This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

Stacie Goddard, a Political Science Professor at Wellesley College, dives into the complexities of global leadership in a time of great power competition. She discusses the fragile balance of conflict and collaboration among Trump, Putin, and Xi. The conversation highlights the waning influence of liberalism and the rise of populism, urging a renewed focus on political engagement. Goddard emphasizes the significance of Ukraine's conflict in shaping international order, advocating for a proactive stance on global democracy amidst shifting power dynamics.

Dan Wang, a research fellow at Stanford's Hoover History Lab and author of "Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future," joins to unravel China's technological ambition. Topics include China as an 'engineering state' outpacing the U.S. in infrastructure, the complex Taiwan tension shaped by economic ties, and the race for dominance in AI and semiconductors. Wang also tackles China's energy strategy, questioning its environmental commitments while pursuing independence. It's a fascinating glimpse into the intricacies of China's global strategy.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's foreign minister from 2020 to 2024, shares insights on the precarious situation in Ukraine amid shifting diplomatic efforts. He discusses the unlikelihood of territorial concessions and highlights the deep mistrust surrounding negotiations with Russia. Kuleba elaborates on Ukraine's geopolitical significance and the importance of military readiness alongside diplomatic strategies. He also reflects on the implications of past negotiations, emphasizing the ongoing challenges in securing Ukraine’s sovereignty and a lasting resolution.

Keir Giles, a Russia expert from Chatham House and author of 'Who Will Defend Europe?', shares his insights on the implications of the recent Trump-Putin summit for Ukraine. He discusses the chaotic diplomatic efforts from Europe and the U.S., highlighting the uncertain outcomes of negotiations. The conversation dives into Ukraine's strategic maneuvers for military aid and critiques the impasse in U.S.-Russia relations. Giles emphasizes the importance of understanding Ukraine's perspective amidst the geopolitical challenges and ongoing support dynamics.

The highly potent opioid fentanyl is a major cause of death in the US – and the global trade of the drug is also a cause of growing geopolitical division.  Trump has claimed tariffs on Mexico and Canada are targeting the supply of the drug; his China tariffs have complicated efforts to stem exports of the ingredients needed for its production, and fractures among cartels pushing fentanyl could well reshape underworld activity worldwide. In the latest episode of This Is Not A Drill, Emma Beals discusses the global effects of the fentanyl trade with Vanda Felbab-Brown, director of the Initiative on Nonstate Armed Actors and senior fellow in the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at the Brookings Institution. • This episode of This Is Not A Drill is supported by  Incogni, the service that keeps your private information safe, protects you from identity theft and keeps your data from being sold. There’s a special offer for This Is Not A Drill listeners – go to https://incogni.com/notadrill to get an exclusive 60% off your annual plan. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Emma Beals. 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

After the 12 day war, which saw Israel and the US bomb Iran and its nuclear facilities, where next for the Iranian regime?  Questions remain over the Tehran regime’s ability to stay in power after decades of tensions in the region exploded on Iranian soil in June, its strategy of ‘forward defence’ left in ruins following Israel’s attacks on Iranian-aligned militia groups. Will Iran now continue to pursue what’s left of the nuclear programme targeted by US and Israeli strikes, or can a lasting diplomatic solution finally be found?  Gavin Esler talks to Vali Nasr – the Majid Khadduri Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, and the author of  Iran’s Grand Strategy – A Political History. • This episode of This Is Not A Drill is supported by Incogni, the service that keeps your private information safe, protects you from identity theft and keeps your data from being sold. There’s a special offer for This Is Not A Drill listeners – go to https://incogni.com/notadrill to get an exclusive 60% off your annual plan. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more 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

Why is it so difficult to end wars and what makes peace settlements so likely to be rejected? These questions echo across the globe in an era of conflict and political division, with attempts to broker peace settlements in Gaza and Ukraine dominating headlines but so far remaining out of reach.  Historian Margaret MacMillan is Professor at the University of Oxford and the author of numerous books on war and peace, including Peacemakers, and joins Gavin Esler to discuss the history and pressing realities of peace negotiations. • This episode of This Is Not a Drill is supported by Incogni, the service that keeps your private information safe, protects you from identity theft and keeps your data from being sold. There’s a special offer for This Is Not A Drill listeners – go to https://incogni.com/notadrill to get an exclusive 60% off your annual plan. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Buy Peacemakers, through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund This is Not a Drill by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. 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

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, a generation of young Russians hoped for a better future of economic prosperity and personal freedom. Yet three decades later Russia has invaded Ukraine and is isolated from the Western world. What happened to the dreams of the perestroika generation, and what does Russian society think about Putin’s war and his grip on power? In the latest episode of This Is Not a Drill, Gavin Esler talks to Russian journalist and writer Irina Borogan, whose book Our Dear Friends in Moscow: The Inside Story of A Broken Generation, co-authored with Andrei Soldatov, tells the story of a group of young Russians torn apart by the political shift in Russia. Buy Our Dear Friends in Moscow through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund This is Not a Drill by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. • This episode of This Is Not A Drill is supported by Incogni, the service that keeps your private information safe, protects you from identity theft and keeps your data from being sold. There’s a special offer for This Is Not A Drill listeners – go to https://incogni.com/notadrill to get an exclusive 60% off your annual plan. 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

Mark Galeotti, a British historian and expert in Russian security affairs, joins to discuss the shifting dynamics of Trump’s stance on the Ukraine conflict. They dive into Trump's recent support for arming Ukraine and his ultimatum to Putin, weighing its potential effectiveness. The conversation also explores the complexities of sanctions, their limited impact on Russia, and the growing political unrest within the country. With insights into global geopolitics, they evaluate the implications of Trump’s role as a potential mediator in this ongoing crisis.

In a compelling discussion, Oliver Bullough, a sharp investigative journalist and author, explores how the Trump administration has exacerbated global corruption. He reveals the troubling ties between powerful figures and kleptocrats. Bullough also sheds light on Britain's role in laundering illicit funds and the complexities of U.S. corporate registration that foster opacity. Delving into money laundering techniques like smurfing, he warns of the urgent need for reform in the face of rising corruption and challenges to integrity in financial systems.