With wars raging in Ukraine and Gaza, tensions rising in Yemen and between China and Taiwan, populists eyeing elections across the world and the spectre of another Trump Presidency, 2024 could be the most dangerous year for global stability in two decades. How will the world’s various crises play out? And could there even be reasons for optimism?

Gavin Esler looks at the year ahead with Lord Peter Ricketts, Britain’s first National Security Adviser, former chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee and author of Hard Choices – an exploration of Britain’s place in the world.

• “All that’s certain in 2024 is uncertainty.” – Gavin Esler

• “If there’s been a strategic loser in Ukraine so far, it’s Vladimir Putin… He’s been forced into a junior partnership with China.” – Peter Ricketts

• “I’m not so worried about the far right in Europe. I’m much more worried about Trump in the White House.” – Peter Ricketts

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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

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