In the 1980's Reagan stood on principle in his zeal to fight for freedom. He armed the Muslims in Afghanistan with missiles to knock out Soviet air power. It worked. They drove out the Soviets leading to the fall of the Communists. It led to the rise of the Taliban and Al Quaeda. He essentially sowed the seeds of our war with Islam. You can stand on principle all you want. Be careful, it'll come back to bite you in the ass.
And Ronald Reagan was absolutely right! He didn’t say he was anti-communist running and turn completely around after he got elected.