B787 Captain reported a previously written up and cleared slat drive failure during cruise. Crew elected to continue to destination and landed safely.

Narrative

In the morning when I first checked; I discovered the aircraft we would later fly had experienced a Slat Drive failure inbound to ZZZ1. By the time our late ZZZ1 flight departed; ZZZ1 Maintenance had changed a tire and ops checked normal" the Slat Drive. During the walk around Relief Pilot discovered a large (but deferrable) gouge on the opposite main. We departed and all was normal. After five hours into the flight; and after conducting our shift change; the relief pilots called to notify me that Slat Drive failure warning had miraculously reappeared. I returned to the flight deck and discovered a slat was askew. We then ensured all checklists were properly accomplished. We considered the dramatically increased approach speed; runway length; runway use due to the political situation; winds; aforementioned tire gouge; and a host of other factors. We contacted Dispatch who was also very helpful. After consultation and coordination with Maintenance Control; Dispatch; ATC coordinator; and the Ops Manager we decided to continue to ZZZ and requested that the Operations pre-brief ZZZ ATC; Tower; and station about our situation and special requirements. It should be noted that Maintenance Control suggested we attempt to reset the Alternate Flaps system which is contrary to our checklist so we declined. We then coordinated with all of our inflight team who were tremendously helpful and professional in her handling of the situation and its potential adverse possibilities. Prior to landing; the passengers were briefed and the situation explained in both a calming and reassuring manner.ZZZ is challenging on a good day and we had to coordinate non standard operational procedures; run checklists; and cope with spoofed GPS-all while managing a defective airplane and planning for alternate possible outcomes."