Stephen R. Platt

Stephen R. Platt, author of Imperial Twilight, dives into the complex legacy of the Opium Wars and their lasting impact on China. He explores the absurd grievances that sparked the Second Opium War and the tragic fate of the Summer Palace during this turbulent time. The discussion also draws unsettling parallels between historical opium crises and today’s fentanyl epidemic in America, revealing how themes of humiliation and power loss resonate across time. This engaging conversation illuminates the ethical dilemmas and imperial shadows haunting geopolitics today.