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This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes262Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Donald Trump’s failing war on Iran has emboldened China. Beijing is trying to build relationships to counter Washington, as it looks to fill a vacuum in power globally left by the United States as it shifts its geopolitical strategy. Gavin Esler is j... more

Just days into the Iran conflict, strikes had taken out much of the country’s military leadership. Yet the conflict continues with a new regime installed in Tehran. With the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei unseen since the outbreak of war, who is... more

A week of turmoil within Ukraine’s armed forces has seen protestors take to the streets and a chaotic series of changes at the very top of military command.

What comes next for the future of Ukraine's defence, after a week of damaging political uphe... more

European security is in a state of crisis that would have been hard to imagine when Emmanuel Macron took office as French President in 2017. What happens when a President whose term has been so dominated by the threat of Russia, the fate of NATO and ... more

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Recent Guests

Jimmy Rushton
Special correspondent at Kyiv Independent
Kyiv Independent
Episode: Inside Zelenskyy’s military turmoil
Sophie Pedder
Paris Bureau Chief for The Economist and biographer of Emmanuel Macron
The Economist
Episode: Is the “True European Army” coming? – Macron, France and the future of European defence
Ed Arnold
Senior Associate Fellow in International Security
Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Episode: Inside the NATO conference – A breakdown from Ankara
Neda Bolourchi
Middle East historian and national security, law and policy advisor
Modern War Institute
Episode: Expensive Lessons – What America vs Iran taught us about modern warfare
John Lough
Senior Research Fellow at the New Eurasian Strategies Centre and Associate Fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House
Chatham House, New Eurasian Strategies Centre
Episode: Ukraine Strikes – Is Russia’s war machine faltering?
Steven Cook
Senior Fellow for Middle East and African Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Trump’s Iran deal — Does it reveal a US divide with Israel?
Jörg Lau
Foreign Affairs Reporter at Die Zeit
Die Zeit
Episode: Germany braces for war – Can rearmament secure Europe?
Joseph Webster
Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and Editor of the China Russia Report Newsletter
Atlantic Council, China Russia Report (Substack)
Episode: Xi and Putin – What do they really want from each other?
Mark Leonard
Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations
European Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Order vs. Chaos – Who is thriving in a world of crisis?

Host

Gavin Esler
Former BBC News presenter and host of Newsnight; main host with strategic interview style.

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
    France8 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 Kingdoma year 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.

Guests often bring on-the-ground perspectives that enrich understanding.
Consistently strong interviewing from the host.
Insightful deep-dives into complex geopolitics.
High-caliber guests and expert analysis on global issues.
Ads and sponsorships noted by listeners; some find them intrusive.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#67
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#153
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#122
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#132
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#216
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#234
France/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is the “True European Army” coming? – Macron, France and the future of European defence
Q: Can Europe really be autonomous in defense without America?
The discussion suggests a pragmatic Europe building up capacity through coalitions and increased spending, while still viewing the US as a partner, not a replacement, with long-term questions about alliance cohesion.
Is the “True European Army” coming? – Macron, France and the future of European defence
Q: So what should we make of the Macron legacy in terms of the defense of the Republic?
Pedder explains that Macron has reframed Europe around strategic autonomy, moving from theoretical sovereignty to concrete capabilities, though the path is fraught with budget realities and political friction with partners like Germany.
Inside Zelenskyy’s military turmoil
Q: Why do you think Zelenskyy's decisions generated such a strong reaction, and what does this mean for Ukraine's ability to continue fighting the war?
The decisions tapped into concerns about corruption, old guard military leadership, and the need for a modern, Western-aligned strategy; the public pressure suggests a demand for reform and potentially new leadership to sustain Ukraine's war effort.
Inside Zelenskyy’s military turmoil
Q: Can you give people a brief introduction to the situation as it stood on Wednesday and how we got here?
Fedorov was a popular reformer who shifted Ukraine's military approach toward technology and efficiency, but Zelenskyy dismissed him unexpectedly, which sparked protests and questions about the direction of the war and the leadership's ability to adapt.
Expensive Lessons – What America vs Iran taught us about modern warfare
Q: Why is a ceasefire not a full resolution in this context?
Because strategic competition persists across multiple domains—diplomacy, sanctions, energy, technologies, proxy networks—so a ceasefire only pauses active fighting but leaves underlying dynamics unresolved.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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?

A high-signal geopolitics and global-security show that probes Ukraine, the Middle East, China, and US foreign policy through expert interviews, on-the-ground reporting, and in-depth analysis. Episodes regularly dissect drones and AI in modern warfare, biothreats and governance gaps, state-backed proxy campaigns in Europe, and shifts in Western alliances. Noteworthy is a consistent mix of frontline reporting, policy critique, and strategic context from journalists, former policymakers, and senior researchers, making complex international dynamics accessible for decision-makers and informed listeners alike.

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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. Oh God, What Now?
3. Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
4. American Friction
5. Quiet Riot

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

This Is Not A Drill launched 5 years ago and published 262 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. Jimmy Rushton
2. Sophie Pedder
3. Ed Arnold
4. Neda Bolourchi
5. John Lough
6. Steven Cook
7. Jörg Lau
8. Joseph Webster

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