At the Brink: Presidents, Nuclear Weapons, and the Fate of the World Part 2, with Dr. Anthony Eames

May 12, 2026
00:00 48:29
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How should Americans evaluate presidential candidates when it comes to nuclear weapons?

In this episode, Dr. Anthony Eames, Director of Scholarly Initiatives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, returns to the show to examine how presidents from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump have approached nuclear weapons, deterrence, and arms control. We discuss the end of the Cold War, the challenge of rogue states, and why some presidents—including George W. Bush in Iraq and Donald Trump in Iran—have ultimately chosen military action to stop nuclear threats.

What separates a reckless nuclear policy from a prudent one? And what qualities should Americans look for in a commander-in-chief entrusted with the world’s deadliest weapons?

A Voice in Their Own Destiny: Reagan, Thatcher, and Public Diplomacy in the Nuclear 1980s

https://www.amazon.com/Voice-Their-Own-Destiny-Diplomacy/dp/1625347103/

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CREDITS
Host: Richard Lim
Producer: Michael Neal
Artist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.com

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Richard is a writer and history enthusiast who has served at the White House and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate.
Michael is a consultant and a freelance podcast producer.
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