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This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

Podmasters
Russia
Ukraine
United States
Donald Trump
NATO
Iran
China
European Union
Israel
Middle East
Climate Change
Syria
Trump Administration
Hezbollah
Vladimir Putin
Gaza
Hamas
Ukraine War
Taiwan
Democracy

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 weeklyEpisodes246Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & CulturePolitics

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Artwork for This Is Not A Drill

Latest Episodes

Acts of sabotage and arson spreading across Europe are persistently connected to Russia. Gavin Esler is joined by Shaun Walker, the Guardian's central and eastern Europe correspondent, to discuss the Kremlin’s shadow warfare network and the chaos sta... more

The final episode of a four-part series from This Is Not A Drill… This time: International leaders cling to the idea that Trump’s violent overthrow of the world order and embrace of raw power will prove temporary. But what if it isn’t? What if we’ve ... more

A four-part series from This Is Not A Drill… Get the complete series now when you support us on Patreon.

How will we cope with the end of the Pax Americana – and what comes next?

This time: As Trump flips the table and walks away from America’s old... more

A new four-part series from This Is Not A Drill… Get the complete series now when you support us on Patreon.

How will we cope with the end of Pax Americana – and what comes next? Gavin Esler dives deep into a harsh new era of international relations... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mahal Tusi
Senior Foreign Affairs Reporter at Politico
Politico
Episode: America against the World Part 4 – The New Normal?
Ce9lia Belin
Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations
European Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: America against the World Part 4 – The New Normal?
Richard Haass
President of the Council on Foreign Relations (former director of policy planning at the State Department)
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: America against the World Part 4 – The New Normal?
Lesley Vingimurri
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Episode: America against the World Part 4 – The New Normal?
Sir Robin Niblett
British foreign policy specialist, distinguished fellow at Chatham House
Episode: America against the World Part 3 – Who will fill the Power Vacuum?
Nataliya Gumenyuk
Ukrainian journalist and author
Episode: America against the World Part 2 – Is Washington pulling the world apart?
Kori Schake
American foreign policy expert
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: America against the World Part 2 – Is Washington pulling the world apart?
Rebecca Harding
CEO of the Centre for Economic Security
Centre for Economic Security
Episode: America against the World Part 2 – Is Washington pulling the world apart?
Nahal Toosi
Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent at Politico
Politico
Episode: New Mini-Series – America against the World – Part 1: There are No Rules Any More

Host

Gavin Esler
Former BBC News presenter and host of Newsnight with a focus on global political issues and storytelling.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Nice podcast - horrible music

    This podcast’s introductory music is just unbearable.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jay remi
    France5 months ago
  • 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 Kingdom10 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
    Australia10 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 Kingdoma year ago
  • Superb

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AW PCloud
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some comments suggest listeners may be concerned about perceived biases in political discussions.
The quality of the show remains high, even as formats and hosts have changed through episodes.
There are criticisms regarding the frequency of advertisements disrupting the flow of content, which some find intrusive.
Many praise the host's calm and measured style, noting it enhances the overall quality of the content.
Listeners appreciate the depth of analysis and expertise of guests, often highlighting the informative nature of discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#35
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#70
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#55
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#77
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#204
Italy/News
Apple Podcasts
#207
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Does Putin really think he can still win in Ukraine?
Q: What is the American role currently, and is Washington still driving the strategy, or is Europe taking the lead?
The U.S. remains influential but there are signs of a slower, more contested dynamic, with Europe increasingly recognizing its own defense needs and seeking a more durable, independent capacity to deter Russia.
Does Putin really think he can still win in Ukraine?
Q: Four years on from the invasion, can you give us your assessment of where things stand on the battlefield?
The battlefield remains dug in with only modest progress in either direction, but Russia pays a heavy price in manpower and overall legitimacy as it attempts to sustain pressure while Ukraine resists.
Trump says he wants to end the Iran war. Can he?
Q: So given that, is it possible to assess what Iran's strategy is? Or, is it just about survival?
The Islamic Republic views this as a long war of endurance and survival, expecting attrition against the US and Israel to shape a more favorable strategic outcome, with leadership breakages and internal dynamics complicating a clear victory.
Iran vs. the Gulf – Is there any going back to normal?
Q: Has there been much coordination, a united front from the Gulf countries?
She notes initial strong solidarity in the wake of Iran's attacks, followed by varying fishers and tentative coordination as Gulf states reassess alliance paths and potential engagement beyond purely defensive postures.
Iran vs. the Gulf – Is there any going back to normal?
Q: Allison, can we begin with discussing a bit about how the countries of the Gulf region look upon their bigger and powerful neighbor, Iran?
Allison explains that Gulf countries have long perceived Iran as a major stability threat and that prior confrontations fluctuated, with some moving toward de-escalation since 2019, though the current war has intensified security concerns and regional risk.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 explores a range of critical global issues, emphasizing the threats to stability posed by geopolitical conflicts, corruption, and the rise of disinformation in today's world. With a focus that spans from Ukraine to China and the Middle East, discussions often reflect on the realities of modern politics and complex international relations, featuring expert guests from various fields such as journalism, conflict analysis, and academia. The conversations stress not only the current geopolitical landscape but also historical perspectives and predictions for future developments, making it a compelling listen for those interested in serious discourse on international affairs.

A unique feature of this analysis is the host's emphasis o... more

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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 246 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. Mahal Tusi
2. Ce9lia Belin
3. Richard Haass
4. Lesley Vingimurri
5. Sir Robin Niblett
6. Nataliya Gumenyuk
7. Kori Schake
8. Rebecca Harding

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