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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.

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.

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 U.S. with China, the U.K., and Europe to explain why Treasury demand remains strong, and they explore what could finally force fiscal reform — including a bond market shock, rising interest rates, or automatic pressure from Social Security and Medicare trust fund shortfalls. The conversation also examines the political barriers to entitlement reform, the bipartisan reluctance to cut spending or raise broad-based taxes, and whether inflation, housing affordability, or a future economic scare could create the conditions for real action.

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 military aid and industrial cooperation benefit the U.S. directly and should be understood as a strategic investment. They also explore the rise of anti-Israel sentiment on the far left and far right, the political significance of recent House and Senate votes on aid to Israel, and the role of President Trump and Vice President Vance in shaping public debate. The conversation ends with a broader reflection on the durability of the U.S.-Israel relationship.