Imagine the following under Reagan: Instead of demanding Russia end its domination of Eastern Europe (“Tear down this wall.”), he announced the wall wasn’t America’s problem. Instead of strengthening U.S. forces in Europe, he withdrew some or all of them. Instead of backing NATO, he told America’s postwar allies, the Russia threat and the Cold War was theirs to deal with. Instead of identifying the USSR as an “evil empire” and Western Europe America’s allies, he refused to acknowledge a difference. Instead of condemning or opposing the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, he conceded it as part of Russia’s sphere of influence. Instead of insisting on further Russian concessions on arms control, he accepted Gorbachev’s opening offers. Instead of isolating Russia internationally, he went into business with them. Would Republican lawmakers have acquiesced? Today, will Republicans who publicly revere Reagan and credit him with winning the last Cold War against Russia, acknowledge those contradictions?