Foreign Policy for America 2026 Leadership Summit

Speakers: Rep. Jason Crow (CO)

The U.S.–Israel security relationship is at a crossroads. In 2025, the United States authorized more than $15 billion in arms sales to Israel. However, growing numbers of lawmakers, particularly within the Democratic party, have opposed unconditional weapons transfers to the Netanyahu government, citing gross human rights abuses in the conflict in Gaza campaign and illegal settlement activity in the West Bank. This panel will discuss the potential trajectories of the US-Israel security relationship and the specific factors that could impact the relationship in the coming years.


Speakers:

1. Alex Carnes, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Staff Director
2. Sarah Harrison, Senior Fellow, Center on Ethics and the Legal Profession, Georgetown Law
3. Andrew Miller, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress

Moderator:
Abigail Hauslohner, US - Middle East Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Financial Times

Description:

From foreign investments in meme coins, to gifts of gold bars and luxury jets, to pardons for convicted drug traffickers, to human rights abuses and war crimes, the institutions and principles of U.S. foreign policy have been under assault from corruption, greed, and graft. Americans can no longer trust that their government is putting them first. Violators of both parties have largely enjoyed impunity, which undermines confidence in our democracy. Lawmakers need to act now to rebuild and revitalize systems of accountability to deter future abuses and hold bad actors responsible for the damage that has already been done. This panel will discuss key risks and implications of future corruption, strategies for developing and enacting an oversight agenda, and tactics for raising public awareness. 

Speakers:
1. Rep. Joaquin Castro, (TX-20)
2. Casey Michel, Director, Combating Kleptocracy Program
3. Sarah Yager, Washington Director, Human Rights Watch

Moderator:
Ishaan Tharoor, Contributer, The New Yorker