This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

The podcast discusses Russia's war on Ukraine, Putin's nationalist perspective, and the country's deteriorating political landscape. Topics include the value of Avdiivka, Putin's control tactics, and the looming threat of conflict. The episode offers insights into Russia's geopolitical ambitions, the impact of fake elections, and the challenges facing Kyiv. Overall, it provides a deep dive into the current state of affairs in Russia and Ukraine.

Dr. Andreas Krieg discusses how Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, known as MBZ, consolidates power in the UAE through strategic investments and assertive military interventions. UAE exploits global power divisions, and MBZ's disciplined vision for the country contrasts with his perception post-9/11. Middle East expert Dr. Talal Mohammad highlights UAE's opportunistic foreign policy approach amidst global power shifts.

The fear that a re-elected Trump would pull the US out of NATO haunts European leaders. Now he says he’d actively encourage Putin to attack European countries who haven’t “paid their bills”. Could a second Trump presidency really open the door for war in Europe? What contingency plans is NATO making? Has Europe really underspent on defence? And is Putin exploiting cracks in the European hard right and left for his own ends? Gavin Esler talks to historian and Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute Dr Helene von Bismarck and Peter Apps, author of Deterring Armageddon: A Biography Of NATO, about Trump’s dangerous ideas and populism’s Putin problem. • “It would be incredibly naive to imagine that, if Trump is re-elected, Europe will simple reorganise itself to compensate… That takes time and it is time we don’t have.” – Helene von Bismarck • “Regardless of whether we get another Trump presidency, the days in which Europe was America’s top priority are over.” – Peter Apps• “In the next five to eight years it’s not impossible that Russia might attack a NATO state… We have to start preparing to prevent this worst-case scenario.” – Helene von Bismarck • “The head of the Estonian military talks in terms of Russia being able to recharge enough to attack a NATO country within one year of fighting stopping in Ukraine.” – Peter Apps Support This Is Not A Drill on Patreon to get early episodes, merchandise and more.When you buy books through our affiliate links you’re helping 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. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could the belligerence of North Korea – enigma, dynastic dictatorship, nuclear-armed regional menace – be coming to a violent head? Leader Kim Jong Un has torn up his country’s long-cherished goal of reunifying with the South; is ordering provocative missile launches; and ratcheting up tensions with the United States. Could he take the final step into war?Gavin Esler talks to DPRK expert and nuclear analyst Rachel Minyoung Lee and Seoul-based journalist and NKnews.org founder Chad O’Carroll about the road to North Korea’s new aggression, its increasingly cosy relationships with Putin and China… and what Kim really wants. • “In a crowded field of human rights abusers, North Korea is regarded as the worst.” – Gavin Esler• “Times could not be better for North Korea… Ukraine showed them that the US will not engage another nuclear power on the battlefield.” – Rachel Minyoung Lee• “Korea is the ultimate dictatorship. It learned from the fall of socialism and other totalitarian systems how to deal with that risk.” – Chad O’Carroll Support This Is Not A Drill on Patreon to get early episodes, merchandise and more.When you buy books through our affiliate links you’re helping 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. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The world’s future is darkening. Ukraine’s defence is in peril, the Red Sea and Israel/Hamas conflicts threaten to join hands, the US is stationing nuclear weapons in England again, and even conscription is back on the agenda. Where are these multiple crises in Ukraine and the Middle East heading?The This Is Not A Drill team of Gavin Esler, Kyiv-based conflict journalist Oz Katerji and independent consultant and senior adviser at the European Institute for Peace Emma Beals convene for the first of our semi-regular panel discussions. • “It’s very simple. If you don’t want to worry about conscription then provide Ukraine with the support it needs.” – Oz Katerji• “The US was trying very hard to steer clear of the Middle East before October… They’ve been brought back unwillingly and they don’t have a lot of choice in the matter.” – Emma Beals• “My strong impression is that Donald Trump is out for revenge against both Ukraine and Zelenskyy… There is real concern about a Trump presidency.” – Oz KaterjiSupport This Is Not A Drill on Patreon to get early episodes, merchandise and more.When you buy books through our affiliate links you’re helping 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 with Emma Beals and Oz Katerji. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Examining the chances of success for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, uncovering Russian atrocities, Ukraine's dilemma of making concessions or defiance, the stalemate in the conflict, challenges to negotiating peace, perspectives on the war and potential consequences, and the threat of Russia's strategic goals in Ukraine and impact on NATO.

Tensions are rising between China and Taiwan after Taiwan's election. China is enraged over the Taiwanese people's choice of President. The podcast explores various aspects of the conflict, including China's options for regaining the territory, the impact of Beijing's rhetoric on the election, and the future direction of China-Taiwan relations. It also discusses neighboring countries' perceptions, the impact of Trump's China policy, and China's internal problems and economic state.

Gavin Esler talks with Yemen expert Helen Lackner after a night of yet more conflict in the Middle East.Within hours of our recording with Yemen expert and author Helen Lackner analysing the Houthi militia’s attacks on Red Sea shipping vessels , the United States, supported by a coalition of the UK and eight other countries, led airstrikes on Houthi facilities in Yemen.The reaction from the Houthis has been to threaten reprisals - could this be the kind of escalation in the Middle East feared since Hamas’ attack on Israel and the devastating reprisals in Gaza?For further context listen to our Houthi explainer with Helen Lackner here: http://listen.podmasters.uk/tinadwebsite?at=1001l39LMSupport This Is Not A Drill on Patreon to get early episodes, merchandise and 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. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore the escalating conflict in the Middle East, including attacks on Israel. Discuss the ongoing conflict in Yemen and recent Houthi attacks on shipping. Learn about Iran's support for the Houthis and limited involvement of anti-Israeli states. Discover the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia in relation to the conflict in Yemen. Host also covers news topics and upcoming discussions.

Brian Klaas, UCL Associate Professor in Global Politics, discusses how Trump's damaging actions have undermined American democracy, the dangers of Trump 2.0, and the potential for political violence. The podcast explores the normalization of extreme rhetoric, division in America, the consequences of a re-elected Trump, and issues with polling and Trump's campaign.