Daniel “Deak” Roh is the Principal Director (Acting) within the office of Special Operations & Combating Terrorism (SOCT) of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC). In this capacity, he serves as the deputy to the DASD, focused on integrating and broadening cross-DASD collaboration and representing the DASD-ship in inter-OSD discussions and processes. He also assists with related interdepartmental and interagency coordination.

From July 2017 until December 2020, Deak served as the Director for Irregular Warfare Policy. He was tasked to stand up the directorate with the express purpose of revamping DoD policy on Irregular Warfare, and was the OSD lead for the development of the 2019 Irregular Warfare Annex to the National Defense Strategy.

Prior to his current position, Deak was the Russia Policy Chief, OSD Policy International Security Affairs, from 2014 to mid-2017. During this time, he led the Russia Team in developing initiatives for the Secretary of Defense regarding the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, a review of the Department’s planning for the Defense of NATO against Russian aggression, and reorientation of the Department’s posture to account for great power competition regarding Russia.

Deak has worked for multiple administrations in the Office of the Secretary of Defense over the past 20 years, focusing primarily on European and Eurasian security and defense issues. Other previous assignments include Country Director, United Kingdom and Ireland; Country Director, Romania and Bulgaria; and Junior Country Director, Russia.
He holds an MA from the Catholic University of America, a BA from the Pennsylvania State University, both in international affairs, and is a graduate of the Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program. He is the recipient of the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service award, Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award with Oak Leaf, and the International Security Affairs Impact Award. Deak is a resident of Washington D.C.