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.
This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
Claim This Podcastby Podmasters
4.6(900 reviews)
238 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇬🇧
86
Podcast Authority
BetaExcellentBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality95
Social0
YouTube93
Engagement97
Podcast Overview
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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/8/2021
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
86
Podcast Authority
BetaExcellentBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality95
Social0
YouTube93
Engagement97
10
Excellent Areas
2
Good Performance
7
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Publishing Consistency
Every 7 days
Performing excellently!
good
Show Notes Quality
3.0/5
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
poor
Episode Thumbnails
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
+16 More Metrics
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
What's Included in Your Full Report
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
Get your free podcast insights report
See how your show performs across every key metric
Instant delivery
No spam
Attract Better Guests
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Secure Sponsorships
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Grow Your Audience
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
1 verified contact email on file for This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
July 16, 2026
Is the “True European Army” coming? – Macron, France and the future of European defence
Gavin Esler interviews Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief at The Economist, about Emmanuel Macron's vision for European defense and the potential for a "True European Army" amidst evolving security challenges.
July 10, 2026
Inside the NATO conference – A breakdown from Ankara
Oz Katerji interviews Ed Arnold, Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI, about the NATO conference in Ankara and the alliance's future amid US commitment questions and Russian threats.
July 2, 2026
Expensive Lessons – What America vs Iran taught us about modern warfare
Host Gavin Esler interviews Middle East historian Dr. Neda Bolourchi about the costly lessons learned from modern warfare, particularly concerning the US-Iran conflict and its global implications.
238 total episodes available with 139 transcripts
Recent guests on This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Sophie Pedder
Guest
Ed Arnold
Guest
Dr Neda Bolourchi
Guest
John Lough
Guest
Steven Cook
Guest
Jörg Lau
Guest
Joseph Webster
Guest
Mark Leonard
Guest
Pieter Wezeman
Guest
Sanam Vakil
Guest
Paul Salem
Guest
Liana Fix
Guest
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
The Bunker
Podmasters
Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Arthur Snell
Oh God, What Now?
Podmasters
American Friction
Podmasters
Quiet Riot
Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith, Kenny Campbell
Origin Story
Podmasters
Battleground
Goalhanger
Disorder
Jason Pack & Evergreen Podcasts
Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
Steve Richards
The New Statesman Podcast
The New Statesman
In Moscow's Shadows
Mark Galeotti
The Two Matts
The New World
Alex Andreou's Podyssey
Alex Andreou
Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
The Rest Is Politics
Goalhanger
Deep-dive analytics for This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.