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In this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen speaks with Elizabeth Bullock, a British civilian who spent three years working on the ground in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Bullock recounts her journey from evacuating women and children to operating in frontline zones across the Donbas and southern Ukraine, delivering medical aid, restoring water supplies, and later supporting reconstruction in liberated areas.
Drawing on firsthand experience, she challenges Western misconceptions about the war, details Russia’s deliberate targeting of civilians and infrastructure, and explains why the conflict cannot be contained within Ukraine. The conversation explores hybrid warfare, national resilience, and why Russia poses a direct strategic threat to Europe.
29 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
States of Play podcast Episode 17: The New Economic Iron Curtain
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In this episode of the States of Play podcast, Sam Olsen talks to the economist Stewart Paterson to unpack The Great Split—the accelerating bifurcation of the global economy into competing US-led and China-led spheres.
They explore how the collapse of the era of globalisation is reshaping trade, investment, finance, and corporate strategy; how China’s Belt and Road and dual-circulation policies have built an alternative system; and how future sanctions, counter-sanctions, and rising jurisdictional risk could force companies and countries to choose sides. They also examine Europe’s acute vulnerabilities, the City of London’s exposure, and whether any path remains to avoid a full geopolitical and economic rupture.
25 Oct 2025
States of Play podcast Episode 15: The Polycrisis 2027 Scenario
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In this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen speaks with Justin Crump, CEO of Sibylline, about their new report Polycrisis 2027. They explore how converging shocks - from China’s 2027 Taiwan deadline and Russia’s rearmament to AI disruption and Western instability - could create a single systemic crisis. The conversation asks: can the West act fast enough to prevent a global crunch?
8 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT
States of Play podcast Episode 14: Europe’s Fractures, Russia’s Opportunity
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In 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 today.
23 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
States of Play podcast Episode 13: China and India - Eclipsing the West?
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Former 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.
9 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
States of Play podcast Episode 12: Is Demography Destiny?
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In 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, economic development, and cultural attitudes towards family and reproduction, highlighting the challenges faced by countries with declining birth rates and the implications of migration in the context of aging populations.
Here is a link to Paul's website and an overview of his books: https://www.paulmorland.co.uk (https://www.paulmorland.co.uk)
2 Sept 2025
States of Play podcast Episode 11: Ukraine at Breaking Point: Russia’s Slow Advance and the Drone War
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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.
26 Aug 2025
States of Play podcast (repeat) - The Culture and Passion of Chinese Food
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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 (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 (https://samolsen.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
19 Aug 2025
Why Invisible China Matters
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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 (https://samolsen.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
12 Aug 2025
States of Play podcast Episode 10: Academic Freedom or Influence? Inside the UK’s Troubled Relationship with China
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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 (https://ukctransparency.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Crisis-Academic-freedom-and-interference-in-China-studies-in-the-UK.pdf)
5 Aug 2025
States of Play podcast Episode 9: How Xi Jinping's Father Helped Shape China
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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 (https://www.sup.org/books/history/partys-interests-come-first)
29 Jul 2025
States of Play podcast Episode 8: Tech Startups and the Geopolitical Challenge
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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 (https://institute.global/insights/tech-and-digitalisation/from-startup-to-scaleup-turning-uk-innovation-into-prosperity-and-power)
21 Jul 2025
States of Play podcast Episode 7: How does China’s economic success translate to global 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/ (https://www.hinrichfoundation.com/profiles/experts-contributors/stewart-paterson/)
21 Jul 2025
States of Play podcast Episode 6: Can US Tech Beat China in a War?
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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/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-groen/)
15 Jul 2025
What Does Putin Actually Want?
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In 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 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 (https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/who-will-defend-europe).
8 Jul 2025
Episode 5: Can US Tech Beat China in a War?
Sam Olsen interviews Lieutenant General Mike Groen about the preparedness of US tech for potential conflict with China, examining military technology advancements and the ethical implications of AI in warfare.
1 Jul 2025
States of Play podcast Episode 4: Should the UK and Europe Tilt to China?
Sam Olsen interviews Charlie Parton, a China expert, about the UK-China economic relationship, exploring misconceptions and geopolitical implications to emphasize the need for reassessment.
22 Jun 2025
States of Play podcast Episode 3: The US Bombs Iran - What Next?
Sam Olsen and Michael Hochberg analyze Israel's military actions against Iran's nuclear infrastructure, examining the consequences for regional stability and the strategic choices facing Israel and the United States in this interview episode.
17 Jun 2025
States of Play podcast Episode 2: Can the World Stop Using Dollars?
Macroeconomist Meyrick Chapman and host Sam Olsen analyze the US dollar's global dominance, discussing its history, impact on trade and politics, and the motivations behind de-dollarization efforts in this interview.
Inside a recent episode
Hunted from Above
Published 14 Dec 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So you could think of it really like a computer game where you have someone with an almost like a control, think of almost like a Nintendo control and a VR headset so they can see what the drone can see and they can therefore and these drones are armed, which they were not in the early parts of the conflict. […]
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