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State of Play: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Center for Strategic and International Studies
The world order has been disrupted, and a new international system is emerging. Hosted by Will Todman, State of Play unpacks the biggest geopolitical developments of the week. Every episode brings together CSIS’s leading regional experts to explore how global power is shifting, how allies and adversaries are responding, and what it all means for the future of international order. State of Play is produced by Cera Baker.
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- Today35 min
How Should the U.S. Counter China in the Pacific?
A Chinese submarine recently launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific, and China has been on the hunt for a security foothold in the region. Meanwhile, the United States has cut assistance and reduced its diplomatic presence in the Pacific. This week, Charles Edel and Kathryn Paik join Will to discuss China’s ambitions in the Pacific, how U.S. interests in the region are evolving, and how Pacific countries are navigating geopolitical competition. State of Play audience survey Kathryn Paik, "Bolstering Pacific Resilience: A New Paradigm for Engagement by U.S. Allies and Partners," CSIS, July 21, 2026. Joseph Rodgers, Bonny Lin, and Charles Edel, "Unpacking China’s Recent SLBM Test into the Pacific," CSIS, July 17, 2026. Charles Edel and Kathryn Paik, "The Peril of American Neglect in the Pacific," Foreign Affairs, October 10, 2024.
- 1 weeks ago57 min
Was This World Cup More Political?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolded against a backdrop of geopolitical tension, trade disputes, and competing national ambitions. But did these politics shape the tournament more than in previous years? Max Bergmann, Victor Cha, and Enoh Ebong join Will to assess the geopolitical dimensions of this year's World Cup in a live episode of State of Play. They examine how host nation diplomacy, soft power competition, and economic interests played out on and off the pitch, and what the tournament revealed about the emerging world order. Gretchen Scott and Andrew Friedman, "Protecting Human Rights at the World Cup: Progress on Paper, Gaps on the Ground," CSIS, July 15, 2026. Victor Cha and Andy Lim, "The 2026 World Cup: Sports and Conflict," CSIS, June 10, 2026.
- 4 weeks ago32 min
Have Politics Jeopardized the Ebola Response?
The current Ebola outbreak comes after major cuts in humanitarian and health aid and is spreading in a deeply insecure environment. This week, Steve Morrison and Michaela Simoneau of the CSIS Global Health Policy Center join Will to discuss the degree to which politics have hampered the response. They assess the global response to date, the impact of the Trump administration’s policies, and the challenges of the local context. J. Stephen Morrison and Michaela Simoneau, "Managing DRC’s Ebola Crisis," CSIS, June 18, 2026. J. Stephen Morrison, "Dr. Salim Abdool Karim, Chair, Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group: "Congolese doctors know how to treat Ebola patients," CSIS, June 22, 2026. Elizabeth Cameron and J. Stephen Morrison, "America knows how to defeat Ebola" UVA Miller Center, June 29, 2026. "Ebola in America: Epidemic of Fear" CSIS, May 19, 2016
- Jun 17, 202641 min
Was the G7 Summit in France a Success?
The G7 Summit may have defied expectations. President Trump stayed until the end, there were no big bust-ups, and lots of joint policy statements. Victor Cha, Kristi Govella, Phil Luck, and Caitlin Welsh join Will to assess how meaningful the outcomes were, what the summit tells us about the United States’ relationship with its allies, and what the value of the G7 is in the evolving international order. Victor Cha, "Who Are G7’s Top Performers?" CSIS, June 12, 2026. CSIS scholars, "Press Briefing: Previewing the G7 Summit," CSIS, June 9, 2026.
- Jun 15, 202643 min
Trump's Iran Deal: What Comes Next?
The United States and Iran announced a framework deal that includes a 60-day ceasefire and reopens the Strait of Hormuz. CSIS Middle East Program experts Mona Yacoubian, Michael Ratney, Paul Salem, and Susan Ziadeh assess the winners and losers of the deal, what challenges lie ahead, and what it means for the emerging order in the Middle East.
- Jun 12, 202646 min
How Should the United States Counter the CRINK Axis?
The recent Xi–Kim summit has further strengthened ties between China and North Korea, with potential implications for the broader dynamics among the CRINK countries and regional security. Dr. Victor Cha, Igor Khrestin, Joseph Kim, and Dr. Maria Snegovaya will join host Will Todman to discuss CRINK’s key vulnerabilities and examine U.S. policy recommendations for addressing the challenges the grouping poses to democracy, human rights, economic security, and national security. The discussion will draw on the GWBI’s recent report on CRINK and explore the implications of growing alignment among these authoritarian actors.
- Jun 4, 202634 min
Is Ukraine Turning the Tide?
Four years into the war, Ukraine may finally have the upper hand. Will speaks with Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya about their recent trip to Kyiv, Ukraine's key advantages, Russia's challenges, and if the shifting balance of power means the war may finally end soon. Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya, "War, Inflation, and Putin's Paranoia: has Russian Public Opinion Begun to Shift?" CSIS, May 14, 2026. Max Bergmann and Donatienne Ruy, "Reflections from Ukraine, Crisis in the UK, and the EU's Corruption-Fighting Toolkit ft. Kövesi," CSIS, May 22, 2026.
- May 29, 202634 min
Is Something Big About to Happen with North Korea?
A flurry of diplomatic activity and a reported visit of Xi Jinping to North Korea has heightened speculation that something is afoot. Victor Cha, Tom Christensen, and Edgard Kagan join Will to discuss what these signals indicate, how relations between North Korea and China are shifting, and what a Trump-Kim meeting could achieve. Victor Cha and Andy Lim, “Can Sports Diplomacy Open a Door on the Korean Peninsula?” CSIS, May 4, 2026. Edgard Kagan, “Trump-Xi Summit in Beijing: Managing the World’s Most Important Relationship,” CSIS, May 8, 2026.
About State of Play
The world order has been disrupted, and a new international system is emerging. Hosted by Will Todman, State of Play unpacks the biggest geopolitical developments of the week. Every episode brings together CSIS’s leading regional experts to explore how global power is shifting, how allies and adversaries are responding, and what it all means for the future of international order. State of Play is produced by Cera Baker.
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