ryan Haas
7. Jimmy Rushton
8. Sophie Pedder
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