Democrats Reboot Foreign Policy Group to Shape 2028 Presidential Bids

While the dry heat of the Sonoran Desert usually dominates the conversation in Phoenix, there is a different kind of temperature rising in the political corridors of Maricopa County. For those who track the intersection of global diplomacy and local electoral math, the recent reboot of National Security Action (NSA) is more than just a DC staffing exercise; it is a signal that the ideological battle lines for 2028 are being drawn now. In a swing state like Arizona, where the balance of power often hinges on a few thousand votes in the suburbs of Scottsdale or Glendale, the shift in Democratic foreign policy isn’t just academic—it is a roadmap for how future candidates will court the local electorate.

The Blueprint for a New Democratic Guard

The decision by senior Democrats to revitalize National Security Action marks a strategic pivot toward the 2028 presidential cycle. According to reporting from Axios, the group has appointed Maher Bitar—a veteran of both the White House and Capitol Hill—to lead the organization. Bitar, who currently serves as the chief counsel and national security adviser to Senator Adam Schiff, describes the group’s objective as creating a hub to refine the party’s foreign policy approach. This isn’t merely about writing white papers; it is about building a pipeline of talent ready to populate a future administration.

The history of the NSA provides a glimpse into its potential impact. Founded in 2018 by Ben Rhodes and Jake Sullivan, the group played a pivotal role in shaping the 2020 messaging and helped place key figures within President Biden’s national security apparatus. However, the version of the NSA emerging in 2026 is operating in a far more fractured environment. The consensus that existed during the first Trump term has evaporated, replaced by a deep internal divide over the most pressing geopolitical crises of the day.

“I feel the next Democratic administration should gaze quite different [from the Biden administration],” Ben Rhodes, a co-founder and board member of the group, stated. “It’s kind of time to pass the baton so there’s a really great opportunity to try to talent spot, and help elevate some different voices.” Ben Rhodes, Co-founder of National Security Action

The Israel Divide and the Arizona Connection

For residents of Phoenix and the broader Valley, the most visceral point of contention is the party’s relationship with Israel. The data reveals a staggering shift in sentiment: Pew research indicates that 80% of Democrats now view Israel unfavorably, a sharp increase from 53% in 2022. This isn’t just a statistic; it is a political fault line that is actively reshaping the careers of Arizona’s federal representatives.

The tension is evident in the recent legislative record. As noted by Axios CEO Jim VandeHei, 40 out of 47 Senate Democrats voted to block arms sales to Israel last month. Notably, this group included every Democratic senator currently viewed as a serious 2028 contender, including Arizona’s own Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. This alignment suggests that the center of gravity, as Jake Sullivan position it, has shifted. For a candidate in Arizona to remain viable with the progressive wing—and the youth vote often centered around institutions like Arizona State University—they can no longer rely on the foreign policy playbooks of the 2010s.

This ideological drift creates a complex challenge for the NSA. While Maher Bitar maintains that the organization will remain a big-tent entity, the reality is that the party is unsettled on a spectrum of issues including artificial intelligence, China, and tariffs. The rift is not just about policy, but about personnel. There is a growing wariness among the left toward those who served in the Biden administration, creating a demand for a new generation of practitioners who can bridge the gap between traditional diplomacy and progressive activism.

Navigating the “Trump 2.0” Aftermath

The strategic necessity of this group is driven by the anticipation of what follows the current era of American politics. Jake Sullivan, who has returned to the NSA board after his tenure in the Biden administration, noted that the post-Trump 2.0 landscape will present a lot more fundamental questions that are going to need answering. In the past, Democratic foreign policy was often seen as a refinement of the Obama era. Today, as Ben Rhodes observes, it is a wide-open question who the practitioners will be and what the core tenets of that policy will actually look like.

In Phoenix, this translates to a shift in how local political consultants and political strategy experts approach messaging. The debate is no longer about whether to be internationalist or isolationist, but about how to redefine the American role in a multipolar world while satisfying a base that is increasingly skeptical of historic alliances.

Local Resource Guide: Managing Geopolitical Shifts in Phoenix

Given my background in geo-journalism and political analysis, I recognize that these high-level shifts in DC often create practical ripples for professionals and business owners in the Valley. Whether you are managing a firm with international supply chains or running a non-profit that relies on federal grants, the volatility of foreign policy requires specialized local expertise. If these trends impact your operations in Phoenix, here are the three types of local professionals you should engage.

Federal Government Relations Consultants

As the NSA builds its pipeline for 2028, the “who you know” in DC becomes critical. Look for consultants with a documented history of navigating both the legislative and executive branches. The key criterion here is a proven track record of “bipartisan bridging”—professionals who can translate local Arizona needs into language that resonates with the evolving priorities of the national Democratic and Republican platforms.

International Trade & Compliance Attorneys

With the party unsettled on tariffs and China policy, businesses in the Phoenix tech corridor and manufacturing hubs face significant regulatory uncertainty. When hiring, prioritize firms that specialize in the USMCA framework and have specific experience with the U.S. Department of Commerce. You need a practitioner who doesn’t just know the current law, but can forecast how a shift in administration might alter trade enforcement.

Non-Profit Strategic Compliance Officers

For Phoenix-based NGOs and advocacy groups, changes in foreign policy often mean changes in funding priorities and compliance requirements for international work. Seek out specialists who have experience with USAID or State Department grant management. The ideal candidate should be able to conduct a “political risk audit” to ensure your organization’s international projects remain viable regardless of who wins in 2028.

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