Roger Zakheim serves as the Director of the Ronald Reagan Institute. He is the cofounder of the Reagan National Defense Forum and host of the Reaganism podcast. Previously, he practiced law at Covington & Burling LLP and served as General Counsel and Deputy Staff Director at the US House Armed Services Committee. Mr. Zakheim’s government experience also includes serving as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. Mr. Zakheim is a former Commissioner on the Congressional Commission on the National Defense Strategy of the United States. A frequent commentator on national security and defense issues, his work and views have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Politico, Fox News, CNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, The Atlantic, and National Review.

“This is a wonderful history of how a very human and practical observation of the world — the strong and bad are tempted to prey upon the weak and cause war, so best to be strong and good — became a policy and then a triumph. Bravo, Roger Zakheim for telling us more of the story of Ronald Reagan’s thinking and leadership in instituting, bravely and under intense criticism, his program of peace through strength.” — Peggy Noonan, and former special assistant to Ronald Reagan"Few modern strategists understand the nuances of defense policy and national security as deeply as Roger Zakheim. In Peace Through Strength, he masterfully captures President Reagan’s core philosophical perspective, proving that a strong military is the ultimate guarantor of liberty. Zakheim delivers the definitive story of how Reagan's historic defense buildup successfully deterred our adversaries and became a source of national pride. His book is a timely reminder that 'Peace through Strength' is not just a historical doctrine, but an essential strategy that has preserved America's peace and prosperity for generations.”—Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the House“Ronald Reagan’s defense modernization was one of the most consequential policies of his presidency, yet until now the full story has not been told. With exhaustive research, deft analysis, and elegant prose, Roger Zakheim offers a fascinating account of how Reagan’s peacetime military buildup led to the Cold War’s peaceful end – and the insights it holds for our present national security challenges.”—William Inboden, author of The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink“Using vivid storytelling and historical accounts, Peace Through Strength provides a masterful, comprehensive look at Reagan’s military buildup and modernization during the height of the Cold War. As Zakheim shows, Reagan’s presidency offers invaluable lessons on patriotism, strategic foresight, and moral courage for today’s leaders working to, once again, condemn Marxism to the 'ash heap of history.'”—United States Senator Tom Cotton"Ronald Reagan’s storied defense buildup comes alive in this richly documented volume. Roger Zakheim’s meticulous archival research and keen insight offer ample proof that the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union were hardly inevitable —and indeed dependent on Reagan’s own triumph over daunting obstacles at home and abroad.”—Christopher Cox, former chairman, US House Committee on Homeland Security, and author of Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn“America is once again in an undeclared state of emergency, staring down an authoritarian rival mid-buildup while our own arsenal ages out. Roger Zakheim has written the definitive account of the last time we solved this problem not as nostalgia, but as an operating manual. Peace Through Strength shows how Reagan turned an improbable idea into tanks, ships, planes, and ultimately victory without firing a shot. Every founder, engineer, and reformer trying to rebuild American hard power today should study this book and then get to work.”—Shyman Sankar, CTO of Palantir Technologies“How do you make a book about a military buildup read like a spy novel? Roger Zakheim does just that — weaving the epic tale of how Ronald Reagan brought down Communism by restoring America’s confidence and strength as no one has before. A literary tour de force!”—Marc Thiessen, Washington Post columnist; Fox News contributor,; and fellow, American Enterprise Institute “Facing the threat of China, a recognized military and economic superpower supported by Russia, Iran, and North Korea, Zakheim’s blueprint for the Reagan military buildup offers exceptional clarity on what it takes to prevail in peacetime against an adversary determined to defeat America. The most cited national security doctrine since World War II, ‘Peace Through Strength,’ has never been examined in such detail until now, revealing how it was achieved and what it required. Zakheim’s work highlights Reagan’s determined, visionary leadership and the full whole-of-government effort behind it, a legacy that will be studied for generations to come.” —Jack Keane, general, US Army (retired)“Military buildups are supposed to be impossible in peacetime democracies—voters won't pay for them and politicians won't fight for them. Roger Zakheim tells the remarkable story of how Reagan did the impossible: sustaining the largest peacetime buildup in American history against relentless opposition, including from his own party, because he understood that weakness invites war. This is a book about strategic conviction and political courage precisely at a moment when we need both again."—Joe Lonsdale, founder of Palantir Technologies and 8VC