<p>An instrumental figure in one of the most consequential peace negotiations of our time, Brett McGurk shares compelling insights drawn from his two decades serving as a top national security advisor under four presidents.</p><p>One of the longest-serving and most effective national security experts of his generation, McGurk has been deeply involved in Middle East military strategy, diplomacy and U.S. policy for more than two decades. He has served directly for the last four presidents, negotiated multiple hostage releases, built the international coalition that ultimately defeated ISIS, and engaged regularly and directly with leaders from across the Middle East and around the world. </p><p>McGurk offers insight into complex world problems, and how he built successful coalitions, advised four very different presidents, and acted as a steady and reliable leader to resolve seemingly insurmountable conflicts—earning strong bipartisan support in our divisive times. He shares his perspective on the current state of world affairs, the personalities who shape today’s headlines and their impact on industries such as energy, global financial markets, and the U.S. economy.</p><p>McGurk’s experiences have led him to some of the world’s most volatile regions. Serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Iraq and Afghanistan under President Bush, McGurk helped develop “The Surge,” a fundamental and successful shift in Iraq war strategy. Under President Obama, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran, spearheading secret negotiations with Iran that led to the release of six American citizens from the notorious Evin prison. McGurk led sensitive negotiations with Russia on the Syria crisis and shuttled between global capitals to build the largest international coalition in history as well as local armies on the ground to defeat ISIS, serving as Special Presidential Envoy to both President Obama and President Trump. </p><p>McGurk served as the top Middle East advisor in the White House for President Biden, including the management of the crisis following the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. He was the lead negotiator on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release talks, which culminated in a ceasefire and hostage release on January 19, 2025. In the final period of these talks, McGurk invited the incoming administration to participate, a historically unprecedented partnership. </p><p>President Bush described McGurk as part of a “band of brothers” inside the White House at a critical phase of the Iraq war. President Obama called him one of his “closest advisors” on the Middle East. Condoleezza Rice referred to him as the “consummate professional diplomat.” <em>The New York Times </em>cited him as “a doer” in high-stakes negotiations. </p>
The White House’s former top Middle East negotiator who secured the historic 2025 ceasefire and hostage release between Israel and Hamas; Esteemed advisor to four consecutive U.S. Presidents
<ul><li><strong>A Conversation with Brett McGurk</strong></li><li>The White House’s top middle east advisor and diplomat Brett McGurk shares his insider’s perspective on the current state of world affairs, the personalities who shape today’s headlines and how this impacts industries such as energy, global financial markets and the U.S. economy. McGurk tailors his presentation for each audience and is available to speak in keynote, moderated question and answer, panel discussion or fireside chat formats. </li><li><strong>From the White House to the Front Lines: Fresh Perspectives on Geopolitical Hotspots</strong></li><li>Brett McGurk paints a vivid picture of today’s geopolitical climate drawn from firsthand experience serving under Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. A specialist in the Middle East who built one of the largest coalitions in history to defeat ISIS and who negotiated the long-sought Israel-Hamas cease-fire and hostage release, McGurk provides a rare combination of strategic insight and practical realities. His presentation includes anecdotes from his experiences in some of the world’s most volatile regions—such as spearheading secret negotiations with Iran that led to the release of six American citizens from the notorious Evin prison, leading sensitive negotiating with Russia on the Syria crisis, and shuttling between global capitals to build coalitions to handle life-and-death challenges. His discussions bring to light the impact of diplomacy and the ripple effect of Washington decision-making around the globe. </li><li><strong>Four Presidents at War: Leadership Lessons for Keeping Critical Missions on Track</strong></li><li>Having the unique distinction of serving as a top national security advisor under four consecutive U.S. Presidents (George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden), Brett McGurk shares his experiences working with four very different Commanders in Chief. McGurk shares unparalleled perspectives regarding the decision-making process of each of the four administrations, particularly in the Middle East. As he covers the transitions from one administration to the next, McGurk highlights mile markers and anecdotes from his accomplished career, including the complex steps he took in the campaign against ISIS and a regional approach to deter Iran and protect Israel following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2025. From the White House to battlefields and palaces across the Middle East, McGurk provides audiences with ideal business illustrations for navigating complexity and uncertainty, setting objectives and achieving successful outcomes. </li><li><strong>Negotiating on World Stage: From Drafting Constitutions to Building Coalitions to Releasing Hostages and Ending or Preventing Wars</strong></li><li>Offering seasoned perspective in bridging both republican and democrat administrations, McGurk offers unparalleled insights into some of the most high-profile legal issues facing our country—and the world—today. Serving as a top national security advisor under four consecutive U.S. Presidents, Brett McGurk was a masterful negotiator often immersed in matters of complex international law and policy. He has led negotiations with allies and adversaries, including Iran, spearheaded coalition building to defeat ISIS, and led historic negotiations with Saudi Arabia regarding a potential normalization deal with Israel. His most recent position culminated in the successful conclusion of negotiations to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, a negotiation that spanned multiple capitals over the course of a year.</li><li>Early in his career, McGurk he was the Legal Advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and helped draft Iraq’s interim constitution. After Columbia Law School, McGurk clerked for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and for U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. He was at the Supreme Court on September 11, 2001, a date that changed the course of history and also the trajectory of McGurk’s career, beginning with his position in Iraq in early 2004 and then to the White House a year later. </li></ul>