
In January 1977, just after Jimmy Carter defeated Gerald Ford and was inaugurated as president, I flew to Los Angeles to keep a morning appointment with Ronald Reagan at his home. I had come to request a favor from him. He quickly granted it, and then there ensued a six-hour conversation focused on the Cold War, Communist ideology, China, and U.S. relations with allies. He walked with me to my car as we conversed and then said, “Before you leave, Dick, I’d like to tell you my theory of the Cold War.” He continued, “Some say I’m simplistic, but there’s a
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