Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Reviews Gulf Visit, Previews Upcoming U.S.-U.A.E. Strategic Dialogue

Share

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Timothy A. Lenderking underscored the importance of the new Strategic Dialogue that will be initiated between the U.S. and the U.A.E. The first session of this new government-to-government forum will be chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.A.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is scheduled to occur virtually on 20 October. DAS Lenderking provided basic details for the upcoming dialogue meeting during a virtual fireside chat with U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council members this morning. A video of the event can be found here.

DAS Lenderking, who serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Gulf Affairs in the Near East Bureau at the U.S. Department of State, recently returned from a trip to the Gulf, where he met with leadership from key Gulf partners and spoke virtually to the Business Council’s membership on Wednesday, 7 October. DAS Lenderking reviewed the objectives and outcomes of this trip and spoke about the current state of play with regards to U.S. relations with Gulf countries. Moreover, DAS Lenderking also highlighted the implications of the Abraham Accords for the signatories and the broader Middle East region and opportunities to showcase the best of America at Expo2020 Dubai, which is just under a year away.

DAS Lenderking elaborated on U.S. and partner regional policy challenges in discussing the continued threat from Iran and its proxies, and noted how this dynamic has evolved as a result of the Abraham Accords and the potential for greater security cooperation between Israel and Gulf States.

DAS Lenderking also spoke about differences of opinion over China’s proper role in the Gulf region. He highlighted U.S. concerns about China’s growing regional presence, especially with regard to the gradually increasing role they are playing as a provider of security, cyber, defense, and certain advanced life science technology applications.

This event which is part of the Business Council’s Back to Business Webinar series, was attended by over 200 U.S. and U.A.E. business executives and government officials.

For more information about this series and an exciting slate of upcoming events, please contact the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s head of communications Mary Zuccarello at mzuccarello@usuaebusiness.org.