Left, Right & Center Jake Sullivan’s Toughest National Security Decisions, from On Point
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Oct 15, 2025 
Jake Sullivan, former U.S. National Security Advisor, shares insights on critical foreign policy challenges. He discusses the implications of Trump’s potential return on international relations and emphasizes the importance of U.S. democratic institutions after January 6. Sullivan elaborates on U.S. roles in the Israel-Gaza conflict, the need for humanitarian efforts, and the evolving dynamics in Ukraine. He also reflects on the emotional weight of making life-and-death decisions and critiques both past and current strategies regarding China.
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National Security Is Broad And Practical
- National security means sustaining the American way of life, not just military power.
- It includes security, prosperity, democracy, and values across health, supply chains, and climate.
Motives Shape Security Claims
- Leaders can broaden national security for good reasons or as a pretext to target opponents.
- Motive matters when assessing whether a policy truly serves security or politics.
Danger Of Turning Opponents Into Enemies
- Rhetoric that treats political opponents or civil society as enemies mirrors authoritarian playbooks.
- Sullivan warns such framing is dangerous and undermines democratic norms and global credibility.