1 00:00:02,540 --> 00:00:06,530 that's an enthusiastic response . It 2 00:00:06,970 --> 00:00:10,670 must be friday . Okay . Just 3 00:00:10,670 --> 00:00:13,150 one thing at the top uh , 4 00:00:14,340 --> 00:00:17,550 uh , pleased to be able to uh , to 5 00:00:17,550 --> 00:00:20,760 speak uh , to uh , 6 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:23,887 significant NATO exercise that's about 7 00:00:23,887 --> 00:00:27,560 to kick off on monday . Strike force 8 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:30,140 NATO . We'll kick off an exercise 9 00:00:30,140 --> 00:00:33,770 called Neptune Strike 22 and Neptune 10 00:00:33,770 --> 00:00:35,992 Strike 22 it's going to run through the 11 00:00:35,992 --> 00:00:38,214 fourth of february and it's designed to 12 00:00:38,214 --> 00:00:40,437 demonstrate NATO's ability to integrate 13 00:00:40,437 --> 00:00:42,048 the high end maritime strike 14 00:00:42,048 --> 00:00:44,048 capabilities of an aircraft carrier 15 00:00:44,048 --> 00:00:46,510 strike group to support the deterrence 16 00:00:46,510 --> 00:00:49,290 and defense of the alliance . Uss Harry 17 00:00:49,290 --> 00:00:51,610 S Truman Carrier Strike group will be 18 00:00:51,610 --> 00:00:53,800 placed under NATO operational control 19 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:55,911 and serve as the centerpiece for this 20 00:00:55,911 --> 00:00:58,220 long planned activity that fosters NATO 21 00:00:58,220 --> 00:00:59,998 allies ability to cooperate and 22 00:00:59,998 --> 00:01:02,890 integrate effectively . This of course , 23 00:01:02,890 --> 00:01:05,000 demonstrate once again that the 24 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:07,480 alliance is a united , capable and 25 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:10,910 strong transatlantic alliance . The 26 00:01:10,910 --> 00:01:13,220 strike group along with several other 27 00:01:13,220 --> 00:01:15,570 NATO allies will participate in 28 00:01:15,570 --> 00:01:17,840 coordinated maritime maneuvers , anti 29 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:19,970 submarine warfare training and long 30 00:01:19,970 --> 00:01:22,650 range strike training , Neptune strike 31 00:01:22,650 --> 00:01:24,960 22 follows strikeforce NATO's 32 00:01:24,960 --> 00:01:27,750 participation in the work ups that the 33 00:01:27,750 --> 00:01:30,190 USS Harry S . Truman's strike group 34 00:01:30,190 --> 00:01:32,246 went through all the way through the 35 00:01:32,246 --> 00:01:35,100 end of last year and I might add that 36 00:01:35,100 --> 00:01:37,322 the planning for this exercise actually 37 00:01:37,322 --> 00:01:40,430 goes back to 2020 . This has been a 38 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:43,500 long planned exercise . All of the , 39 00:01:43,500 --> 00:01:45,278 all of the training events will 40 00:01:45,278 --> 00:01:47,222 highlight the continual and steady 41 00:01:47,222 --> 00:01:49,333 progression of alliance cohesion in a 42 00:01:49,333 --> 00:01:51,389 high end and dynamic environment and 43 00:01:51,389 --> 00:01:54,230 with that we'll go to questions looks 44 00:01:54,230 --> 00:01:56,341 like lita you're on the line . Yeah , 45 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,950 yeah , Thanks , john um , that exercise 46 00:01:59,960 --> 00:02:02,550 um , in the Adriatic , is that correct ? 47 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:05,850 Mm hmm . It's done . 48 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:08,440 Was it in the 49 00:02:11,140 --> 00:02:14,510 it will be the , I mean it's 50 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:17,340 the carrier will be operating in the 51 00:02:17,340 --> 00:02:20,810 mediterranean . Um , uh , and I don't 52 00:02:20,820 --> 00:02:23,042 have her exact location right now . She 53 00:02:23,042 --> 00:02:25,550 was operating in the Adriatic but 54 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:28,110 she'll be operating as part of this 55 00:02:28,110 --> 00:02:30,166 exercise in the med Exactly where in 56 00:02:30,166 --> 00:02:32,388 the med I don't have that . I'd have to 57 00:02:32,388 --> 00:02:34,388 direct you to strike force NATO for 58 00:02:34,388 --> 00:02:37,260 more details . Did that get you lita 59 00:02:38,740 --> 00:02:41,350 can you address what 60 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:45,170 conversations the secretary has had 61 00:02:45,180 --> 00:02:47,230 over the past two weeks or two with 62 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:50,240 allies particularly um , any of those 63 00:02:50,250 --> 00:02:53,810 in eastern europe about efforts to um 64 00:02:53,820 --> 00:02:57,330 perhaps shore up us aid to them or 65 00:02:57,330 --> 00:02:59,890 support for them . Has he gotten calls 66 00:02:59,900 --> 00:03:03,690 from any of those allies looking for um 67 00:03:03,700 --> 00:03:06,660 any new U . S . Support . Thank you . 68 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:09,262 As you know earlier , he did speak with 69 00:03:09,262 --> 00:03:11,373 his Ukrainian counterpart and we read 70 00:03:11,373 --> 00:03:13,596 that out . That's the only conversation 71 00:03:13,596 --> 00:03:15,596 uh , that I that I have to speak to 72 00:03:15,596 --> 00:03:17,262 this week . He has not spoken 73 00:03:17,262 --> 00:03:20,850 specifically to NATO counterparts 74 00:03:20,860 --> 00:03:23,860 about capabilities they may need or 75 00:03:23,860 --> 00:03:26,630 maybe asking for . Um , so no no 76 00:03:26,630 --> 00:03:30,330 conversations in that regard to speak 77 00:03:30,330 --> 00:03:32,330 to . I would just say that and I've 78 00:03:32,330 --> 00:03:35,080 said this before , we continue to look 79 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:37,680 at a range of options of of of 80 00:03:37,690 --> 00:03:40,120 capabilities that we might need to make 81 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:42,920 sure all ready in case our allies are 82 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:44,976 looking for that kind of reassurance 83 00:03:44,976 --> 00:03:47,198 and as I've said before , some of those 84 00:03:47,198 --> 00:03:49,420 capabilities can come right from inside 85 00:03:49,420 --> 00:03:51,590 the european command area of 86 00:03:51,590 --> 00:03:53,720 responsibility or even from from the 87 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:55,942 states . Our job is to tee up options . 88 00:03:55,942 --> 00:03:57,887 Our job is to make sure that we're 89 00:03:57,887 --> 00:04:00,109 ready in case our allies uh , need us . 90 00:04:00,109 --> 00:04:02,460 Uh , and so the secretary continues to , 91 00:04:02,460 --> 00:04:05,660 to look at at all those options before 92 00:04:05,660 --> 00:04:07,660 him , but I don't have any specific 93 00:04:07,660 --> 00:04:09,882 conversations and certainly no specific 94 00:04:09,882 --> 00:04:11,938 asks by any of the allies to talk to 95 00:04:11,938 --> 00:04:13,993 you today , Sylvie . You know , john 96 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:17,510 you said that this exercise was planned 97 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:20,530 for a long time . Did 98 00:04:20,540 --> 00:04:24,360 the the tension in around the 99 00:04:24,370 --> 00:04:27,950 Ukraine change anything in the 100 00:04:28,340 --> 00:04:31,260 a scope or the location ? 101 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:35,350 Oh , exercise . I would point you to 102 00:04:35,350 --> 00:04:37,461 strike force NATO or to NATO for more 103 00:04:37,461 --> 00:04:39,572 specifics about the exercise . It's , 104 00:04:39,572 --> 00:04:41,880 it's , it's their exercise . Um , it 105 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:45,650 has been Planned , as I said since 2020 106 00:04:45,870 --> 00:04:49,500 now , um if the scenario 107 00:04:49,510 --> 00:04:51,840 has changed over time , I I don't have 108 00:04:51,840 --> 00:04:54,062 that level of detail , but I would tell 109 00:04:54,062 --> 00:04:56,173 you that it's not , it wasn't planned 110 00:04:56,173 --> 00:04:58,950 back in 2020 . Anticipating , uh , you 111 00:04:58,950 --> 00:05:01,590 know , a Russian move on Ukraine . Um , 112 00:05:01,590 --> 00:05:03,770 and it's not designed , the exercise 113 00:05:03,770 --> 00:05:07,500 itself is not designed against the 114 00:05:07,500 --> 00:05:10,320 kinds of scenarios that that might 115 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,320 happen with respect to Ukraine . It 116 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,000 really is a NATO maritime exercise to 117 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:17,420 test , as I said in my opening to test 118 00:05:17,420 --> 00:05:20,130 really a wide range of , of , of 119 00:05:20,130 --> 00:05:22,241 maritime capabilities that we want to 120 00:05:22,241 --> 00:05:24,408 make sure we continue to improve . You 121 00:05:24,408 --> 00:05:26,408 can ask another question , speaking 122 00:05:26,408 --> 00:05:29,150 about exercises , I'm sure you saw the 123 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:32,650 images of um , the 124 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:36,960 Russian forces deployed around 125 00:05:36,970 --> 00:05:40,520 Ukraine . Is it in your , is it your 126 00:05:40,530 --> 00:05:43,010 assessment or the pentagon pentagon 127 00:05:43,010 --> 00:05:45,780 assessment that this deployment is ? 128 00:05:45,790 --> 00:05:49,260 Uh , mm hmm , mm hmm . 129 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:55,180 Good girl . It is logical 130 00:05:55,410 --> 00:05:58,750 for pure 131 00:05:59,340 --> 00:06:01,900 pure exercise . Is it something that 132 00:06:02,140 --> 00:06:05,580 for you corresponds to an exercise ? 133 00:06:06,740 --> 00:06:09,950 Yeah . You mean , is uh , is the force 134 00:06:09,950 --> 00:06:12,690 label that he has commensurate with 135 00:06:12,700 --> 00:06:14,922 what you would think as an exercise ? I 136 00:06:14,922 --> 00:06:18,480 mean , the so probably a better 137 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:20,702 question to put to the Russian Ministry 138 00:06:20,702 --> 00:06:22,980 of Defense to speak to their exercises . 139 00:06:22,980 --> 00:06:25,091 So we um , um , I'll let the Russians 140 00:06:25,091 --> 00:06:28,870 talk about , uh , mm hmm , what these 141 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:30,991 exercises are supposed to achieve and 142 00:06:30,991 --> 00:06:33,158 whether they feel like they've got the 143 00:06:33,158 --> 00:06:35,436 right capabilities in place to do that . 144 00:06:35,436 --> 00:06:37,324 I'm here to talk about what we're 145 00:06:37,324 --> 00:06:39,436 exercising and in this particular one 146 00:06:39,436 --> 00:06:41,658 Neptune strike . And I we can certainly 147 00:06:41,658 --> 00:06:43,890 talk about , um , the significant 148 00:06:43,890 --> 00:06:45,890 capabilities that we're bringing to 149 00:06:45,890 --> 00:06:47,779 that exercise and the alliance is 150 00:06:47,779 --> 00:06:50,001 bringing to that exercise . But to your 151 00:06:50,001 --> 00:06:51,946 larger point , I would just say we 152 00:06:51,946 --> 00:06:55,130 continue to see a very sizable force 153 00:06:55,130 --> 00:06:57,880 presence by the Russians in the western 154 00:06:57,880 --> 00:06:59,991 part of their country surrounding the 155 00:06:59,991 --> 00:07:01,769 border with Ukraine uh , and it 156 00:07:01,769 --> 00:07:03,936 continues to be concerning . You heard 157 00:07:03,936 --> 00:07:05,769 Secretary Blinken talked to this 158 00:07:05,769 --> 00:07:07,602 earlier today . Uh , and uh , we 159 00:07:07,602 --> 00:07:09,658 believe that there's still a path to 160 00:07:09,658 --> 00:07:11,880 diplomacy here and and we would like to 161 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:14,102 see the situation de escalated . And as 162 00:07:14,102 --> 00:07:16,480 I've said before , one significant key 163 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:18,540 way for it to get deescalated is for 164 00:07:18,540 --> 00:07:20,484 the Russians to pull some of those 165 00:07:20,484 --> 00:07:23,130 forces back out away from the border 166 00:07:23,130 --> 00:07:25,130 with Ukraine . And that they have , 167 00:07:25,130 --> 00:07:27,186 they have shown no inclination to do 168 00:07:27,186 --> 00:07:29,408 that . In fact , quite the contrary , I 169 00:07:29,408 --> 00:07:31,630 think , you know , they continue to add 170 00:07:31,630 --> 00:07:31,250 to the force presence there . Now , 171 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:33,496 what they're gonna do , what they're 172 00:07:33,496 --> 00:07:35,329 exercising and what they plan to 173 00:07:35,329 --> 00:07:37,496 exercise with . That's really for them 174 00:07:37,496 --> 00:07:39,607 to speak to following these exercises 175 00:07:39,607 --> 00:07:41,940 that the Russian forces are involved in . 176 00:07:41,940 --> 00:07:44,107 No , I'm not , I'm not , I'm not gonna 177 00:07:44,107 --> 00:07:46,329 speak to what the Russians are claiming 178 00:07:46,329 --> 00:07:49,390 our exercises . Um uh what we're saying 179 00:07:49,390 --> 00:07:51,223 is they have a significant force 180 00:07:51,223 --> 00:07:53,057 posture there and that it hasn't 181 00:07:53,057 --> 00:07:55,279 decreased . In fact it has continued to 182 00:07:55,279 --> 00:07:57,223 increase . And we remain concerned 183 00:07:57,223 --> 00:07:59,040 about that , the US government 184 00:07:59,050 --> 00:08:01,950 assessment that these are not exercises . 185 00:08:03,140 --> 00:08:05,140 Well , I think we may be talking to 186 00:08:05,140 --> 00:08:09,030 different things . Um , Well , no , 187 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:11,380 you're talking about , um , I think 188 00:08:11,380 --> 00:08:13,290 you're talking about a Russian 189 00:08:13,290 --> 00:08:15,410 statement that at least a portion of 190 00:08:15,410 --> 00:08:17,743 troops that they had their particularly , 191 00:08:17,743 --> 00:08:19,632 I think they were saying maybe in 192 00:08:19,632 --> 00:08:21,799 Belarus are there for exercises . Um , 193 00:08:21,799 --> 00:08:23,966 So I don't , I think what the Russians 194 00:08:23,966 --> 00:08:25,966 are saying is at least a portion of 195 00:08:25,966 --> 00:08:28,243 these troops are for exercises . Again , 196 00:08:28,243 --> 00:08:27,190 I don't want to speak for them . You 197 00:08:27,190 --> 00:08:29,310 got to talk to them . We're seeing a 198 00:08:29,310 --> 00:08:31,600 sizable force presence there , that 199 00:08:31,610 --> 00:08:33,720 isn't decreasing . Um , and it 200 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:36,460 continues to be concerning . And um we 201 00:08:36,460 --> 00:08:39,990 have not we have never classified all 202 00:08:39,990 --> 00:08:43,150 that force presence as indicative of an 203 00:08:43,150 --> 00:08:45,760 exercise . I mean they're spread out 204 00:08:46,540 --> 00:08:49,160 over a wide expansive area all the way 205 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:51,610 from the south , near Crimea , all the 206 00:08:51,610 --> 00:08:53,860 way around to the uh to the north over 207 00:08:53,860 --> 00:08:56,082 the across from the northeast border of 208 00:08:56,082 --> 00:08:58,690 Ukraine . Uh And we're not seeing them 209 00:08:58,690 --> 00:09:00,857 all coordinating in some sort of large 210 00:09:00,857 --> 00:09:03,023 scale exercise . We're not seeing that 211 00:09:03,023 --> 00:09:05,134 at all . I think what Sylvia was also 212 00:09:05,134 --> 00:09:07,660 asking is the type of forces that they 213 00:09:07,660 --> 00:09:10,260 have an equipment in belarus , is it 214 00:09:10,270 --> 00:09:12,550 indicative of an exercise or an 215 00:09:12,550 --> 00:09:16,070 invasion ? The short answer is when you 216 00:09:16,070 --> 00:09:18,430 have forces a rate is that is that 217 00:09:18,430 --> 00:09:22,380 better ? Yeah . When you have 218 00:09:22,380 --> 00:09:24,800 forces arrayed like that they could 219 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:28,390 exercise uh and conduct exercises . Um 220 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:30,960 and those exercises could in fact be to 221 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:32,849 improve their capabilities for an 222 00:09:32,849 --> 00:09:35,120 invasion or incursion . So we're not 223 00:09:35,130 --> 00:09:38,050 splitting hairs here over whether you 224 00:09:38,050 --> 00:09:40,106 know , they're exercising or they're 225 00:09:40,106 --> 00:09:42,328 not . And again , I'd let them speak to 226 00:09:42,328 --> 00:09:44,050 what they're doing in terms of 227 00:09:44,050 --> 00:09:43,750 exercises that they claim they're 228 00:09:43,750 --> 00:09:46,420 conducting . We see a sizable force 229 00:09:46,420 --> 00:09:48,670 presence that continues to increase . 230 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:51,180 There's no sign of de escalation here . 231 00:09:51,190 --> 00:09:53,301 And so we remain concerned about that 232 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,710 question . How many or what U . S . 233 00:09:57,870 --> 00:09:59,850 Military equipment is on route to 234 00:09:59,850 --> 00:10:03,710 Ukraine right now , if any , I think 235 00:10:03,710 --> 00:10:05,766 we'll have more to say about that uh 236 00:10:05,766 --> 00:10:08,190 later on we continue to provide as you 237 00:10:08,190 --> 00:10:10,420 know , security assistance to Ukraine . 238 00:10:10,430 --> 00:10:13,210 Um uh and I believe our State 239 00:10:13,210 --> 00:10:15,099 Department colleagues will have a 240 00:10:15,099 --> 00:10:17,432 little bit more to say about that later . 241 00:10:17,432 --> 00:10:17,370 I don't have anything to announce or 242 00:10:17,370 --> 00:10:19,426 speak to today or at least not right 243 00:10:19,426 --> 00:10:23,320 now nancy . Just a 244 00:10:23,330 --> 00:10:25,386 couple of points I'd like to clarify 245 00:10:25,386 --> 00:10:27,552 when you talk about how you're looking 246 00:10:27,552 --> 00:10:29,274 at the Russian force posture . 247 00:10:29,700 --> 00:10:31,700 Everything you say applies to their 248 00:10:31,700 --> 00:10:33,922 naval posture as well and the exercises 249 00:10:33,922 --> 00:10:36,089 that they've announced um largely when 250 00:10:36,089 --> 00:10:38,200 we talk about the force posture , I'm 251 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,089 talking about ground forces . I'm 252 00:10:40,089 --> 00:10:42,311 talking about the ground troops and the 253 00:10:42,311 --> 00:10:44,422 capabilities they have in the western 254 00:10:44,422 --> 00:10:46,367 part of the country uh around that 255 00:10:46,367 --> 00:10:49,210 Northeast and eastern And quite frankly 256 00:10:49,210 --> 00:10:51,154 southeastern border with Ukraine . 257 00:10:51,154 --> 00:10:53,154 That's what I'm talking about . The 258 00:10:53,154 --> 00:10:53,100 reason they've announced a major 259 00:10:53,100 --> 00:10:55,360 exercise involving 140 ships , 60 260 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:57,416 aircraft . Is that the US assessment 261 00:10:57,416 --> 00:10:59,527 that that is postured for an exercise 262 00:10:59,527 --> 00:11:01,749 or is it also concerned that that could 263 00:11:01,749 --> 00:11:04,160 be used ? It's the same . I think the 264 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:06,216 answer is kind of the same as what I 265 00:11:06,216 --> 00:11:08,271 gave jen , I mean , you know , again 266 00:11:08,271 --> 00:11:10,327 I'd let them speak to what they were 267 00:11:10,327 --> 00:11:12,327 speaking to our exercises . I would 268 00:11:12,327 --> 00:11:14,382 encourage the Russians to speak with 269 00:11:14,382 --> 00:11:16,493 specificity about their exercises but 270 00:11:16,493 --> 00:11:18,716 but uh that they have significant naval 271 00:11:18,716 --> 00:11:21,850 force uh in the region is again not 272 00:11:21,850 --> 00:11:25,230 being not lost on us . Um And um 273 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,330 certainly uh again not knowing what Mr 274 00:11:28,330 --> 00:11:30,670 Putin plans to do . Um you know , he 275 00:11:30,670 --> 00:11:32,850 has , he has a sizable amount of 276 00:11:32,850 --> 00:11:34,961 military capability , not just on the 277 00:11:34,961 --> 00:11:37,270 ground , but at sea . Just a couple of 278 00:11:37,270 --> 00:11:39,437 clarifications on the announcement you 279 00:11:39,437 --> 00:11:42,250 made , Who precisely will the Truman go 280 00:11:42,250 --> 00:11:44,620 under the commando ? It'll be Vice 281 00:11:44,620 --> 00:11:47,320 Admiral Eugene Black , who is the 282 00:11:47,330 --> 00:11:49,497 strike force NATO commander , but he's 283 00:11:49,497 --> 00:11:51,219 dual hatted as the sixth fleet 284 00:11:51,219 --> 00:11:53,274 commander . He'll he'll command that 285 00:11:53,274 --> 00:11:57,030 exercise . Um The other thing , can you 286 00:11:57,030 --> 00:11:59,252 tell us which NATO partners involved or 287 00:11:59,252 --> 00:12:01,419 how many ? Yeah , I would refer you to 288 00:12:01,419 --> 00:12:05,160 NATO to get a more clearly lay down 289 00:12:05,170 --> 00:12:07,337 of exactly how many other allies , but 290 00:12:07,337 --> 00:12:09,281 there will be several other allies 291 00:12:09,281 --> 00:12:11,448 participating in this exercise . And I 292 00:12:11,448 --> 00:12:13,670 would remind you not new to you nancy , 293 00:12:13,670 --> 00:12:15,559 but as we did conduct large scale 294 00:12:15,559 --> 00:12:17,726 exercises , some people participate in 295 00:12:17,726 --> 00:12:19,670 some sections of it and not others 296 00:12:19,670 --> 00:12:21,837 based on their own operational demands 297 00:12:21,837 --> 00:12:23,448 and schedules as well as the 298 00:12:23,448 --> 00:12:23,120 capabilities that they're trying to 299 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:25,064 improve . So for more detail , I'd 300 00:12:25,064 --> 00:12:27,860 refer to NATO to , you know , this 301 00:12:27,860 --> 00:12:30,140 exercise is happening near whether or 302 00:12:30,150 --> 00:12:33,180 as you note , a sizable naval presence 303 00:12:33,180 --> 00:12:34,980 from Russia , Why was there not 304 00:12:34,980 --> 00:12:37,147 consideration to delay this exercise ? 305 00:12:37,147 --> 00:12:39,258 Given that the tensions are there and 306 00:12:39,258 --> 00:12:40,924 there's the possibility for a 307 00:12:40,924 --> 00:12:43,036 misunderstanding what these exercises 308 00:12:43,036 --> 00:12:42,580 are , could contribute to the tensions 309 00:12:42,580 --> 00:12:44,802 already in the region . Sure , look , I 310 00:12:44,802 --> 00:12:46,913 think we constantly look at exercises 311 00:12:46,913 --> 00:12:50,230 and training um and and ask ourselves , 312 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:52,690 even even after one's been been been 313 00:12:52,700 --> 00:12:55,100 worked on for months , not years . Uh 314 00:12:55,110 --> 00:12:57,221 you know , do we really need to do it 315 00:12:57,221 --> 00:12:59,388 now ? Should we should be speeded up ? 316 00:12:59,388 --> 00:13:01,610 Should we shorten it ? That happens all 317 00:13:01,610 --> 00:13:03,388 the time . Um And there was due 318 00:13:03,388 --> 00:13:05,332 consideration about given tensions 319 00:13:05,332 --> 00:13:07,666 right now um about our exercise posture . 320 00:13:07,666 --> 00:13:09,888 Um and after all that consideration and 321 00:13:09,888 --> 00:13:11,999 discussion with our NATO allies , the 322 00:13:11,999 --> 00:13:14,800 decision was made to move ahead . Thank 323 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:17,880 you . I think you may see in this 324 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:21,250 report and north korean , I think 325 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:24,600 on the north Korea . North Korea and 326 00:13:24,610 --> 00:13:28,080 kim jong un said that suspended 327 00:13:28,090 --> 00:13:30,120 nuclear and I . C . B . M . 328 00:13:30,130 --> 00:13:34,060 Intercontinental ballistic besides past 329 00:13:34,060 --> 00:13:37,980 lunch could be resumed . And also he 330 00:13:37,980 --> 00:13:41,810 wanted that he could crossed 331 00:13:41,820 --> 00:13:45,570 red right . What is the U . S . 332 00:13:45,580 --> 00:13:49,440 Department of Defense position on 333 00:13:49,690 --> 00:13:52,260 accelerating those careers 334 00:13:53,140 --> 00:13:55,260 tactical capabilities ? 335 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:02,080 Well obviously we don't want to see the 336 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:05,460 north korean military program 337 00:14:06,140 --> 00:14:09,860 continue to be able to pose a threat 338 00:14:09,870 --> 00:14:11,926 to our South korean allies or to the 339 00:14:11,926 --> 00:14:15,320 region . So we continue to call on uh 340 00:14:15,330 --> 00:14:18,490 kim jong un to sit down and and and 341 00:14:18,490 --> 00:14:20,880 discuss the way forward . We have said 342 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:23,480 many times we're willing to conduct 343 00:14:23,490 --> 00:14:25,657 diplomatic engagement with him with no 344 00:14:25,657 --> 00:14:29,370 preconditions . So um our view hasn't 345 00:14:29,370 --> 00:14:31,481 changed . We want to see the complete 346 00:14:31,481 --> 00:14:33,426 verifiable denuclearization of the 347 00:14:33,426 --> 00:14:35,537 peninsula . We believe that diplomacy 348 00:14:35,537 --> 00:14:37,930 is the best tact to take to get their 349 00:14:37,940 --> 00:14:40,260 track to take to get there and uh and 350 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:42,251 we're willing to sit down no 351 00:14:42,251 --> 00:14:45,210 preconditions , 20 clock diplomatic 352 00:14:45,220 --> 00:14:48,860 situation is not work , it's next ? I 353 00:14:48,870 --> 00:14:51,037 don't think getting into hypotheticals 354 00:14:51,037 --> 00:14:53,092 and speculating right now about what 355 00:14:53,092 --> 00:14:55,148 ifs is very helpful . We've made our 356 00:14:55,148 --> 00:14:57,203 position clear for the Department of 357 00:14:57,203 --> 00:15:00,170 Defense . Happy to continue to say it . 358 00:15:00,180 --> 00:15:02,580 Our job is to make sure that that we 359 00:15:02,580 --> 00:15:04,430 are ready to meet the security 360 00:15:04,430 --> 00:15:06,970 commitments commensurate with our 361 00:15:06,970 --> 00:15:09,137 treaty alliance with South Korea . And 362 00:15:09,137 --> 00:15:12,410 we're doing that . Lastly , china 363 00:15:12,420 --> 00:15:15,830 vetoed the North Korea's recent missile 364 00:15:15,830 --> 00:15:19,320 around at the U . N . Security Council 365 00:15:19,330 --> 00:15:22,960 meeting yesterday . Do you think the U . 366 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:26,560 S . Needs an independent 367 00:15:26,570 --> 00:15:29,550 additional sanctions against the North 368 00:15:29,550 --> 00:15:31,661 Korea ? That's not a question for the 369 00:15:31,661 --> 00:15:33,550 Defense Department jenny , That's 370 00:15:33,550 --> 00:15:35,772 really something better put to my State 371 00:15:35,772 --> 00:15:37,994 Department colleagues . These ballistic 372 00:15:37,994 --> 00:15:39,939 missile launches are violations of 373 00:15:39,939 --> 00:15:42,720 Security Council resolutions . Uh We 374 00:15:42,730 --> 00:15:46,360 continue to call on Pyongyang 375 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:49,580 to to cease that activity um and for 376 00:15:49,590 --> 00:15:51,812 everybody involved in the international 377 00:15:51,812 --> 00:15:53,868 community to actually live up to the 378 00:15:53,868 --> 00:15:56,090 sanctions that have already been put in 379 00:15:56,090 --> 00:15:58,146 place and not every country is doing 380 00:15:58,146 --> 00:16:00,312 that . Uh and china has influence over 381 00:16:00,312 --> 00:16:03,470 Pyongyang , we know that uh and and uh 382 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:05,647 and we certainly hope that they'll use 383 00:16:05,647 --> 00:16:07,758 that influence um to the betterment , 384 00:16:07,758 --> 00:16:10,070 not only of them in the region , but to 385 00:16:10,070 --> 00:16:12,960 the whole world . You're welcome me 386 00:16:13,740 --> 00:16:15,490 have a question about vaccine 387 00:16:15,490 --> 00:16:19,440 implementation and discharges in On 388 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:21,551 August 23 , the Secretary put out the 389 00:16:21,551 --> 00:16:23,496 memo saying that the COVID vaccine 390 00:16:23,496 --> 00:16:25,440 would become mandatory for service 391 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:27,890 members . Um a few weeks from between a 392 00:16:27,890 --> 00:16:30,390 few weeks and over a month's like more 393 00:16:30,390 --> 00:16:32,810 like 67 weeks later , the services 394 00:16:32,810 --> 00:16:35,032 started requiring , started adding them 395 00:16:35,032 --> 00:16:37,270 to the battery of vaccines that you get 396 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:39,460 at basic training , which means that 397 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:41,984 for over a month there were people 398 00:16:41,984 --> 00:16:44,200 coming into the military not getting 399 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:46,033 vaccinated against covid and now 400 00:16:46,033 --> 00:16:48,420 they're being discharged either mid 401 00:16:48,420 --> 00:16:50,587 training or finishing training without 402 00:16:50,587 --> 00:16:52,753 reporting to their first unit . So all 403 00:16:52,753 --> 00:16:54,864 of those tens of thousands of dollars 404 00:16:54,864 --> 00:16:54,760 to recruit them and train them . We're 405 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:58,410 basically lit on fire . Is that 406 00:16:58,420 --> 00:17:00,760 the that implementation rollout and 407 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:03,490 that delay between the announcement and 408 00:17:03,500 --> 00:17:05,556 requiring vaccines for trainees ? Is 409 00:17:05,556 --> 00:17:07,460 that an oversight as part of the 410 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:11,080 implementation policy ? Is that is that 411 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:13,136 the cost of doing business while you 412 00:17:13,136 --> 00:17:15,460 are trying to implement new policy like 413 00:17:15,470 --> 00:17:17,760 this ? What's the , you know , how did 414 00:17:17,770 --> 00:17:21,590 how did this happen ? It's not that it 415 00:17:21,590 --> 00:17:24,500 happened . Uh You make it sound like it 416 00:17:24,500 --> 00:17:26,500 was some sort of happenstance . The 417 00:17:26,500 --> 00:17:28,667 secretary as you go back . You look at 418 00:17:28,667 --> 00:17:30,833 that memo , he made it very clear that 419 00:17:30,833 --> 00:17:33,056 he wanted a period of time to allow the 420 00:17:33,056 --> 00:17:36,390 services to plan for implementation . I 421 00:17:36,390 --> 00:17:38,840 mean , this was a major rudder shift . 422 00:17:38,850 --> 00:17:40,770 Uh you all remember when we were 423 00:17:40,770 --> 00:17:42,826 talking about it being voluntary and 424 00:17:42,826 --> 00:17:44,937 and to to make it mandatory that that 425 00:17:44,937 --> 00:17:48,280 requires process changes . It requires 426 00:17:48,290 --> 00:17:50,620 some policy changes and it certainly 427 00:17:50,630 --> 00:17:53,410 required the services to get to make 428 00:17:53,410 --> 00:17:55,410 sure they had enough stockpiles and 429 00:17:55,410 --> 00:17:57,466 they had implementing guidelines for 430 00:17:57,466 --> 00:17:59,688 their subordinate commanders in place . 431 00:17:59,688 --> 00:18:01,799 And so the secretary felt it was only 432 00:18:01,799 --> 00:18:03,966 appropriate and prudent to give them , 433 00:18:03,966 --> 00:18:05,910 uh , some time . And that's why he 434 00:18:05,910 --> 00:18:08,188 frankly sent that memo say it's coming . 435 00:18:08,188 --> 00:18:08,160 So you need to get ready for it . And 436 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:10,216 that's not uncommon . We do that all 437 00:18:10,216 --> 00:18:12,271 the time when there's a major policy 438 00:18:12,271 --> 00:18:12,170 shift at the building , You've got to 439 00:18:12,170 --> 00:18:14,392 give them time to get ready . And so we 440 00:18:14,392 --> 00:18:18,000 did that . Um , and , and to your first 441 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,222 point about , well , okay , you brought 442 00:18:20,222 --> 00:18:23,370 guys in when it was in this sort of 443 00:18:23,380 --> 00:18:26,610 intervening period before it was , the 444 00:18:26,610 --> 00:18:28,610 mandate was actually in place , but 445 00:18:28,610 --> 00:18:30,832 after it's been announced . And is that 446 00:18:30,832 --> 00:18:32,943 a waste ? And I would say no , not at 447 00:18:32,943 --> 00:18:34,721 all . I mean , we brought these 448 00:18:34,721 --> 00:18:37,250 individuals in in good faith . Um , and , 449 00:18:37,260 --> 00:18:39,427 um , and I want them to succeed in the 450 00:18:39,427 --> 00:18:41,650 military and the best way for them to 451 00:18:41,650 --> 00:18:43,650 continue to be able to do that , at 452 00:18:43,650 --> 00:18:45,872 least in terms of their physical health 453 00:18:45,872 --> 00:18:48,039 with respect to the pandemic is to get 454 00:18:48,039 --> 00:18:50,094 vaccinated . Um , and it's a back to 455 00:18:50,094 --> 00:18:52,150 what we said before a lawful order . 456 00:18:52,150 --> 00:18:55,260 It's not uncommon for us to um , to 457 00:18:55,270 --> 00:18:57,750 make vaccines mandatory after somebody 458 00:18:57,750 --> 00:19:00,470 has come in when something new develops . 459 00:19:00,470 --> 00:19:02,470 And so it's part of being a service 460 00:19:02,470 --> 00:19:04,581 member . When you're , when you're in 461 00:19:04,581 --> 00:19:06,748 order to get a vaccine , you gotta get 462 00:19:06,748 --> 00:19:08,859 that vaccine . So , no , we would not 463 00:19:08,859 --> 00:19:11,081 consider this . Uh , as you said , uh , 464 00:19:11,081 --> 00:19:13,414 some sort of fire or something . I mean , 465 00:19:13,414 --> 00:19:15,960 it's , Yeah , it's , it's just the 466 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:18,182 normal process Megan . So we're talking 467 00:19:18,182 --> 00:19:20,127 about two different memos , you're 468 00:19:20,127 --> 00:19:22,293 mentioning the August nine memo , that 469 00:19:22,293 --> 00:19:24,627 was a heads up to the service is saying , 470 00:19:24,627 --> 00:19:23,730 Hey , I want to , I want to make this 471 00:19:23,730 --> 00:19:25,674 mandatory . Everybody get ready on 472 00:19:25,674 --> 00:19:27,619 August 23 is when he said , Okay , 473 00:19:27,619 --> 00:19:29,910 we're doing mandatory . But even before 474 00:19:29,910 --> 00:19:32,132 that , you know , you had said from the 475 00:19:32,132 --> 00:19:34,188 podium here in july , we're thinking 476 00:19:34,188 --> 00:19:36,243 maybe FDA approval , we will make it 477 00:19:36,243 --> 00:19:38,243 mandatory . And also for any of the 478 00:19:38,243 --> 00:19:40,188 services , it was always voluntary 479 00:19:40,188 --> 00:19:42,410 while this was , you know , under an EU 480 00:19:42,410 --> 00:19:44,577 way . But the expectation if you are a 481 00:19:44,577 --> 00:19:46,632 leader in the military was that this 482 00:19:46,632 --> 00:19:46,620 would eventually become mandatory . 483 00:19:46,620 --> 00:19:48,564 They could have started working on 484 00:19:48,564 --> 00:19:51,120 these policies a year ago . Um , and 485 00:19:51,130 --> 00:19:53,790 they could have at least four for four 486 00:19:53,790 --> 00:19:56,160 trainees for recruits on day one on 487 00:19:56,160 --> 00:19:58,940 august 23rd , august 24th said , Okay , 488 00:19:58,940 --> 00:20:01,480 today , we're gonna , we're gonna make 489 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:03,591 everybody who's getting ready to ship 490 00:20:03,591 --> 00:20:05,758 to boot camp , acknowledge the way you 491 00:20:05,758 --> 00:20:07,813 acknowledge when you , when you ship 492 00:20:07,813 --> 00:20:09,924 that you're going to get vaccinated , 493 00:20:09,924 --> 00:20:09,580 acknowledge that COVID-19 is gonna be 494 00:20:09,580 --> 00:20:11,691 part of this requirement . They could 495 00:20:11,691 --> 00:20:13,636 have done that on August 23 , they 496 00:20:13,636 --> 00:20:15,802 didn't for the Marine Corps , it was , 497 00:20:15,802 --> 00:20:17,913 they waited until October 14 . And so 498 00:20:17,913 --> 00:20:17,880 that was , you know , nearly two months 499 00:20:17,890 --> 00:20:19,946 of people coming to the Marine Corps 500 00:20:19,946 --> 00:20:22,112 saying , I don't want to get the covid 501 00:20:22,112 --> 00:20:24,279 vaccine . And now they're being kicked 502 00:20:24,279 --> 00:20:24,240 out because they still won't get it . I 503 00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:26,129 don't know that people joined the 504 00:20:26,129 --> 00:20:28,351 Marine Corps and said , oh by the way , 505 00:20:28,351 --> 00:20:30,184 before I sign this , I'm I'm not 506 00:20:30,184 --> 00:20:30,160 getting the vaccine . I'm not sure how 507 00:20:30,160 --> 00:20:33,460 often that happened . Um , I would just 508 00:20:33,460 --> 00:20:35,460 tell you that again that this was a 509 00:20:35,460 --> 00:20:38,130 major rudder shift here . If I could 510 00:20:38,130 --> 00:20:41,940 use the naval terminology here and um , 511 00:20:41,950 --> 00:20:44,172 and the secretary felt it was important 512 00:20:44,172 --> 00:20:46,117 to give this the service's time to 513 00:20:46,117 --> 00:20:48,061 prepare for that and to be able to 514 00:20:48,061 --> 00:20:50,228 implement that . And again , Megan . I 515 00:20:50,228 --> 00:20:52,339 do , I do take your point and I don't 516 00:20:52,339 --> 00:20:54,339 mean to sound like I don't or being 517 00:20:54,339 --> 00:20:56,506 obstinate , but it is a lawful order . 518 00:20:56,506 --> 00:20:59,610 And um , and uh , once you get it . 519 00:21:00,670 --> 00:21:02,726 No , but , but but that doesn't mean 520 00:21:02,726 --> 00:21:04,726 that it isn't still valid once it's 521 00:21:04,726 --> 00:21:07,190 given . Um , and again , we would not 522 00:21:07,500 --> 00:21:09,556 consider it a waste of time to bring 523 00:21:09,556 --> 00:21:11,500 these young men and women into the 524 00:21:11,500 --> 00:21:13,556 service and get them trained up with 525 00:21:13,556 --> 00:21:15,611 the expectation that after they take 526 00:21:15,611 --> 00:21:17,833 the oath of office and raise that right 527 00:21:17,833 --> 00:21:20,000 hand that they're going to obey lawful 528 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:22,056 orders . And I would remind The vast 529 00:21:22,056 --> 00:21:24,111 vast majority are in fact , I mean , 530 00:21:24,111 --> 00:21:26,167 we're up over 91% of the active duty 531 00:21:26,167 --> 00:21:28,278 force now that's fully vaccinated . I 532 00:21:28,278 --> 00:21:30,444 mean that's not insignificant . Pierre 533 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:33,030 We've seen in the last 24 hours 534 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:36,510 attacked by ISIS in northeast Syria and 535 00:21:36,520 --> 00:21:39,030 in Iraq and in general comment on it . 536 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:41,850 How concerned are you that there is a 537 00:21:41,850 --> 00:21:44,700 resurgence of ISIS in the area ? Well , 538 00:21:44,700 --> 00:21:46,620 I would just say we're constantly 539 00:21:46,630 --> 00:21:48,686 focused on the ISIS threat ? That is 540 00:21:48,686 --> 00:21:51,890 why we still have advisers in Iraq . 541 00:21:51,890 --> 00:21:53,946 That's why we also have still have a 542 00:21:53,946 --> 00:21:56,112 small presence inside Syria . The ISIS 543 00:21:56,112 --> 00:21:58,057 threat is not gone . And uh and we 544 00:21:58,057 --> 00:21:59,890 recognize that . So just without 545 00:21:59,890 --> 00:22:02,540 speaking to specific incidents , I 546 00:22:02,540 --> 00:22:04,651 would just tell you we remain focused 547 00:22:04,651 --> 00:22:06,707 on that . Okay . I haven't gotten to 548 00:22:06,707 --> 00:22:08,707 anybody on the phone . So give me a 549 00:22:08,707 --> 00:22:09,818 second here . Rio . 550 00:22:12,340 --> 00:22:14,562 Thank you john for taking my question . 551 00:22:14,562 --> 00:22:17,820 Uh despite the deteriorating 552 00:22:17,820 --> 00:22:20,320 situation , deteriorating security 553 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:23,380 situation in europe along the grain 554 00:22:23,380 --> 00:22:25,470 border , does the secretary still 555 00:22:25,470 --> 00:22:28,480 believes in the pacific is the sole top 556 00:22:28,480 --> 00:22:31,810 priority and continue to focus on china . 557 00:22:31,820 --> 00:22:33,870 Thank you . Yeah , there's been no 558 00:22:33,870 --> 00:22:36,092 change about our strategic focus on the 559 00:22:36,092 --> 00:22:38,270 pacing challenge of china or the um 560 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:40,590 very strategic nature of the indo 561 00:22:40,590 --> 00:22:42,757 pacific and our goal for a free , open 562 00:22:42,757 --> 00:22:44,757 and secure in the pacific . There's 563 00:22:44,757 --> 00:22:46,590 nothing changed about that . But 564 00:22:46,590 --> 00:22:48,534 obviously we're closely monitoring 565 00:22:48,534 --> 00:22:51,010 what's going on in europe . Um as 566 00:22:51,010 --> 00:22:53,010 you've heard the president speak to 567 00:22:53,010 --> 00:22:54,843 that we're taking that very very 568 00:22:54,843 --> 00:22:57,010 seriously and as I said earlier , he's 569 00:22:57,010 --> 00:23:00,700 making sure that we have options ready 570 00:23:00,700 --> 00:23:02,644 for the president and for our NATO 571 00:23:02,644 --> 00:23:04,867 allies . Should should they need them ? 572 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:09,490 Qassem ? Yes . Hi john , 573 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:11,860 I have two questions . Some european 574 00:23:11,860 --> 00:23:13,916 allies are sending warships to Black 575 00:23:13,916 --> 00:23:16,250 sea ? Is there a plan to send some U . 576 00:23:16,250 --> 00:23:18,472 S . Naval capabilities to the Black sea 577 00:23:18,472 --> 00:23:21,410 for now specific ship movements to 578 00:23:21,410 --> 00:23:23,620 speak to ? I think you know we're 579 00:23:23,620 --> 00:23:26,390 pretty careful about announcing ahead 580 00:23:26,390 --> 00:23:29,890 of time the specific movements into 581 00:23:29,890 --> 00:23:32,290 specific bodies of water . Um If and 582 00:23:32,290 --> 00:23:34,512 when we have something to speak to with 583 00:23:34,512 --> 00:23:36,679 respect to black psyops will do that . 584 00:23:36,679 --> 00:23:39,080 I will only add that that that we we 585 00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:41,302 have every expectation of continuing to 586 00:23:41,302 --> 00:23:43,600 operate , sail and fly in international 587 00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:45,822 airspace and international waters . And 588 00:23:45,822 --> 00:23:47,933 the Black Sea is international waters 589 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:52,230 Ellen us . And of course Western powers 590 00:23:52,230 --> 00:23:54,452 have provided some defensive weapons to 591 00:23:54,452 --> 00:23:56,674 Ukraine such as javelins and stingers . 592 00:23:56,674 --> 00:23:58,897 But many argue that Putin would not use 593 00:23:58,897 --> 00:24:01,160 traditional soviet tactics generally 594 00:24:01,160 --> 00:24:03,160 based on heavy armored brigades and 595 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:05,327 land forces . Instead he would go with 596 00:24:05,340 --> 00:24:07,507 it's advanced standoff weapons such as 597 00:24:07,507 --> 00:24:09,340 ballistic and cruise missiles to 598 00:24:09,340 --> 00:24:11,173 cripple the Ukrainian military's 599 00:24:11,173 --> 00:24:13,340 capabilities even before the incursion 600 00:24:13,340 --> 00:24:15,650 starts in that case wouldn't wouldn't 601 00:24:15,650 --> 00:24:18,130 such a move negate or trash those 602 00:24:18,130 --> 00:24:20,241 defensive weapons provided to Ukraine 603 00:24:20,241 --> 00:24:22,186 or is there any option on table to 604 00:24:22,186 --> 00:24:24,170 deter Russians from using those 605 00:24:24,170 --> 00:24:26,114 advanced weapons against Ukraine ? 606 00:24:26,740 --> 00:24:28,910 Speak with any great specificity as to 607 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:31,680 how Mr Putin plans to conduct another 608 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:33,902 incursion . If in fact that's what he's 609 00:24:33,902 --> 00:24:36,013 gonna do . I think that is a terrific 610 00:24:36,013 --> 00:24:38,180 question for our Russian colleagues to 611 00:24:38,180 --> 00:24:40,402 have to answer . Um What I can tell you 612 00:24:40,402 --> 00:24:42,569 is that we remain committed to helping 613 00:24:42,569 --> 00:24:44,890 Ukraine defend itself through a range 614 00:24:44,900 --> 00:24:47,770 of security assistance . Articles that 615 00:24:48,140 --> 00:24:50,630 as that assistance continues to flow 616 00:24:50,630 --> 00:24:52,741 from the United States as you rightly 617 00:24:52,741 --> 00:24:54,963 pointed out , it also continues to flow 618 00:24:54,963 --> 00:24:57,019 from some of our allies and partners 619 00:24:57,019 --> 00:24:58,741 they can speak to what they're 620 00:24:58,741 --> 00:25:00,908 providing . Um But but we're we remain 621 00:25:00,908 --> 00:25:02,963 committed to again helping Ukrainian 622 00:25:02,963 --> 00:25:05,560 armed forces defend themselves . Ellen 623 00:25:05,570 --> 00:25:06,670 from synopsis . 624 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:12,518 Hello , sir . Thank you for doing this . 625 00:25:12,518 --> 00:25:15,050 Um I know that we keep asking you over 626 00:25:15,050 --> 00:25:17,106 time and I'm wondering if the answer 627 00:25:17,106 --> 00:25:19,050 has changed on this , but it's the 628 00:25:19,050 --> 00:25:20,994 pentagon . Um What is the pentagon 629 00:25:20,994 --> 00:25:23,106 doing about the quick decision on the 630 00:25:23,106 --> 00:25:25,328 seals and the religious exemptions from 631 00:25:25,328 --> 00:25:27,272 vaccines , Ellen , I don't have an 632 00:25:27,272 --> 00:25:29,560 update for you on that . We continue to 633 00:25:30,340 --> 00:25:32,173 talk about this with the Justice 634 00:25:32,173 --> 00:25:34,396 Department . We don't have any position 635 00:25:34,396 --> 00:25:38,170 to speak to today , Jeff . Thank you 636 00:25:38,170 --> 00:25:42,090 sir . Uh Thank you . Following 637 00:25:42,090 --> 00:25:44,201 up on nancy's question , the Russians 638 00:25:44,201 --> 00:25:46,520 are sorting more than 100 warships . 639 00:25:46,520 --> 00:25:48,131 Does the pentagon have a any 640 00:25:48,131 --> 00:25:50,187 indications that perhaps a submarine 641 00:25:50,187 --> 00:25:51,576 maybe trying to defect ? 642 00:25:54,540 --> 00:25:58,070 No , we do not Jeff heather from us and 643 00:25:58,070 --> 00:26:01,920 I . Mhm . Thank you so much for 644 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:04,142 taking my question . Um I was wondering 645 00:26:04,142 --> 00:26:06,364 if you could expand on what the U . S . 646 00:26:06,364 --> 00:26:08,476 Will be bringing to the NATO exercise 647 00:26:09,140 --> 00:26:12,320 the the USs Harry S . Truman carrier 648 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:14,320 strike group . So it's not just the 649 00:26:14,320 --> 00:26:17,440 carrier but it's uh it's her associated 650 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:19,650 support ships and the air wing that's 651 00:26:19,650 --> 00:26:22,870 onboard the Truman . But the real core 652 00:26:22,870 --> 00:26:25,750 for this is a naval exercise . So the 653 00:26:25,750 --> 00:26:28,280 real core of our participation is is 654 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:30,360 with the Harry S . Truman and her 655 00:26:30,380 --> 00:26:33,270 strike group , Jeff Selon 656 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:37,207 john thanks very much for doing this . 657 00:26:37,207 --> 00:26:39,318 A couple of questions First , can you 658 00:26:39,318 --> 00:26:41,651 describe what type of support the U . S . 659 00:26:41,651 --> 00:26:43,651 And the coalition are giving to Sdf 660 00:26:43,651 --> 00:26:45,873 forces in Hasakah ? We're fighting with 661 00:26:45,873 --> 00:26:48,096 ISIS sleeper cells is now in its second 662 00:26:48,096 --> 00:26:50,262 day as they try to break people out of 663 00:26:50,262 --> 00:26:52,318 prison . And also the Y . P . G . Is 664 00:26:52,318 --> 00:26:54,590 claiming on social media that it tried 665 00:26:54,590 --> 00:26:57,290 to send reinforcements to the sdf . But 666 00:26:57,290 --> 00:27:00,060 that truck is drones intercepted those 667 00:27:00,060 --> 00:27:02,500 reinforcements and targeted them . If 668 00:27:02,500 --> 00:27:04,722 you have anything on that , do you have 669 00:27:04,722 --> 00:27:06,722 anything on the second part of your 670 00:27:06,722 --> 00:27:06,670 question , Jeff ? That's the first I've 671 00:27:06,670 --> 00:27:09,690 heard that particular report . Uh So I 672 00:27:09,690 --> 00:27:13,380 I don't I can't comment on that on the 673 00:27:13,390 --> 00:27:15,612 whatever support the coalition has been 674 00:27:15,612 --> 00:27:17,612 given to the sdf as they have dealt 675 00:27:17,612 --> 00:27:19,779 with this or and continue to deal with 676 00:27:19,779 --> 00:27:21,779 this with this Prison break . I can 677 00:27:21,779 --> 00:27:24,090 tell you that that we have uh provided 678 00:27:24,100 --> 00:27:28,090 uh some air strikes to support them as 679 00:27:28,090 --> 00:27:30,450 they deal with this particular prison 680 00:27:30,450 --> 00:27:34,260 break . Uh Let's see Dong Sun Park 681 00:27:34,260 --> 00:27:35,050 from view a 682 00:27:38,940 --> 00:27:41,280 thank you mr curvy . So former Defense 683 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:43,300 Secretary robert Gates said january 684 00:27:43,300 --> 00:27:45,890 2011 , North Korea will use on I . C . 685 00:27:45,890 --> 00:27:48,210 B . M . Within five years and he said 686 00:27:48,220 --> 00:27:50,230 it would have the ability to strike 687 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:52,460 Alaska or the West coast of the United 688 00:27:52,460 --> 00:27:55,270 States . So 10 , 10 years have passed 689 00:27:55,280 --> 00:27:57,113 since the former secretary gauge 690 00:27:57,113 --> 00:27:59,930 project . So the D . O . D . Believe 691 00:27:59,930 --> 00:28:02,520 North Korea can primitively strike the 692 00:28:02,530 --> 00:28:04,860 U . S . Mainland with an I . C . B . M . 693 00:28:04,870 --> 00:28:06,950 Capable of carrying nuclear weapons 694 00:28:08,140 --> 00:28:11,820 that they continue to advance uh their 695 00:28:11,830 --> 00:28:13,774 nuclear ambitions as well as their 696 00:28:13,774 --> 00:28:15,960 ballistic missile capabilities . Um 697 00:28:15,970 --> 00:28:19,000 They test so they can learn so they can 698 00:28:19,000 --> 00:28:22,680 improve um uh and we have without 699 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:24,624 getting into specific intelligence 700 00:28:24,624 --> 00:28:26,736 assessments we have every expectation 701 00:28:26,736 --> 00:28:28,902 that did you continue to improve their 702 00:28:28,902 --> 00:28:31,124 capabilities both in terms of potential 703 00:28:31,124 --> 00:28:33,180 range and and uh and precision ? And 704 00:28:33,180 --> 00:28:35,450 obviously we're taking that threat very 705 00:28:35,450 --> 00:28:37,561 very seriously . I think that's about 706 00:28:37,561 --> 00:28:39,506 as far as I'm gonna go here at the 707 00:28:39,506 --> 00:28:43,250 podium , kelly Meyer . Mhm . Hi John 708 00:28:43,250 --> 00:28:45,361 thank you for taking my question . Uh 709 00:28:45,361 --> 00:28:47,670 Russia is putting 100,000 troops at the 710 00:28:47,670 --> 00:28:49,781 border with Ukraine . We're sending a 711 00:28:49,781 --> 00:28:51,948 written response to Russia . What kind 712 00:28:51,948 --> 00:28:53,892 of message is this sending and why 713 00:28:53,892 --> 00:28:56,059 aren't we taking further action ? Well 714 00:28:56,059 --> 00:28:58,059 kelly , I would tell you that we uh 715 00:28:58,059 --> 00:29:00,281 first of all I'm not going to get ahead 716 00:29:00,281 --> 00:29:02,614 of decisions that haven't been made yet . 717 00:29:02,614 --> 00:29:04,781 Um The message that we've been sending 718 00:29:04,781 --> 00:29:06,726 very clearly to Russia and again I 719 00:29:06,726 --> 00:29:08,559 point you back to what Secretary 720 00:29:08,559 --> 00:29:10,726 Blinken said just this morning is that 721 00:29:10,726 --> 00:29:12,781 there will be severe consequences if 722 00:29:12,781 --> 00:29:14,837 Russia decides to incur uh invade or 723 00:29:14,837 --> 00:29:17,280 conduct another incursion into Ukraine . 724 00:29:17,280 --> 00:29:21,010 And uh largely those the consequences 725 00:29:21,010 --> 00:29:23,960 will be felt economically um for our 726 00:29:23,960 --> 00:29:26,180 part here at D . O . D . And I've said 727 00:29:26,180 --> 00:29:28,860 this many many times uh we're gonna 728 00:29:28,860 --> 00:29:31,480 make sure that we have options ready to 729 00:29:31,480 --> 00:29:34,760 reassure our allies um particularly on 730 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:36,660 NATO's eastern flank , if there's 731 00:29:36,660 --> 00:29:38,882 another incursion and if they need that 732 00:29:38,882 --> 00:29:40,993 reassurance if they need capabilities 733 00:29:40,993 --> 00:29:43,160 to be bolstered , uh we're going to do 734 00:29:43,160 --> 00:29:45,160 that . Um and we're gonna make sure 735 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:47,438 that we're that we're ready to do that . 736 00:29:47,438 --> 00:29:50,840 So I think uh this is a whole of 737 00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:53,007 government approach . Um it's not just 738 00:29:53,007 --> 00:29:55,118 about the Department of Defense . And 739 00:29:55,118 --> 00:29:57,229 quite frankly , as you've been seeing 740 00:29:57,229 --> 00:29:59,451 uh from other NATO allies who have also 741 00:29:59,451 --> 00:30:01,673 not only spoken to their concerns about 742 00:30:01,673 --> 00:30:03,673 what Russia is doing , but actually 743 00:30:03,673 --> 00:30:06,170 moved on um delivery of security since 744 00:30:06,170 --> 00:30:08,281 its assistance to the Ukrainian armed 745 00:30:08,281 --> 00:30:11,980 forces , it's it's not just it's a it's 746 00:30:11,980 --> 00:30:13,980 an international community effort . 747 00:30:13,980 --> 00:30:14,450 Yeah , 748 00:30:17,780 --> 00:30:20,200 Russia and Ukraine is concerned , is 749 00:30:20,210 --> 00:30:23,090 bot in touch with any of the Russia's 750 00:30:23,090 --> 00:30:26,210 friends for easing the tension in the 751 00:30:26,210 --> 00:30:30,180 region . Any Russia's friends that's a 752 00:30:30,180 --> 00:30:33,980 pretty short list . Um We we are we 753 00:30:33,980 --> 00:30:36,930 are working very very closely with our 754 00:30:36,930 --> 00:30:40,470 allies and partners to make sure that 755 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:42,258 that we're ready and able to to 756 00:30:42,258 --> 00:30:45,410 reassure uh to show our commitment to 757 00:30:45,410 --> 00:30:48,500 the alliance to Article five . Uh And 758 00:30:48,500 --> 00:30:51,080 that's what we're focused on here at D . 759 00:30:51,080 --> 00:30:53,220 O . D . I don't have any diplomatic 760 00:30:53,220 --> 00:30:55,276 conversations to read out other than 761 00:30:55,276 --> 00:30:57,331 the ones that I've I've already read 762 00:30:57,331 --> 00:30:59,387 out , for instance , the secretary's 763 00:30:59,387 --> 00:31:01,498 call recently with his counterpart in 764 00:31:01,498 --> 00:31:04,560 Ukraine . Um But one of the things your 765 00:31:04,560 --> 00:31:07,060 question raises is the is the 766 00:31:08,140 --> 00:31:11,370 uh this is the very real outcome of 767 00:31:11,370 --> 00:31:13,314 further isolation of Russia on the 768 00:31:13,314 --> 00:31:15,450 international stage . Uh If in fact 769 00:31:15,450 --> 00:31:17,394 they commit another incursion into 770 00:31:17,394 --> 00:31:19,339 Ukrainian territory , they're just 771 00:31:19,339 --> 00:31:21,339 going to set themselves up for even 772 00:31:21,339 --> 00:31:23,339 more isolation from the rest of the 773 00:31:23,339 --> 00:31:25,561 international community . This is not a 774 00:31:25,561 --> 00:31:25,470 country that has a whole lot of friends , 775 00:31:25,480 --> 00:31:27,730 This is not a country that has allies 776 00:31:27,730 --> 00:31:29,841 and partners to lean on the way we do 777 00:31:29,841 --> 00:31:33,100 the way the West does . Um And uh and 778 00:31:33,100 --> 00:31:34,822 one would hope that they would 779 00:31:34,822 --> 00:31:36,989 understand that consequence as well as 780 00:31:36,989 --> 00:31:39,044 well as the other economic potential 781 00:31:39,044 --> 00:31:41,044 consequences that they could face . 782 00:31:41,044 --> 00:31:44,240 Okay , as far as South Asia region is 783 00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:47,530 concerned , they are in Afghanistan . 784 00:31:47,530 --> 00:31:50,040 There is a humanitarian crisis going on 785 00:31:50,050 --> 00:31:53,510 and the U . S . Military and us left a 786 00:31:53,510 --> 00:31:55,240 lasting mark on the people of 787 00:31:55,240 --> 00:31:57,129 Afghanistan that they helped them 788 00:31:57,129 --> 00:31:59,360 before they left . Now china is trying 789 00:31:59,360 --> 00:32:02,380 to get there . Is there any drd help 790 00:32:02,380 --> 00:32:04,436 there as well as humanitarian crisis 791 00:32:04,436 --> 00:32:06,380 going on ? Because Taliban are not 792 00:32:06,380 --> 00:32:08,269 traveling different countries for 793 00:32:08,269 --> 00:32:10,436 getting help , the United States . And 794 00:32:10,436 --> 00:32:12,158 I think you've heard the State 795 00:32:12,158 --> 00:32:13,880 Department speak to this quite 796 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:15,880 eloquently , we remain committed to 797 00:32:16,040 --> 00:32:18,350 trying to alleviate humanitarian crisis 798 00:32:18,350 --> 00:32:20,461 inside Afghanistan . That's why we're 799 00:32:20,461 --> 00:32:22,572 working closely with non governmental 800 00:32:22,572 --> 00:32:24,350 organizations and international 801 00:32:24,350 --> 00:32:26,406 organizations uh to try to make sure 802 00:32:26,406 --> 00:32:28,590 that that the aid that the Afghans so 803 00:32:28,590 --> 00:32:31,710 desperately need gets to them . Um And 804 00:32:31,720 --> 00:32:33,831 we believe here at D . O . D . That's 805 00:32:33,831 --> 00:32:35,664 we believe that that's the right 806 00:32:35,664 --> 00:32:37,720 process that that's the right way to 807 00:32:37,720 --> 00:32:39,331 approach this is through the 808 00:32:39,331 --> 00:32:41,553 international community and non and non 809 00:32:41,553 --> 00:32:43,776 governmental agencies to make sure that 810 00:32:43,776 --> 00:32:45,831 that that aid and assistance gets to 811 00:32:45,831 --> 00:32:47,831 people in need and that the taliban 812 00:32:47,831 --> 00:32:49,998 facilitate that delivery of those very 813 00:32:49,998 --> 00:32:52,109 necessary articles going forward with 814 00:32:52,109 --> 00:32:54,276 the people of Afghanistan here in this 815 00:32:54,276 --> 00:32:56,670 area in the US are hoping and also they 816 00:32:56,670 --> 00:32:58,781 are depending on the U . S . Help for 817 00:32:58,781 --> 00:33:01,003 their people back home in Afghanistan . 818 00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:03,318 Any message for them ? You have please . 819 00:33:03,340 --> 00:33:05,670 I mean first of all we have resettled 820 00:33:05,670 --> 00:33:08,150 now tens of thousands of afghans here 821 00:33:08,150 --> 00:33:11,360 in the country and we have several 1000 822 00:33:11,360 --> 00:33:13,690 more but that were that are working 823 00:33:13,690 --> 00:33:16,150 their way through the final process to 824 00:33:16,150 --> 00:33:18,483 become american citizens and to move on . 825 00:33:18,483 --> 00:33:20,483 But we have D . O . D . Have helped 826 00:33:20,483 --> 00:33:22,594 provide a safe and secure environment 827 00:33:22,594 --> 00:33:24,539 for that process to continue . And 828 00:33:24,539 --> 00:33:26,706 we're still doing that and we're proud 829 00:33:26,706 --> 00:33:28,928 of that service . Uh We know we have uh 830 00:33:28,928 --> 00:33:31,094 here at D . O . D . Continue to have a 831 00:33:31,094 --> 00:33:33,150 moral obligation to all of those who 832 00:33:33,150 --> 00:33:35,317 helped us over the last 20 years . And 833 00:33:35,317 --> 00:33:37,317 that's why we also continue to work 834 00:33:37,317 --> 00:33:39,539 hand in glove with the State Department 835 00:33:39,539 --> 00:33:41,317 task force to identify and help 836 00:33:41,317 --> 00:33:44,310 relocate uh people in Afghanistan who 837 00:33:44,310 --> 00:33:46,310 still want to leave and who still 838 00:33:46,310 --> 00:33:48,810 qualify for relocation . We continue to 839 00:33:48,810 --> 00:33:50,810 work as part of that task force and 840 00:33:50,810 --> 00:33:53,410 will do so until uh you know until it's 841 00:33:53,410 --> 00:33:55,650 not needed anymore . We're absolutely 842 00:33:55,650 --> 00:33:57,890 committed to that . Okay . Thanks 843 00:33:57,890 --> 00:34:01,600 everybody . Do you have any more ? You 844 00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:03,940 can tell us first of all . Um just to 845 00:34:03,940 --> 00:34:06,530 clarify was it solely airstrikes or 846 00:34:06,530 --> 00:34:08,890 were there any U . S . Ground forces 847 00:34:08,890 --> 00:34:11,580 involved even in targeting assistance 848 00:34:11,580 --> 00:34:13,970 or hoping on the ground or strictly 849 00:34:13,970 --> 00:34:16,081 airstrikes ? My understanding is that 850 00:34:16,081 --> 00:34:18,303 it's predominantly airstrikes . I don't 851 00:34:18,303 --> 00:34:20,359 have any more detail on how many and 852 00:34:20,359 --> 00:34:22,470 what targets and all that . I'd refer 853 00:34:22,470 --> 00:34:24,637 you to centcom for that , yep . Thanks 854 00:34:24,637 --> 00:34:23,550 everybody .