This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler cover art

This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

By: Podmasters
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About this listen

 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 making our world ever more dangerous. Support This Is Not A Drill on Patreon from just £3 per month to get each episode early plus bonus material and exclusive merchandise. From Podmasters, the team behind Oh God, What Now?, Paper Cuts and The Bunker.2023 - Podmasters Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • America against the World Part 4 – The New Normal?

    America against the World Part 4 – The New Normal?
    Apr 27 2026
    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 entered a new age where might makes right? And after Iran and Venezuela, is there any coherent vision behind America’s new foreign policy – or is it just driven by anger and greed? Dr Célia Belin of the European Council on Foreign Relations explains how Trump has set out to remake the world in his own cynical image. And Richard Haass, former President of the Council on Foreign Relations and advisor to President George HW Bush, describes how Trump’s aggressive, values-free foreign policy means that if countries like Britain don’t band together, they must choose between submitting to America or cutting a deal with their enemies. • We hope you enjoyed this miniseries. Get fresh insights into geopolitics early when you back us Patreon. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • America against the World Part 3 – Who will fill the Power Vacuum?

    America against the World Part 3 – Who will fill the Power Vacuum?
    Apr 23 2026
    A four-part series from This Is Not A Drill… Get the complete series now when you support us on Patreon. How will we cope with the end of the Pax Americana – and what comes next? This time: As Trump flips the table and walks away from America’s old international role, China want to take advantage. The People’s Republic is squaring up to the US on multiple fronts – economic, technological, cultural and potentially militarily. Sir Robin Niblett, author of The New Cold War, talks to Gavin Esler about whether China is as strong as it claims to be, the truth about the Sino-Russian relationship, and why this Cold War won’t be the same as the last one. And Ulrike Franke, German political analyst and fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, looks at what’s left of the old international order. • The final episode of America against the World is out on Monday 27 April. Get it right now when you support us on Patreon. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • America against the World Part 2 – Is Washington pulling the world apart?

    America against the World Part 2 – Is Washington pulling the world apart?
    Apr 20 2026
    A new four-part series from This Is Not A Drill… Get the complete series now when you support us on Patreon. How will we cope with the end of Pax Americana – and what comes next? Gavin Esler dives deep into a harsh new era of international relations. In this second episode, has Trump broken the trust-based world order – or just exposed it? Are we building a hostile world of fortresses? What would NATO look like without the US? Ukrainian journalist and author Nataliya Gumenyuk explains how Trump risks making America irrelevant in the world. Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute describes how MAGA is actively driving democracies away from America. And Dr Rebecca Harding of the Centre for Economic Security argues that Trump’s tariffs and America’s attacks on the rule of law amount to a world economic war. • Episode 3 is out on Thursday 23 April. Follow us so you don’t miss it. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    38 mins
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The best insight on the Russian invasion of Ukraine from an expert in combat and history. Helps explain the current situation and the position militarily and politically.

Best insight on Russian invasion yet

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Arthur Snell does a great job in selecting and getting the best from his guests. The sort of analysis that usually gets just a few minutes on mainstream news bulletins, given the time necessary to properly convey complex subjects. Fascinating.

Excellent

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