On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Policy Director Rachel Hoff is joined by Dr. Mark Clifford who serves as President of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong and author of the book, “The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong’s Greatest Dissident, and China’s Most Feared Critic.” They discuss Jimmy Lai’s early life in China, his rise as a successful entrepreneur, and his eventual transition into media, where he became a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party. The discussion also covers the impact of the Tiananmen Square protests on Lai’s activism, the role of his media outlets during the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, and the international response to his imprisonment.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim is joined by Dr. Henry Nau who serves as Distinguished Scholar at the Ronald Reagan Institute. They discuss the legacy of President Ronald Reagan, exploring his economic policies, leadership style, and the significance of his ideas in shaping contemporary politics. Dr. Nau emphasizes the importance of understanding Reagan’s record and the impact of his beliefs on his presidency, particularly in the context of the Cold War and his approach to negotiation.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Policy Director Rachel Hoff is joined by Damon Wilson who is the President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). They discuss the organization’s origins, its connection to President Reagan, and its ongoing mission to promote democracy worldwide. They discuss the importance of supporting grassroots movements, the definition of democracy, and the relationship between U.S. interests and democracy promotion. Wilson addresses criticisms of NED, the impact of U.S. foreign assistance policies, and the need for transparency and accountability in their operations.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim is joined by Yaakov Katz who is a Senior Fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute. They discuss the ongoing cycle of conflict with Hamas, questioning the long-term effectiveness of military operations that have decimated Gaza but failed to fully eliminate Hamas, and the relationship between Netanyahu and Trump and the complexity of their differing views on diplomacy and military action towards Iran.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director of the Center for Civics, Education, and Opportunity Daniel M. Rothschild is joined by Dr. Samuel Gregg who serves as the Friedrich Hayek Chair in Economics and Economic History at the American Institute for Economic Research. They discuss the current state of free markets in America, emphasizing the critical choices facing the nation in the upcoming election. They explore the intertwining of economic, moral, and cultural dimensions in shaping public policy and the role of civil society. Dr. Gregg highlights the importance of historical figures like Wilhelm Röpke in understanding the foundations of economic freedom and critiques the welfare state while advocating for a revival of civil society to address genuine needs. The discussion also touches on the responsibilities of businesses in society and the need for a long-term perspective in political and economic discourse.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Policy Director Rachel Hoff is joined by Sir William Browder who is the Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign. They discuss his extraordinary journey from a capitalist in Russia to a leading figure in the fight against corruption and human rights abuses. Browder recounts the tragic story of his lawyer, Sergey Magnitsky, who was tortured and killed in a Russian prison after uncovering a massive fraud involving the Russian government. This led to the creation of the Magnitsky Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at holding human rights violators accountable. Browder discusses the global impact of the Magnitsky Act and its potential to change the landscape of accountability for corruption and human rights abuses.

On this episode of Reaganism, Roger Zakheim and Rachel Hoff discuss the findings of the Reagan National Defense Survey, highlighting the American public’s views on foreign policy, military spending, and trust in institutions. They explore the increasing desire for US engagement on the global stage, the decline in trust towards the military, and the public’s perception of allies and adversaries, particularly in relation to China and Iran. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding public opinion in shaping national security policy and the nuances that exist within it.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Policy Director Rachel Hoff is joined by Oleksandra Matviichuk who is the head of the Center for Civil Liberties. They discuss Oleksandra’s decades-long commitment to defending human rights in Ukraine, the Maidan uprising, the ongoing war with Russia, the documentation of war crimes, and the importance of international support for Ukraine. Matviichuk emphasizes the need for justice and accountability for war crimes and the role of ordinary citizens in supporting democracy and human rights.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim is joined by Avik Roy who is the President of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. They discuss the principles of Freedom Conservatism, its roots in Reaganism, and the current divide within the conservative movement. They explore the relevance of Reagan's legacy today, the contrasting views of economic freedom, and the optimism versus pessimism that characterizes different factions of conservatism. Roy emphasizes the need for a revival of classical liberalism and critiques the national conservative movement's approach to government intervention and economic policy.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim is joined by the Honorable John Sullivan who previously served as the 10th U.S. Ambassador to Russia. They discuss his experiences as the U.S. Ambassador to Russia and the insights he gained during his tenure, particularly in relation to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He emphasizes the nature of the Russian threat, the historical context of Putin’s nationalism, and the implications for U.S. foreign policy. Sullivan argues that Russia is an enemy, not merely an adversary, and stresses the importance of understanding this distinction in crafting effective strategies.