Thatcher and Reagan - a very, very special relationship?

The so-called special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States is often affected by the personal relationship of the national leaders of the two countries. This was true during WWII, when a true friendship developed between Roosevelt and Churchill and is true today with Tony Blair and George W. Bush.

The relationship between Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan is also of tremendous importance in this regard. They were ideological and strategic allies who led with very different, but very distinctive styles. It is clear that they held each other in high regard.

The following outline was the basis for an oral presentation on the subject for a post-graduate course at the London School of Economics. It is not an exhaustive list, but hits many of the key elements in this very special personal relationship that had such a large impact on the world stage at a crucial point in history.