This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

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.

The transformation of China in the past quarter of a century has seen the nation become one of the world’s dominant powers alongside the United States. At the centre of this changing global balance lies the future of Taiwan, both separated from and inextricably linked to China. In the latest This Is Not A Drill, Gavin Esler asks what the Taiwan question tells us about the future of an ideological and economic rivalry, as China expert Kerry Brown discusses his new book The Taiwan Story, How A Small Island Will Dictate The Global Future. And to find out how we got here, Oriana Skylar Mastro, fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, discusses her book Upstart: How China Became A Great Power, to chart China’s economic explosion, growing military power and expanding global influence.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

Big Tech’s innovations have remade every aspect of everyday life – but its libertarian-fuelled political side is darker. Elon Musk has repurposed X/Twitter as an active part of Trump’s re-election campaign, platforming far right agitators like Tucker Carlson, and spreading incendiary misinformation. Brazil is locked in a legal battle with Twitter over disinformation and Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov was arrested over allegations that his platform is open to criminal abuse. Do governments need to rein in the Tech Titans? Is Big Tech undermining democracy?  Gavin Esler talks to Marietje Schaake, international policy director of Stanford’s Cyber Policy Center and author of The Tech Coup: How To Save Democracy from Silicon Valley, and Scott Bade, senior analyst, geo-technology at the Eurasia Group.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

H.A. Hellyer, a Middle East analyst at the Carnegie Endowment, and Randa Slim, director at the Middle East Institute, delve into the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. They discuss the failed diplomatic efforts following the violence since October 7th. The conversation highlights the intricate interplay of military considerations and public sentiment in Lebanon. They also explore the strategic implications of Iranian actions and the urgent need for a shift towards peaceful resolutions amid increasing regional conflict.

Gavin Esler welcomes Professor Ali Ansari, a leading expert from the University of St Andrews. They dive into the escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly the fraught dynamics between Israel and Iran. Ansari explores Israel's strategic moves against Hezbollah and Iran's cautious stance amid domestic discontent. They discuss the complex public sentiment in Iran, balancing sympathy for Palestinians against skepticism of Hezbollah. The conversation also touches on the challenges of de-escalation and the geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the role of the U.S. in fostering dialogue.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, discusses the intensifying conflict with Hezbollah, detailing Israel's military strategies and recent strikes that have shaken Lebanon. He addresses the psychological impact of ongoing skirmishes and critiques the response from international allies. The conversation also touches on Iran’s strategic distance from regional proxies and the dire humanitarian situation in Lebanon, already struggling with economic collapse and a history of conflict.