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This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes229Founded4 years ago
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NewsSociety & CulturePolitics

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Artwork for This Is Not A Drill

Latest Episodes

It has been four years since the full scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Does Vladimir Putin still believe he is leading Russia to a military victory, or is he now banking on winning at the negotiating table?

Gavin Esler talks to Samuel Greene, Prof... more

What a difference a year makes - or does it? The 2025 Munich Security Conference was shocked by divisive words from the US Vice President JD Vance. But at this year’s gathering, Marco Rubio represented America and struck a more conciliatory tone. Wha... more

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasing role in all our daily lives – and handing over power to AI comes with many risks. From misinformation and disruption to autonomous war technology, can we handle the dangers? Gavin Esler talks to Alex H... more

As temperatures plummet in Ukraine, Putin’s military is continuing to target the country’s power supply, leaving civilians suffering as the war continues toward a fifth year.

With the diplomatic crises and international flashpoints of recent months ... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Liana Fix
Senior Fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Friend or foe? – Do Rubio's words in Munich change anything for Europe?
Alex Hern
AI correspondent at The Economist
The Economist
Episode: AI vs. The World – Can we handle the threats of artificial intelligence?
Bill Kristol
Editor-at-large of The Bulwark, leading commentator on American politics
The Bulwark
Episode: Destroyer in chief – Is Trump breaking the world?
Mark Leonard
Co-founder and Director of the think tank the European Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: 2025 has already shaken the world. What’s next?
Steven Pifer
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, affiliate of the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, author of "The Eagle and the Trident, U.S.-Ukraine Relations in Turbulent Times"
Stanford University
Episode: Russia-Ukraine deal – Can anyone force Putin to change course?
Nick Mabey
Founding director and CEO of Third Generation Environmentalism, E3G
Third Generation Environmentalism (E3G)
Episode: War on the world – Are conflicts leading us to climate oblivion?
Justin Bronk
Senior Research Fellow of Airpower & Technology at RUSI
Royal United Services Institute
Episode: Europe's drone wall – Could it hold back Russia?
Bruce Schneier
Fellow and lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School, security guru, author of 'A Hacker's Mind'
Harvard Kennedy School
Episode: Big Tech, A.I. and the dictators – Inside the future of authoritarianism
Dr. Catherine Fieschi
Senior Fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre of the European University in Florence
Robert Schuman Centre
Episode: The Populist Playbook – How does the right wing connect globally?

Hosts

Gavin Esler
Host and former BBC News presenter, known for his insightful commentary on international affairs and ability to engage experts in discussions about global stability.
Oz Katerji
Co-host and Ukraine-based war reporter, providing frontline insights and analysis on conflicts and humanitarian crises.

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
    France2 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 Kingdom7 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
    Australia8 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 Kingdom8 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 Kingdom10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are criticisms regarding the frequency of advertisements during episodes, which some find intrusive to the listening experience.
Many value the show's ability to explain complex international relations in an accessible manner.
Listeners appreciate the depth of analysis provided by seasoned experts on pressing global issues.
Overall, the quality of content is recognized, with listeners expressing a desire for continued insightful discussions and expert commentary.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#130
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#79
Norway/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#160
Chile/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#182
Belgium/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#195
Indonesia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#204
United Arab Emirates/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

2025 has already shaken the world. What’s next?
Q: How do you see that developing in 2026?
The Middle East is currently unstable, but there's a hope for dialogues and pragmatic approaches that could lead to a long-term sustainable solution in the region over time.
2025 has already shaken the world. What’s next?
Q: Can we begin with Europe? He seems to regard Europe just as a whole as a failed continent or a failed European Union and terminal decline. What do you make of that?
Donald Trump sees Europe as a product of America's own issues and often blames it for dragging America into foreign adventures rather than considering it an ally.
Europe's drone wall – Could it hold back Russia?
Q: Is the creation of this drone wall a positive development?
It could be positive if it leads to increased defense spending and personnel recruitment, but it risks diverting essential resources from core military tasks.
Europe's drone wall – Could it hold back Russia?
Q: Should the Europeans be looking at proactive measures?
Yes, Europe may need to adopt proactive measures, even non-military responses, to effectively manage the risks posed by Russian actions.
Europe's drone wall – Could it hold back Russia?
Q: Could you talk to us a little bit about this concept of a drone wall?
The drone wall terminology is rooted in a perceived civilian clamor for defense against direct threats, but implementing it would require cooperation and coordination across multiple countries.

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 focuses on significant global threats, exploring areas of instability ranging from conflicts in Ukraine to issues involving China and the Middle East. Experts and hosts engage in in-depth discussions surrounding complex geopolitical dynamics, dissecting topics such as international conflicts, disinformation campaigns, and the implications of realpolitik. The show features contributions from various analysts and reporters, providing insights into the socio-political tensions that shape current world affairs. Unique in its approach, it combines expert commentary with accessible analysis, making it informative for listeners seeking a deeper understanding of global issues.

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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. Battleground
4. In Moscow's Shadows
5. The Rest Is Politics: US

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

This Is Not A Drill launched 4 years ago and published 229 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. Liana Fix
2. Alex Hern
3. Bill Kristol
4. Mark Leonard
5. Steven Pifer
6. Nick Mabey
7. Justin Bronk
8. Bruce Schneier

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