Reagan’s presidency escalated the Cold War with military buildup and economic pressure, contributing to the Soviet collapse. This strategy, known as the “Reagan Playbook,” could be used again in the Trump era and in relations with Russia today.
The Reagan Playbook: Military and Economic Pressure
Modern Russia faces challenges such as military weaknesses exposed by the war in Ukraine, economic sanctions and internal tensions. These factors could be exploited by foreign leaders like Trump to increase pressure on the country.
Russia's Current Weakness
Despite criticism of his soft stance on Russia, a second Trump presidency could adopt a hard-line approach similar to Reagan’s.
Trump could spring a surprise by increasing military support for Ukraine, strengthening NATO and tightening economic sanctions to destabilize Putin’s regime.
Trump's Opportunity in Russia
A hardline Trump strategy against Russia would be risky, potentially provoking unpredictable responses and creating instability in a nuclear-armed region.
A High-Risk Bet
If Trump were to take a bold approach to Russia, he could rewrite his political narrative from an ally of Moscow to a leader who has ended the Russian threat. This would weaken global adversaries and reduce anti-Western propaganda.However, to emulate Reagan, he would need to effectively wield the modern tools of warfare and geopolitical coordination, requiring vision and discipline.