Reaganism

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 ammunition, and Chinese components all feed Russia's war in Ukraine, and what Russia learns flows back to the others. They warn the U.S. is not on a war footing, pointing to years of underinvestment in defense, weak air and missile defense, and munitions stocks that were drained quickly in the recent Iran conflict. They call for cheaper high-low weapons mixes, faster lesson-sharing with allies, and preparation for the risk of simultaneous conflicts, especially over Taiwan.

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 also explore how military gains, political fallout, and U.S. involvement shaped the conflict—and why its story extends far beyond Gaza.

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 maintaining U.S. dependencies. They discuss the summit’s limited outcomes, Taiwan and delayed arms sales, rare-earth supply chains, China’s support for Iran and Russia, U.S. alliances, and instability within the Chinese military. Dustin's central concern is that the United States may not be using this pause effectively to strengthen its position and prepare for long-term competition.

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 alliances—including the partnership with Israel—serve American interests. They also discuss the importance of defending freedom, rebuilding the industrial base, and making the case for American values as a responsibility shared across generations.

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 depend on leadership beyond its borders. The conversation explores current disagreements among conservatives, the challenge of responding to multiple global threats at once, and how the collection’s essays address regions including the Western Hemisphere, the Middle East, Europe, and China.

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 humanitarian crisis facing people in Cuba, and calls for sustained international pressure on the regime. She also explains why she sees the Cuban government as a threat beyond the island, including to U.S. security.

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 scarcity, poor sleep, violent entertainment, and lonely old age. Their conversation contrasts these hardships with the gains brought by economic growth and modernity, arguing that progress has transformed ordinary lives and that today’s rapid change should be weighed against the stagnation and deprivation of the past.

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 States must invest now in affordable, rapidly replaceable capabilities that can sustain a prolonged fight.

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 businesses, workers, and consumers worldwide. They examine the need for internationally aligned standards grounded in fair competition and innovation, Europe’s regulatory and competitiveness challenges, the importance of US collaboration with allies, and China’s rapid progress in AI. The conversation concludes with the potential for US-China dialogue on AI safety, the role of open- and closed-source models, the importance of lowering costs, and Reagan’s principle that technology combined with freedom creates opportunity and progress.

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 increasing share of the federal budget. They explain that defense spending is a smaller portion of federal spending than it was historically, even as the military faces costly modernization needs, global commitments, and the replacement of aging nuclear and conventional systems. The discussion also examines whether new technology can reduce defense costs, why higher interest rates could intensify fiscal pressures, and how reforms to entitlement programs—including means-tested benefits and private savings—could help create room for national security priorities.