Good morning and thank you for joining us for the 15th edition of the Atlantic Council front page, the councils premier live ideas platform for global leaders. During this extended period of global uncertainty in the era of covid19, Atlantic Council front page has enabled Atlantic Council committee to group closer and larger as we advance the global conversation about the most significant challenges facing our world today. Over the last few months weve been hearing from a diverse array of extraordinary leaders with an impressive global audience on this platform. Including Prime Minister of singapore. Kenya president of peru, former usa today state Hillary Clinton and other global leaders. Next week we hope you will join us for a conversation with u. S. Secretary of state mike pompeo. Secretary pompeo will be back from central in european and how european nations are awakening to the challenges china poses for them. Today we feature his excellency, the minister of state for Foreign Affairs of the united arabs in conversation with the Atlantic Council, director of the middle east Security Initiative and one week ago today the uae released a joint statement along with the United States and israel, announcing that the uae would become the first person golf state to normalize relations with and recognize the state of israel. This deal is historic for many reasons, not least because of the incredible amount of opportunities for business, scientific in Human Exchange and cooperation between the uae and israel. But it will also be felt across the middle east, in my view this initiative is to be applauded and celebrated, it is probably the most Strategic Development in the middle east in recent memories. And has the potential, prosperity and security for the whole region. It is truly historic and there are few People Better position to talk about these issues then doctor who is served as minister of state for Foreign Affairs for the uae since 2018. While the uae is a small geographic, it plays an outside role on the regional and national stage, truly above its wage, this is in no small measure due to the skill and vision of our guest today. We will talk to doctor about the uas hopes and expectations for this new chapter in the countries Foreign Policy and that this important moment for his country for israel and for the United States. So thank you all for joining us for this important discussion. I encourage all of you to join the discussion by either using the q a function on zoom or by tweeting your questions by using the ac front page. I would now like to introduce kirsten as the moderator of todays program. Kirsten is an experience middle east and public service, having come to the Atlantic Council last year after spending 20 years working National Security in the middle east and africa from positions within the u. S. Department of state, department of defense, the white house and the nonprofit sector. Most recently she served as senior director for affairs at the National Security council. She is currently director of the middle east Security Initiative and she leads along as part of the middle east program. So kirsten, over to you. Thank you so much steve, it is wonderful to see you as always, welcome to the virtual front page, lets get right into the recent announcement of the abraham link and still grabbing the headlines, as we begin let me remind those with this intimate conversation that you can join the discussion st mentioned as using a q a function on zoom in your questions to twitter. Doctor, the deal between the uae and israel as he mentioned is historic and it will impact the relations at large and will continue to shape and in the region and also i runs outlook on its neighbors and potentially lead to advances in technical sectors like health, agriculture, technology, entrepreneurship. Lets start with the steam setter, it had very close holes in the three capitals involved in planning but now that its been announced, can you share how this deal has evolved and did it originate in the uae, israel and how did happen and why did happen now. It is great to be here right can speak about the uae party. I would think that we have seen the developments in the beliefs that it does need a strategic break. In the force is a development with a relationship with israel. The development with the relationship has been informal and started the days where you have a Public Relation issue because of certain denies and we started seeing further uae policies. If something is an interest to the uae, universal and under the Foreign Policy we were more nonpolitical policies so we started basically for going to a Big Convention and without basically saying they are not allowed to do this and that. Then we went to hosting the Sustainable Energy organization when then we have germany and denmark and it was clear that we have a fighting chance and we should accept the israel will be able to have a dedication and a presence and so forth. We continue with that and then you have the expert decision of inviting israel. So as things develop, i would say it was only natural that we would look into normalizing relationships. And it was going to happen and it was going to happen this ye year, is going to happen next year or the year after. It was a matter of fact. I think the ub is not the only country, there are several other countries that are on the scale in different stages. Now why did you happen this year. I think there has been serious concerns and the uae went overboard as part of the league and the usual statements it was one of the early states of annexation. And then you also had a remarkable these things developed in part of the thinking in all three capitals where we can actually connect, can we actually connect i was speaking to a european ambassador an hour ago and i said can we actually connect this to an giveandtake, its an annexation and he said impressed normalization is also a positive thing so i would say that these things developed in many people played an Important Role in certainly a team plays an important one. Under all of that, its really important, under all of that is the strategic re, and the desire as strategic you can do things normally every day but you dont get the big opportunity and less you take a big risk and here he felt that this is what we will have issues but is the right thing to do because it will open up the space and also the opportunity for space. Especially as you know the uep wants to reaffirm his global position in terms of business, finance, logistics and you cannot do this and as i said it would happen in 2021, 2022 and the distinction of annexation and in many ways and out of context let me dig in to the ue that you mention, historians point out that they suffer negative consequences as a result of the normalization of israel but likewise neither the reach of her mommy benefit by the large receiving from the u. S. Securities which is not really a factor to the ue. When you and your colleagues in abu dhabi waived the pros and cons of the agreement and the Strategic Vision and the opportunity youre referring to what were the most pressing needs and the uae that is intended to address or the most decisive benefits longterm strategic goals that it will yield in the longterm. The pathway to purchase a 35 or pathway to collaborate with israel under a 35 competitor for example, what was the root of the thinking. Again you will have something that is tangible and then you have something in terms of how things will open up. I think the tangible thing was certainly the suspension of annexation. That is the tangible thing. It is by the Israeli Government which gives it space. And if you look out of the initiatives and about the two states solutions. In the normalization and so forth. Part of this taken into account that in the 18 year since initiatives, the biggest threat with a two state solution is annexation. I would say that is tangible. If you look beyond the tangible, definitely this will open up opportunity, our economy is larger so israel has a lot of opportunities here but on the other hand israel also has the critical advantage that we can benefit. And we recently seen that in the price against corporate where the uep has been very active and very effective with the national response. I would say that we would benefit from this sort of technological powers of israelis in certain areas and then we benefit also from the dynamic nature of the uaes economy. Having said that in my assessment, this is going to be a world peace. We really unlike jordan and unlike egypt will have not forced with israel. That is not really a factor, its not a national site. On the other hand with regard to the Weapon System et cetera, there has been a lot et cetera. India already has indicated that it wants the 55, i think the first time in six years, this is something on the table, we have legitimate request that are there and we ought to get them and i think this is not this in my opinion, we ought to get them in the whole idea of war with israel will no longer exist, i think should we actually be more easier but the f35 as i said is requested of six years ago and many of our request in terms of defense and et cetera i request that receive this deal, theyre not connected to this deal. You mentioned the israel and the ue have not had a work in this request has been pending for six years, what do you think the is really concern of fear is associated with the sale . I really dont know, i dont know how much of this is domestic israeli politics, israeli politics but what i know very clearly is the uae has been very happy and is time to upgrade them in the 55 has always been a target in the defense requirements and i think the whole idea of belligerent state of affairs were no longer be there but that as i said is part of the separation, part of the deal will open but i see other investors in ac areas of people to People Movement in areas and tourism, icy areas where we would benefit as a culture breakthrough that i will also tap into one of the most dynamic economies really and one of the most global economies. Its really a twoway street. That makes perfect sense, let me ask you quickly and the most circle back to annexation, briefly is there anything more about israeli politics and american politics, a quick question on that the white house supports the seals but the Technology Talks about associated with the sale that can take office. How would you convince the Biden Administration or democratically controlled congress and the u. S. To support the transfer of cutting u. S. Military technology . I think first of all let me say they were very encouraged with the big bipartisan support now following Vice President biden statement supporting it does not become in a administration policy, its become an american policy and i think thats very positive in my opinion. Again i think this is something we will have to work the system before and weve been successful many times, less successful other times but i think we understand how the system works. But i think what is essential is to say the dod expects its requirements will be accepted and we feel with the signing of this peace treaty in the coming weeks or months is discussion on timing in any hurdle toward this report will no longer be there. I think lubrication would help with unblocking the opticals and along the lines, the joint statement with israel and the u. S. Said the israel will suspend annexation and theres debate on whether theres temporary or enduring promise, what does the uae understand this deal to mean with regard to annexation, how do you think the deal has changed the capitalist a government on this issue. Let me come back to the trouble administration proposal. The palestinians felt that it was very onesided and they had good reasons in our main messa message, various countries with the palestinians was in means negotiating and engaged. Dont leave the negotiating table because clearly the history of the conflict tells you several things. In number one acceptance, change, underground, the political deal which is available in 1948 and it became impossible and 67 which was available and 67 and became impossible later on. They saw an opportunity. With boys been urged by everybody, help us. Night after night, palestinian issue people asking me, are we going to see anything more . Delivering more so there delivering the clear progress of suspension. We come to the issue of disappointment or how long would it take . If you ask me, theres no timeframe and what was chosen, we understand that this is a commitment. It would give us time i dont see this as being security were also in a few months. We have a good period of time to avoid annexation and this is critical in our thinking. The decision to normalize with israel was coming sooner or later. It was going to happen next year or thereafter. Seizing the opportunity will linking it to the suspension of annexation, we came out with a good deal. Its your framing, as a win on the ground for the palestinian cause, the leadership has condemned the agreement, they were essential for the planning part in taking to the heart. I do think the ua is expected to take that into account when agreeing to Something Like this with another country for reasons outside of the israeli situation why should they not just focus on the interest of the you e . What is your conversation in the palestinian leadership . It is their decision, we could have just come and said we are going to normalize our relationship with israel and doing it for these reasons and not taking into account annexation but i think also, throughout the years, weve had a two state solution. Weve been committed to the palestinians urge and aspirations and dependent states. Weve been committed to this and as such, this is an opportunity we sought and we did not discuss this deal prior to the announcement of any of our friends, none of them. We clearly talked that this would jeopardize the deal. It opened up this conversation but i think on the other hand, weve been urged by many, looking at some of the things we did so they took into account the industry. They are urging us, everybody was urging everybody. Is there anything we can do . We are basically an issue that would be difficult so i think it was an opportunity that we took, we did it for the right reasons and overall, i would say every important capital is basically supported. We do ask some issues within that region with iran and turkey and some of those but this polarization is reflective, theres nothing new there. Our new lines as a result of them normalizing with israel. In these conversation you mentioned with other capitals about why the ua chose to do this right now and what the compelling be to follow suit, if these nations also act, make ask in advance in exchange for normalization . Or was it a uniquely positioned to do . What does it mean if anything . Of the country has its own history, etc. Ourselves as a dynamic, out of country that wants to bring a lot of value because we see is an exclusive you of the world, it would not allow you to go up to your potential. From that perspective, there are many parts. Nobody thought they would have that. At the time, that decision was in writing, is something risky. We pulled one of the most spectacular visits of the catholic and we feel we did the right thing. By the same group of countries that are critical of what they you e does and is doing but it is clear, we want them to come and see where we can have our targets. Where can we open up the region and make it more global . This is a different decision but to visit from a western perspective would not be the same. This is something you dont do so from that perspective, the uae is very Successful Development more than here in the region but we do feel we cannot be prisoners of high rhetoric and at the same type, and action on the palestinian issue. We keep ourselves between what we hear from regional seats and were manipulating emotional side of the palestinian issue and also look at an action of decisionmaking, the palestinian issue. We cant be prisoners forever of that. We found an opportunity, we feel the opportunity is a two state solution at the same time, we are going to carry on with the issue of normalization with this. Thank you. Touching on what you said about stretch targets and opening the region, part of irans leverage was due to the fact that arts adversaries were not united. Now that is changing, do you think irans calculus is changing . After that, now that you have reached out to israel, my a new stretch be to iran . I think the iranians rhetoric and aggressive position over the years has deals like this, it is important. By changing the sentiment in the region because the iranians are reaching out throughout the years and has not talked to the region but across the region. They view themselves as this region. On the other hand, this deal is not about that. This is really about that you e and uae and supporting the two states and the more moderate view. Having said that, i am encouraged by President Trump and Vice President biden. Both of them see in the coming periods, whatever the result is, we subscribe to that. We do have our issues but at the same time, we have deescalation and we are very supportive from all statements of the president and the Vice President so this is the way we are looking at it, its not about creating some sort of front against them but we want to see it also rhetoric and policies, theyve not really allowed many countries to have confidence in their views to the region but this is not about iran. Lets turn to a question from general jim jones, executive cha