Reaganism

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with historian Brendan Simms to discuss his new book The Return of the Great Powers and the resurgence of great-power competition. Simms explains how resources, global reach, reputation and resilience help define a great power, and explores how history shapes Russia’s ambitions and its underestimation of Ukraine’s independence. They also consider the r...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with Brad Bowman and Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies about their book Axis of Aggressors: Countering the Cooperation of China, Russia, Iran & North Korea. Brad and Mark argue that the cooperation is mostly bilateral rather than a formal alliance, yet the effects are still serious. Iranian drones, North Korean troops and...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with Yonah Jeremy Bob and Elliot Kaufman to discuss their new book In the War Room: The Inside Story of Israel's Fight Against Hamas and the Iranian Axis. Drawing on reporting from inside Israel and Washington, they discuss how leaders navigated the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the threat from Iran, and the difficult choices surrounding the hostages. They...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with AEI's Dustin Walker to examine the Trump–Xi summit and the broader U.S.–China strategic competition. Dustin draws upon his essay drafted for the Reagan Institute Strategy Group and argues that the current period of “strategic stability” is essentially a truce, and warns that China is using the time to reduce its reliance on the United States while...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania to discuss how Pennsylvania can help advance U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence, energy, life sciences, and defense manufacturing. Sen. McCormick describes efforts to revitalize shipbuilding through investment, technology, workforce training, and more predictable demand, and argues that strong allianc...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with his Reagan Institute colleagues Rachel Hoff and Thomas Kenna to discuss the Reagan Institute Strategy Group’s seventh essay collection, The Future of Conservative Internationalism. They explain how the group brings together policy thinkers to debate America’s role in the world, drawing on Ronald Reagan’s belief that U.S. security and prosperity de...

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Policy Director Rachel Hoff sits down with founder of Cuba Decide, Rosa María Payá Ocevedo to discuss carrying forward her father Oswaldo Payá’s legacy after his killing, and her work through Cuba Decide to give Cubans a voice in shaping their future. Payá argues that freedom and basic human rights are universal, describes the repression and humanitar...

On this episode of Reaganism, Dan Rothschild sits down with Chelsea Follet to discuss her new book, "The Grim Old Days: An Introduction to the Pre-Industrial Past." They explore the myths that make pre-industrial life seem simpler or more wholesome than it was. Follett describes the realities many people faced—from high child mortality, dangerous labor, and harsh domestic conditions to food scarci...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with Chris Brose of Anduril Industries to discuss how the wars in Ukraine and Iran are demonstrating the growing importance of drones, autonomy, and mass-produced weapons in modern conflict. They examine Russia’s rapid adaptation and industrial scale, Iran’s use of drone technology, the limits of America’s legacy defense systems, and why the United Sta...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger Zakheim sits down with Karan Bhatia to discuss how AI is transforming the global economy and why existing trade rules must evolve to address digital services, data localization, intellectual-property demands, and other modern barriers. Bhatia argues that digital trade affects far more than major technology companies, influencing manufacturers, farmers, small bus...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with Dominic Pino, an editorial writer at the Washington Post to discuss the Post Opinion Section's new article titled "The US cannot afford a major war. What if one comes anyway?" Roger and Dominic discuss why the United States may struggle to afford a major war in the 2030s as Social Security, healthcare spending, and interest payments consume an inc...

On this episode of Reaganism, Ronald Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with Amb. Eric Edelman to discuss the lasting legacy of Ronald Reagan’s “peace through strength” strategy. They examine the weakened U.S. military and growing Soviet assertiveness that preceded Reagan’s presidency, the defense buildup led by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, and Reagan’s belief that Americ...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with Chairman and CEO of Booz Allen, Horacio Rozanski, to discuss the firm's new report called "What's in America's Code?" The report explores the risks of Chinese AI models in software development, especially their tendency to introduce more vulnerabilities and political bias into code than American models. The conversation focused on how AI is now em...

In this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with Karl Rove, Former Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush, to discuss the rise of Democratic Socialism and its potential impact on the 2026 midterm elections. They examine key races, how Republicans can make a stronger case for individual freedom and limited government, and the ongoing debate over how co...

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sat down with Chairman of the House Budget Committee Jodey Arrington to reconciliation 3.0, the measure which passed the House of Representatives in July including additional funding for defense, election security, and other Republican priorities. They explore the political shift within the Democratic Party, the influence of the...

On this episode of Reaganism, Ronald Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with Dr. Michael Strain of the American Enterprise Institute to discuss the growing U.S. federal debt and deficit, focusing on why America’s debt-to-GDP ratio and rising interest costs are becoming increasingly unsustainable even though the country can still borrow at relatively favorable rates. They compare the...

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with Daniel Samet to discuss the latest on the U.S.-Israel relationship. Samet argues that the historical record shows U.S. officials have consistently acted from American interests, citing Israel’s intelligence, military, and technological value in counterterrorism and against Iran, while Roger emphasized that militar...

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with Arthur Herman to discuss his new book "Founder's Fire" and explore its thesis that America’s founding fathers and modern business leaders share the same core traits: vision, action, risk-taking, and resilience in the face of failure. Herman argues that the Constitution intentionally created space for this “founder...

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Andy Puzder to discuss the Trump administration’s evolving approach to the U.S.-European relationship, highlighting the successful negotiation and ratification of a landmark U.S.-EU trade agreement that lowers barriers to trade while strengthening transatlantic economic ties....

On this episode of Reaganism, Ronald Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. French Hill, to discuss the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and why it is a supply-side solution to America’s housing crisis. Rep. Hill explains that the bill aims to reduce regulatory barriers, encourage modular and manufactured housing,...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger sits down with David Ulevitch of Andreessen Horowitz to discuss the firm's American Dynamism practice and its focus on investing in technologies that strengthen U.S. national security and industrial capacity. Their conversation explored how venture capital can help rebuild the defense industrial base through startups in autonomy, drones, missiles, energy, space,...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger Zakheim sits down with Rich Goldberg to discuss the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and its immediate implications for sanctions relief, oil exports, and financial access for Iran. Roger and Rich unpacked how the deal differs from the JCPOA, emphasizing that while the agreement creates a short-term window for Iran to sell oil and access frozen assets, it d...

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Director of the Center for Civility and Democracy at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute to discuss the Center's newly released "Civility Handbook." The conversation highlights the challenges of civility in the United States, emphasizing the need...

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with Matthew Waxman of Columbia University Law School to discuss the complexities of war powers in the United States, focusing on the president's authority to use military force and the implications of the War Powers Resolution. The dialogue explores historical and contemporary issues, including the constitutional powe...

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger Zakheim sits down with Yonatan Green, author of the new book "Rogue Justice: The Rise of Judicial Supremacy in Israel." They explore the controversial role of the Israeli Supreme Court, which Green argues has overstepped its bounds by exercising judicial review without a formal constitution. Green explains how the court's actions have led to significant politica...