1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:04,940 --> 00:00:07,162 Okay . Just a couple of things that the 3 00:00:08,140 --> 00:00:11,100 top here , hopefully you've seen a 4 00:00:11,100 --> 00:00:13,270 statement we just put out by the 5 00:00:13,270 --> 00:00:16,110 Secretary condemning yesterday's 6 00:00:16,110 --> 00:00:18,054 terrorist attack in abu Dhabi that 7 00:00:18,054 --> 00:00:20,054 killed three innocent civilians and 8 00:00:20,054 --> 00:00:22,166 targeted civilian infrastructure . We 9 00:00:22,166 --> 00:00:23,943 remain committed to the U . A . 10 00:00:23,943 --> 00:00:26,166 Security and ability to defend itself . 11 00:00:26,166 --> 00:00:27,999 We stand united with our Emirati 12 00:00:27,999 --> 00:00:29,888 partners in defending against all 13 00:00:29,888 --> 00:00:32,640 threats to their territory . And then 14 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,750 last week I think you may have seen 15 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:38,680 Secretary Austin designated the Defense 16 00:00:38,690 --> 00:00:41,450 Microelectronic activity as a Center 17 00:00:41,450 --> 00:00:43,670 for Industrial Technical Excellence . 18 00:00:44,140 --> 00:00:45,918 This designation allows greater 19 00:00:45,918 --> 00:00:49,210 utilization of small runs of D . O . D . 20 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:51,110 Critical micro electronics and 21 00:00:51,110 --> 00:00:54,640 semiconductors both inside and outside 22 00:00:54,650 --> 00:00:57,970 the D . O . D . It also allows the use 23 00:00:57,980 --> 00:00:59,980 of public private partnerships that 24 00:00:59,980 --> 00:01:01,813 provide opportunities to promote 25 00:01:01,813 --> 00:01:03,869 partnering agreements between depots 26 00:01:03,869 --> 00:01:06,091 and private industry Microelectronics . 27 00:01:06,091 --> 00:01:08,313 I think as you all are aware of the D . 28 00:01:08,313 --> 00:01:10,480 O . D . Critical mission area enabling 29 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:12,591 many key weapons systems and we think 30 00:01:12,591 --> 00:01:14,813 this is a positive step forward to help 31 00:01:14,813 --> 00:01:17,380 ensure that that critical missionary 32 00:01:17,380 --> 00:01:20,710 stays relevant and viable into the 33 00:01:20,710 --> 00:01:22,750 future . And with that we'll go to 34 00:01:22,750 --> 00:01:24,861 questions bob . I think we got you on 35 00:01:24,861 --> 00:01:28,740 the phone . Yes , thank you john double 36 00:01:28,740 --> 00:01:32,660 quick questions . The statement 37 00:01:32,660 --> 00:01:34,938 on the Abu Dhabi attack says the U . S . 38 00:01:34,938 --> 00:01:37,070 Is committed to helping you a defend 39 00:01:37,070 --> 00:01:38,820 itself . Wonder if you can put 40 00:01:38,820 --> 00:01:40,820 something concrete behind that . Is 41 00:01:40,820 --> 00:01:43,580 there some consideration of increasing 42 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:46,240 some sort of air support ? Air defense 43 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:49,130 support ? I mean , um or something of 44 00:01:49,130 --> 00:01:51,250 that nature . And the second question 45 00:01:51,250 --> 00:01:55,080 regarding Ukraine . Um so 46 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:57,024 where do things stand right now in 47 00:01:57,024 --> 00:01:58,860 terms of plans for further arms 48 00:01:58,870 --> 00:02:02,860 transfers to Ukraine or 49 00:02:03,340 --> 00:02:05,650 or perhaps increasing in country 50 00:02:05,660 --> 00:02:07,827 training , that sort of thing . Yeah , 51 00:02:07,827 --> 00:02:10,440 bob thanks on you . I I don't have any 52 00:02:10,450 --> 00:02:12,960 additional announcements to make today . 53 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:15,016 I think as you know , we have a very 54 00:02:15,016 --> 00:02:17,238 robust defense partnership with the U . 55 00:02:17,238 --> 00:02:19,900 A . Which does include um foreign 56 00:02:19,900 --> 00:02:23,010 military sales of various different 57 00:02:23,010 --> 00:02:25,210 types of weapons and platforms and so 58 00:02:25,210 --> 00:02:28,580 that will continue of course . Um And 59 00:02:28,590 --> 00:02:31,630 obviously we're in constant discussion 60 00:02:31,630 --> 00:02:33,797 and dialogue with our Emirati partners 61 00:02:33,797 --> 00:02:35,686 about ways we can strengthen that 62 00:02:35,686 --> 00:02:38,019 defense partnership . But nothing today , 63 00:02:38,019 --> 00:02:40,241 I think today it was really important . 64 00:02:40,241 --> 00:02:39,600 The Secretary felt it was important to 65 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,030 make clear that um that just like 66 00:02:42,030 --> 00:02:44,141 elsewhere in the administration uh we 67 00:02:44,141 --> 00:02:46,197 we take these attacks on the emirati 68 00:02:46,197 --> 00:02:48,308 seriously and we're going to continue 69 00:02:48,308 --> 00:02:50,308 again to look for ways to make that 70 00:02:50,308 --> 00:02:52,419 defense partnership and their ability 71 00:02:52,419 --> 00:02:54,474 to defend themselves uh stronger and 72 00:02:54,474 --> 00:02:56,697 better on Ukraine . Nothing to announce 73 00:02:56,697 --> 00:02:58,919 today either with respect to additional 74 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:01,141 defense articles . Um as we've said all 75 00:03:01,141 --> 00:03:03,363 along , we're going to continue to look 76 00:03:03,363 --> 00:03:05,530 for ways to help Ukraine defend itself 77 00:03:05,530 --> 00:03:07,670 and that does include additional 78 00:03:07,670 --> 00:03:09,559 security assistance , but again , 79 00:03:09,559 --> 00:03:12,140 nothing to say today about that on 80 00:03:12,150 --> 00:03:14,940 trainers . I think as you know , bob 81 00:03:14,950 --> 00:03:18,390 the florida National Guard has members 82 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:20,511 currently deployed to Ukraine in this 83 00:03:20,511 --> 00:03:24,370 rotating advise and assist capacity um 84 00:03:24,370 --> 00:03:27,300 and they remain at work alongside their 85 00:03:27,300 --> 00:03:29,540 Ukrainian counterparts , again advising 86 00:03:29,540 --> 00:03:31,620 and assisting and helping train . Um 87 00:03:31,620 --> 00:03:33,950 and we expect that that that that 88 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:36,071 mission will continue Now obviously , 89 00:03:36,071 --> 00:03:38,016 as I said last week we're going to 90 00:03:38,016 --> 00:03:40,182 continue to watch the situation on the 91 00:03:40,182 --> 00:03:42,404 ground and if we need to make decisions 92 00:03:42,404 --> 00:03:42,400 for force protection purposes we'll do 93 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:44,600 that . But i there is no there are no 94 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:48,390 planned additional rotational troops to 95 00:03:48,390 --> 00:03:50,590 you to Ukraine at this time and no 96 00:03:50,590 --> 00:03:52,650 changes to what the florida National 97 00:03:52,650 --> 00:03:55,760 Guard is doing on the ground jenny . 98 00:03:56,240 --> 00:04:00,040 Thank you . Uh do you know the north 99 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:03,150 Korea first time ? The inside ranches 100 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:06,670 does the United States have ? What kind 101 00:04:06,670 --> 00:04:09,920 of society North Korea Arantes 102 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,440 jump at the one on the 16th 2 days ago ? 103 00:04:13,460 --> 00:04:17,380 I think seven kids . Okay , a 104 00:04:17,390 --> 00:04:19,550 couple of days ago anyway uh we've 105 00:04:19,550 --> 00:04:21,717 assessed them that we've assessed them 106 00:04:21,717 --> 00:04:23,828 as ballistic missiles and we're still 107 00:04:23,828 --> 00:04:25,828 uh we're still running the traps on 108 00:04:25,828 --> 00:04:28,050 that . So I don't have more detail than 109 00:04:28,050 --> 00:04:30,360 that korean Defense Ministry said that 110 00:04:30,940 --> 00:04:34,720 Attempts Army Tactical Missile System 111 00:04:34,730 --> 00:04:37,660 K & 24 . Are you 112 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:41,550 confirm that ? No , I cannot because 113 00:04:41,550 --> 00:04:44,160 South korean defense Minister , they 114 00:04:44,170 --> 00:04:48,040 announced yesterday , the South korean 115 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:51,020 Minister of Defense announced 116 00:04:51,030 --> 00:04:54,620 that North Korea's recent missile 117 00:04:54,620 --> 00:04:58,220 launches , assess it as a threat 118 00:04:58,300 --> 00:05:01,880 and serious military threatening to 119 00:05:01,890 --> 00:05:05,260 rok vacation . Is are you 120 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,960 developing these missile arches 121 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:12,620 because they don't threaten United 122 00:05:12,630 --> 00:05:15,730 States are we ? What about these 123 00:05:15,730 --> 00:05:17,870 launches ? What was the verb you used 124 00:05:18,570 --> 00:05:21,760 devaluing ? We're not devaluing 125 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:25,260 anything janie , not at all . And we're 126 00:05:25,740 --> 00:05:29,530 we have but treaty 127 00:05:29,530 --> 00:05:32,200 alliance with the Republic of Korea 128 00:05:33,010 --> 00:05:36,940 actual tangible security commitments to 129 00:05:36,940 --> 00:05:38,996 the defense of South Korea , we take 130 00:05:38,996 --> 00:05:40,996 that very seriously . So there's no 131 00:05:40,996 --> 00:05:44,860 devaluing and um at all were 132 00:05:45,340 --> 00:05:47,530 obviously and we have as an 133 00:05:47,530 --> 00:05:49,697 administration condemned these missile 134 00:05:49,697 --> 00:05:51,808 launches and called them out for what 135 00:05:51,808 --> 00:05:54,270 they are clearly violations of various 136 00:05:54,270 --> 00:05:56,326 U . N . Security Council resolutions 137 00:05:56,326 --> 00:05:58,548 and dangerous to the region . Certainly 138 00:05:58,548 --> 00:06:00,714 dangerous to our allies and partners . 139 00:06:00,714 --> 00:06:02,881 And we're taking that very seriously . 140 00:06:02,881 --> 00:06:02,560 There's no devaluing of anything 141 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:05,730 because in the pacific Commander always 142 00:06:05,740 --> 00:06:09,340 said that where yes is not threatening , 143 00:06:09,350 --> 00:06:13,020 you know , so as far as in the 144 00:06:13,020 --> 00:06:16,540 pacific statement commanded 145 00:06:16,540 --> 00:06:19,470 statement about North korean missile 146 00:06:19,470 --> 00:06:23,250 Archie's they said that there is no 147 00:06:23,250 --> 00:06:26,590 threading the United States so that 148 00:06:26,590 --> 00:06:30,260 means you're our neighbor 149 00:06:30,270 --> 00:06:34,180 alliance countries so concerned , so 150 00:06:34,190 --> 00:06:36,170 worried there at the North korean 151 00:06:36,170 --> 00:06:39,770 missiles . But it seems like if North 152 00:06:39,770 --> 00:06:42,103 Korea not threatening the United States , 153 00:06:42,103 --> 00:06:43,992 you don't care . All right . No , 154 00:06:43,992 --> 00:06:46,214 that's not true . That's not true . And 155 00:06:46,214 --> 00:06:48,270 I would encourage you to look at the 156 00:06:48,270 --> 00:06:50,270 rest of the statement that the indo 157 00:06:50,270 --> 00:06:52,437 pacific Commander continues to put out 158 00:06:52,437 --> 00:06:54,603 in these cases . I mean he talks about 159 00:06:54,603 --> 00:06:56,714 the destabilization to the region and 160 00:06:56,714 --> 00:06:56,660 the threat that opposes to allies and 161 00:06:56,660 --> 00:06:59,100 partners in this case or in that case , 162 00:06:59,100 --> 00:07:01,322 you know , he he wanted to make clear , 163 00:07:01,322 --> 00:07:03,378 I think to the american people which 164 00:07:03,378 --> 00:07:05,489 they have a right to know if if these 165 00:07:05,489 --> 00:07:07,378 things are posing a threat to the 166 00:07:07,378 --> 00:07:09,378 homeland . Um but I I think you can 167 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:11,307 again go back and look at his 168 00:07:11,307 --> 00:07:13,362 statements and he's very clear about 169 00:07:13,362 --> 00:07:15,580 the threat that that this program 170 00:07:15,580 --> 00:07:19,160 continues to pose not only to our 171 00:07:19,170 --> 00:07:21,490 ally in South Korea but but to others 172 00:07:21,490 --> 00:07:23,712 of our partners in the region and we're 173 00:07:23,712 --> 00:07:27,280 not um we'll continue to take 174 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:30,370 this threat and this 175 00:07:31,540 --> 00:07:34,660 uh improving program of Pyongyang's 176 00:07:34,660 --> 00:07:37,510 very , very seriously . Is this Visa is 177 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:40,840 intercept Herbal or not ? I'm not going 178 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:44,290 to get into any more specifics of our 179 00:07:44,290 --> 00:07:47,450 assessment on these , on these 180 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:50,022 individual launches from the podium . I 181 00:07:50,022 --> 00:07:52,910 won't do that . Thank you . Do you 182 00:07:52,910 --> 00:07:55,920 assess that the attack yesterday on the 183 00:07:55,930 --> 00:07:58,208 United Arab Emirates was a threat to U . 184 00:07:58,208 --> 00:08:00,208 S . Soldiers and US citizens in the 185 00:08:00,208 --> 00:08:02,319 area . Uh , it was certainly a threat 186 00:08:02,319 --> 00:08:04,960 to our emirati partners . Uh and and 187 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:08,780 that's enough , but we know of 188 00:08:08,780 --> 00:08:11,340 no us casualties as a result of this . 189 00:08:11,340 --> 00:08:14,010 And um and we're still , you know , 190 00:08:14,010 --> 00:08:16,232 we're still taking a look at the attack 191 00:08:16,232 --> 00:08:19,320 itself . So it's it's um it's difficult 192 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,340 to say positively that there was no 193 00:08:21,340 --> 00:08:24,760 threat to to U . S . Personnel or 194 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:26,860 american citizens on the ground . It 195 00:08:26,860 --> 00:08:28,971 was clearly designed to go after this 196 00:08:28,971 --> 00:08:31,080 particular facility . We understand 197 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:33,950 that the U . S . Facilities in the 198 00:08:33,950 --> 00:08:36,117 United Arab Emirates and maybe also in 199 00:08:36,117 --> 00:08:38,490 Qatar were able to detect the attack . 200 00:08:38,500 --> 00:08:40,960 Why is it that nothing has been done to 201 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:43,910 stop it . Again , I'm not going to get 202 00:08:43,910 --> 00:08:45,854 into the operational Tiktok here , 203 00:08:45,854 --> 00:08:48,360 Pierre . Uh We continue to work with 204 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:50,582 our partners in the region to make sure 205 00:08:50,582 --> 00:08:52,193 that they have robust enough 206 00:08:52,193 --> 00:08:54,360 capabilities to help defend themselves 207 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:56,416 and that includes uh the ability for 208 00:08:56,416 --> 00:08:59,570 early warning and indications . Um as 209 00:08:59,570 --> 00:09:02,600 we've seen , even in places where we 210 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:05,570 ourselves are attacked by these U A . V . 211 00:09:05,570 --> 00:09:08,280 S . Um even the best of systems isn't 212 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:10,391 necessarily going to get every single 213 00:09:10,391 --> 00:09:12,558 individual threat . And we continue to 214 00:09:12,558 --> 00:09:15,740 see um in this case it was uh the 215 00:09:15,740 --> 00:09:18,000 Houthis supported by Iran but we 216 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,700 continue to see in Iraq and Syria 217 00:09:20,710 --> 00:09:23,660 militia groups supported by Iran um 218 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:27,160 sort of choose this tactic , this this 219 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:29,500 way of conducting attacks using U . A . 220 00:09:29,500 --> 00:09:32,260 V . S and and it's an evolving threat 221 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:35,230 Um that we are constantly trying to 222 00:09:35,230 --> 00:09:37,470 make sure that we can stay ahead of , 223 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:39,369 but it's a difficult threat to to 224 00:09:39,369 --> 00:09:41,591 constantly make sure you can stay ahead 225 00:09:41,591 --> 00:09:43,591 of . So what we'd love to say , you 226 00:09:43,591 --> 00:09:45,702 know , we have 100% coverage in every 227 00:09:45,702 --> 00:09:47,869 single one . That's going to be a very 228 00:09:47,869 --> 00:09:49,758 difficult thing to achieve as the 229 00:09:49,758 --> 00:09:51,869 threat continues to evolve and evolve 230 00:09:51,869 --> 00:09:54,840 quite frankly appear in real time john . 231 00:09:54,850 --> 00:09:57,380 So you just said that the truth is 232 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:00,550 supported by Iran were behind this 233 00:10:00,560 --> 00:10:03,700 attack that secretary described as 234 00:10:03,710 --> 00:10:05,599 terrorists . However , he did not 235 00:10:05,599 --> 00:10:07,654 assign any blame . He didn't mention 236 00:10:07,654 --> 00:10:09,877 the Houthi . So , first , are you based 237 00:10:09,877 --> 00:10:12,099 on your assessment , are you confirming 238 00:10:12,099 --> 00:10:14,210 that the Houthi is actually , I think 239 00:10:14,210 --> 00:10:16,432 I've spoken pretty clearly to it . So , 240 00:10:16,432 --> 00:10:18,654 so , okay . And based on that , are you 241 00:10:18,654 --> 00:10:20,710 able to say whether the weapons used 242 00:10:20,710 --> 00:10:22,877 the system used in this attack and the 243 00:10:22,877 --> 00:10:24,710 type of the attack Mark , any 244 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:27,053 development in the Houthis capabilities . 245 00:10:27,053 --> 00:10:29,220 I'm not going to get into intelligence 246 00:10:29,220 --> 00:10:31,276 assessments . Us forces stationed in 247 00:10:31,276 --> 00:10:35,240 the air base and able to share the any 248 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:37,407 early warning with . They're not going 249 00:10:37,407 --> 00:10:39,629 to talk about operational details . The 250 00:10:39,629 --> 00:10:41,760 U . S . Last question since I'm not 251 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:43,690 getting answers , you're getting 252 00:10:43,690 --> 00:10:45,550 answers . I'm answering all your 253 00:10:45,550 --> 00:10:47,494 questions not sharing . You're not 254 00:10:47,494 --> 00:10:51,170 sharing anything . Um Are the U . S . 255 00:10:51,170 --> 00:10:53,760 Forces in the e now supporting their 256 00:10:53,770 --> 00:10:56,080 Democratic counterparts in in any way 257 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:58,990 shape or form in dealing with this 258 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:01,970 attack . I know of no request by the 259 00:11:01,970 --> 00:11:04,420 Emiratis for US assistance in terms of 260 00:11:04,420 --> 00:11:06,850 investigating and responding obviously 261 00:11:06,860 --> 00:11:09,082 as I said and as secretary said there , 262 00:11:09,082 --> 00:11:11,040 close partners and if they if they 263 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:13,151 desire us assistance , I mean clearly 264 00:11:13,151 --> 00:11:15,318 we'd be positively disposed to to look 265 00:11:15,318 --> 00:11:17,540 at that . But I know of no requests for 266 00:11:17,540 --> 00:11:19,596 support right now . Let me go to the 267 00:11:19,596 --> 00:11:21,818 phones . We've got lots of folks on the 268 00:11:21,818 --> 00:11:23,707 on the phones and I don't want to 269 00:11:23,707 --> 00:11:26,410 ignore that carla bob . Okay , thanks 270 00:11:26,410 --> 00:11:29,520 john quick question about some afghan 271 00:11:29,530 --> 00:11:32,660 army helicopters . Uh there were there 272 00:11:32,660 --> 00:11:34,460 were about a dozen that went to 273 00:11:34,460 --> 00:11:36,790 Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on august 274 00:11:36,790 --> 00:11:39,410 15th and now the Taliban is looking to 275 00:11:39,410 --> 00:11:41,466 get them back and I'm just wondering 276 00:11:41,466 --> 00:11:43,688 what the Pentagon thinks about that and 277 00:11:43,688 --> 00:11:45,688 where the pentagon feels that those 278 00:11:45,688 --> 00:11:47,688 army helicopters should go . Thanks 279 00:11:47,688 --> 00:11:50,340 working out the disposition of those 280 00:11:50,350 --> 00:11:52,461 helicopters , carla , I don't have an 281 00:11:52,461 --> 00:11:54,572 update for you on any decisions about 282 00:11:54,572 --> 00:11:58,210 uh how they will be handled . 283 00:11:58,220 --> 00:12:01,860 Um but I think it's safe to 284 00:12:01,870 --> 00:12:04,950 assume that they will not be uh sent 285 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:08,180 into Afghanistan to be to be used by 286 00:12:08,180 --> 00:12:10,980 the taliban . Um but as to what they 287 00:12:10,990 --> 00:12:12,934 end up doing and where they end up 288 00:12:12,934 --> 00:12:15,157 going and who ends up with them , we're 289 00:12:15,157 --> 00:12:17,101 still working our way through that 290 00:12:17,101 --> 00:12:18,546 decision making process . 291 00:12:31,310 --> 00:12:34,780 Sylvia there . Hello ? Yes , sorry , I 292 00:12:34,780 --> 00:12:37,720 didn't hear you were calling me . Um 293 00:12:37,940 --> 00:12:40,850 the um Russians 294 00:12:40,860 --> 00:12:44,590 have announced that they are going to 295 00:12:44,870 --> 00:12:48,300 start new exercises with Belarus . 296 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:52,290 Um Do you assess that there are 297 00:12:52,290 --> 00:12:55,580 some military troops movements 298 00:12:55,590 --> 00:12:58,830 near the border which are 299 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:01,950 consistent with these exercises ? And 300 00:13:02,340 --> 00:13:04,560 what is your comment ? 301 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:09,280 Yeah . Try not to comment for the , you 302 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:11,447 know , to the operations and exercises 303 00:13:11,447 --> 00:13:13,613 of another country . They can they can 304 00:13:13,613 --> 00:13:15,836 certainly speak for themselves and that 305 00:13:15,836 --> 00:13:17,947 um what I would tell you Sylvia as we 306 00:13:17,947 --> 00:13:20,020 continue to see a sizable force 307 00:13:20,020 --> 00:13:23,870 presence by the Russian armed forces in 308 00:13:23,870 --> 00:13:25,759 the western part of their country 309 00:13:25,759 --> 00:13:27,790 around the eastern border , uh , 310 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:30,000 northeastern border with Ukraine , it 311 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,944 continues to be concerning to us . 312 00:13:31,944 --> 00:13:34,111 There's no sign no indication that the 313 00:13:34,111 --> 00:13:36,930 Russians are willing to deescalate . Um , 314 00:13:36,930 --> 00:13:40,150 and uh , and as we said , uh , 315 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:44,150 well , as our diplomats said more than 316 00:13:44,150 --> 00:13:46,550 a week ago that one of the things that 317 00:13:46,940 --> 00:13:49,700 we were willing to talk to the Russians 318 00:13:49,700 --> 00:13:52,220 about was changing the scale and scope 319 00:13:52,220 --> 00:13:55,230 of our exercises if and only if there 320 00:13:55,230 --> 00:13:57,452 was gonna be reciprocity on the Russian 321 00:13:57,452 --> 00:13:59,940 side ? Again , we see no signs of uh of 322 00:13:59,940 --> 00:14:02,490 de escalation . So um we're going to 323 00:14:02,490 --> 00:14:04,590 continue to try to pursue the 324 00:14:04,590 --> 00:14:08,290 diplomatic path . Um And and as an 325 00:14:08,290 --> 00:14:10,290 administration make sure that we're 326 00:14:10,290 --> 00:14:12,630 that we're ready . Should that path 327 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:14,584 fail ? And should there be another 328 00:14:14,584 --> 00:14:16,590 incursion of Russian forces into 329 00:14:16,590 --> 00:14:19,620 Ukraine ? Um you've been watching 330 00:14:19,620 --> 00:14:21,898 Russian movements now for a few months . 331 00:14:21,898 --> 00:14:23,731 Is it any clearer what President 332 00:14:23,731 --> 00:14:25,731 Putin's goal is here and what other 333 00:14:25,731 --> 00:14:27,898 options do you have ? Either two deter 334 00:14:27,898 --> 00:14:29,953 Russian action or respond to it ? If 335 00:14:29,953 --> 00:14:32,064 you could detail any of that and then 336 00:14:32,064 --> 00:14:35,670 follow up ? Um I think it would be 337 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,760 it would be difficult for us to 338 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:43,170 say with species specificity . And 339 00:14:43,170 --> 00:14:46,190 certainly what we know Mr Putin is 340 00:14:46,190 --> 00:14:48,134 driving at here , what he what his 341 00:14:48,134 --> 00:14:51,870 actual goals are , he clearly is 342 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:55,080 building up a force posture there that 343 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:58,120 provides him multiple options . It's 344 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:00,960 just difficult to know right now uh 345 00:15:02,740 --> 00:15:05,760 what options he's gonna choose . Um 346 00:15:06,340 --> 00:15:09,760 And we still don't believe that 347 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:13,930 he's made a final decision . Um Of 348 00:15:13,930 --> 00:15:16,320 course the option that we I would 349 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:20,000 prefer is for him to deescalate to 350 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,222 take to take the tensions down . And of 351 00:15:22,222 --> 00:15:24,278 course one of the easiest ways to do 352 00:15:24,278 --> 00:15:26,333 that would be to remove some of that 353 00:15:26,333 --> 00:15:28,611 force presence um That's not happening ? 354 00:15:29,120 --> 00:15:31,287 I'm sorry , you had another , I missed 355 00:15:31,287 --> 00:15:33,453 another one . What options does the us 356 00:15:33,453 --> 00:15:36,160 have either together or respond ? Um So 357 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:38,382 look , I think the president has spoken 358 00:15:38,382 --> 00:15:41,510 to this very , very clearly about about 359 00:15:41,510 --> 00:15:44,950 severe consequences and 360 00:15:45,340 --> 00:15:47,550 and that includes in the economic 361 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:50,460 domain . And I obviously won't speak to 362 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:52,951 that with great specificity here from 363 00:15:52,951 --> 00:15:55,150 uh from this podium . What we are 364 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:58,630 prepared to do and what we've said 365 00:15:58,630 --> 00:16:00,680 publicly is if there's another 366 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:03,560 incursion and if our NATO allies um 367 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:06,930 request capabilities and support and 368 00:16:06,930 --> 00:16:10,090 resources um for their reassurance 369 00:16:10,310 --> 00:16:13,520 as part of NATO , we will be positively 370 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:15,742 disposed to consider those requests and 371 00:16:15,742 --> 00:16:17,909 to and to see what's possible . And so 372 00:16:17,909 --> 00:16:20,460 we're we're ready to do that . You know , 373 00:16:20,460 --> 00:16:22,682 we thought through various permutations 374 00:16:22,682 --> 00:16:24,738 here and we're and we're ready to do 375 00:16:24,738 --> 00:16:27,071 that . If asked one more quick question , 376 00:16:27,071 --> 00:16:27,060 Russia's demands , if I'm not mistaken 377 00:16:27,060 --> 00:16:29,780 also included demands of Scandinavian 378 00:16:29,780 --> 00:16:31,780 countries not joining NATO NATO not 379 00:16:31,780 --> 00:16:33,891 moving eastwards . For example , with 380 00:16:33,891 --> 00:16:35,780 Finland , is there any concern or 381 00:16:35,780 --> 00:16:35,640 suspicion that a Russian move on 382 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:37,740 Ukraine might be accompanied by some 383 00:16:37,740 --> 00:16:40,360 sort of action against Finland or other 384 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:42,790 countries there . I wouldn't speculate 385 00:16:42,790 --> 00:16:44,790 that's , you know , that's that's a 386 00:16:44,790 --> 00:16:46,901 couple of jumps ahead of where we are 387 00:16:46,901 --> 00:16:48,790 right now . Lauren and I wouldn't 388 00:16:48,790 --> 00:16:48,560 speculate it certainly won't speak for 389 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:52,100 Russian intentions here . Um We're 390 00:16:52,100 --> 00:16:54,450 focused on the issue at hand , which is 391 00:16:54,940 --> 00:16:57,107 making sure that Ukrainian sovereignty 392 00:16:57,107 --> 00:16:59,218 is respected that there's not another 393 00:16:59,218 --> 00:17:01,329 incursion and trying to find a way as 394 00:17:01,329 --> 00:17:03,273 an administration finding a way to 395 00:17:03,273 --> 00:17:05,500 diplomatically deescalate this and we 396 00:17:05,500 --> 00:17:08,330 still believe that there's room for 397 00:17:08,330 --> 00:17:10,770 diplomacy . We've heard the bluster and 398 00:17:10,770 --> 00:17:12,937 the rhetoric out of the Russian side , 399 00:17:12,937 --> 00:17:15,103 we still believe that there's room for 400 00:17:15,103 --> 00:17:17,214 diplomacy to succeed here and here at 401 00:17:17,214 --> 00:17:19,381 the Department of Defense . We want to 402 00:17:19,381 --> 00:17:19,160 provide all the time and space that 403 00:17:19,170 --> 00:17:21,226 that can that can be provided to our 404 00:17:21,226 --> 00:17:24,850 diplomats to do that . Uh si 405 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:29,870 mike breast examiner . Thanks 406 00:17:29,870 --> 00:17:32,510 mr Kirby . Two quick questions . Uh , 407 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:35,130 the cigar report that was declassified 408 00:17:35,130 --> 00:17:37,241 today , I was wondering if you wanted 409 00:17:37,241 --> 00:17:39,352 to comment on that specifically as it 410 00:17:39,352 --> 00:17:41,186 relates to the Afghan air forces 411 00:17:41,186 --> 00:17:43,930 inability to sustain itself without us 412 00:17:43,940 --> 00:17:47,360 assistance . So , I mean , we're aware 413 00:17:47,360 --> 00:17:50,810 of the uh special Inspector General's 414 00:17:50,820 --> 00:17:53,590 recent rerelease Of a newly 415 00:17:53,590 --> 00:17:57,290 declassified report from January 2021 416 00:17:57,300 --> 00:17:59,840 on the status of the Afghan Air Force . 417 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:02,910 And I would remind this was from 418 00:18:02,910 --> 00:18:05,710 January 2021 which also included data 419 00:18:05,710 --> 00:18:07,877 that was well before that time frame . 420 00:18:08,140 --> 00:18:11,550 Um and what remains clear is our 421 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:13,393 longstanding insistence and open 422 00:18:13,393 --> 00:18:16,000 acknowledgment of three key tenants 423 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,167 surrounding the importance in the long 424 00:18:18,167 --> 00:18:20,120 term viability of of what was the 425 00:18:20,120 --> 00:18:22,120 Afghan air Force the important role 426 00:18:22,120 --> 00:18:24,840 that they had in supporting uh the A . 427 00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:26,840 N . D . S . F . On the ground , the 428 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:29,170 need and the importance uh that we 429 00:18:29,170 --> 00:18:31,160 recognized of continued funding , 430 00:18:31,160 --> 00:18:33,216 maintenance , logistics and training 431 00:18:33,216 --> 00:18:34,993 support , which again , Special 432 00:18:34,993 --> 00:18:37,104 Inspector General found as well . And 433 00:18:37,104 --> 00:18:39,104 the challenges of course faced with 434 00:18:39,104 --> 00:18:40,993 continuing such report amidst the 435 00:18:40,993 --> 00:18:42,882 withdrawal of of on the ground uh 436 00:18:42,882 --> 00:18:45,520 forces . The specific challenges that 437 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:47,742 were presented in this report were well 438 00:18:47,742 --> 00:18:49,576 known to us . In fact were being 439 00:18:49,576 --> 00:18:51,631 actively addressed by the department 440 00:18:51,631 --> 00:18:53,853 and our coalition partners as presented 441 00:18:53,853 --> 00:18:56,940 by the responses that we issued to the 442 00:18:56,940 --> 00:18:59,107 Special Inspector General's three main 443 00:18:59,107 --> 00:19:01,218 recommendations . And they were these 444 00:19:01,218 --> 00:19:03,551 were responses made by headquarters , U . 445 00:19:03,551 --> 00:19:05,662 S . Forces Afghanistan . The combined 446 00:19:05,662 --> 00:19:07,329 Security transition command , 447 00:19:07,329 --> 00:19:09,551 Afghanistan and NATO Special Operations 448 00:19:09,551 --> 00:19:11,880 Command Afghanistan . Um What we said 449 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:15,460 at the time and nothing , nothing 450 00:19:15,470 --> 00:19:17,581 changes about that , you know , as we 451 00:19:17,581 --> 00:19:21,270 were heading into the summer , it was 452 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:23,850 uh it was an air force that that we and 453 00:19:23,850 --> 00:19:26,072 our coalition partners helped make much 454 00:19:26,072 --> 00:19:28,183 more capable um that they were flying 455 00:19:28,183 --> 00:19:30,350 the majority of missions in support of 456 00:19:30,350 --> 00:19:32,461 their troops on the ground . That was 457 00:19:32,461 --> 00:19:34,183 also true uh and that they had 458 00:19:34,183 --> 00:19:36,350 capabilities uh far more advanced than 459 00:19:36,350 --> 00:19:38,461 they had ever had before and that the 460 00:19:38,461 --> 00:19:40,572 United States was going to continue . 461 00:19:40,572 --> 00:19:42,739 This was the original plan of course , 462 00:19:42,739 --> 00:19:44,739 was to continue our support for the 463 00:19:44,739 --> 00:19:47,410 Afghan Air Force is so we absolutely 464 00:19:47,410 --> 00:19:50,310 recognized the the shortcomings and the 465 00:19:50,310 --> 00:19:52,410 issues that the Special Inspector 466 00:19:52,410 --> 00:19:55,790 General made Back in January 2021 . We 467 00:19:55,790 --> 00:19:58,000 were addressing those . Uh and we made 468 00:19:58,010 --> 00:20:00,940 uh we made it very clear that uh that 469 00:20:00,940 --> 00:20:02,940 we were going to continue to try to 470 00:20:02,940 --> 00:20:05,107 find ways to make the Afghan air force 471 00:20:05,107 --> 00:20:08,350 even better um Tony to paseo . 472 00:20:13,940 --> 00:20:16,273 Hey John Thanks had two quick questions . 473 00:20:16,340 --> 00:20:18,910 One on duty health issues . Is there a 474 00:20:18,910 --> 00:20:21,490 contemplation of going to health 475 00:20:21,490 --> 00:20:23,780 condition Delta ? And what are the 476 00:20:23,780 --> 00:20:25,836 personal implications if you go to a 477 00:20:25,836 --> 00:20:27,224 health condition Delta ? 478 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:31,584 There's no plan right now to go to 479 00:20:31,584 --> 00:20:35,270 Delta . Uh Tony um I don't have a list 480 00:20:35,270 --> 00:20:38,310 of the criteria of what Delta would uh 481 00:20:38,320 --> 00:20:40,542 require , but we can certainly get that 482 00:20:40,542 --> 00:20:43,070 for you . That's um that's easy . I 483 00:20:43,070 --> 00:20:45,292 just don't have it with me . So I don't 484 00:20:45,292 --> 00:20:47,348 want to speculate obviously it would 485 00:20:47,348 --> 00:20:49,348 it's it's more severe , more strict 486 00:20:49,348 --> 00:20:51,459 restrictions on on people here at the 487 00:20:51,459 --> 00:20:53,681 pentagon . But I I'm no , I'm not aware 488 00:20:53,681 --> 00:20:55,570 of any discussion to to move from 489 00:20:55,570 --> 00:20:57,903 charlie to Delta at this time . Quickly . 490 00:20:57,903 --> 00:21:00,070 Ukraine question last week , a Russian 491 00:21:00,070 --> 00:21:02,237 reporter asked Deputy Foreign Minister 492 00:21:02,237 --> 00:21:04,459 Sergei Ryabkov in an interview that was 493 00:21:04,459 --> 00:21:06,514 broadcast on thursday whether Russia 494 00:21:06,514 --> 00:21:08,459 was considering deploying military 495 00:21:08,459 --> 00:21:11,180 infrastructure in Venezuela or CUba he 496 00:21:11,180 --> 00:21:13,180 responded , I don't want to confirm 497 00:21:13,180 --> 00:21:14,958 anything or rule anything out . 498 00:21:15,240 --> 00:21:18,220 Question for you has duty yourself calm 499 00:21:18,220 --> 00:21:20,331 picked up any indications that Russia 500 00:21:20,331 --> 00:21:22,442 intends to move any military hardware 501 00:21:22,510 --> 00:21:25,220 to those nations or that officials of 502 00:21:25,220 --> 00:21:27,940 those nations have invited such a move 503 00:21:27,940 --> 00:21:31,540 from Russia . Well , I'm not gonna 504 00:21:31,550 --> 00:21:33,610 speak about intelligence issues here 505 00:21:33,610 --> 00:21:35,721 from the podium , Tony . And I'm also 506 00:21:35,721 --> 00:21:38,250 not gonna respond to Russian bluster 507 00:21:38,250 --> 00:21:41,200 about about something like that . Um I 508 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:43,311 would just point you to what did jake 509 00:21:43,311 --> 00:21:45,422 Sullivan said last week and that , is 510 00:21:45,422 --> 00:21:47,480 that we take our responsibilities to 511 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:49,536 defend this country and our national 512 00:21:49,536 --> 00:21:51,258 security interests very , very 513 00:21:51,258 --> 00:21:53,424 seriously . Um and we will continue to 514 00:21:53,424 --> 00:21:56,560 do that in whatever case , uh that 515 00:21:56,570 --> 00:21:58,348 those interests are going to be 516 00:21:58,348 --> 00:22:00,570 threatened by anybody . And I think I'd 517 00:22:00,570 --> 00:22:03,770 leave it at that to recap . 518 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:07,407 Hi john , thanks for doing this . Um , 519 00:22:07,407 --> 00:22:11,080 one on covid uh , with force protection 520 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:13,413 charlie , What's the guidance for D . O . 521 00:22:13,413 --> 00:22:16,050 D . Civilians on attending conferences 522 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:18,780 or official travel ? Is that all on 523 00:22:18,780 --> 00:22:20,780 hold for ? Right now ? And then ? I 524 00:22:20,780 --> 00:22:23,190 have one on Ukraine . It's allowed 525 00:22:23,190 --> 00:22:25,450 right now and again , charlie replies 526 00:22:25,450 --> 00:22:27,561 to the pentagon reservation . So it's 527 00:22:27,561 --> 00:22:29,394 not not the entire Department of 528 00:22:29,394 --> 00:22:32,920 Defense . Um , but uh , the only the 529 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:35,087 only travel that's permitted is what's 530 00:22:35,087 --> 00:22:36,864 considered critical to national 531 00:22:36,864 --> 00:22:39,150 security . So participation in 532 00:22:39,150 --> 00:22:41,261 conferences obviously has put on hold 533 00:22:41,261 --> 00:22:43,150 and that applies to everybody the 534 00:22:43,150 --> 00:22:45,320 uniformed and civilian alike . Okay , 535 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:48,810 thank you . And then on Ukraine , in 536 00:22:48,820 --> 00:22:51,590 your earlier responses , you've noted 537 00:22:51,590 --> 00:22:53,980 that , you know , change is possible if 538 00:22:53,990 --> 00:22:55,879 force protection measures make it 539 00:22:55,879 --> 00:22:58,940 necessary . Is it also possible that D 540 00:22:58,940 --> 00:23:01,620 O D would be withdrawing us troops from 541 00:23:01,620 --> 00:23:03,680 Ukraine ? Or is it just to augment 542 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:05,800 those and guarantee better force 543 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:08,990 protection in case of an incursion that 544 00:23:08,990 --> 00:23:11,212 we'll do what we need to do to keep our 545 00:23:11,212 --> 00:23:13,268 people safe and secure . And I don't 546 00:23:13,268 --> 00:23:15,434 want to jump ahead of where events are 547 00:23:15,434 --> 00:23:17,546 right now or speculate about possible 548 00:23:17,546 --> 00:23:21,420 outcomes . Um , but we will 549 00:23:21,420 --> 00:23:23,587 do , we will do whatever we need to do 550 00:23:23,587 --> 00:23:25,642 to make sure our people are safe and 551 00:23:25,642 --> 00:23:28,760 secure steve bynum military dot com . 552 00:23:31,340 --> 00:23:35,050 Thank you john with all the issues on 553 00:23:35,060 --> 00:23:37,030 the texas border mission soldiers 554 00:23:37,030 --> 00:23:39,141 aren't getting paid on time . They're 555 00:23:39,141 --> 00:23:41,140 running out of water . Uh They're 556 00:23:41,140 --> 00:23:43,140 getting in trouble drinking as such 557 00:23:43,140 --> 00:23:45,307 like that . Is there any authority for 558 00:23:45,307 --> 00:23:47,720 the pentagon to investigate the state 559 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:51,700 mission ? Or is there any uh want to 560 00:23:51,700 --> 00:23:53,980 do so or or step in in in any way on 561 00:23:53,980 --> 00:23:56,450 that ? I'm not aware of any effort to 562 00:23:56,460 --> 00:23:59,020 um to investigate the border mission 563 00:23:59,020 --> 00:24:01,242 that the texas governor has ordered his 564 00:24:01,242 --> 00:24:03,390 national guard under his authority to 565 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:05,670 to conduct . I'm not aware of it . 566 00:24:05,670 --> 00:24:07,392 Obviously we've seen the press 567 00:24:07,392 --> 00:24:09,337 reporting about some of the issues 568 00:24:09,337 --> 00:24:12,750 there um uh whether a national 569 00:24:12,750 --> 00:24:16,250 guardsman or woman is is entitled 10 R . 570 00:24:16,250 --> 00:24:18,580 Title 32 status . We obviously are 571 00:24:18,590 --> 00:24:21,170 concerned whenever we see reports about 572 00:24:21,180 --> 00:24:24,090 um behavioral conduct issues that are 573 00:24:24,090 --> 00:24:25,757 detrimental to good order and 574 00:24:25,757 --> 00:24:27,868 discipline . But I know of no efforts 575 00:24:27,868 --> 00:24:29,979 or no design right now to investigate 576 00:24:29,979 --> 00:24:32,260 those . Um I'll get a couple more and 577 00:24:32,260 --> 00:24:34,427 then I promise school , I won't forget 578 00:24:34,427 --> 00:24:36,649 you buddy . Alright , heather from us . 579 00:24:36,649 --> 00:24:39,830 And I thank you . Um I was wondering if 580 00:24:39,830 --> 00:24:42,370 there's any update on the doj review of 581 00:24:42,380 --> 00:24:44,547 the injunction that was ordered by the 582 00:24:44,547 --> 00:24:47,180 federal judge in the case of the Navy's 583 00:24:47,180 --> 00:24:49,390 special warfare community uh and 584 00:24:49,390 --> 00:24:50,560 vaccine mandates . 585 00:24:53,340 --> 00:24:54,730 Ellen from synopsis 586 00:25:03,940 --> 00:25:05,773 couple more seconds there . Alan 587 00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:13,000 Okay . Um let's 588 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:16,950 see kelly from 589 00:25:16,950 --> 00:25:20,600 next door . Hi john can you hear me 590 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:21,600 okay . 591 00:25:26,540 --> 00:25:28,596 Can you hear us ? Okay , yep , I got 592 00:25:28,596 --> 00:25:31,060 you . Alright , great . Um just an 593 00:25:31,060 --> 00:25:33,282 update since friday regarding the false 594 00:25:33,282 --> 00:25:35,449 flag intelligence is Russia making any 595 00:25:35,449 --> 00:25:37,727 other movements to provoke an invasion . 596 00:25:37,727 --> 00:25:39,782 Any kind of intelligence that you're 597 00:25:39,782 --> 00:25:41,782 seeing that you could share again ? 598 00:25:41,782 --> 00:25:44,590 We're mindful of uh being careful about 599 00:25:44,590 --> 00:25:46,812 talking about specific intelligence . I 600 00:25:46,812 --> 00:25:48,868 would tell you again without getting 601 00:25:48,868 --> 00:25:51,034 into too many details . We continue to 602 00:25:51,034 --> 00:25:53,660 uh be mindful of of indications that 603 00:25:53,660 --> 00:25:55,450 the Russians will look for 604 00:25:55,460 --> 00:25:58,090 opportunities for what we call false 605 00:25:58,090 --> 00:26:01,920 flags um to create the 606 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:05,530 appearance of or uh an impetus for a 607 00:26:05,530 --> 00:26:08,400 pretext for them to launch an invasion . 608 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:10,567 So what we talked about last week , we 609 00:26:10,567 --> 00:26:13,090 still believe is valid but I I simply 610 00:26:13,090 --> 00:26:15,360 wouldn't go into more detail than that 611 00:26:17,140 --> 00:26:18,550 George suba 612 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:32,551 okay , Jared , we'll come back to you 613 00:26:35,070 --> 00:26:37,300 back to taxes incident , 614 00:26:38,140 --> 00:26:41,200 Pakistan's Prime Minister , Imran Khan 615 00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:44,760 said that dr Siddiqui in 616 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:47,020 texas federal jail is a political 617 00:26:47,020 --> 00:26:50,350 prisoner and I will do everything in my 618 00:26:50,350 --> 00:26:53,170 power to get her out of the country . 619 00:26:53,540 --> 00:26:55,700 And he never said that whatever 620 00:26:55,700 --> 00:26:59,550 incident took place british the 621 00:27:00,030 --> 00:27:02,790 citizen of course background is from 622 00:27:02,790 --> 00:27:06,610 Pakistan but he never said or condemn 623 00:27:06,610 --> 00:27:09,700 the issue . My question is what message 624 00:27:09,700 --> 00:27:11,700 do you think secretary have for the 625 00:27:11,700 --> 00:27:14,110 terrorists or do you believe ? I'm 626 00:27:14,110 --> 00:27:16,332 sorry to interrupt you . Do you believe 627 00:27:16,332 --> 00:27:19,860 this is a political Jail for her for 628 00:27:19,870 --> 00:27:23,870 83 years and she was of course cut in 629 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:26,750 Afghanistan for doing some terror 630 00:27:26,750 --> 00:27:28,860 activities . Yeah , the department's 631 00:27:28,860 --> 00:27:31,490 not going to weigh in on a legal law 632 00:27:31,490 --> 00:27:33,490 enforcement issue . I think you can 633 00:27:33,490 --> 00:27:35,657 understand that we take very seriously 634 00:27:35,657 --> 00:27:38,130 our responsibility is to defend this 635 00:27:38,130 --> 00:27:39,908 country , our national security 636 00:27:39,908 --> 00:27:41,908 interests and our people . And that 637 00:27:41,908 --> 00:27:45,230 does mean continuing to uh conduct 638 00:27:45,230 --> 00:27:47,341 counterterrorism operations where and 639 00:27:47,341 --> 00:27:49,397 when needed and that and that that's 640 00:27:49,397 --> 00:27:51,230 our focus and and we're going to 641 00:27:51,230 --> 00:27:53,452 continue to to do that . The only thing 642 00:27:53,452 --> 00:27:56,250 I would say about the events in texas 643 00:27:56,250 --> 00:28:00,170 is to uh I think , and you just have 644 00:28:00,170 --> 00:28:01,837 to when you look at it , just 645 00:28:01,837 --> 00:28:05,630 congratulate uh the those law 646 00:28:05,630 --> 00:28:08,170 enforcement personnel , the FBI local 647 00:28:08,170 --> 00:28:10,290 law enforcement who worked so 648 00:28:10,290 --> 00:28:12,740 efficiently and so well to uh to get 649 00:28:12,740 --> 00:28:15,100 everybody out safely . And I think 650 00:28:15,100 --> 00:28:17,510 that's that's uh that's remarkable and 651 00:28:17,510 --> 00:28:21,460 we obviously um extend our 652 00:28:21,460 --> 00:28:24,590 thoughts uh to the community there as 653 00:28:24,590 --> 00:28:26,690 well as specifically the jewish 654 00:28:26,690 --> 00:28:29,190 community . So , but beyond that , I 655 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:31,367 think we'll let the Justice Department 656 00:28:31,367 --> 00:28:33,200 speak to this john going back to 657 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:37,130 Afghanistan Afghanistan's Taliban 658 00:28:37,130 --> 00:28:40,420 government is seeking recognition from 659 00:28:40,420 --> 00:28:42,900 the military and other powers and 660 00:28:42,900 --> 00:28:45,790 countries to recognize them . But at 661 00:28:45,790 --> 00:28:47,980 the same time what promised they made 662 00:28:47,980 --> 00:28:50,147 the Taliban government to the Pentagon 663 00:28:50,147 --> 00:28:52,850 and global community , They are not 664 00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:55,930 holding their promises and they are 665 00:28:55,930 --> 00:28:58,340 still after the innocent women and 666 00:28:58,340 --> 00:29:00,396 Children . All that sort of . But my 667 00:29:00,396 --> 00:29:02,520 question is you think the pentagon is 668 00:29:02,520 --> 00:29:04,409 going to recognize them as far as 669 00:29:04,409 --> 00:29:07,070 military power is concerned , our 670 00:29:07,070 --> 00:29:09,070 military support is concerned . And 671 00:29:09,070 --> 00:29:11,292 again , what is the secretary's message 672 00:29:11,292 --> 00:29:14,470 for the Afghan taliban as far as 673 00:29:14,470 --> 00:29:17,700 supporting terrorism , recognition is 674 00:29:17,700 --> 00:29:19,756 not the purview of the Department of 675 00:29:19,756 --> 00:29:21,867 Defense . So I would refer you to our 676 00:29:21,867 --> 00:29:23,978 colleagues at the State Department to 677 00:29:23,978 --> 00:29:26,200 speak to that the Taliban have not been 678 00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:28,311 recognized as the official government 679 00:29:28,311 --> 00:29:29,850 of Afghanistan . Um And 680 00:29:31,940 --> 00:29:35,040 what what we would say is , I think 681 00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:36,984 what everybody has said across the 682 00:29:36,984 --> 00:29:40,270 administration that that we want to see 683 00:29:40,740 --> 00:29:44,210 um human rights , 684 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:48,320 civil rights , we want to see um uh 685 00:29:48,330 --> 00:29:51,710 the promises made by the Taliban 686 00:29:51,720 --> 00:29:54,810 actually delivered in terms of of how 687 00:29:54,810 --> 00:29:57,230 people are going to be treated uh in 688 00:29:57,230 --> 00:30:00,870 Afghanistan um and separate and 689 00:30:00,870 --> 00:30:02,648 distinct from that . Here's the 690 00:30:02,648 --> 00:30:05,260 department , we're gonna stay eyes on 691 00:30:05,570 --> 00:30:08,310 to what's going on there . Um And again , 692 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:10,264 back to my earlier point , we have 693 00:30:10,264 --> 00:30:12,431 serious , significant counterterrorism 694 00:30:12,431 --> 00:30:15,120 responsibilities um and we have over 695 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:17,176 the horizon capabilities that we can 696 00:30:17,176 --> 00:30:19,398 avail ourselves of . Uh and we're going 697 00:30:19,398 --> 00:30:21,080 to continue to make sure that 698 00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:23,080 Afghanistan doesn't serve as a safe 699 00:30:23,080 --> 00:30:25,080 haven for an attack on the homeland 700 00:30:25,080 --> 00:30:27,247 again . Yeah , sure . Good afternoon , 701 00:30:27,247 --> 00:30:29,440 sir , questioning the africa Star Hill 702 00:30:29,940 --> 00:30:32,180 as you know , France is scheduled to 703 00:30:32,190 --> 00:30:34,079 wind down his operation of arcane 704 00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:37,060 counter operation in the style The 705 00:30:37,070 --> 00:30:39,120 first quarter of this year and then 706 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:41,350 gradually draw down troops from about 707 00:30:41,360 --> 00:30:44,560 currently 5000 to 2500 by next year . 708 00:30:45,040 --> 00:30:48,600 So last year , September 22,021 2nd 709 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:50,950 Terry Austin , he had a phone call with 710 00:30:51,340 --> 00:30:53,562 France's armed forces Minister Florence 711 00:30:53,562 --> 00:30:56,660 Farley and he assured her that the 712 00:30:56,750 --> 00:30:59,370 pentagon remains firmly committed to 713 00:30:59,370 --> 00:31:01,490 supporting Francis counter terrorism 714 00:31:01,650 --> 00:31:04,690 mission in sa yo so how Francis 715 00:31:04,690 --> 00:31:06,850 reducing drastically ? It's among the 716 00:31:06,860 --> 00:31:09,190 troops cut in half and then Taco and 717 00:31:09,190 --> 00:31:11,246 the U . S . Support for this content 718 00:31:11,246 --> 00:31:13,079 generation operation , Will they 719 00:31:13,079 --> 00:31:15,301 increase their support will pull back ? 720 00:31:15,301 --> 00:31:17,579 I think it's too soon to tell . I mean , 721 00:31:17,579 --> 00:31:19,523 and I certainly would refer to the 722 00:31:19,523 --> 00:31:19,320 french Ministry of Defense to speak to 723 00:31:19,320 --> 00:31:21,487 their their operations and how they're 724 00:31:21,487 --> 00:31:23,487 going to conduct them . But nothing 725 00:31:23,487 --> 00:31:25,630 will change about our commitment to 726 00:31:25,630 --> 00:31:27,630 continue to support France in these 727 00:31:27,630 --> 00:31:30,320 efforts . So broadly speaking that 728 00:31:30,320 --> 00:31:32,460 doesn't change how they change their 729 00:31:32,460 --> 00:31:34,682 footprint or their operations is really 730 00:31:34,682 --> 00:31:36,627 for them to speak to you . But the 731 00:31:36,627 --> 00:31:38,849 secretary was very clear and we've been 732 00:31:38,849 --> 00:31:41,071 consistent . We're going to continue to 733 00:31:41,071 --> 00:31:43,071 support them as they need it and as 734 00:31:43,071 --> 00:31:42,640 their needs change regardless of 735 00:31:42,640 --> 00:31:45,460 footprint and as their needs change , 736 00:31:45,470 --> 00:31:48,870 we'll we'll adapt our support to uh to 737 00:31:48,880 --> 00:31:51,047 to best meet their requirements uh And 738 00:31:51,047 --> 00:31:53,610 frankly ours too because we have a 739 00:31:53,620 --> 00:31:56,190 shared security interest in uh in 740 00:31:56,190 --> 00:31:58,680 dealing with terrorism threats there in 741 00:31:58,680 --> 00:32:00,958 the saddle . That answer your question . 742 00:32:00,958 --> 00:32:03,180 Okay . Um I gotta go thanks very much . 743 00:32:03,180 --> 00:32:06,660 I think I got to everybody on the phone . 744 00:32:07,340 --> 00:32:09,618 Yes I did . Alright , thanks everybody . 745 00:32:09,618 --> 00:32:11,270 We'll see you later this week . Mhm