Richard V. Allen

1960s: The Academic Foundation & Anti-Communism

During this decade, Richard V. Allen established himself as a leading voice on Cold War strategy, working with the Center for Strategic Studies at Georgetown University and the Hoover Institution.

Books & Monographs

• National Security: Political, Military, and Economic Strategies in the Decade Ahead (1963)
  Edited with David M. Abshire. Published by Frederick A. Praeger. A 1000+ page volume defining Cold War strategy issues.
  Find in a Library (WorldCat)
• East-West Trade: Its Strategic Implications (1964)
  Co-authored with Samuel P. Clabaugh. Published by the Center for Strategic Studies, Georgetown University.
  Find in a Library (WorldCat)
• Peaceful Coexistence: A Communist Blueprint for Victory (1964)
  Published by the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Education Against Communism.
  Find in a Library (WorldCat)
• Peace or Peaceful Coexistence? (1966)
  Enlarged and updated version of the 1964 ABA work on Soviet strategy.
  Search on Google Books
• Communism and Democracy: Theory and Action (1967)
  Co-authored with Hall Bartlett and Kenneth Colegrove. Published by Van Nostrand.
  Search on Google Books
• Yearbook on International Communist Affairs (1968 Edition)
  Editor. Published by Hoover Institution Press (1969).
  Search on Internet Archive

1970s: Policy & Strategy

Allen moved into direct policy roles, advising the Nixon administration on international economics and co-founding the Committee on the Present Danger to counter Soviet expansionism.

• Council on International Economic Policy (1971-1972)
  As Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, Allen authored numerous internal policy papers and reports.
  Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
• Committee on the Present Danger (Founding Member, 1976)
  Contributed to the committee's influential policy papers aimed at alerting the public to the Soviet military buildup.
  View CPD-Related Materials in Allen Papers (Hoover)

1980s: The National Security Advisor & Beyond

Serving as President Reagan's first National Security Advisor, Allen helped architect the strategy that would eventually win the Cold War.

• National Security Council Files (1981-1982)
  An extensive collection of memoranda and policy documents from his tenure.
  Reagan Presidential Library & Museum
• Heritage Foundation: Asian Studies Center (Chairman, 1982-onward)
  Co-founded and led this policy center with Dr. Edwin J. Feulner. Contributed to conferences and publications on U.S.-Asia relations.
  The Heritage Foundation

1990s: Reflections & History

In this period, Allen focused on documenting history, often publishing through the Hoover Institution.

• The End of the Evil Empire (1997)
  Hoover Digest. Reflections on the collapse of the Soviet Union.
• Richard Nixon, LBJ, and the Invasion of Czechoslovakia (1999)
  Hoover Digest. Historical analysis of the 1968 crisis.

2000s: Essays & Commentary

Allen continued to write prolifically, offering historical correctives and commentary across major publications.

Hoover Digest

• The Man Who Won the Cold War (2000)
  The argument that Reagan's victory was the result of deliberate strategy (NSDD-75).
• How the Bush Dynasty Almost Wasn't (2000)
  On the selection of George H.W. Bush as Reagan's running mate.
• The Day Reagan Was Shot (2001)
  Also published in The Atlantic. Putting the record straight on the Situation Room.
• Bring the Troops Home? (2003)
  Commentary on US troop deployments.
• The Skeptical Democrat and the Enthusiastic Republican (2007)
  On Reagan's political transformation.

Op-Eds & Articles

• Jeane Kirkpatrick and the Great Democratic Defection (December 16, 2006)
  The New York Times.
• Reaganaut Realism Should Guide Foreign Policy (December 4, 2006)
  Human Events.
• Reincarnating Reagan (September 13, 2007)
  National Review Online. Co-authored with Martin Anderson.
• Obama's Experience Doesn't Match Up (July 24, 2008)
  The Wall Street Journal.
• Tear Down This Wall (November 9, 2009)
  Human Events Online. Co-authored with Josef Joffe on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
• The Next Step in the Taiwan-China Dance (August 16, 2009)
  The Wall Street Journal.
• Degrees of Acceptance at Notre Dame (April 12, 2009)
  The New York Times. On the controversy over Obama's commencement invitation.

2010s & Beyond: The Elder Statesman

Major Newspaper Articles

• Ronald Reagan, a Man With a Plan (January 30, 2010)
  The New York Times.
• Reagan's Secure Line (June 7, 2010)
  The New York Times. On the Israeli raid on Iraq's Osirak reactor and Reagan's response.
• When Reagan was shot, who was 'in control' at the White House? (March 23, 2011)
  The Washington Post.
• The Extraordinary Case of Farewell (August 2, 2011)
  The American Spectator. On the French intelligence operation that helped win the Cold War.
• Book Review: 'When Politics Worked' by Chris Matthews (October 30, 2013)
  The Wall Street Journal.
• The Reagan-Thatcher Affinity: A Warmth That Won the Cold War (April 9, 2013)
  The Guardian (UK). Written after the death of Margaret Thatcher.

Political Commentary

• Boehner, Obama's favorite foil (September 9, 2010)
  Politico Arena.
• The teleprompter presidency? (August 17, 2010)
  Politico Arena.
• Why Ronald Reagan Would Support Ryan (August 5, 2016)
  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Another View: For the GOP, start thinking 2018 and 2020 (August 28, 2016)
  New Haven Register (CT).
• On Human Rights for North Korea (June 11, 2018)
  The Washington Times. Co-authored with Lee Edwards and Robert Zapesochny.

Videos & Audio

YouTube

• APCO Worldwide Interview (2011)
  Allen discusses U.S. global leadership and business success as a strategic factor.
• IWP Commencement Address (September 11, 2021)
  Keynote for The Institute of World Politics Classes of 2020 and 2021. Received honorary Doctorate of Laws.

C-SPAN

• Richard V. Allen on C-SPAN
  Full list of C-SPAN appearances spanning his career, including panel discussions, testimony, and interviews.

Oral Histories & Recordings

• Miller Center Oral History (2002)
  University of Virginia. Full transcript and audio available. Comprehensive interview covering his entire career.
• Reagan Library Audio Tapes (March 30, 1981)
  Audio from the Situation Room during the assassination attempt on President Reagan. Available through the Reagan Presidential Library & Museum.

Television

• Inside Washington (PBS)
  Regular appearances on this PBS political discussion program.

Primary Archives

• Richard V. Allen Papers (1948-1999)
  Hoover Institution Library & Archives. Includes correspondence, speeches, writings, committee files, and a list of congressional testimony (1972-1999).
• Reagan Presidential Library & Museum
  Richard V. Allen Files (1981-1982) including Situation Room recordings and NSC materials.
• Richard Nixon Presidential Library
  For materials related to his Nixon administration roles.

In the News: Articles About Richard V. Allen

Obituaries & Tributes (November 2024)

• Richard V. Allen, Reagan's first national security adviser, dies at 88
  The Washington Post. November 19, 2024.
• Remembering Richard V. Allen
  Richard Nixon Foundation. November 19, 2024.
• "We Win, They Lose": Remembering Richard V. Allen
  The American Spectator. By Paul Kengor. November 23, 2024.
• Richard Allen, Reagan's former NSA adviser and Denver resident, dies at 88
  The Denver Gazette. November 25, 2024.
• Heritage Honors Life of Public Servant and Asian Studies Center Co-Founder Richard V. "Dick" Allen
  The Heritage Foundation. November 25, 2024.
• Statement on the Death of Dr. Richard V. Allen
  Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute. By Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Board.
• Richard V. Allen Profile
  Hoover Institution.

Historical Coverage

• 1981-1982: National Security Advisor Tenure
  Coverage in The New York Times, Washington Post, Time Magazine regarding his appointment, tenure, and departure amid an ethics investigation (ultimately cleared of wrongdoing).
• Miller Center Oral History Project (2002)
  Comprehensive interview covering his entire career.