This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

How important are motivations when it comes to fighting a war? Is a 'warrior mindset', rather than high level training, carrying the Ukrainian military through? Fresh from a reporting trip to Kyiv, former U.S. Marine Elliot Ackerman joins Arthur Snell to give an insight into the mentality of both the Russian and Ukrainian forces, and explain how Putin united the Western world.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: www.doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “The Russians have clearly underestimated the Ukrainian resolve to resist.”  “If you’re a Ukrainian you’re fighting for your family, home and identity. The Russians meanwhile are fighting for an abstraction.”  “The West has conflated Russia’s nuclear capability with its conventional capability.”  “When Putin makes reference to Russian history, he is mining grievances which he can use to invade Ukraine.”  “Russia’s spiritual mission is saving the world from the decadence of the West.”  “In the days after Russia invaded Ukraine, we saw the first bipartisan moment in the U.S. since 9/11.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russia's invasion of Ukraine lead to a seismic u-turn in Germany, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a huge increase in military spending. What are the implications for Europe? And as other European nations reduce their need for Russian energy, why has Berlin has been reluctant to follow suit?Annette Dittert, London Bureau Chief for German broadcaster ARD, joins Arthur Snell to discuss what Germany's military u-turn means for Europe, and why Scholz is having difficulty stamping out Russian oil and gas.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “Germany had thought of itself as a pacifist country, then Scholz announced all of that will change.”  “The German Government is afraid of its own courage.”  “Germany has a massive dependency on Russian oil and gas, something Scholz inherited from the past government.”  “Even after helping Ukraine on many levels, there is still reluctance from Scholz to offer full-throated support.”  “The worry about Russians coming back into Berlin is still there.”  “Germany has to get its act together, it’s crucial for the security of Europe.”  “It’s in the interests of Germany, and every democratic country, to stand up for Ukraine.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week we held a live Zoom session with Dr Alexander Clarkson of King's College London, who took us on a whirlwind world tour of Ukraine, Transnistria and the future of Russia’s catastrophic invasion. How is it developing and how could it end?Out now on general release, here is a shortened version of the session. If you'd like to get access to the entire Zoom, as well as future events, early episodes and merchandise, you can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: http://doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The sinking of the Russian warship Moskva highlighted the importance of naval conflict in the Russia-Ukraine war. Why is the Black Sea so vital? And is Ukraine up to the task of stopping Putin's fleet of frigates?Former Royal Navy Captain Chris Clough joins Arthur Snell to discuss the intricacies of naval warfare, what the Moskva sinking means for the conflict, and how real the risk of escalation is as the war moves forward.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: http://doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “The Russians have always invested in their Black Sea fleet.”  “The Moskva is a ship designed around its weapon systems. It epitomises the Cold War.”  “Despite the sinking of the Moskva, Russia still has two very capable frigates in the Black Sea.”  “I would be much more worried about mines that we can’t see than those that we can.”  “Money doesn’t translate into military capability.”  “There are too many unknowns to risk any kind of escalation.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Putin’s undeserved reputation as a master strategist means some analysts have employed the metaphor of chess to his invasion of Ukraine, but is the Russian President actually playing poker with the West?Jason Pack, non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute and 2018 World Champion in doubles backgammon, talks to Arthur Snell about the high stakes game between NATO and Russia, and why the Kremlin might have overplayed their hand.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: http://doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/Jason's Foreign Policyarticle can be found here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/09/beat-putin-poker-ukraine-call-bluff/  “A treaty is a piece of paper, and it’s only as strong as the commitment of the signatories to enforce it.”  “NATO Article 5 has only been invoked once, by America in the aftermath of 9/11.”  “Diplomacy and war have always been understood as games.”  “Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin surprised Hitler all the time, we are much more reactive these days.”  “The reality is, the US, the UK and NATO are at war with Russia.”  “Having the lights go out in St Petersburg for 2 hours doesn’t pose an escalatory risk, in fact it makes Putin look bad to his own people.”  “If Putin loses big time in the Donbass, he will have to reevaluate his position.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anyone familiar with Putin's history of kleptocracy, money laundering and threats of murder against his adversaries will know the name of Bill Browder, formerly one of Russia's leading foreign investors, now a sworn enemy of Vladimir Putin. Browder talks to Arthur Snell about his new book Freezing Order, which details the 'real money' funding the Kremlin's war, and how he became Vladimir Putin’s number one enemy for exposing his campaign of theft and money laundering.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: http://doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “The Putin regime does terrible things, and then puts their money in Western countries. We now have the chance to seize that.”  “Putin runs his kleptocracy by getting a cut of every crime.”  “Nobody wanted to rock the boat because the influx of Russian money into London was good for the economy.”  “I did something totally unforgivable, I treated Vladimir Putin with total disrespect.”  “We’ve waited too long to sanction the oligarchs, and it’s not changed Putin’s psychology.”  “Nobody who is a patriot would’ve done what Putin has done.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the second round of France's presidential election on Sunday, what could the vote for the French response to the Ukraine crisis? And when other leaders have stopped, why has President Macron has continued diplomatic efforts with Vladimir Putin?Stephanie Pezard, senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, joins Arthur Snell to discuss France's approach to Russia's war, and what the conflict means for European defence and security.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Thank you for backing us on Patreon, we really appreciate your support.Resources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ “I doubt that a lot of the people who voted for Marine Le Pen thought about the Russia factor when casting their votes.” “It’s always been important for France to have its own military voice, rather than seeing itself following the initiative of others.” “This is France trying to give diplomacy as much of a chance as it can.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Russia's invasion of Ukraine faltering, could the Kremlin consider escalating the conflict using chemical weapons? What would biological warfare look like? Dr Alastair Hay, a Professor of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Leeds, joins Arthur Snell to discuss the history of chemical weapons, and if we'll see them used in the Ukraine conflict.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Help our work, and shape the next full series of Doomsday Watch, by supporting us on Patreon.Resources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ “Officially Russia should have no chemical weapons. But all the evidence points to them being responsible for the Salisbury poisonings.”  “The novichok nerve agent used against the Skripals and Navalny is exceeding lethal in small quantities.”  “Russia has stood back and supported Syria’s use of chemical weapons.”  “The U.K. had stocks of chemical weapons, but these were destroyed in the 1950s and 60s.”  “Chemical weapons cause nowhere near as many casualties as nuclear weapons, but they are indiscriminate.”  “Troops have protective clothing, but civilians don’t, so the use of these weapons would be to terrorise the population.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Russia’s war crimes in Bucha are revealed to the world, are there more atrocities yet to be uncovered? And what should the world be doing to help Ukraine?Journalist Romeo Kokriatski dials in to tell Arthur Snell about Putin’s plans for genocide, how the war has changed Ukraine, and why the West needs to do more.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Help our work, and shape the next full series of Doomsday Watch, by supporting us on Patreon.Resources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ “My father-in-law slept in the cellar, and we’re very lucky he did because when he woke up in the morning, half the house was gone.” “For Ukrainians, this is far from the first time that we have been subjected to Russian aggression to kill a good portion of us.” “The world should be doing everything in its power to prevent another genocide.” “Britain, a rich, developed country which seems to want to help us in so many ways, draws the line at helping the most vulnerable in our society, refugees.” “The ultimate goal of all fascist states is to expand until they have dominium over the world. That is what Russia wants.” “Putin needs to be removed from power. If Russia is not halted now then this conflict will grow, and there is no negotiated route to peace.” “People have seen that Ukraine is developed and democratic European state, and I’m very proud of that.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

China is yet to condemn Putin’s war, and Russia has reportedly asked Beijing for economic and military support. Is Xi proving to Putin’s most important ally? And what does Russia’s faltering invasion mean for China’s potential takeover of Taiwan?Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia Programme at the German Marshall Fund, joins Arthur Snell to explain China’s stance on Russia’s invasion, and what war in Europe means for Asian security. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Help our work, and shape the next full series of Doomsday Watch, by supporting us on Patreon.Resources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ “Putin and Xi have a close relationship, they’ve met 38 times. I’d be surprised if Putin did not give Xi a heads up about his plans.” “If China offers Russia military support of any significance, that will have a very negative effect on the US-China relationship, which is already at a dangerous point.” “China will be careful about how dependent it becomes on Russian oil and gas in the future.” “A weakened Russia is not in China’s interest. It won’t allow Moscow to be the close partner that Beijing needs.” “Taiwan will be far better prepared for an invasion by China than it is today.” “There is a sentiment in China that it’s time has come. The US is in decline and Beijing needs to seize this opportunity to advance its interests.” “I don’t think Xi Jinping is getting good advice. Like Putin he has a very small inner circle of people giving him advice on policy.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices