The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer "Chasing the Dragon" In Iran (with Sen. Ruben Gallego)
17 snips
Mar 27, 2026 
Ruben Gallego, U.S. Senator from Arizona and Marine Corps Iraq veteran, reflects on battlefield experience that shaped his politics. He warns against repeating past mistakes and discusses Congress giving up war powers. Short takes cover escalation dynamics, what "limited" operations against Iran could entail, and political pressures shaping any military path forward.
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Combat Losses That Shaped A Senator
- Ruben Gallego recounts being hit twice in May 2005 with his platoon in Anbar province, losing his best friend and other comrades.
- That experience propelled him into politics and hardened his opposition to wars of choice, shaping his view that "the best way to support the troops is don't send us to stupid wars."
Congress Ceded War Powers Across Administrations
- Gallego argues Congress has slowly ceded war powers to the executive and failed to reclaim them across administrations.
- He says failing to force votes on use-of-force under Obama and Biden set the stage for unchecked escalation under Trump.
Use War Powers Funding And Public Pressure
- Use all levers Congress still has: war powers resolutions, funding restrictions, and the bully pulpit to constrain escalation.
- Gallego plans to pursue resolutions, funding fights, and public pressure to force an off-ramp from the administration.
