Peace Through Strength: A Book Talk with Roger Zakheim

President Ronald Reagan’s vision of “peace through strength” became a defining pillar of his presidency and helped reshape the Cold War. But how did he turn that vision into one of the largest peacetime military buildups in American history? What political debates, strategic decisions, and behind-the-scenes battles enabled him to to rally Congress, the Pentagon, and the American public?

In his forthcoming book, Peace Through Strength: How Reagan's Military Buildup Won the Cold War, Roger Zakheim explores how military investment, allied confidence, and strategic clarity helped alter Soviet behavior—and what lessons the Reagan buildup holds for today’s great-power competition, defense industrial challenges, and efforts to rebuild American military strength.

Please join the CSIS Aerospace Security Project for an in-person conversation with Roger Zakheim, director of the Ronald Reagan Institute, and Kari A. Bingen, director of the CSIS Aerospace Security Project, to explore the history and enduring lessons of Reagan’s defense buildup.

The discussion will be followed by a book signing and reception. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.