Sebastian Gorka claims global jihadi movement is on the back foot

Sebastian Gorka, Deputy Assistant to President Donald Trump and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council, stated that the global jihadi movement is currently “on the back foot.”

In an interview with Breitbart News, Gorka argued that previous jihadi objectives—such as destabilizing Arab monarchies in the Middle East and undermining the West, specifically the United States—have failed. He noted that Gulf Cooperation Council countries are now closer to the United States than ever before, particularly following Iranian attacks in the region.

Gorka provided specific figures regarding recent military activity, claiming that U.S. operations have killed 1,081 jihadists worldwide over the last 18 months and resulted in the release of 110 American hostages. He attributed these outcomes to the decision to reinstate engagement protocols from the first Trump administration. He also cited the military offensive against Iran, known as “Midnight Hammer,” as evidence of restored American deterrence.