States of Play with Sam Olsen

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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

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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

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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/

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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/

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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/

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

Summary

In 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 advancements. The conversation emphasises the need for the UK and Europe to reassess their strategies in dealing with China, balancing economic interests with national security concerns.

Read more of Charlie's work here https://www.geostrategy.org.uk/author/charles-parton/

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In 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 complexities of regime change in Iran, the role of Russia and China, and the broader geopolitical landscape.

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In 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 Russia, and the challenges of establishing an alternative global currency system.

Chapters

00:00 The Power of the US Dollar

02:55 The Dollar's Dominance and Its Historical Context

05:59 Understanding Dollar Hegemony

12:03 The Benefits and Drawbacks of Dollar Dominance

18:08 The Impact on American Innovation

23:54 The Role of the Dollar in Global Politics

30:08 De-Dollarization: Trends and Motivations

35:49 The Future of Global Currency Systems

Summary

In 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 system.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to States of Play

00:59 The Trump Effect on the World Order

02:49 Understanding World Order

05:18 Historical Context of the World Order

10:54 The Evolution of American Influence

15:58 The Rise of China and Its Ambitions

20:15 China's Global Initiatives

23:30 Challenges to the Current World Order

25:25 Looking Ahead: The Future of the World Order

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