PODCAST

States of Play with Sam Olsen

States of Play: geopolitics and the changing world order samolsen.substack.com

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All Episodes

28:06

States of Play podcast Episode 14: Europe’s...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/10/08

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comIn this episode of States of Play Sam Olsen interviews analyst Alexander Lord on Europe’s mounting political and social fractures, from Germany’s extremist violence to France’s paralysis. We look at how Russian grey-zone pressure, cybercrime and influence ops are exploiting them. We also assess EU/UK cohesion if Moscow tests Estonia, the role of China in this, and where resilience and leadership may still emerge

26:02

States of Play podcast Episode 13: China and India -...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/09/23

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comShow SummaryFormer UK Business Secretary and economist Sir Vince Cable joins States of Play to unpack whether China and India are truly eclipsing the West. We cover GDP power shifts, China’s property bust vs tech leapfrogging, India’s services-led surge, MAGA-era economics, BRICS, and how the West can adapt - if at all.

28:40

States of Play podcast Episode 12: Is Demography...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/09/09

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comShow SummaryIn this conversation, Sam talks to the demographer Paul Morland, discussing the critical role of demography in understanding global power dynamics, economic trends, and cultural shifts. Paul emphasises that while demography is not the sole determinant of historical events, it is essential for grasping the complexities of the present and future. They explores the interplay between population growth,

25:37

States of Play podcast Episode 11: Ukraine at...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/09/02

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comShow SummaryRussia is grinding forward in Ukraine, drones now dominate the battlefield, and Western support is faltering. In this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen speaks with Alexander Lord of Sibylline to unpack where the war stands, how Moscow is leveraging foreign backing from Iran, North Korea and China, and why peace remains elusive despite Trump’s shifting promises.

26:55

States of Play podcast (repeat) - The Culture and...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/08/26

Show SummaryIn this new episode of States of Play, a repeat of What China Wants, Sam Olsen is joined by Michelin-starred chef and cultural observer Andrew Wong, head chef of London’s acclaimed restaurant A. Wong. Together, they explore how Chinese food is far more than flavour—it is a reflection of history, community, and identity.Andrew shares his journey from growing up in London and Hong Kong to travelling across China, learning from local chefs and traditions that continue to inspire his cooking

27:02

States of Play podcast (repeat) - Why Invisible China...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/08/19

Show SummaryIn this episode of States of Play (originally recorded for What China Wants), Sam Olsen and Stewart Paterson speak with Stanford economist Scott Rozelle about the stark divide between urban and rural China. Rozelle, author of Invisible China, explains how most working-age adults in rural areas never finished high school, leaving a huge share of the population undereducated and excluded from urban welfare systems—an obstacle with profound consequences for China’s future. This is a public

13:35

States of Play podcast Episode 10: Academic Freedom...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/08/12

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comShow SummaryIn this conversation, Sam Dunning from UK-China Transparency discusses their new report on the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on academic freedom in the UK. He shares insights from a survey conducted among China studies academics, revealing concerns about CCP interference and the financial dependencies of UK universities on Chinese funding. The discussion also touches on issues of deception

23:45

States of Play podcast Episode 9: How Xi Jinping's...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/08/05

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comShow SummaryIn this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen interviews political scientist Joseph Torigian about his groundbreaking book on Xi Zhongxun, father of Xi Jinping. Together they explore the history of China under the Chinese Communist Party through the life of Xi Zhongxun, revealing the man as a pragmatic survivor shaped by factional struggles and shifting loyalties. The conversation explores how Xi’s legacy

28:27

States of Play podcast Episode 8: Tech Startups and...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/07/29

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comShow SummaryIn this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen is joined by Guy Ward-Jackson of the Tony Blair Institute to explore the critical challenge of scaling tech startups into global champions. As the world enters a new era of techno-nationalism—where national power is increasingly tied to technological prowess—the UK’s ability to grow and retain homegrown firms like DeepMind and Arm becomes central to its

45:13

States of Play podcast Episode 7: How does China’s...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/07/22

Show SummaryIn this conversation, Sam Olsen and Chinese economy expert Stewart Paterson delve into the complexities of China's economy, its global reach, and the implications for Western nations.They discuss the scale of China's economy, its manufacturing dominance, and how the Belt and Road Initiative serves as a tool for expanding China's political influence. The conversation also touches on the sustainability of China's economic model, the leverage it holds over Western countries, and the future

25:30

States of Play podcast Episode 6: Can US Tech Beat...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/07/21

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comShow SummaryIn this episode, Sam Olsen discusses the urgent question of whether the US tech is prepared for a war with China, focusing on the rapid advancements in military technology and the implications of artificial intelligence on warfare.Joined by Lieutenant General Mike Groen, they explore the current state of the US military, the role of human capital, the transformative impact of AI, and the ethical

26:34

What Does Putin Actually Want?

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/07/15

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comShow SummaryIn today's States of Play podcast, one of the UK's leading Russia experts, Keir Giles, discusses Putin's strategic vision for Russia, which he describes as a desire to return to a world reminiscent of 1914, where Russia was a dominant empire. He explains the dual aims of Russian aggression: to rebuild the empire while simultaneously undermining the Western-led international order. The conversation also

25:30

Episode 5: Can US Tech Beat China in a War?

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/07/08

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comSummaryIn this episode, Sam Olsen discusses the urgent question of whether the US tech is prepared for a war with China, focusing on the rapid advancements in military technology and the implications of artificial intelligence on warfare. Joined by Lieutenant General Mike Groen, they explore the current state of the US military, the role of human capital, the transformative impact of AI, and the ethical

20:26

States of Play podcast Episode 4: Should the UK and...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/07/01

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comSummaryIn this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen discusses the complexities of the UK-China economic relationship with Charlie Parton, a former British diplomat and one of the UK's leading China experts. They explore the misconceptions surrounding China's importance to the UK economy, the ideological and geopolitical implications of China's rise, and the potential threats posed by China's technological

26:00

States of Play podcast Episode 3: The US Bombs Iran -...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/06/22

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comSummaryIn this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen talks to Michael Hochberg about the escalating situation in Iran, focusing on Israel's direct military assault on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. The conversation explores the implications of this conflict for regional stability, the involvement of the United States, and the strategic options available to both Israel and the U.S. The discussion also delves into the

19:57

States of Play podcast Episode 2: Can the World Stop...

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/06/17

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.comSummaryIn this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen discusses the dominance of the US dollar as the world's reserve currency with macroeconomist Meyrick Chapman. They explore the historical context of the dollar's rise, its benefits and drawbacks for the US, and the implications for global trade and politics. The conversation also delves into the motivations behind de-dollarization efforts by countries like China and

20:41

Episode 1: What is a World Order?

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2025/06/10

SummaryIn this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen explores the changing dynamics of the global order, particularly focusing on the impact of Donald Trump's presidency and the rise of China. He discusses the historical context of the world order, the principles established by the treaties of Westphalia, and how American values have shaped international relations. The conversation also delves into China's ambitions to create its own world order and the challenges facing the current US-led

20:55

REPEAT: How Does China Celebrate Christmas?

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2024/12/21

Hello and welcome back to What China Wants. In today’s episode we talk to the author of Realtime Mandarin, Andrew Methven, on how Christmas is celebrated in China. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatchinawants.substack.com

23:12

Episode 42: China's Global Media

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2023/04/06

Hello and welcome back to What China Wants.Today Stewart and Sam are talking about Beijing’s international media reach with Josh Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatchinawants.substack.com

29:52

Episode 41: The Advent of President Xi's Third Term

States of Play with Sam Olsen ·

2023/03/23

Hello and welcome back to What China Wants.Today we are talking China politics to coincide with the start of Xi Jinping’s third term in office. To do so we are rejoined by Professor Jinghan Zeng of Lancaster University, an expert on the politics of Beijing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatchinawants.substack.com

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States of Play with Sam Olsen

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