Reaganism

On this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Matt Continetti, an acclaimed historian of the right, to discuss his latest piece in the Free Press, on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the decline of America's civic character. Roger and Matt discuss the deepening political and cultural divide in America, highlighted by the assassination of Kirk. Matt expresses concern over the reactions to Kirk's death, noting a troubling trend of political violence and the left's misunderstanding of the right. They explore the idea of America becoming two nations, divided not only by politics but also by culture, lifestyle, and epistemology. Matt argues that the right understands the left better due to the left's dominance in cultural institutions. They also discuss the role of political leaders and the need for a collective cultural effort to bridge the divide and reaffirm American principles.

On this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Matt Waxman, a professor at Columbia University Law School. Roger and Matt discuss the Trump administration's recent strike against the Tren de Aragua gang in the Caribbean. Matt outlines the constitutional and international legal hurdles the president faces authorizing the strike. Matt and Roger discuss the intricacies of the authorization for the use of military force, and the distinctions between Al Qaeda and cartel groups like Tren de Aragua. Roger and Matt explore the White House's use of the president's Article II powers to justify the strike against Tren de Aragua. They conclude the conversation with an evaluation of Israel's strike against Hamas in Qatar, Matt finds the strike was justified under international law, but draws important distinctions between Israel's strike and how the US would conduct a similar strike. Roger and Matt finish the episode by concluding Israel's strike was escalatory and opens a new chapter in the Israel-Hamas war.

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm who served the State of Texas in the United States Senate and is the author of the newly released book, “The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism.” They discuss Sen. Gramm’s new book arguing that many policy debates stem from misreadings of history and flawed statistics. He challenges the notion that free trade hollowed out American manufacturing, pointing instead to record-high output driven by productivity and innovation, much like agriculture’s transformation. Sen. Gramm defends Ronald Reagan as a principled free-trader who saw commerce as an extension of individual freedom, contrasting Reagan’s approach with today’s rising protectionism and “state capitalism.” He critiques how government statistics misclassify income, poverty, and manufacturing, distorting public perception, and insists that prosperity comes from smaller government and greater freedom.

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Dmitri Alperovitch who is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator, national bestselling author of “World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the 21st Century,” founder of the Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and Co-Founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike Inc., one of the world's largest cybersecurity firms. They discuss Alperovitch’s book 'World on the Brink' and the current geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the new Cold War with China. Alperovitch argues that the U.S. must prioritize its resources and strategies to deter China, particularly regarding Taiwan. The discussion also touches on the importance of American leadership, the implications of various global conflicts, and the need for a robust defense strategy to maintain U.S. dominance in the face of rising threats.

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with former Ambassador of the United States to the European Union, and now President & COO at Business Roundtable, Kristen Silverberg. They discuss the intersection of business and government. The conversation delves into the role of the Business Roundtable, the impact of executive orders, and the importance of CEO engagement with policymakers. Amb. Silverberg shares her insights on the current administration's approach to business, the significance of trade policies, and the challenges and opportunities in the AI and tech sectors.

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Karan Bhatia, who previously served as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative in the Bush Administration, and now serves as the Global Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Google. They discuss the current landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, focusing on the United States' leadership role and the regulatory challenges faced in Europe. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration between free societies, the competitive dynamics with China, and Google's engagement in Taiwan. Bhatia also highlights the energy demands of technology and Google's contributions to national security, while reflecting on the impact of recent legislation on the tech industry and drawing parallels to Ronald Reagan's vision for innovation.

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Professor Brendan Simms, a Professor of the History of International Relations at the University of Cambridge. They discuss Professor Simm's essay in the Wall Street Journal titled "Don't Write Off Europe Just Yet," which addresses skepticism in the U.S., particularly within the Trump administration, about Europe's role and capabilities. Simms argues that Europe has the capacity to defend itself against Russia, emphasizing the importance of U.S. support for European security. The conversation touches on historical parallels, the current geopolitical landscape, and the interconnectedness of global security, particularly concerning Russia and China.

In this episode of Reaganism, host Roger Zakheim sits down with Dr. Daniel Samet who is the George P. Shultz Fellow at the Ronald Reagan Institute, and the author of the new book, U.S. Defense Policy toward Israel: A Cold War History. The conversation explores the core thesis of Dr. Samet’s book, which directly challenges the claims made in John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt’s The Israel Lobby. Rather than attributing U.S. Middle East policy to undue influence by a pro-Israel lobby, Dr. Samet argues that American defense policy toward Israel has been driven primarily by national interest and strategic considerations—particularly during the Cold War. Drawing from extensive archival research, Dr. Samet finds that lobbying efforts appear rarely in the historical record. Instead, U.S. presidents from Truman through Reagan made decisions based on national security, geopolitical strategy, and the containment of the Soviet Union.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute’s Director of the Center for Civics, Education, and Opportunity Dan Rothschild sits down with Dr. Ben Reinhardt who is the CEO of Speculative Technologies. They discuss discuss the mission and vision behind Speculative Technologies, emphasizing the importance of physical technologies and the need for innovative research funding models. Dr. Reinhardt critiques traditional government-funded research approaches and highlights the barriers to innovation in America, including bureaucratic constraints and the influence of venture capital. Reinhart advocates for a new system that allows for more flexibility and creativity in technology development, while also addressing the role of universities and the importance of co-location for fostering innovation.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim sits down with retired General Jack Keane, who serves as the Chairman of the Institute for the Study of War. They discuss the ongoing military actions by Israel against Iran's nuclear weapons program, the implications for U.S. involvement, and the strategic landscape in the Middle East. He assesses the current state of the Iranian nuclear program, evaluates Israel's military options, and outlines the potential risks and benefits of U.S. engagement in the conflict. The discussion highlights the historical context of U.S.-Iran relations and the importance of supporting allies in the region.