The United States and Egypt held the 35th annual U.S.-Egypt Military Cooperation Committee (MCC) in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 23-24, 2024. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Middle East Daniel B. Shapiro, and Egypt Assistant Minister of Defense for Foreign Relations Major General Walaa Bibers, co-chaired the event for the United States and Egypt, respectively.
Building on last year's strategic forum in Cairo, the MCC reinforced the strong U.S.-Egypt defense partnership through discussions on enhancing security cooperation, shared regional concerns, and building on critical security assistance programs. The delegations exchanged perspectives on regional security challenges, including the conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan, Houthi threats to the free flow of global commerce in the Red Sea, and the destabilizing activities by Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups. Both sides agreed on the importance of enhancing regional security integration and deepening U.S.-Egyptian military cooperation.
DASD Shapiro expressed appreciation for Egypt's ongoing efforts to facilitate Gaza hostage release and ceasefire talks, as well as Egypt's role in deescalating regional tensions. He reiterated that the United States seeks a diplomatic resolution along the Israel-Lebanon border that would allow civilians on both sides to return safely to their homes, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and increased delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need. DASD Shapiro and Major General Bibers reaffirmed the enduring U.S. and Egyptian commitment to the bilateral strategic relationship and preserving regional stability.
