A Conversation with Former Assistant to the President Philip H. Gordon. Dr. Gordon leads a moderated conversation with audience participation focused on geopolitical trends that affect peace, security, and business prospects in the United States and around the world. As Assistant to President Joe Biden and National Security Adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, Dr. Gordon was for four years a regular participant in the President’s Daily Brief in the Oval Office as well as countless meetings of the National Security Council and Principals Committee. Topics for discussion and audience Q&A can include the future of U.S.-China relations; the war in Ukraine; prospects for war and peace in the Middle East; the impact of artificial intelligence; terrorism; climate change; migration; international trade policy; and other critical global issues. Dr. Gordon also provides analysis of the operations of the U.S. government at the highest levels, sharing insights into how decisions are made, the psychology of foreign leaders, how domestic politics impacts national-security decision-making, and other issues that only someone with his unique set of experiences can provide. This is an opportunity to discuss the most important news of the day as well as historical background to the most critical national security issues of our time.

The President’s Inbox: What Business and Political Leaders Must Know About the Next Decade of Geopolitics. The next few years will see an array of challenges—from the rise of AI and technological competition to escalating tensions with China, Russia, and the Middle East, as well as the urgent demands of climate change and economic instability. Dr. Phil Gordon delivers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a hypothetical Presidential briefing, offering a realistic, insider perspective on the decisions that will shape the next decade. Business and political leaders will gain critical insights into the risks and opportunities ahead, helping them navigate uncertainty, anticipate policy shifts, and make informed strategic decisions in an increasingly complex world. 

The Middle East: War or Peace? Instability in the Middle East is a common feature of our time, affecting everything from oil prices to supply chains, migration flows, terrorist threats and countless human lives. In the past two years alone we have witnessed the horrific attacks of October 7, a war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands, growing violence on the West Bank, the first-ever Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israel, Iranian nuclear expansion, and Houthi attacks on commercial shipping that has largely shut down maritime traffic in the Red Sea. At the same time, new opportunities abound, with setbacks to terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Iran weaker than it has been for decades, and the prospect of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Does the future of the region point to more peace or more war?  How will the Trump Administration – divided between “hawks” who want to project American power and “doves” who want to keep the United States out of foreign conflicts – manage a region that always seems to pull the United States in? A former White House Coordinator for the Middle East and adviser to multiple Presidents and CEOs, Dr. Gordon shares his unique insider’s perspective into developing trends, risks, and opportunities throughout the region.   

What to Expect from Trump Foreign Policy. Donald Trump has assumed the presidency for a second time, and significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy are anticipated. Certain Trump principles are clear: skepticism about alliances like NATO and encouraging allies to contribute more; opposition to free trade and a belief that tariffs can raise revenues and stimulate domestic production; and fierce opposition to unauthorized migration. At the same time, the Trump administration is divided between advisers who favor willingness to use American military power to exert global leadership and deter conflict and others who believe America should focus on problems at home and want to avoid foreign military conflicts at all costs – and Trump seems to swing back and forth between both positions. How will these tensions play out when it comes to U.S. policy toward Ukraine, the Middle East, and China? A longtime analyst of U.S. foreign policy under multiple administrations, author of numerous books about the subject, and having served at the highest levels of government himself, Dr. Gordon is uniquely placed to assess how Trump will handle national security issues over the coming four years – the answer to which will have an enormous impact on the United States and the entire world.    

The Not-So-Secrets of Effective Leadership. After a career spanning three decades in government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations – leading teams as small as a dozen people or as large as 7,000 with a multi-billion-dollar budget – Dr. Gordon shares with the audience the lessons he has learned about effective leadership from the Board Room to the Situation Room. Telling compelling stories from his personal experiences and what he has observed from presidents, cabinet members, CEOs, and other leaders, Dr. Gordon provides the audience with keys to effective leadership and how to get the most out of a team given inevitable constraints on time and resources and the persistent demands of crisis-management. His lecture focuses on the 5 “Ps” that are indispensable to success whether in government or the private sector: personnel, prioritizing, preparation, punctuality, and problem-solving. Whether you are an emerging leader of a small team or a CEO with broad responsibilities, Dr. Gordon will provide you with guidelines to help you avoid common pitfalls and succeed, especially in the face of adversity or crisis.     

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