  Using an effective field theory (EFT) formalism for forward scattering, we
reconsider the factorization of $2\to 2$ scattering amplitudes in the Regge
limit. Expanding the amplitude in gauge invariant operators labelled by the
number of Glauber exchanges, allows us to further factorize the standard impact
factors into separate collinear and soft functions. The soft functions are
universal, and describe radiative corrections to the Reggeized gluon states
exchanged by the collinear projectiles. Remarkably, we find that the one-loop
soft function for the single Reggeized gluon state is given to
$\mathcal{O}(\epsilon)$ in terms of the two-loop cusp and two-loop rapidity
anomalous dimensions. We argue that this iterative structure follows from the
simple action of crossing symmetry in the forward scattering limit, which in
the EFT allows us to replace the divergent part of a soft loop by a much
simpler Glauber loop. We use this correspondence to provide a simple
calculation of the two-loop Regge trajectory using the EFT. We then explore its
implications at higher perturbative orders, and derive the maximally matter
dependent contributions to the Regge trajectory to all loop orders, i.e.~the
terms $\sim \alpha_s^{k+1}n_f^k$ for any $k$, where $n_f$ is the number of
massless flavors. These simplifications suggests that the EFT approach to the
Regge limit will be helpful to explore and further understand the structure of
the Regge limit.
