On November 20, JST continued its tradition of convening intimate, high-level conversations on geostrategic affairs. Since its inception four years ago, JST has positioned these encounters as moments where diplomacy, strategy, and intellectual inquiry meet—an opportunity for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners to reflect together on issues shaping the global landscape.
The guest of honor for this session was Dr. Sebastian Gorka, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the White House. He was introduced by JST publisher Ahmed Charai who opened by recalling a milestone moment:
“Just a few months ago, President Trump signed a historic agreement to end the war in Gaza — a courageous step that has opened the door to new possibilities for peace and stability across the Middle East.”
From there, he welcomed Dr. Gorka: “Over the past several years, Dr. Gorka has been at the center of key counterterrorism efforts. One example many of you know is his role in bringing an American hostage home from Afghanistan — the kind of mission that demands real commitment and persistence behind the scenes.”
Charai also underscored Gorka’s more recent work, including his leadership of a senior delegation to Lebanon aimed at disrupting Hezbollah’s Iranian-backed financing networks—an initiative that reinforced U.S. cooperation in the global fight against terrorism.
Following the introduction, Dr. Gorka joined Robert Silverman, JST’s editor-in-chief, for a wide-ranging exchange touching on several of today’s most pressing security concerns—Gaza, Iran, and the evolving terrorist threat landscape affecting both the United States and the broader international community.
Throughout the discussion, Gorka returned to a consistent theme: President Trump’s determination to defend US interests with clarity and resolve. He reiterated the President’s commitment to fighting terrorism and confronting adversaries who threaten American security, framing these priorities as central to any durable vision of regional stability and global peace.
