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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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes213Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for This Is Not A Drill

Latest Episodes

What will happen when dictators realise just how useful big tech and the data it gathers could be for them? How is this already happening – and how could it expand, as A.I. ramps up the way draconian governments can use tech? Bruce Schneier, a renown... more

The rise of right-wing populism has changed politics across the world.

From the proliferation of CPAC conferences across the globe to attacks on institutions and political rivals, does a populist playbook pose a threat to democracy? And how can we r... more

Cyber attacks are on the rise and the threats impact us all. Which countries are leading these moves and how can we combat them?

Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre says that the UK faced four ‘nationally significant’ attacks a week on average ... more

A US-led peace plan has brought renewed hopes that an end to the conflict in Gaza may be in sight. But as talks in Cairo continue over the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli troops and disarmament of Hama... more

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Recent Guests

James Sullivan
Director of Cyber and Tech at RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute
RUSI
Episode: China and Russia vs. You — Inside the new cyber war
Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick
Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University's Weatherhead East Asian Institute
Columbia University
Episode: What happens if China wins over Russia and India?
Tanvi Madan
Senior Fellow in the Centre for Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution
Brookings Institution
Episode: What happens if China wins over Russia and India?
Jimmy Rushton
Security analyst discussing developments in Ukraine
Episode: Trump backs Ukraine – What does this mean for Zelenskyy and Putin?
Adam Posen
President of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee.
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Episode: Trump's economic warfare – Are there any winners?
Dinesh Kafle
Columnist at The Kathmandu Post and Assistant Professor at Kathmandu University
Kathmandu Post
Episode: The Gen Z protests – Inside Nepal’s ‘Discord revolution’
Emile Hokayem
Senior Fellow for Middle East Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies
International Institute for Strategic Studies
Episode: ‘A cascade of dreaded events’: The conflicts reshaping the Middle East
Ian Garner
Assistant Professor at the Center for Totalitarian Studies
Pilecki Institute
Episode: Russia, Poland and drones – What next for Putin and Europe?
Stacie Goddard
Professor of Political Sciences at Wellesley College
Wellesley College
Episode: Trump, Putin and Xi – Conflict or collusion?

Hosts

Oz Katerji
Host alongside Gavin Esler, providing insights as a war reporter based in Ukraine.
Gavin Esler
Former BBC News presenter and Washington correspondent, known for tackling global issues with expertise.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • 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 Kingdom4 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
    Australia4 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom6 months ago
  • Unlistenable

    I had high hope as I always rated Esler in his BBC days, but this is rendered unlistenable by the number of ads and the crass jingles.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Radionoush
    United Kingdom8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Content often highlights the expertise of guests, providing a rich perspective on current affairs and international relations.
Some listeners express frustration with the frequency of advertisements disrupting the listening experience.
Listeners appreciate the balanced approach to controversial topics, though opinions on political representation vary among feedback.
Episodes feature high-caliber discussions that present complex issues in an accessible manner, catering to audiences who crave in-depth analysis.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#58
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#136
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#92
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#191
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#228
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#59
Norway/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

China and Russia vs. You — Inside the new cyber war
Q: What is the significance of the upcoming national cyber strategy?
It is expected to drive systemic changes in UK's approach to cyber threats and emphasize the need for investment in cybersecurity.
China and Russia vs. You — Inside the new cyber war
Q: How do state and organized crime groups relate to cyber incidents?
There's potential overlap; cyber incidents could stem from either state actors or organized crime, creating confusion over responsibility.
China and Russia vs. You — Inside the new cyber war
Q: What does the NCSC report indicate about nationally significant threats?
It indicates that the UK faces four significant cyber attacks weekly, emphasizing the link between national cybersecurity and economic security.
What happens if China wins over Russia and India?
Q: Does this in any way complicate relationships with Russia?
India's ties with Russia are complicated due to Russia's increasing closeness to China, which poses concerns for India.
What happens if China wins over Russia and India?
Q: What was China trying to achieve by that recent summit in Tianjin?
China aimed to establish itself as a leader within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and propose new initiatives for cooperation.

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 predominantly explores global geopolitical issues, focusing on the interplay between power dynamics, conflicts, and the challenges posed by authoritarian regimes. Episodes delve into regions ranging from Ukraine and Russia's ongoing conflict, to China's ascension as a global superpower, and the implications of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. The discussions are framed by a backdrop of corruption and disinformation, with expert guests sharing insights that dig into historical contexts and present challenges. What sets this apart is the combination of seasoned journalistic perspectives with academic insights, which likely appeals to listeners interested in a nuanced understanding of contemporary global affairs.

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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. 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 4 years ago and published 213 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. James Sullivan
2. Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick
3. Tanvi Madan
4. Jimmy Rushton
5. Adam Posen
6. Dinesh Kafle
7. Emile Hokayem
8. Ian Garner

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