Reaganism

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.

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 American strength enabled diplomacy, freedom, and eventual Cold War victory. Edelman also explains why Reagan’s first- and second-term approaches were more continuous than often portrayed, highlighting the importance of perseverance, strategic flexibility, and sustained investment in national defense.
 
"Peace Through Strength: How Reagan's Military Buildup Won the Cold War" by Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim releases on November 17th and is available for pre-order now: https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/9781510788480/peace-through-strength/ 

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 embedded in the software supply chain, why cost is driving adoption of Chinese models, and why policymakers and private industry need to act quickly to improve trust, security, and supply-chain transparency before these risks become harder to detect.

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 conservative principles should be applied to today’s challenges.

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 socialist left flank on voting behavior, and the prospects for getting the reconciliation measure through the Senate. Chairman Arrington argued that reconciliation is necessary in today’s polarized environment, and warned about both national security threats and runaway debt. He closed by tying his priorities back to Ronald Reagan’s emphasis on freedom, limited government, and peace through strength.