With his unhinged foreign policy pronouncements, including demands that Greenland and the Panama Canal be handed over to the US, and vague threats to annex Canada, Donald Trump is already setting governments on edge. How will the world cope with an America First foreign policy where chaos and uncertainty are features not bugs? And as the self-styled dealmaker vows to bring a swift end to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, what do his nominations to key defence and security roles – among them hawks, libertarians and a TV news host – tell us about his priorities? Joining Gavin Esler to discuss the ‘known unknowns’ is Amy Mackinnon, national security and intelligence correspondent at Foreign Policy magazine.• 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 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 Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production.www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Jennie King, Director of Climate Disinformation Research and Policy at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and James Murray, environmental journalist and founder of BusinessGreen, as they unravel the tactics of climate disinformation. They discuss how fossil fuel interests manipulate narratives and the impact of misinformation on public perception. The conversation highlights emerging initiatives to ban fossil fuel ads and the importance of holding corporations accountable for their environmental claims as we strive for a sustainable future.

Suhail al-Ghazi, a Syrian investigator and researcher at the Syrian Archive, shares insights on the aftermath of Assad's fall and its implications for the future of Syria. He highlights the blend of hope and grief among Syrians as they confront their past. The discussion explores the rise of grassroots movements aiming for self-determination and the challenges posed by external influences. Recent military escalations and the role of international players are dissected, emphasizing the critical path to peace and the importance of engaging Syrian civil society.

In a deep dive into global terrorism, Charles Lister, a Middle East Institute expert on ISIS, and Ryan O’Farrell, a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation focused on ISIS in Africa, unpack the group's alarming resurgence. They discuss the shift in ISIS tactics, rising attacks, and the dire situation in Syrian detainee camps. The conversation also highlights ISIS’s expanding influence in Africa and the challenges faced by local populations. With complex insurgent dynamics and dwindling Western support, there's a pressing need for renewed international attention.

Gavin Esler chats with Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute specializing in US-China trade, and Rebecca Harding, a trade economist with the British Foreign Policy Group. They dissect the implications of Trump's proposed tariffs and their potential to ignite a trade war. The conversation highlights concerns over rising inflation, the risks to American consumers, and how these policies may reshape global relations. They also explore China's strategic responses and the overarching shift from globalization to fragmentation in international trade.

Peter Ricketts, a retired senior diplomat and former UK National Security Adviser, discusses the ramifications of Donald Trump's potential return to power. He highlights Trump's zero-sum approach and its impact on global diplomacy, including threats of economic dislocation and turmoil. Ricketts addresses NATO's response to advanced missile capabilities amid rising tensions, while examining the challenges of US-China trade policies. He emphasizes the political complexities of alliances and the need for astute diplomacy in a changing geopolitical landscape.

• Give or get 20% off a year’s Patreon backing for TINAD in our Black Friday sale.A destabilised Europe faces a stark choice, now more urgent since Trump’s victory. Make urgent preparations for a shooting war with Russia on our own territory – or prepare to lose that war, with all the terrifying consequences. That’s the argument of Keir Giles, author of Who Will Defend Europe? and senior consulting fellow of Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia Programme.He talks to Gavin Esler about the scale of the challenge, the damage done by European governments’ shortsightedness about the Kremlin’s escalating provocations, and why the advent of another Trump Presidency is more than a wake-up call. • “These are decisions that should have been taken years and decades ago. They should not have taken the threat of a Trump to push them to into action.”• “Russia has been at war with us in every domain except open military conflict for over a decade now.” • Twitter refugee? Follow TINAD, Gavin Esler and Keir Giles on BlueSky. • Buy Who Will Defend Europe? through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund TINAD by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.• Support This Is Not Drill on Patreon to continue by backing us on Patreon. You’ll get early, ad-free editions, merchandise and more. Incogni 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 Incogni.com/notadrill to get an exclusive 60% off your annual plan.Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters productionpodmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Rushton, an independent foreign policy and security analyst based in Ukraine, shares insights on the significant challenges facing Ukraine as it braces for winter. He discusses Zelenskyy's bold Kursk offensive against Russian forces, the rising influence of North Korea in the conflict, and the pressing need for Western support to strengthen Ukraine's defense. Rushton explores the complexities of military strategies and highlights the implications of Russia's growing militarization, emphasizing the delicate balance of power in the region.

In this insightful dialogue, Sarah Chayes, a corruption analyst and author, and Tom Burgis, a Guardian investigative correspondent, tackle the alarming rise of kleptocracy. They explore how systemic corruption has infiltrated democracies, undermining global stability. Chayes warns that U.S. policy could be sold to the highest bidder if Trump returns, while Burgis reveals how Western societies covertly enable corrupt regimes. Together, they highlight the urgent need for anti-corruption efforts and the critical role of investigative journalism in unveiling these complex networks.

Rick Alan Ross, a renowned cult deprogrammer and founder of the Cult Education Institute, shares his insights on the enticing yet dangerous world of cults. He discusses the psychological and social factors that entice people to join, revealing how charismatic leaders exploit vulnerabilities. The difference between admiration and obsession is highlighted, along with manipulative tactics cults use to recruit individuals, particularly through social media. Ross also explains the critical role of deprogrammers in helping individuals escape these harmful environments.