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This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

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

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 weeklyEpisodes217Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & CulturePolitics

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Artwork for This Is Not A Drill

Latest Episodes

As conflicts and tariff wars disrupt the global order, is political division preventing urgent action to protect the planet?

A decade ago world leaders gathered at COP 21 in Paris to discuss the climate crisis - 194 countries signing a breakthrough a... more

The European Union has some hard choices to make. It’s faced with an aggressive Russia on its borders, a US administration with limited enthusiasm for the NATO alliance and political divisions in its member states. Behind all this lies deep uncertain... more

A series airspace violations by Russian jets and drones have increased tensions over European skies – could a new ‘drone wall’ now protect Europe’s Eastern flank?

With plans announced for a new aerial defence system to protect Eastern borders, how w... more

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

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Recent Guests

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?
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?

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
    Australia5 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 Kingdom5 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 Kingdom7 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 Kingdom9 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
#80
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#183
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#133
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#210
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#241
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#15
Finland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Big Tech, A.I. and the dictators – Inside the future of authoritarianism
Q: How can individuals protect their privacy?
While certain technical measures can be taken, the ultimate solution lies in engaging politically to demand better regulations and protections against surveillance.
Big Tech, A.I. and the dictators – Inside the future of authoritarianism
Q: What has changed regarding government interest in personal privacy?
There's a concerning shift where citizens have historically assumed government benignity, but this trust is challenged by potential malice and information misuse by governments.

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 217 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. Nick Mabey
2. Justin Bronk
3. Bruce Schneier
4. Dr. Catherine Fieschi
5. James Sullivan
6. Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick
7. Tanvi Madan
8. Jimmy Rushton

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