1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:01,440 mm . 2 00:00:03,740 --> 00:00:06,160 Okay , good afternoon everybody . We're 3 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:08,160 gonna start here in just a second , 4 00:00:08,340 --> 00:00:10,340 Just a little bit of ground rules . 5 00:00:10,340 --> 00:00:12,396 We've got about 30 minutes . Uh both 6 00:00:12,396 --> 00:00:14,396 secretary and chairman have opening 7 00:00:14,396 --> 00:00:16,507 comments . We'll let them get through 8 00:00:16,507 --> 00:00:18,673 those first and then I'll moderate and 9 00:00:18,673 --> 00:00:20,673 uh and call on questioners , please 10 00:00:20,673 --> 00:00:22,896 identify who you are and uh what outlet 11 00:00:22,896 --> 00:00:25,118 you are with when you ask your question 12 00:00:25,118 --> 00:00:27,229 and please limit the follow up follow 13 00:00:27,229 --> 00:00:29,451 up so we can get through as efficiently 14 00:00:29,451 --> 00:00:31,451 as possible . That service sector . 15 00:00:31,451 --> 00:00:33,618 Thanks sean . And thanks to all of you 16 00:00:33,618 --> 00:00:36,080 for coming today . I'd like to start by 17 00:00:36,090 --> 00:00:39,300 talking briefly about my trip later 18 00:00:39,300 --> 00:00:42,170 this week to our priority theater of 19 00:00:42,170 --> 00:00:44,930 operations , which is of course the end 20 00:00:44,930 --> 00:00:47,680 of pacific And then I'll add just a few 21 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:49,990 words on Afghanistan , which is very 22 00:00:49,990 --> 00:00:52,360 much on all of our minds here . 23 00:00:53,740 --> 00:00:56,820 And uh I'd like to start by saying I'm 24 00:00:56,820 --> 00:00:58,876 looking forward to my second trip to 25 00:00:58,876 --> 00:01:00,931 the region as Secretary of Defense . 26 00:01:01,540 --> 00:01:04,090 This time we're headed out to Southeast 27 00:01:04,090 --> 00:01:06,340 Asia and I'm glad to have the 28 00:01:06,340 --> 00:01:08,940 opportunity to engage in person with 29 00:01:08,940 --> 00:01:12,190 leaders there . I'm especially looking 30 00:01:12,190 --> 00:01:14,320 forward to making keynote remarks in 31 00:01:14,320 --> 00:01:17,480 Singapore about how we're strengthening 32 00:01:17,490 --> 00:01:19,601 one of our unmatched strategic assets 33 00:01:19,601 --> 00:01:22,270 in the region , which is our powerful 34 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:25,780 network of allies and partners . I'll 35 00:01:25,780 --> 00:01:27,836 follow up , I'll follow that up with 36 00:01:27,836 --> 00:01:30,160 stops in Vietnam and the Philippines 37 00:01:30,740 --> 00:01:32,796 where I'll meet with my counterparts 38 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:35,780 and other leaders . And so it's going 39 00:01:35,780 --> 00:01:38,750 to be a busy trip . There's no shortage 40 00:01:38,750 --> 00:01:40,917 of national security interests that we 41 00:01:40,917 --> 00:01:43,640 and our partners share in this dynamic 42 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:46,460 region and I'll be carrying a few key 43 00:01:46,460 --> 00:01:49,700 messages and agenda items . The first 44 00:01:49,700 --> 00:01:52,510 is simply that the United States 45 00:01:52,510 --> 00:01:56,250 remains a reliable partner , a 46 00:01:56,250 --> 00:01:58,350 friend who shows up when it counts . 47 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:03,007 We've been there to maintain stability 48 00:02:03,007 --> 00:02:05,170 and let's sovereign , uh we've long 49 00:02:05,170 --> 00:02:07,226 been there to maintain stability and 50 00:02:07,226 --> 00:02:09,281 let's sovereign states in the region 51 00:02:09,281 --> 00:02:11,340 make their own choices . And today 52 00:02:11,340 --> 00:02:13,210 we've moved urgently to help our 53 00:02:13,210 --> 00:02:16,400 partners tackle COVID-19 and to build 54 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:20,230 back even stronger afterward . I'll 55 00:02:20,230 --> 00:02:22,286 also continue to make the case for a 56 00:02:22,286 --> 00:02:24,960 more fair , open and inclusive 57 00:02:25,740 --> 00:02:28,390 regional order and for our shared 58 00:02:28,390 --> 00:02:32,030 values to ensure that all countries get 59 00:02:32,030 --> 00:02:34,850 a fair shake . We don't believe that 60 00:02:34,850 --> 00:02:36,739 any one country should be able to 61 00:02:36,739 --> 00:02:39,090 dictate the rules or worse yet , throw 62 00:02:39,090 --> 00:02:41,490 them over the transom . And in this 63 00:02:41,490 --> 00:02:43,657 regard , I'll emphasize our commitment 64 00:02:43,657 --> 00:02:45,879 to the freedom to freedom of the seas . 65 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:48,207 I'll also make clear where we stand on 66 00:02:48,207 --> 00:02:50,550 some unhelpful and unfounded claims by 67 00:02:50,550 --> 00:02:54,350 china in the south china sea . And 68 00:02:54,350 --> 00:02:56,880 finally , I'll be working closely with 69 00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:00,670 our partners about how we're updating 70 00:03:00,670 --> 00:03:03,470 our modernizing our capabilities and 71 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:06,260 their own capabilities to work together 72 00:03:06,260 --> 00:03:08,530 to tackle some changing forms of 73 00:03:08,530 --> 00:03:10,697 aggression and coercion that we're all 74 00:03:10,697 --> 00:03:12,808 seeing . And I'll be talking with our 75 00:03:12,808 --> 00:03:14,974 friends about how we're will work hand 76 00:03:14,974 --> 00:03:16,974 in hand to pursue our new vision of 77 00:03:16,974 --> 00:03:19,740 integrated deterrence . Mhm . Now , let 78 00:03:19,740 --> 00:03:21,851 me briefly talk about where we are in 79 00:03:21,851 --> 00:03:24,940 Afghanistan . I'm very proud of the 80 00:03:24,940 --> 00:03:26,996 professionalism that our forces have 81 00:03:26,996 --> 00:03:29,990 displayed . I'll draw down continues in 82 00:03:29,990 --> 00:03:32,630 a safe and orderly manner and we're 83 00:03:32,630 --> 00:03:34,686 still on track to finish up . By the 84 00:03:34,686 --> 00:03:37,070 end of august , the president has made 85 00:03:37,070 --> 00:03:39,250 a decision that we're going to get it 86 00:03:39,250 --> 00:03:41,250 done and we're going to get it done 87 00:03:41,250 --> 00:03:44,030 right . And we have four ongoing key 88 00:03:44,030 --> 00:03:46,670 task . We remain committed to 89 00:03:46,670 --> 00:03:48,781 protecting our diplomatic presence in 90 00:03:48,781 --> 00:03:51,470 Afghanistan and providing funding to 91 00:03:51,470 --> 00:03:53,248 the Afghan National Defence and 92 00:03:53,248 --> 00:03:56,250 Security Forces and to advising Afghan 93 00:03:56,250 --> 00:03:58,770 security ministries and to preventing 94 00:03:58,770 --> 00:04:00,840 the re emergence of transnational 95 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:03,590 terrorist organizations . And we've 96 00:04:03,590 --> 00:04:07,250 added the 5th urgent task and that is 97 00:04:07,250 --> 00:04:09,472 working closely and urgently in support 98 00:04:09,472 --> 00:04:11,400 of the State Department as they 99 00:04:11,410 --> 00:04:13,243 relocate brave afghans and their 100 00:04:13,243 --> 00:04:15,990 families who have provided such 101 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,000 exceptional service during our long 102 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,620 mission . These are friends of the 103 00:04:20,620 --> 00:04:22,760 United States who have done exemplary 104 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:26,200 and courageous work and we take our 105 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,033 obligations to them and to their 106 00:04:28,033 --> 00:04:31,200 families very seriously . You've seen 107 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:33,422 that will be hosting the first group of 108 00:04:33,422 --> 00:04:35,589 afghans that on Fort Lee in Virginia . 109 00:04:35,589 --> 00:04:38,400 We expect them to arrive soon and most 110 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:40,622 likely will stay there only for a short 111 00:04:40,622 --> 00:04:42,678 while as they complete their parolee 112 00:04:42,678 --> 00:04:44,690 paperwork . We're also working on 113 00:04:44,690 --> 00:04:46,920 several overseas locations to host 114 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:50,540 other individuals , not as far 115 00:04:50,550 --> 00:04:52,770 along in the visa process as his first 116 00:04:52,770 --> 00:04:55,260 group . Some of these locations belong 117 00:04:55,260 --> 00:04:57,371 to us and some are in third countries 118 00:04:57,840 --> 00:04:59,920 and when we can provide more details 119 00:04:59,920 --> 00:05:01,809 about which ones will use what we 120 00:05:01,809 --> 00:05:05,260 certainly will . This is a priority for 121 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,800 the administration . Not only do we , 122 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:10,800 in the Department of Defense have a 123 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:12,911 responsibility to these brave men and 124 00:05:12,911 --> 00:05:15,190 women and their families . So too do we 125 00:05:15,190 --> 00:05:17,246 have a responsibility to support the 126 00:05:17,246 --> 00:05:19,730 State Department as it carries out the 127 00:05:19,730 --> 00:05:21,897 President's Director . And of course , 128 00:05:22,340 --> 00:05:24,507 even though our mission in Afghanistan 129 00:05:24,507 --> 00:05:26,630 is not over , I would be remiss if I 130 00:05:26,630 --> 00:05:28,760 didn't take the opportunity to honor 131 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:33,350 the american and allied troops who have 132 00:05:33,350 --> 00:05:35,183 served bravely over the last two 133 00:05:35,183 --> 00:05:38,480 decades of war and those who gave their 134 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:40,510 lives there , we owe them and their 135 00:05:40,510 --> 00:05:43,410 families of debt that we can never 136 00:05:43,420 --> 00:05:46,330 repay . We know these are difficult 137 00:05:46,330 --> 00:05:49,560 times for them and we will never forget 138 00:05:49,570 --> 00:05:51,737 all that they gave for their country . 139 00:05:52,740 --> 00:05:54,962 And so now for more context on where we 140 00:05:54,962 --> 00:05:57,073 are in Afghanistan , let me pass this 141 00:05:57,073 --> 00:05:59,407 over to the chairman . Thanks Secretary , 142 00:05:59,407 --> 00:06:01,407 appreciate that and appreciate your 143 00:06:01,407 --> 00:06:03,573 comments and your leadership every day 144 00:06:03,573 --> 00:06:05,684 and good afternoon to everyone I want 145 00:06:05,684 --> 00:06:07,740 to extend . Also thank you to all of 146 00:06:07,740 --> 00:06:09,740 you because you are a reminder that 147 00:06:09,740 --> 00:06:11,962 freedom of speech is alive and well and 148 00:06:11,962 --> 00:06:14,129 freedom of the press is a principle in 149 00:06:14,129 --> 00:06:16,351 our constitution . Last week I traveled 150 00:06:16,351 --> 00:06:18,580 to Norfolk to attend a ceremony 151 00:06:18,580 --> 00:06:21,450 recognizing new operational capability 152 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:24,750 of the first and only NATO headquarters 153 00:06:24,750 --> 00:06:27,570 on U . S . Soil . Joint Forces command 154 00:06:27,570 --> 00:06:29,890 Norfolk , which is part of a vital 155 00:06:29,890 --> 00:06:31,834 network of strategic alliances and 156 00:06:31,834 --> 00:06:34,360 partnerships that enable us to protect 157 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:36,360 us military strength throughout the 158 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:38,416 world . And during those discussions 159 00:06:38,416 --> 00:06:40,527 that visit , we also talked about the 160 00:06:40,527 --> 00:06:42,527 changing character of war , the geo 161 00:06:42,527 --> 00:06:44,582 strategic changes and the challenges 162 00:06:44,582 --> 00:06:46,693 that we're gonna face sometime in the 163 00:06:46,693 --> 00:06:48,804 future . Also , last week , Secretary 164 00:06:48,804 --> 00:06:50,749 and I were honored to welcome home 165 00:06:50,749 --> 00:06:53,460 General scott miller from Afghanistan 166 00:06:53,840 --> 00:06:56,080 and I want to publicly thank him one 167 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:59,010 more time for his incredible leadership 168 00:06:59,020 --> 00:07:01,660 as the longest serving commander In 169 00:07:01,660 --> 00:07:04,110 Afghanistan , twice wounded in combat 170 00:07:04,110 --> 00:07:06,270 over the years . Scott Miller is 171 00:07:06,270 --> 00:07:08,500 American hero of the first order . He 172 00:07:08,500 --> 00:07:10,444 is representative of the more than 173 00:07:10,444 --> 00:07:13,370 800,000 service members who have served 174 00:07:13,370 --> 00:07:16,030 in Afghanistan across the last two 175 00:07:16,030 --> 00:07:18,850 decades . And we should always remember 176 00:07:18,860 --> 00:07:21,300 their faithful service joe Miller and 177 00:07:21,300 --> 00:07:23,990 his team , along with Centcom and many 178 00:07:23,990 --> 00:07:26,210 others in the joint force have paved 179 00:07:26,210 --> 00:07:28,099 the path for a safe , orderly and 180 00:07:28,099 --> 00:07:30,450 responsible transition . The sheer 181 00:07:30,450 --> 00:07:32,780 volume of movement involved in this 182 00:07:32,780 --> 00:07:36,700 operation has been extraordinary . 980 183 00:07:36,700 --> 00:07:39,070 for airlifts over the last less than 184 00:07:39,070 --> 00:07:41,260 three months have enabled us to reach 185 00:07:41,260 --> 00:07:44,640 almost 95% completion on the retrograde 186 00:07:44,650 --> 00:07:46,780 to include equipment . We also moved 187 00:07:46,780 --> 00:07:49,770 9000 people , Both civilian and 188 00:07:49,770 --> 00:07:52,800 military furthermore , all the military 189 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:55,480 operating bases outside of Kabul have 190 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:57,670 been fully transferred to the Afghan 191 00:07:57,670 --> 00:07:59,614 Ministry of Defense and the Afghan 192 00:07:59,614 --> 00:08:01,781 security forces . A small contingent , 193 00:08:02,140 --> 00:08:04,196 a predominantly military personnel , 194 00:08:04,540 --> 00:08:06,484 but some civilians and contractors 195 00:08:06,484 --> 00:08:08,707 along with Department of State , remain 196 00:08:08,707 --> 00:08:11,310 in Afghanistan to provide security and 197 00:08:11,310 --> 00:08:13,254 bolster our diplomatic presence in 198 00:08:13,254 --> 00:08:16,560 Kabul . The forces here are key to 199 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:18,616 achieving the five ongoing task that 200 00:08:18,616 --> 00:08:20,893 the secretary laid out in his comments . 201 00:08:20,893 --> 00:08:23,050 A major component of sustaining a 202 00:08:23,060 --> 00:08:25,890 robust diplomatic presence in Kabul is 203 00:08:25,890 --> 00:08:28,370 to maintain a functioning and secure 204 00:08:28,390 --> 00:08:31,860 airport in Kabul . So we continue to 205 00:08:31,860 --> 00:08:34,193 dedicate our security resources to that , 206 00:08:34,540 --> 00:08:36,651 to secure the embassy , to secure the 207 00:08:36,651 --> 00:08:39,110 international zone and to secure HK the 208 00:08:39,110 --> 00:08:41,166 international airport in Kabul . For 209 00:08:41,166 --> 00:08:43,166 our diplomats are personnel and our 210 00:08:43,166 --> 00:08:45,332 continued support to the government of 211 00:08:45,332 --> 00:08:48,030 Afghanistan . The Afghan security 212 00:08:48,030 --> 00:08:51,090 forces have the capacity to 213 00:08:51,090 --> 00:08:53,970 sufficiently fight and defend their 214 00:08:53,970 --> 00:08:56,650 country and we will continue to support 215 00:08:56,650 --> 00:08:58,428 the Afghan security forces were 216 00:08:58,428 --> 00:09:00,261 necessary in accordance with the 217 00:09:00,261 --> 00:09:02,150 guidance on the president and the 218 00:09:02,150 --> 00:09:04,039 secretary Defense . The future of 219 00:09:04,039 --> 00:09:06,460 Afghanistan is squarely in the hands of 220 00:09:06,460 --> 00:09:08,820 the Afghan people and there are a range 221 00:09:08,820 --> 00:09:11,980 of possible outcomes in Afghanistan . 222 00:09:11,980 --> 00:09:14,147 And I want to emphasize repeatedly and 223 00:09:14,147 --> 00:09:16,091 I've said this before , a negative 224 00:09:16,091 --> 00:09:18,258 outcome . A taliban automatic military 225 00:09:18,258 --> 00:09:20,640 takeover is not a foregone conclusion . 226 00:09:20,650 --> 00:09:22,428 We will continue to monitor the 227 00:09:22,428 --> 00:09:25,400 situation closely and make adjustments 228 00:09:25,410 --> 00:09:28,170 as necessary . Additionally , we're 229 00:09:28,170 --> 00:09:30,392 always going to maintain the capability 230 00:09:30,392 --> 00:09:32,370 of self defense . We possess the 231 00:09:32,370 --> 00:09:34,790 military means and have several options 232 00:09:34,790 --> 00:09:36,846 at our disposal to fully protect our 233 00:09:36,846 --> 00:09:39,068 force in Afghanistan and throughout the 234 00:09:39,068 --> 00:09:42,440 region in centcom if needed . The USS 235 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:44,551 Ronald Reagan Carrier strike Group is 236 00:09:44,551 --> 00:09:46,496 on station a package of long range 237 00:09:46,496 --> 00:09:48,630 bombers , additional fighter bombers 238 00:09:48,630 --> 00:09:50,790 and troop formations are postured to 239 00:09:50,790 --> 00:09:53,060 quickly respond if necessary and 240 00:09:53,060 --> 00:09:56,000 directed further . We will always 241 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,550 protect our nation . We maintain an 242 00:09:58,560 --> 00:10:00,782 agile over the horizon counterterrorism 243 00:10:00,782 --> 00:10:02,949 capability that is set up an effective 244 00:10:02,949 --> 00:10:06,350 now to detect and address any terrorism 245 00:10:06,350 --> 00:10:09,030 threat to the United States . In 246 00:10:09,030 --> 00:10:11,308 addition to our mission in Afghanistan , 247 00:10:11,308 --> 00:10:13,530 we continue to defend this country from 248 00:10:13,530 --> 00:10:15,419 all kinds of other threats . Were 249 00:10:15,419 --> 00:10:17,586 monitoring Russia north Korea , Iran . 250 00:10:17,586 --> 00:10:19,308 We watched china closely while 251 00:10:19,308 --> 00:10:21,308 maintaining strategic deterrence to 252 00:10:21,308 --> 00:10:23,500 safeguard great power piece . The 253 00:10:23,500 --> 00:10:25,333 Department Defense insurers , no 254 00:10:25,333 --> 00:10:27,444 terrorists are able to launch attacks 255 00:10:27,444 --> 00:10:29,556 from Iraq or Syria africa . We keep a 256 00:10:29,556 --> 00:10:31,667 watchful eye on Haiti and CUBA and we 257 00:10:31,667 --> 00:10:33,889 do all these things while we serve here 258 00:10:33,889 --> 00:10:35,667 at home as well . And I want to 259 00:10:35,667 --> 00:10:37,611 recognize the great efforts of our 260 00:10:37,611 --> 00:10:39,778 reserve component , our National Guard 261 00:10:39,778 --> 00:10:42,220 and our active duty soldiers that are 262 00:10:42,220 --> 00:10:44,164 fighting wildfires in California , 263 00:10:44,164 --> 00:10:46,260 pacific Northwest and as of Tuesday 264 00:10:46,260 --> 00:10:48,590 morning California and Nevada National 265 00:10:48,590 --> 00:10:51,740 Guard C 1 30 units are operating near 266 00:10:51,740 --> 00:10:54,480 sacramento California have flown 205 267 00:10:54,490 --> 00:10:58,230 sorties and provided £4.5 million of 268 00:10:58,230 --> 00:11:00,341 fire retardant . And we will continue 269 00:11:00,341 --> 00:11:02,490 to provide support as required . Our 270 00:11:02,490 --> 00:11:04,657 joint forces incredible because of the 271 00:11:04,657 --> 00:11:06,601 skill determination of our men and 272 00:11:06,601 --> 00:11:08,768 women and their leaders and there's no 273 00:11:08,768 --> 00:11:10,712 task that they cannot accomplish . 274 00:11:10,712 --> 00:11:12,657 Thanks for the opportunity to look 275 00:11:12,657 --> 00:11:14,934 forward to your questions . Thanks sir , 276 00:11:14,934 --> 00:11:17,157 bob . Thank you . Tom I have a question 277 00:11:17,157 --> 00:11:20,200 for each of you . Secretary Austin , 278 00:11:20,210 --> 00:11:22,450 both of you and General Mellie have 279 00:11:22,450 --> 00:11:24,600 mentioned a number of times that the 280 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:26,489 United States intends to continue 281 00:11:26,489 --> 00:11:29,230 providing supporting afghan forces 282 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:32,350 through financial assistance and remote 283 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:35,890 logistical assistance . Um , But given 284 00:11:35,890 --> 00:11:38,001 the tenuous state of security there , 285 00:11:38,001 --> 00:11:40,112 the Taliban offensive , I'm wondering 286 00:11:40,112 --> 00:11:42,520 whether , in your view the US should do 287 00:11:42,530 --> 00:11:46,260 more beyond August 31 to prevent a 288 00:11:46,260 --> 00:11:48,480 collapse of the government . And if I 289 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:50,424 could pose the question to General 290 00:11:50,424 --> 00:11:52,647 Melody . Also , General Milley , you're 291 00:11:52,647 --> 00:11:54,536 portrayed in books published this 292 00:11:54,536 --> 00:11:56,770 summer as having sounded the alarm 293 00:11:56,770 --> 00:11:58,890 privately about the possibility of 294 00:11:58,890 --> 00:12:02,400 president trump Manufacturing a crisis 295 00:12:02,410 --> 00:12:04,470 uh , involving the military , either 296 00:12:04,470 --> 00:12:06,850 domestically or overseas in order to 297 00:12:06,850 --> 00:12:09,620 stay in office after January 20 . I'm 298 00:12:09,620 --> 00:12:11,398 wondering would you now set the 299 00:12:11,398 --> 00:12:13,630 historical record straight and were you 300 00:12:13,630 --> 00:12:15,686 concerned about the possibility of a 301 00:12:15,686 --> 00:12:17,730 coup and on what basis with that 302 00:12:17,740 --> 00:12:21,590 concern ? So in the first piece 303 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:23,767 bob . Thanks for your question there . 304 00:12:23,767 --> 00:12:27,680 Um , we are doing a lot to support 305 00:12:27,680 --> 00:12:31,350 the afghan military in the 306 00:12:31,350 --> 00:12:35,200 afghan um , leadership 307 00:12:35,210 --> 00:12:38,570 as we speak . We talked a lot about the 308 00:12:38,570 --> 00:12:40,792 fact that we're going to stand up nodes 309 00:12:40,792 --> 00:12:42,570 to continue to provide security 310 00:12:42,570 --> 00:12:45,600 assistance . We stood up a note and uh , 311 00:12:45,610 --> 00:12:49,440 in uh , in Qatar that's operational 312 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:52,450 now , we , we have 313 00:12:52,940 --> 00:12:55,830 provided begun the provisions of the 314 00:12:55,830 --> 00:12:57,719 aircraft that we mentioned to you 315 00:12:57,719 --> 00:12:59,886 earlier that we're going to provide on 316 00:12:59,886 --> 00:13:02,990 friday three uh newly refurbished uh 317 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:06,560 euh sixties landed in in Kabul . And 318 00:13:06,570 --> 00:13:09,040 they'll continue to see a steady 319 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:11,207 drumbeat of that kind of support going 320 00:13:11,207 --> 00:13:14,600 forward . Um We've talked about , you 321 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:18,190 know , setting up a uh no to be able to 322 00:13:18,190 --> 00:13:22,090 conduct or the horizon strikes . Uh 323 00:13:22,100 --> 00:13:25,750 that note is in place august uh 324 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:29,007 after august our focus as we've said , 325 00:13:29,007 --> 00:13:32,940 is on those threats that 326 00:13:32,950 --> 00:13:35,870 uh , that present uh those those those 327 00:13:35,870 --> 00:13:37,981 elements that present a threat to the 328 00:13:37,981 --> 00:13:40,148 United States of America . So it'll be 329 00:13:40,148 --> 00:13:42,950 a counterterrorism focus there . So 330 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:45,182 that's currently where we stand by . We 331 00:13:45,182 --> 00:13:47,182 have not changed that , but make no 332 00:13:47,182 --> 00:13:49,182 mistake that we remain committed to 333 00:13:49,182 --> 00:13:51,349 helping the Afghan security forces and 334 00:13:51,349 --> 00:13:53,460 the afghan government going forward . 335 00:13:53,460 --> 00:13:55,750 Uh and and we are doing what we said , 336 00:13:55,750 --> 00:13:58,170 we're going to do in terms of uh 337 00:13:58,180 --> 00:14:00,450 putting the pieces in place to ensure 338 00:14:00,450 --> 00:14:03,050 that we can provide that support . Mhm 339 00:14:03,540 --> 00:14:05,596 bob . Thanks for the question that I 340 00:14:05,596 --> 00:14:07,540 know there's a lot of interest out 341 00:14:07,540 --> 00:14:09,651 there and all of these books that are 342 00:14:09,651 --> 00:14:11,707 out there and quoting me and lots of 343 00:14:11,707 --> 00:14:11,680 others , et cetera . Uh I'm not going 344 00:14:11,680 --> 00:14:13,736 to comment on what's in any of those 345 00:14:13,736 --> 00:14:15,847 books . Let me just say this though . 346 00:14:15,847 --> 00:14:17,847 Um I always personally provided the 347 00:14:17,847 --> 00:14:20,013 best military professional advice . Uh 348 00:14:20,013 --> 00:14:22,236 President trump previously to President 349 00:14:22,236 --> 00:14:24,458 biden or any other president . I always 350 00:14:24,458 --> 00:14:26,458 provide the best military advice as 351 00:14:26,458 --> 00:14:26,330 Secretary Defense , whomever is the 352 00:14:26,330 --> 00:14:28,386 Secretary of Defense . And I do that 353 00:14:28,386 --> 00:14:30,441 for the National Security Council as 354 00:14:30,441 --> 00:14:32,497 well . And and I will speak also for 355 00:14:32,497 --> 00:14:34,608 this one time on the part , on behalf 356 00:14:34,608 --> 00:14:36,719 of the Joint Chief . The same applies 357 00:14:36,719 --> 00:14:38,441 to them . We always adhered to 358 00:14:38,441 --> 00:14:40,497 providing best professional military 359 00:14:40,497 --> 00:14:42,552 advice . Barnet was candid honest in 360 00:14:42,552 --> 00:14:44,663 every single occasion we did that all 361 00:14:44,663 --> 00:14:46,886 the time , every time . The other thing 362 00:14:46,886 --> 00:14:49,052 that I think is important to note here 363 00:14:49,140 --> 00:14:51,307 is that I , the other members of Joint 364 00:14:51,307 --> 00:14:53,473 Chiefs and all of us in uniform , uh , 365 00:14:53,473 --> 00:14:55,807 we take an oath , an oath to a document , 366 00:14:55,807 --> 00:14:58,029 uh , an oath to the Constitution of the 367 00:14:58,029 --> 00:15:00,084 United States and not one time do we 368 00:15:00,084 --> 00:15:03,430 violate that the entire time ? From 369 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:05,750 time of commissioning to today ? I can 370 00:15:05,750 --> 00:15:07,972 say with certainty that every one of us 371 00:15:07,972 --> 00:15:10,194 maintain our oath of allegiance to that 372 00:15:10,194 --> 00:15:11,861 document , the constitution , 373 00:15:11,861 --> 00:15:14,083 everything that's contained within it . 374 00:15:14,083 --> 00:15:16,194 And we also maintain the tradition of 375 00:15:16,194 --> 00:15:18,306 civilian control of the military . We 376 00:15:18,306 --> 00:15:20,306 did that without fail . And we also 377 00:15:20,306 --> 00:15:22,528 maintained the tradition of a political 378 00:15:22,528 --> 00:15:24,528 military . We did that then . We do 379 00:15:24,528 --> 00:15:26,583 that now and we will do that forever 380 00:15:26,583 --> 00:15:28,806 all the time bob . I'd just like to add 381 00:15:28,806 --> 00:15:32,440 a comment to that bob . I I've known 382 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,010 the Chairman for a long time . We've 383 00:15:35,010 --> 00:15:38,210 fought together . Um , we've served a 384 00:15:38,220 --> 00:15:40,276 couple of times in the , in the same 385 00:15:40,276 --> 00:15:42,164 unit , so I'm not guessing at his 386 00:15:42,164 --> 00:15:44,387 character . He doesn't have a political 387 00:15:44,387 --> 00:15:48,330 bone in his body . And I think , you 388 00:15:48,330 --> 00:15:52,130 know , I clearly have tremendous faith 389 00:15:52,130 --> 00:15:54,460 and confidence in the Chairman . Uh , 390 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:57,529 what I want to make sure we do is 391 00:15:57,530 --> 00:16:01,170 maintain our focus on on the threats 392 00:16:01,170 --> 00:16:03,150 ahead , maintain our focus on our 393 00:16:03,150 --> 00:16:05,480 pacing challenge with china . Uh , and 394 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:07,424 uh , and all the things that we're 395 00:16:07,424 --> 00:16:09,424 trying to do to make sure that this 396 00:16:09,424 --> 00:16:11,536 force is ready to meet the challenges 397 00:16:11,536 --> 00:16:15,210 of the future , according jay Austin 398 00:16:15,220 --> 00:16:17,442 on Afghanistan . Are you concerned that 399 00:16:17,442 --> 00:16:19,498 as the Taliban gained ground that al 400 00:16:19,498 --> 00:16:21,700 Qaeda will be able to move back in and 401 00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:23,950 be able to strengthen enough to attack 402 00:16:23,950 --> 00:16:26,117 the west . And if so , can you give us 403 00:16:26,117 --> 00:16:28,228 a sense of how long the estimates are 404 00:16:28,228 --> 00:16:30,339 before they will be able to have that 405 00:16:30,339 --> 00:16:32,394 capability ? General Milley , I know 406 00:16:32,394 --> 00:16:34,617 you don't want to talk about the book , 407 00:16:34,617 --> 00:16:36,561 but you have not denied any of the 408 00:16:36,561 --> 00:16:38,728 recent reporting that's been out there 409 00:16:38,728 --> 00:16:37,940 about you , including the comments , 410 00:16:37,940 --> 00:16:40,240 including some of the actions and the 411 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:42,184 american public and members of the 412 00:16:42,184 --> 00:16:44,500 military because of your silence on it . 413 00:16:44,530 --> 00:16:47,380 In denying it . I have no reason to 414 00:16:47,380 --> 00:16:49,310 believe that yes or anything but 415 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:53,310 accurate . So looking back now , I 416 00:16:53,310 --> 00:16:55,421 know you said that you didn't violate 417 00:16:55,421 --> 00:16:57,643 you maintain it political . But looking 418 00:16:57,643 --> 00:16:59,866 back now , were you to political at the 419 00:16:59,866 --> 00:17:02,032 time ? And are you concerned about the 420 00:17:02,032 --> 00:17:04,254 message that that sends to the rank and 421 00:17:04,254 --> 00:17:08,100 file according on your on your first 422 00:17:08,100 --> 00:17:11,310 piece . And whether or not we're 423 00:17:11,310 --> 00:17:14,770 concerned about Al Qaeda coming back , 424 00:17:15,300 --> 00:17:17,411 that's something that we are watching 425 00:17:17,411 --> 00:17:19,356 very closely currently and we will 426 00:17:19,356 --> 00:17:21,522 continue to keep an eye on again . You 427 00:17:21,522 --> 00:17:23,744 know , our major focus going forward is 428 00:17:23,744 --> 00:17:27,310 to make sure that , you know , violence , 429 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:30,060 terrorism cannot be exported from from 430 00:17:30,060 --> 00:17:32,970 Afghanistan to our homeland . And so 431 00:17:32,970 --> 00:17:34,970 we'll maintain the capability to be 432 00:17:34,970 --> 00:17:37,730 able to not only uh , observed that , 433 00:17:37,730 --> 00:17:41,240 but also uh , address that if there , 434 00:17:41,250 --> 00:17:45,080 if it does emerge , uh , Taliban early 435 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:47,247 on , committed to not providing a safe 436 00:17:47,247 --> 00:17:49,860 haven for al Qaeda , we expect for them 437 00:17:49,860 --> 00:17:51,916 to meet that commitment if they want 438 00:17:51,916 --> 00:17:54,082 legitimacy going forward . And I think 439 00:17:54,082 --> 00:17:56,304 that's something that they will have to 440 00:17:56,304 --> 00:17:58,471 uh , consider that's that's one way to 441 00:17:58,471 --> 00:18:00,910 earn it . And so , uh , we'll see what 442 00:18:00,910 --> 00:18:03,420 happens . But most importantly , we 443 00:18:03,420 --> 00:18:05,540 will maintain the over the horizon 444 00:18:05,540 --> 00:18:07,762 capabilities to be able to address this 445 00:18:07,762 --> 00:18:10,170 threat or any threat if it emerges . 446 00:18:10,540 --> 00:18:13,860 You heard me say a while back that , 447 00:18:14,340 --> 00:18:16,451 you know , my rough estimate was that 448 00:18:16,451 --> 00:18:18,451 it would take two years for them to 449 00:18:18,451 --> 00:18:20,451 develop that kind of capability and 450 00:18:20,451 --> 00:18:22,507 that it was a medium risk . I've not 451 00:18:22,507 --> 00:18:26,260 changed my uh my my assessment there . 452 00:18:26,270 --> 00:18:28,270 But again , a number of things that 453 00:18:28,270 --> 00:18:30,492 could happen that could speed that up a 454 00:18:30,492 --> 00:18:32,714 bit or slow it down . So , so according 455 00:18:32,714 --> 00:18:34,826 I areas saying , but I'm not going to 456 00:18:34,826 --> 00:18:36,937 comment any of the books . Uh , but I 457 00:18:36,937 --> 00:18:39,159 want you to know and I want everyone to 458 00:18:39,159 --> 00:18:41,270 know . I want America to know uh that 459 00:18:41,270 --> 00:18:41,040 the United States military is in a 460 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:43,262 political institution . We were then we 461 00:18:43,262 --> 00:18:44,984 are not and our oath is to the 462 00:18:44,984 --> 00:18:47,207 constitution , not to any individual at 463 00:18:47,207 --> 00:18:49,429 all . And the military did not and will 464 00:18:49,429 --> 00:18:51,790 not and should not ever get involved in 465 00:18:51,790 --> 00:18:53,957 domestic politics . We don't arbitrate 466 00:18:53,957 --> 00:18:55,846 elections . That's the job of the 467 00:18:55,846 --> 00:18:57,957 judiciary and the legislature and the 468 00:18:57,957 --> 00:19:00,290 american people is not the job of the U . 469 00:19:00,290 --> 00:19:02,068 S . Military . We stayed out of 470 00:19:02,068 --> 00:19:04,234 politics for a political institution . 471 00:19:04,234 --> 00:19:03,840 Are you concerned that some of these 472 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:06,180 comments that are attributed to you are 473 00:19:06,190 --> 00:19:07,990 making it pulling you more into 474 00:19:07,990 --> 00:19:11,490 politics then you necessarily your your 475 00:19:11,490 --> 00:19:14,550 office should be . Let me let me just 476 00:19:14,550 --> 00:19:17,340 make a comment here . I you know , it's 477 00:19:17,350 --> 00:19:19,183 really important to me that this 478 00:19:19,183 --> 00:19:23,000 department remain a political and so 479 00:19:23,090 --> 00:19:26,620 we're going to do uh everything within 480 00:19:26,620 --> 00:19:28,830 our power to make sure that our troops 481 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:32,660 are leadership , both civilian and 482 00:19:32,660 --> 00:19:35,370 military remain focused on the task at 483 00:19:35,370 --> 00:19:37,780 hand and understand that they are not a 484 00:19:37,780 --> 00:19:40,970 part of the uh the political apparatus 485 00:19:40,970 --> 00:19:43,081 there . So we will remain a political 486 00:19:45,540 --> 00:19:48,630 Mr secretary general closer to home . 487 00:19:48,640 --> 00:19:50,940 You've got a yawning gap in leadership 488 00:19:50,950 --> 00:19:53,410 among the weapons by bureaucracy here . 489 00:19:53,420 --> 00:19:55,476 You don't have an undersecretary for 490 00:19:55,476 --> 00:19:57,531 acquisition and sustainment . You're 491 00:19:57,531 --> 00:19:59,364 seven months into the , into the 492 00:19:59,364 --> 00:20:01,476 administration , Michael Brown pulled 493 00:20:01,476 --> 00:20:03,587 out last week . You're capable acting 494 00:20:03,587 --> 00:20:05,753 is leaving . How concerned are you ? I 495 00:20:05,753 --> 00:20:08,210 mean the specifics important your trips 496 00:20:08,210 --> 00:20:10,210 important like your business of the 497 00:20:10,210 --> 00:20:12,432 department , a lot of money being spent 498 00:20:12,432 --> 00:20:15,050 her . How much , how concerned are you ? 499 00:20:15,050 --> 00:20:17,050 And have you suggested to the White 500 00:20:17,050 --> 00:20:19,050 House a new candidate ? And for the 501 00:20:19,050 --> 00:20:21,550 General Milley , a nine book question . 502 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:24,270 You talked about the afghans having the 503 00:20:24,270 --> 00:20:26,450 capability to defend themselves ? 504 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:30,220 300,000 . We spent $74 billion 505 00:20:30,220 --> 00:20:33,510 75,000 Taliban 506 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:35,730 over the president said this in 507 00:20:35,730 --> 00:20:37,674 Layman's language for the American 508 00:20:37,674 --> 00:20:39,286 people , given the numerical 509 00:20:39,286 --> 00:20:41,397 superiority of the afghans . Why does 510 00:20:41,397 --> 00:20:43,560 it appear that the taliban is winning 511 00:20:45,140 --> 00:20:47,307 Tony on your first question . In terms 512 00:20:47,307 --> 00:20:50,040 regarding the numbers of people that 513 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:53,360 we've had confirmed thus far ? 514 00:20:53,840 --> 00:20:56,300 Uh certainly we'd like to see more . 515 00:20:56,300 --> 00:20:58,189 This is something that the Deputy 516 00:20:58,189 --> 00:21:00,630 secretary and I and my my whole uh all 517 00:21:00,630 --> 00:21:02,686 of my leadership remained focused on 518 00:21:02,686 --> 00:21:04,797 each and every day and we continue to 519 00:21:04,797 --> 00:21:06,963 work with the White House to make sure 520 00:21:06,963 --> 00:21:09,770 that we have uh quality and qualified 521 00:21:09,780 --> 00:21:13,770 uh applicants to fill these seats . 522 00:21:14,140 --> 00:21:16,362 Uh we have six that have been confirmed 523 00:21:16,362 --> 00:21:19,960 so far , and uh 10 that are that are 524 00:21:19,970 --> 00:21:22,850 waiting for a vote and uh and five more 525 00:21:22,850 --> 00:21:24,850 there in committee . So the process 526 00:21:24,850 --> 00:21:26,906 continues to work . And I think that 527 00:21:26,906 --> 00:21:28,572 what you'll see that when the 528 00:21:28,572 --> 00:21:30,720 confirmations do occur , uh that they 529 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:34,690 will be experienced uh quality 530 00:21:34,700 --> 00:21:36,920 people that will add a lot of value . 531 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:38,642 And of course , you know , I'm 532 00:21:38,642 --> 00:21:40,809 concerned about the uh the A . N . S . 533 00:21:40,809 --> 00:21:42,990 Position that you mentioned uh and 534 00:21:42,990 --> 00:21:46,100 absolutely will make another nomination 535 00:21:46,100 --> 00:21:49,470 provide another name to consider for 536 00:21:49,470 --> 00:21:51,526 the White House to consider . Uh But 537 00:21:51,526 --> 00:21:53,526 that's an ongoing process . And and 538 00:21:53,526 --> 00:21:55,637 again when we do get that person , it 539 00:21:55,637 --> 00:21:58,310 will be the best person available . And 540 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:00,431 uh you know , again , I consider that 541 00:22:00,431 --> 00:22:02,431 job to be very very important . But 542 00:22:02,431 --> 00:22:04,542 we'll continue to work with the White 543 00:22:04,542 --> 00:22:06,760 House on the issues and Tony what I 544 00:22:06,760 --> 00:22:08,982 would tell you is a couple things . One 545 00:22:08,982 --> 00:22:11,204 is , you know , as well as anybody else 546 00:22:11,204 --> 00:22:13,316 that is the warfare is not just about 547 00:22:13,316 --> 00:22:15,371 numbers . Uh So yes , you cited some 548 00:22:15,371 --> 00:22:17,593 correct numbers there and uh the Afghan 549 00:22:17,593 --> 00:22:19,760 security forces writ large , the nds , 550 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:21,593 the police , the army etcetera . 551 00:22:21,593 --> 00:22:23,649 They're well equipped , they're been 552 00:22:23,649 --> 00:22:25,816 well trained Over the years , the past 553 00:22:25,816 --> 00:22:28,038 20 years at Great Expense to the United 554 00:22:28,038 --> 00:22:30,260 States and other international allies . 555 00:22:30,260 --> 00:22:32,149 Um But there's other factors that 556 00:22:32,149 --> 00:22:34,204 determine outcomes . Uh The two most 557 00:22:34,204 --> 00:22:36,316 important combat multipliers actually 558 00:22:36,316 --> 00:22:39,030 is will and leadership . Uh And this is 559 00:22:39,030 --> 00:22:41,200 going to be a test now of the will and 560 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:43,311 leadership of the Afghan people , the 561 00:22:43,311 --> 00:22:45,033 Afghan security forces and the 562 00:22:45,033 --> 00:22:47,144 government of Afghanistan right now . 563 00:22:47,144 --> 00:22:49,144 He's talked about the the narrative 564 00:22:49,144 --> 00:22:51,200 that the Taliban are winning . There 565 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:53,256 clearly is a narrative out there the 566 00:22:53,256 --> 00:22:53,090 Taliban are winning . In fact , they 567 00:22:53,090 --> 00:22:55,730 are propagating an inevitable victory 568 00:22:55,730 --> 00:22:57,786 on their behalf , their dominating a 569 00:22:57,786 --> 00:22:59,952 lot of airways on that sort of thing . 570 00:22:59,952 --> 00:23:02,119 I would tell you that as of today , Uh 571 00:23:02,119 --> 00:23:04,341 more or less , I guess it's about 212 , 572 00:23:04,520 --> 00:23:06,631 It's in that range to hundreds of the 573 00:23:06,631 --> 00:23:08,964 district centers are in Taliban control . 574 00:23:08,964 --> 00:23:11,187 It's about half of the 419 that are out 575 00:23:11,187 --> 00:23:13,020 there . You've got 34 provincial 576 00:23:13,020 --> 00:23:15,850 capitals in Afghanistan , none of them 577 00:23:15,860 --> 00:23:19,500 have been seized as of today by 578 00:23:19,510 --> 00:23:21,670 the Taliban . Although the taliban is 579 00:23:21,670 --> 00:23:23,726 putting pressure on the outskirts of 580 00:23:23,726 --> 00:23:25,726 probably about half of them , 17 of 581 00:23:25,726 --> 00:23:27,614 them , in fact , and what they're 582 00:23:27,614 --> 00:23:29,503 trying to do is isolate the major 583 00:23:29,503 --> 00:23:31,670 population centers . They're trying to 584 00:23:31,670 --> 00:23:33,726 do the same thing uh to Kabul uh and 585 00:23:33,726 --> 00:23:36,880 roughly speaking order of magnitude , a 586 00:23:36,890 --> 00:23:38,890 significant amount of territory has 587 00:23:38,890 --> 00:23:40,946 been seized over the course of 68 10 588 00:23:40,946 --> 00:23:43,001 months sort of thing by the , by the 589 00:23:43,001 --> 00:23:45,001 Taliban . So momentum appears to be 590 00:23:45,001 --> 00:23:47,223 strategic , momentum appears to be sort 591 00:23:47,223 --> 00:23:49,168 of with the Taliban and the Afghan 592 00:23:49,168 --> 00:23:49,060 security forces , there are 593 00:23:49,060 --> 00:23:51,282 consolidating their forces . So part of 594 00:23:51,282 --> 00:23:53,227 this is they're giving up district 595 00:23:53,227 --> 00:23:55,338 centers in order to consolidate their 596 00:23:55,338 --> 00:23:54,930 forces because they're taking approach 597 00:23:54,930 --> 00:23:57,041 to protect the population and most of 598 00:23:57,041 --> 00:23:59,208 the population lives in the provincial 599 00:23:59,208 --> 00:24:01,430 capitals in the capital city of Kabul . 600 00:24:01,430 --> 00:24:03,541 So they are right now , as we speak , 601 00:24:03,541 --> 00:24:05,597 adjusting forces to consolidate into 602 00:24:05,597 --> 00:24:07,708 the provincial capitals in Kabul . Uh 603 00:24:07,708 --> 00:24:07,670 and it remained , that's why I say it 604 00:24:07,670 --> 00:24:09,892 remains to be seen over the rest of the 605 00:24:09,892 --> 00:24:11,614 summer right now , violence is 606 00:24:11,614 --> 00:24:13,726 relatively local , sayyed . But after 607 00:24:13,726 --> 00:24:15,948 we were gonna find out , we're going to 608 00:24:15,948 --> 00:24:17,837 find out the levels of violence , 609 00:24:17,837 --> 00:24:17,160 whether it's going to go up stay the 610 00:24:17,160 --> 00:24:19,049 same , there's a possibility of a 611 00:24:19,049 --> 00:24:21,049 negotiated outcome that's still out 612 00:24:21,049 --> 00:24:23,271 there . Uh , There's a possibility of a 613 00:24:23,271 --> 00:24:24,882 complete taliban takeover or 614 00:24:24,882 --> 00:24:26,827 possibility of any number of other 615 00:24:26,827 --> 00:24:28,938 scenarios , breakdowns , warlordism , 616 00:24:28,938 --> 00:24:31,160 all kinds of other scenarios throughout 617 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:33,216 their monitoring very closely . Uh I 618 00:24:33,216 --> 00:24:35,549 don't think the End game is yet written . 619 00:24:35,549 --> 00:24:37,716 We got time for a couple more barb . I 620 00:24:37,716 --> 00:24:39,771 wanted to ask both of you a question 621 00:24:39,771 --> 00:24:41,882 somewhat for both of you following up 622 00:24:41,882 --> 00:24:43,920 on your recent House testimony , Mr 623 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:46,950 Secretary for you first . Um could you 624 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:50,590 um explain in more detail your views 625 00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:53,460 on when you think and under what 626 00:24:53,460 --> 00:24:55,500 circumstances critical race theory 627 00:24:55,500 --> 00:24:57,790 should be an appropriate part of 628 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:00,130 military education ? I know you brought 629 00:25:00,140 --> 00:25:02,362 you were asked about it in that hearing 630 00:25:02,362 --> 00:25:04,529 and you addressed it briefly , but I'd 631 00:25:04,529 --> 00:25:06,751 like to better understand your views on 632 00:25:06,751 --> 00:25:08,807 that and for you , General Milley in 633 00:25:08,807 --> 00:25:10,807 that hearing , you said to Congress 634 00:25:10,807 --> 00:25:12,640 that you wanted in your words to 635 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:15,450 understand white rage and what it is 636 00:25:15,450 --> 00:25:17,394 that caused thousands of people to 637 00:25:17,394 --> 00:25:19,617 assault the capital and try to overturn 638 00:25:19,617 --> 00:25:21,506 the constitution of the US ? What 639 00:25:21,506 --> 00:25:23,728 caused that ? I want to find that out . 640 00:25:24,240 --> 00:25:26,950 Can you offer a more detailed 641 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:30,160 explanation ? What led you to the 642 00:25:30,170 --> 00:25:33,390 conclusion ? Avoid rage And since 643 00:25:33,390 --> 00:25:35,557 you've talked about it publicly before 644 00:25:35,557 --> 00:25:38,950 Congress , in your view , what is white 645 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:42,700 rage and why and when 646 00:25:42,710 --> 00:25:44,432 should the U . S . Military be 647 00:25:44,432 --> 00:25:48,120 concerned about that ? Thank you . Barb 648 00:25:48,120 --> 00:25:50,190 you you've heard me say that the 649 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:52,311 critical race theory is not something 650 00:25:52,311 --> 00:25:55,790 that this department uh teachers 651 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:59,670 professors embraces . Um You've 652 00:25:59,670 --> 00:26:03,450 also heard a couple of people at 653 00:26:03,450 --> 00:26:06,150 academic institutions say that you know 654 00:26:06,160 --> 00:26:08,770 they have required this to be uh 655 00:26:09,240 --> 00:26:11,540 reading for their students and specific 656 00:26:11,540 --> 00:26:14,570 courses . But because that's the case 657 00:26:14,570 --> 00:26:17,050 does does not mean that this department 658 00:26:17,060 --> 00:26:20,850 embraces uh this theory . And I stand 659 00:26:20,850 --> 00:26:23,220 by what I said earlier and Barbara , I 660 00:26:23,220 --> 00:26:25,370 don't want us to get distracted with 661 00:26:25,370 --> 00:26:27,680 the with the critical race uh 662 00:26:27,690 --> 00:26:30,720 conversation . This department will be 663 00:26:30,720 --> 00:26:34,500 diverse . Uh It will be inclusive and 664 00:26:34,510 --> 00:26:37,030 uh we're gonna look like the country 665 00:26:37,030 --> 00:26:40,760 that we support and defend and you know 666 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:43,560 our leadership will look like what's in 667 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:47,210 the ranks of uh of our military . 668 00:26:47,220 --> 00:26:49,910 And so I'm committed to that . Uh this 669 00:26:49,910 --> 00:26:51,910 department is committed to that the 670 00:26:51,910 --> 00:26:54,077 chairman is committed to that . Uh And 671 00:26:54,077 --> 00:26:56,299 that's what we're going to stay focused 672 00:26:56,299 --> 00:26:58,466 on . And so you know , we're not gonna 673 00:26:58,466 --> 00:27:00,688 spend too much time debating the merits 674 00:27:00,688 --> 00:27:02,743 of this theory or any other theory . 675 00:27:02,743 --> 00:27:04,854 We're going to stay focused on making 676 00:27:04,854 --> 00:27:07,132 sure that we create the right force uh , 677 00:27:07,132 --> 00:27:09,299 to defend this country and promote our 678 00:27:09,299 --> 00:27:11,521 values . And I know that's important to 679 00:27:11,521 --> 00:27:13,854 you and all of you in this room as well , 680 00:27:13,854 --> 00:27:15,799 Barbara , but I thank you for that 681 00:27:15,799 --> 00:27:17,940 question . So Barb in in a minute or 682 00:27:17,940 --> 00:27:20,000 two , left . Uh , first of all , I'm 683 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:22,340 not gonna addressed specifically white 684 00:27:22,340 --> 00:27:24,562 rage or black rage , or asian rage , or 685 00:27:24,562 --> 00:27:26,618 irish rage , or english or german or 686 00:27:26,618 --> 00:27:28,673 any other age . Right ? Um , the the 687 00:27:28,673 --> 00:27:30,729 events of the 6th January happened , 688 00:27:30,729 --> 00:27:32,951 those are all going to get sorted out , 689 00:27:32,951 --> 00:27:32,010 historians have sorted out commissions 690 00:27:32,010 --> 00:27:34,270 are sorted out and so on , but I do 691 00:27:34,270 --> 00:27:36,370 think it's important that we as a 692 00:27:36,370 --> 00:27:38,320 professional military , not only 693 00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:40,153 understand foreign countries and 694 00:27:40,153 --> 00:27:42,431 foreign cultures and foreign societies . 695 00:27:42,431 --> 00:27:44,598 That's important that we do that , but 696 00:27:44,598 --> 00:27:44,560 we also need to understand our own 697 00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:46,671 society and understand the soldiers , 698 00:27:46,671 --> 00:27:48,560 sailors , airmen , marines in the 699 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:50,782 society they're coming from and I think 700 00:27:50,782 --> 00:27:52,727 that's important for leadership to 701 00:27:52,727 --> 00:27:54,893 study . Thank you . You said the words 702 00:27:54,893 --> 00:27:56,727 rage and I said I'm not going to 703 00:27:56,727 --> 00:27:56,660 discuss it right now . I think it's a 704 00:27:56,660 --> 00:27:58,690 very complicated topic and we don't 705 00:27:58,690 --> 00:28:00,857 have the time to go into the nuance of 706 00:28:00,857 --> 00:28:02,912 it right this minute . I can do that 707 00:28:02,912 --> 00:28:05,190 later . I'll be happy to do that later . 708 00:28:05,190 --> 00:28:04,900 But right now it's not a good time to 709 00:28:04,900 --> 00:28:06,740 do that . It's too complex , too 710 00:28:06,740 --> 00:28:08,740 complicated for one more guys and I 711 00:28:08,740 --> 00:28:11,290 want to get over here . Rio 712 00:28:11,820 --> 00:28:15,140 thank you . Question my name is Leo 713 00:28:15,150 --> 00:28:17,530 Nakamura with Japan's Nikkei earlier . 714 00:28:17,730 --> 00:28:20,580 I have a question to both of you , To 715 00:28:20,590 --> 00:28:24,090 General to Secretary Austin on your 716 00:28:24,090 --> 00:28:27,980 trip to southeast Asia China continues 717 00:28:27,990 --> 00:28:29,890 to militarize the south China sea 718 00:28:29,900 --> 00:28:31,990 despite the U . S . Freedom of 719 00:28:31,990 --> 00:28:34,200 navigation operation . Military 720 00:28:34,210 --> 00:28:37,340 exercises , security cooperation with 721 00:28:37,350 --> 00:28:39,820 allies and partners Inter Vision . So 722 00:28:39,820 --> 00:28:42,370 what will you do differently to change 723 00:28:42,370 --> 00:28:45,320 the trajectory of china's behavior in 724 00:28:45,320 --> 00:28:48,020 the south China sea ? Uh General mary 725 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:52,070 on Taiwan . Uh You mentioned uh in 726 00:28:52,070 --> 00:28:55,580 the House uh Armed Service Committee 727 00:28:55,590 --> 00:28:59,130 last month , China intended to 728 00:28:59,140 --> 00:29:02,740 Deborah capabilities Uh to these Taiwan 729 00:29:02,740 --> 00:29:06,460 by 2027 . Do you feel a sense of 730 00:29:06,470 --> 00:29:09,470 urgency that the U . S . And allies in 731 00:29:09,470 --> 00:29:13,110 the region such as Japan should develop 732 00:29:13,120 --> 00:29:16,270 operational grants and conduct a joint 733 00:29:16,270 --> 00:29:19,780 military exercises for contingency in 734 00:29:19,780 --> 00:29:22,950 the Taiwan's . Right . Thank you . So 735 00:29:22,950 --> 00:29:26,040 on the importance of freedom of 736 00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:29,190 navigation of the seas and the skies . 737 00:29:29,190 --> 00:29:32,140 This is this is really important not 738 00:29:32,140 --> 00:29:34,196 only to the United States of America 739 00:29:34,196 --> 00:29:36,700 but to all of our allies and partners 740 00:29:36,710 --> 00:29:39,740 in the region and around the world . Uh 741 00:29:39,750 --> 00:29:42,570 And so what we will what we have done 742 00:29:42,570 --> 00:29:44,950 and what we will continue to do is to 743 00:29:45,340 --> 00:29:47,396 work with our allies and partners to 744 00:29:47,396 --> 00:29:51,240 make sure that that we can navigate uh 745 00:29:51,250 --> 00:29:54,080 you know the skies and uh and the seas 746 00:29:54,090 --> 00:29:56,110 uh you know to the degree that we 747 00:29:56,110 --> 00:29:58,277 should have the right to in accordance 748 00:29:58,277 --> 00:30:00,970 with international law and and uh and 749 00:30:00,970 --> 00:30:03,820 so our emphasis will remain on that and 750 00:30:03,820 --> 00:30:06,150 our emphasis will also remain on making 751 00:30:06,150 --> 00:30:08,039 sure that we keep those alliances 752 00:30:08,039 --> 00:30:10,510 strong and our allies and partners know 753 00:30:10,510 --> 00:30:12,660 that they can count on us uh going 754 00:30:12,660 --> 00:30:14,771 forward . And that's the message that 755 00:30:14,771 --> 00:30:17,160 I'll take to the theater . And I think 756 00:30:17,170 --> 00:30:19,350 the answer a question on Taiwan , the 757 00:30:19,360 --> 00:30:22,490 geo strategic nature of the globe has 758 00:30:22,500 --> 00:30:24,722 been changing for quite some time . And 759 00:30:24,722 --> 00:30:26,778 and it's we're in the middle of that 760 00:30:26,778 --> 00:30:29,000 change as well . And as we go forward , 761 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:32,540 china is the pacing threat for us in 762 00:30:32,540 --> 00:30:34,707 uniform , the United States . And it's 763 00:30:34,707 --> 00:30:36,818 been uh directed now by the Secretary 764 00:30:36,818 --> 00:30:38,651 Defense the President and in the 765 00:30:38,651 --> 00:30:40,707 previous as well . So we are gearing 766 00:30:40,707 --> 00:30:42,610 our capabilities are programs are 767 00:30:42,610 --> 00:30:44,777 training , our knowledge or skills are 768 00:30:44,777 --> 00:30:47,850 at times etcetera uh militarily uh with 769 00:30:47,850 --> 00:30:49,850 china in mind , there's no question 770 00:30:49,850 --> 00:30:51,683 about it . And we will work very 771 00:30:51,683 --> 00:30:54,017 closely with Japan with other countries , 772 00:30:54,017 --> 00:30:56,160 South Korea , Philippines , Australia 773 00:30:56,160 --> 00:30:58,382 other allies and partners in the region 774 00:30:58,382 --> 00:31:00,438 uh to ensure that we have the proper 775 00:31:00,438 --> 00:31:02,604 capability to deal with whatever comes 776 00:31:02,604 --> 00:31:04,760 to uh to us in the future . Thanks 777 00:31:04,760 --> 00:31:06,816 everybody . I'm afraid we have to go 778 00:31:06,816 --> 00:31:09,038 now , appreciate appreciate it . Thanks 779 00:31:09,038 --> 00:31:11,260 very much . I'm sorry . We got we gotta 780 00:31:11,260 --> 00:31:13,593 go sorry , sorry about that . All right . 781 00:31:13,640 --> 00:31:15,640 Mhm . Then with the teaching of the 782 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:17,860 separatist people hear conservatives 783 00:31:17,860 --> 00:31:18,020 and