logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2023
58m 29s

312: Reagan, Iran-Contra and the Cold Wa...

Goalhanger
About this episode
Warmonger or nuclear disarmer? Ronald Reagan’s presidency survived an assassination attempt, the AIDS epidemic and the Iranian hostage crisis. He powered through the 1980s, creating his own truth and narrative, in a series of events that read like a Hollywood screenplay.  Tom and Dominic take a look at the impact of Reagan's presidency, the enduring effects ... Show More
Up next
Today
640. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Carthage at the Gates (Part 1)
Did Hannibal march on Rome after his legendary victory at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC? How could Rome fight on after losing so many men? And, where would their next cataclysmic clash take place…? Join Tom and Dominic, as they discuss the beginning of the end for the once might ... Show More
1h 3m
Jan 29
639. Revolution in Iran: Death in the Desert (Part 4)
How did America respond after the American Embassy in Tehran was seized, and American citizens taken hostage? Would the hostages survive? And, what became of the Iranian Revolution, and Ayatollah Khomeini? Join Dominic and Tom, as they unfold the climactic conclusion to the Irani ... Show More
1h 12m
Jan 26
638. Revolution in Iran: The Hostage Crisis (Part 3)
Why and how was the American Embassy stormed in 1979, at the height of the Iranian Revolution? Did America respond when large numbers of American civil servants were taken hostage? And, would a science fiction film called Argo save the only 6 Americans able to escape…? Join Domin ... Show More
1h 15m
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2023
Reagan
Ronnie was one of America's most beloved and controversial presidents. From his early days as a B-movie actor and union president, to his pivotal role in heating up the Cold War, Reagan was an icon of the 80s (even for British kids like Tom!). But what was he really like? How did ... Show More
58m 48s
Mar 2024
American Elections: 1980
Our series on the Ideas Behind American Elections has reached 1980 and the election of Ronald Reagan. David and Gary discuss whether Jimmy Carter was always doomed, what made Reaganomics different and how Reagan succeeded in being an optimist and a scaremonger at the same time. D ... Show More
51m 12s
Feb 2021
Who Is Ronald Reagan?
<p>Ronald Reagan, a man who was first elected President more than forty years ago, remains one of the most impactful and influential conservative politicians in American history. Reagan, who made it in Hollywood before he made it to the White House, was a towering statesman, a fa ... Show More
49m 48s
Mar 2024
Ronald Meets the Donald
<p>President Reagan knew a detent with the Soviet Union wouldn’t win the Cold War. If we take off the gloves and force Soviet communism to compete with American democracy, he thought, the U.S. will prevail. In a phrase: “We win, they lose.” He was right. The U.S. won. The Soviet ... Show More
1h 6m
Dec 2020
December 6, 2020 | On GPS: Behind the assassination of a top nuclear scientist in Iran; stopping the spread of Covid-19 by Christmas; the corrosive power of political lies & conspiracy theories
Airdate December 6, 2020: Iran’s Supreme Leader, its President and other senior officials have vowed to avenge the assassination of the country’s chief nuclear scientist. A top U.S. official says Israel is behind it. Fareed, Dina Esfandiary, Ronen Bergman and Martin Indyk talk ab ... Show More
40m 34s
Feb 2024
American History Tellers
The Cold War, Prohibition, the Gold Rush, the Space Race. Every part of your life - the words you speak, the ideas you share - can be traced to our&nbsp;history, but how well do you really know the stories that made&nbsp;America? We'll take you to the events, the times and the pe ... Show More
4m 16s
Jul 2023
26: Francis Fukuyama: Trump, Modi, and ‘The End of History’
What was the worst political mistake in modern history? How do religious Republicans bring themselves to support Trump? Was it wrong to describe the fall of the Soviet Union as ‘The End of History’? On today’s episode of Leading, Alastair and Rory sit down with political scienti ... Show More
58m 39s
Nov 2018
JFK Pt. 3: Kennedy's Legacy
President John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. on November 22nd, 1963. The fallout of his death would change the course of history for America and for the world. What would America be like if John F. Kennedy had survived? New Shows! Parcast Network - Don’t forget to rate ... Show More
46m 44s