The Conversation with Dasha Burns Sen. Ruben Gallego wants to make Democrats fun again
Mar 20, 2026
Ruben Gallego, U.S. Senator from Arizona and Iraq War veteran, reflects on military restraint, diplomatic alternatives to war, and how service shapes his views. He tackles immigration and border policy with candid critiques of both parties. He also discusses election integrity, DHS funding, and whether Democrats can reclaim a more upbeat, relatable image.
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JCPOA Was A Better Nuclear Check
- Ruben Gallego argues the JCPOA was a viable way to curb Iran's nuclear progress and offered strict oversight via the IAEA.
- He warns current actions reset incentives, pushing states to rush deeper concealment and harder nuclear proliferation to evade strikes.
Use Targeted Pressure Not Open War
- Do use targeted measures below the threshold of war like special forces and technology sanctions to degrade Iran's military reach.
- Gallego cites unexploited options such as seizing oil-carrying ships and cutting tech transfers that enable missile capability.
Grief From Lost Comrades Shapes His View
- Gallego describes persistent grief from losing close friends in Iraq and how that shapes his view on new conflicts.
- He recalls attending his best friend's son's graduation who never knew his father because his friend died in Iraq.