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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
Artificial Intelligence
Taiwan

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 weeklyEpisodes249Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for This Is Not A Drill

Latest Episodes

Putin thought that Ukraine would quickly fold under a massively superior Russian onslaught. Instead, the War has seen Ukraine reinventing itself as a world expert in drone warfare, exploiting cheap replaceable tech and digital networks to strike deep... more

Though Saddam Hussein tried to develop them and North Korea is accused of stockpiling them, biological weapons have been considered taboo for decades. Theoretically they’re banned. But intelligence agencies and military leaders are increasingly warni... more

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

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Recent Guests

David Kirichenko
Journalist and associate research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society
Henry Jackson Society
Episode: Drone masters – How Ukraine reinvented modern warfare
Cassidy Nelson
Director of Biosecurity Policy at the Centre for Long-Term Resilience
Centre for Long-Term Resilience
Episode: Poison arsenal – The deadly return of bioweapons
Shaun Walker
Guardian journalist who has reported on the Russian threat
The Guardian
Episode: Inside Russia’s web of terror – How Kremlin proxies wreak havoc across Europe
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?
Ulrike Franke
Senior Policy Fellow in the Paris Office of the European Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: America against the World Part 3 – Who will fill the Power Vacuum?
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?

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
    Australiaa year 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
#64
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#146
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#86
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#196
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#198
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#41
Hong Kong/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Drone masters – How Ukraine reinvented modern warfare
Q: How has Ukraine managed to scale production and maintain operations given Western aid constraints?
Despite aid fluctuations and restrictions, Ukraine ramped up domestic defense manufacturing, creating an ecosystem where hundreds of drone companies prototype and deploy solutions rapidly, reinforced by international collaboration with European partners and the strategic use of affordable, scalable interceptor and sensor technologies.
Drone masters – How Ukraine reinvented modern warfare
Q: What developments have happened in the last year or two that have allowed Ukraine to gain this advantage, especially at the start of the war?
Ukraine shifted from relying on external aid to building a robust, homegrown drone ecosystem, leveraging experiences from early losses and the influx of Russian drones. They combined cheap FPV platforms, long-range drones, and smart targeting with AI-enabled capabilities, accelerating production and deployment to pressure the front and beyond, including deeper strikes and logistic targeting.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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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 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. Origin Story

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

This Is Not A Drill launched 5 years ago and published 249 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. David Kirichenko
2. Cassidy Nelson
3. Shaun Walker
4. Mahal Tusi
5. Ce9lia Belin
6. Richard Haass
7. Lesley Vingimurri
8. Ulrike Franke

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