Orville Schell

Orville Schell, a renowned Sinologist and Director at the Asia Society, and Alexander Boyd, associate editor at China Books Review, dive deep into intriguing parallels between Mao Zedong and Donald Trump. They explore how Mao's psychological complexities influenced his leadership style and reflect on the Cultural Revolution's lasting impacts on modern China, including Xi Jinping's family. The discussion also touches on loyalty dynamics and the role of civil society in defending democracy, illuminating the echoes of past authoritarianism in today's political landscape.

In a riveting discussion, Stephen Kotkin, a leading Russia expert at Stanford, and Orville Schell, a prominent China scholar, delve into the motivations behind Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin’s leadership. They explore how both leaders draw from their tumultuous pasts, shaping their autocratic styles. The conversation highlights the impact of historical narratives on modern geopolitics, especially in the context of the Ukraine war and Sino-Russian relations. Their insights expose the complex interplay of power, ideology, and the ambitions driving these formidable figures on the world stage.

Orville Schell, a veteran China scholar and author, shares insights on Xi Jinping's worldview and the complexities of U.S.-China relations. He discusses the recent Trump-Xi meeting, highlighting that while it provided a temporary pause in tensions, it didn't address deeper issues. Schell sheds light on Xi's insecurities and ideological roots, the significance of Taiwan, and how China's strategic moves could reshape global dynamics. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding China's historical context and the risks of military conflict, urging diplomacy for a stable future.

Orville Schell, Director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations, shares his extensive expertise on China and U.S.-China dynamics. He delves into Xi Jinping's shifting worldview and the factors behind China's pivot towards self-reliance after years of globalization. The conversation also highlights the challenges of technological decoupling, the geopolitical risks tied to supply chains, particularly regarding Taiwan, and the intricate semiconductor landscape crucial for both nations' futures.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin loom over geopolitics in a way that few leaders have in decades. Not even Mao and Stalin drove global events the way Xi and Putin do today. Who they are, how they view the world, and what they want are some of the most important and pressing questions in foreign policy and international affairs.  Stephen Kotkin and Orville Schell are two of the best scholars to explore these issues. Kotkin is the author of seminal scholarship on Russia, the Soviet Union, and global history, including an acclaimed three-volume biography of Stalin. He is a senior fellow at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Schell is the Arthur Ross Director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society. He is the author of 15 books, ten of them about China. He is also a former professor and dean at the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.  In part one of our conversation, we discuss the early lives of Putin and Xi and how history has shaped their worldviews. You can find transcripts and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.