On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti ‘It affects your wiring’: Jake Sullivan on the weight of his work as national security adviser
Oct 6, 2025
Jake Sullivan, former U.S. National Security Advisor, shares insights on the weight of his role from 2021 to 2025. He discusses redefining national security to include values and prosperity. Sullivan warns against the dangers of political violence and reflects on allies' shock after the January 6 Capitol attack. He provides a nuanced take on the U.S. responses to the Israel-Hamas war and the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing local agency in peace terms. Sullivan also highlights the emotional toll of high-stakes decisions and the lessons learned from Afghanistan.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
January 6th Shook Global Confidence
- World leaders reacted to January 6th with shock and asked about the stability of American democracy.
- Sullivan says this required humility when the U.S. discusses democratic challenges abroad.
Limits Of U.S. Influence In Gaza
- The U.S. pushed to get aid into Gaza and to avert famine, but influence had limits amid Israel's security threats.
- Balancing support for an ally and preventing civilian harm was a continuous, difficult effort.
Support Ukraine, Don't Dictate Terms
- Let Ukraine decide its own peace terms and defend what is existential to it.
- The U.S. should support Ukraine to strengthen its position at the negotiating table.