Podcast:School of War Published On: Fri Feb 20 2026 Description: Charlie Laderman, associate professor at the University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, joins the show to discuss parallels between Reagan’s policy towards Cold War Poland and the crisis in Iran today. ▪️ Times 02:45 Comparing Iran and Poland 05:56 Reagan’s plan 10:15 Reheating the Cold War 12:26 ’81 coup 15:53 Sanctions and pressure 20:19 Constant agitation 27:38 End of the Cold War 34:45 The violence of the Iranian regime 37:55 Structural differences 44:32 Exiled opposition Read the article discussed in the episode - Freedom for Iran: Learning From U.S. Support for Polish Anti-Communists in the 1980s Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack