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This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

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This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
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222 episodes

  • This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

    America against the World Part 3 – Who will fill the Power Vacuum?

    23/04/2026 | 31 mins.
    A four-part series from This Is Not A Drill… Get the complete series now when you support us on Patreon.

    How will we cope with the end of the Pax Americana – and what comes next? 

    This time: As Trump flips the table and walks away from America’s old international role, China want to take advantage. The People’s Republic is squaring up to the US on multiple fronts – economic, technological, cultural and potentially militarily. Sir Robin Niblett, author of The New Cold War, talks to Gavin Esler about whether China is as strong as it claims to be, the truth about the Sino-Russian relationship, and why this Cold War won’t be the same as the last one. And Ulrike Franke, German political analyst and fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, looks at what’s left of the old international order.  

    • The final episode of America against the World is out on Monday 27 April. Get it right now when you support us on Patreon.

    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.
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  • This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

    America against the World Part 2 – Is Washington pulling the world apart?

    20/04/2026 | 37 mins.
    A new four-part series from This Is Not A Drill… Get the complete series now when you support us on Patreon.

    How will we cope with the end of Pax Americana – and what comes next? Gavin Esler dives deep into a harsh new era of international relations. 

    In this second episode, has Trump broken the trust-based world order – or just exposed it? Are we building a hostile world of fortresses? What would NATO look like without the US?

    Ukrainian journalist and author Nataliya Gumenyuk explains how Trump risks making America irrelevant in the world. Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute describes how MAGA is actively driving democracies away from America. And Dr Rebecca Harding of the Centre for Economic Security argues that Trump’s tariffs and America’s attacks on the rule of law amount to a world economic war. 

    • Episode 3 is out on Thursday 23 April. Follow us so you don’t miss it. 

    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
  • This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

    New Mini-Series – America against the World – Part 1:  There are No Rules Any More

    16/04/2026 | 38 mins.
    A new four-part series from This Is Not A Drill… Get the complete series now when you support us on Patreon.

    Trump’s reckless war on Iran was the culmination of a year of aggressive rhetoric and scorn for allies from the White House. It also cemented a new American ethos: the United States will do whatever it wants, whenever it wants, without concern for friends and allies. The Atlanticist nightmare has come true. America has abandoned the world. So how will we cope with the end of Pax Americana – and what comes next? 

    In the first of a new limited series from This Is Not A Drill, Gavin Esler speaks to diplomats and experts to take the long view of this harsh new era in international relations. This time Nahal Toosi, senior foreign affairs correspondent at Politico, explains how the Iran War has already changed the world. And Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri, the president and CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, explains the deep and dangerous roots of the America First mindset. 

    • Episode 2 is out on Monday 20 April. Follow us so you don’t miss it. 

    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
  • This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

    America against the World - trailer

    15/04/2026 | 3 mins.
    A brand new four-part mini-series from This Is Not A Drill...as we face the end of Pax Americana, what comes next?

    Get all episodes now via our Patreon or subscribe to the Podmasters Originals channel on Apple Podcasts.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

    China vs America – Who will be the soft power superpower?

    09/04/2026 | 31 mins.
    As America turns against the world, China is seeing more and more opportunities to grow. Its soft power influence is growing and cultural influence is blooming globally. How is this happening and what impact will it have? Gavin Esler is joined by Dr Yu Jie, senior research fellow on China in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House, to discuss. 

    • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people? 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 [email protected] to find out more. 

    • 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. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. 
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About This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

Exploring threats to global stability from Ukraine to China to the Middle East with host Gavin Esler – former BBC News presenter, Washington correspondent and host of Newsnight – plus Ukraine-based war reporter Oz Katerji and independent conflict analyst Emma Beals. This Is Not A Drill dives deep into the dangers, corruption, conflicts, disinformation, rivalries and ruthless realpolitik that are making our world ever more dangerous. Support This Is Not A Drill on Patreon from just £3 per month to get each episode early plus bonus material and exclusive merchandise. From Podmasters, the team behind Oh God, What Now?, Paper Cuts and The Bunker.
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