“”The idea of seriously risking a nuclear exchange with the USSR was anathema to Reagan””
That sure isn’t my memory, Reagan was pushing Russia to the wall on nukes, it is why the 1980s were all about nuclear war and survival with all kinds of publications created to fill the public’s need for knowledge and ways to survive it, and the movie theaters full of the films and TV documentaries and specials.
Europe was in flames with terrorists, bombings, and kidnappings Putin funding the massive demonstrations against Reagan and his nuclear aggression, the mid-range missiles and the military build-up, and massive Reforger exercises
Under Reagan, Americans were prepared to fight.
Under Reagan, America still stood for something good.