This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.com

Show Summary

Russia 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.

Show Summary

In 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 today. The discussion touches on how Chinese cuisine in the UK and Europe has evolved into its own style, why authenticity is always fluid, and how the act of sharing food is at the heart of Chinese dining culture.

From his reimagined Shanghai dumplings to his thoughts on what his last meal on earth would be, Andrew reveals the depth, creativity, and philosophy behind Chinese cuisine.

This conversation is about more than food—it’s about culture, memory, and the ties that connect East and West around the dinner table.

Andrew's restaurant: https://www.awong.co.uk

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit samolsen.substack.com/subscribe

Show Summary

In 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 episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit samolsen.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.com

Show Summary

In 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 in academic collaborations, military research, and the need for greater transparency and due diligence in research partnerships. Ultimately, the conversation emphasises the importance of fostering open dialogue and understanding in UK-China academic relations.

Here is the report: https://ukctransparency.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Crisis-Academic-freedom-and-interference-in-China-studies-in-the-UK.pdf

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.com

Show Summary

In 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 influences China’s current leadership - and what it tells us about power, memory, and authoritarian resilience in modern China.

Here is Joseph's book: https://www.sup.org/books/history/partys-interests-come-first

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.com

Show Summary

In 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 geopolitical and economic future.

Guy shares insights from the TBI’s report From Startup to Scale Up, identifying systemic weaknesses in capital mobilisation, university spinouts, and policy coordination. Together, they unpack why scaling matters for national prosperity, strategic autonomy, and global influence.

Here is the TBI paper: https://institute.global/insights/tech-and-digitalisation/from-startup-to-scaleup-turning-uk-innovation-into-prosperity-and-power

Show Summary

In 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 of Western primacy in a changing global landscape.

Stewart's profile: https://www.hinrichfoundation.com/profiles/experts-contributors/stewart-paterson/

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit samolsen.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.com

Show Summary

In 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 considerations surrounding autonomous warfare. The conversation emphasizes the need for agile military innovation and the importance of global cooperation in establishing ethical standards for AI in warfare.

Lt Gen Groen's profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-groen/

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.com

Show Summary

In today's States of Play podcast, Sam Olsen talks to 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 touches on the historical misconceptions about Russia's motivations, the role of NATO, and the defence strategies of Eastern European countries.

Keir emphasises the need for a cohesive Western response to the Russian threat and discusses the implications of Russia's alliances with countries like China and Iran. The conversation concludes with reflections on Putin's health, succession, and the future of Russia's geopolitical ambitions.

Keir’s book, Who Will Defend Europe? An Awakened Russia and a Sleeping Continent is available here.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit samolsen.substack.com

Summary

In 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 considerations surrounding autonomous warfare. The conversation emphasizes the need for agile military innovation and the importance of global cooperation in establishing ethical standards for AI in warfare.

Lt Gen Groen's profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-groen/