The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a webinar conversation on Wednesday, May 8th with Ambassador Daniel Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East. Deputy Assistant Secretary Shapiro provided insights on the contours of the U.S.-U.A.E. defense and security relationship, including highlights from the recent U.S.-U.A.E. Joint Military Dialogue, and DoD’s perspectives on recent regional developments.
DASD Shapiro discussed his new role and priorities leading the Middle East Policy office in the Department of Defense.
DASD Shapiro offered his views on the state of the U.S.-U.A.E. defense and security relationship, noting that close security cooperation is the cornerstone of the relationship, but also extends into partnerships and cooperation on technology capabilities. He also lauded the U.A.E.’s ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza, particularly as an international partner within the recently established maritime corridor to deliver aid to Gaza via Cyprus. DASD Shapiro added that the U.A.E.’s continued commitment to the Abraham Accords with Israel is also notably important in the context of the current regional situation.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Shapiro spoke about outcomes from the recent U.S.-U.A.E. Joint Military Dialogue (JMD) which occurred last week in Washington D.C. He said that the bilateral discussions included a careful review of opportunities and challenges facing both countries, as well as the future of the U.S.-U.A.E. military relationship over the next few years. He characterized the dialogue as very successful and highlighted current regional security dynamics, counterterrorism, maritime security, integrated air and missile defense, and broader security cooperation as the main topics of discussion. He shared that the United States and the U.A.E. signed a bilateral technology security agreement at the JMD which establishes common protocols for defense technology security between the two countries.
DASD Shapiro remarked on recent Iranian attacks on Israel, the conflict in Gaza, the situation with Hezbollah regarding northern Israel, the Houthis’ continued attacks in the Red Sea and their continued threats to shipping, and the threat of other destabilizing regional activities.
Ambassador Daniel B. Shapiro was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East on January 8, 2024. He previously served as the Department of State’s Senior Advisor for Regional Integration in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs from 2023 to 2024. He served as the Senior Advisor to the Special Envoy for Iran from 2021 to 2022. DASD Shapiro served as U.S. ambassador to Israel from 2011 to 2017. He was the Director of the N7 Initiative and Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs prior to joining the Biden administration. DASD Shapiro has served in numerous senior foreign policy positions in the Executive Branch and the U.S. Congress. He was Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa on the National Security Council from 2009 to 2011, and was Director for Legislative Affairs at the National Security Council from 1999 to 2001. He previously served in senior advisory positions to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, and on the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and was a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.
For questions about this event or the Business Council’s work in the aerospace and defense sector, please contact Amira Siddiqi at asiddiqi@usuaebusiness.org.
