Gallego Speaks at CNAS National Security Conference

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego spoke at a fireside chat during the Center for New American Security (CNAS) 2026 National Security Conference. Moderated by Richard Fontaine, CEO of CNAS, the discussion focused on the evolving landscape shaping U.S. foreign policy and opportunities for bipartisan collaboration on key national security priorities. See below for excerpts from the Senator Gallego’s talk: On Iran : “The president is essentially trying to go deeper into the war in order to get out of this war. I think anytime you find yourself in that situation you can’t say that you’re winning.” On the U.S. shifting priorities towards the Western Hemisphere : “I’ve always wanted the United States to have a bigger pivot and bigger focus on Latin America—but not just on the national security side, and more on the collaborative side than anything else.” On the lessons from Ukraine : The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that the U.S. is “way behind the curve” on integrating emerging technologies into the warfighter. On making the case for Ukraine domestically : “This is the legacy of the United States—protecting free countries. You have alignment from U.S. citizens.” On Cuba : “I don’t want to spend more of our time—wasting our time, our reputation, potentially our men and women in combat, for a country that will never ever be a threat to us.”