1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:07,570 afternoon , everybody . Just a 3 00:00:07,580 --> 00:00:10,510 couple of things here at the top . I 4 00:00:10,510 --> 00:00:12,621 think you saw yesterday that the army 5 00:00:12,621 --> 00:00:14,788 released a climate strategy to counter 6 00:00:14,788 --> 00:00:16,788 the existential threat that climate 7 00:00:16,788 --> 00:00:18,843 change . Climate change poses to the 8 00:00:18,843 --> 00:00:20,621 service's ability to respond to 9 00:00:20,621 --> 00:00:22,454 national security challenges and 10 00:00:22,454 --> 00:00:24,677 threats . The strategy is nested within 11 00:00:24,677 --> 00:00:26,720 the department's climate adaptation 12 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:28,670 plan and interim national security 13 00:00:28,670 --> 00:00:30,900 strategic guidance . The Army is 14 00:00:30,900 --> 00:00:33,011 focusing its climate preparedness and 15 00:00:33,011 --> 00:00:35,122 resilience approach on three lines of 16 00:00:35,122 --> 00:00:37,344 effort , installations , acquisitions , 17 00:00:37,344 --> 00:00:39,620 and logistics and training . Among the 18 00:00:39,620 --> 00:00:41,620 objectives that are outlined in the 19 00:00:41,620 --> 00:00:43,980 strategy are the goal to achieve a 50% 20 00:00:43,980 --> 00:00:46,036 reduction in army net greenhouse gas 21 00:00:46,036 --> 00:00:48,940 pollution by 2030 compared to 2000 and 22 00:00:48,940 --> 00:00:51,610 five levels to attain net zero Army 23 00:00:51,610 --> 00:00:54,640 greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 . And 24 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:56,696 to proactively consider the security 25 00:00:56,696 --> 00:00:58,640 implications of climate change and 26 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:00,640 strategy , planning , acquisition , 27 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:02,807 supply chain and programming documents 28 00:01:02,807 --> 00:01:06,190 and processes . Mm hmm . 29 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:09,807 Alright , we're having problems here . 30 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:14,980 Can I have this bear ? I'm sure 31 00:01:14,980 --> 00:01:16,424 there's more after that . 32 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:22,271 The strategy is available on army dot 33 00:01:22,271 --> 00:01:24,438 mil and the army will be talking about 34 00:01:24,438 --> 00:01:26,660 more more about it in the coming days . 35 00:01:26,660 --> 00:01:28,771 And clearly the secretary appreciates 36 00:01:28,771 --> 00:01:28,720 the work that the army is doing on 37 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:30,442 these important climate change 38 00:01:30,442 --> 00:01:33,630 priorities . In Africa , the annual 39 00:01:33,630 --> 00:01:36,770 training exercise Cutlass Express 2022 40 00:01:36,770 --> 00:01:38,881 is underway after an opening ceremony 41 00:01:38,881 --> 00:01:41,048 in Djibouti on the sixth of february . 42 00:01:41,048 --> 00:01:43,700 Now in its 20th iteration , Cutlass 43 00:01:43,700 --> 00:01:45,922 Express is sponsored by U . S . Africom 44 00:01:45,922 --> 00:01:47,811 and led by U . S . Naval forces , 45 00:01:47,811 --> 00:01:50,950 europe Africa and US sixth fleet . The 46 00:01:50,950 --> 00:01:52,894 exercise is being conducted in the 47 00:01:52,894 --> 00:01:54,839 vicinity of bahrain Djibouti Kenya 48 00:01:54,839 --> 00:01:57,670 Madagascar Mauritius and the Seychelles 49 00:01:57,780 --> 00:02:00,990 until February 17 14 nations are 50 00:02:00,990 --> 00:02:03,157 participating and will conduct several 51 00:02:03,157 --> 00:02:05,323 maritime security exchanges to include 52 00:02:05,323 --> 00:02:07,323 vessel queries and ship boardings , 53 00:02:07,323 --> 00:02:09,546 airborne maritime patrol operations and 54 00:02:09,546 --> 00:02:11,768 search and rescue drills . The exercise 55 00:02:11,768 --> 00:02:13,990 promotes national and regional security 56 00:02:13,990 --> 00:02:15,490 in East Africa , increases 57 00:02:15,490 --> 00:02:17,546 interoperability between the U . S . 58 00:02:17,546 --> 00:02:19,434 African nations and international 59 00:02:19,434 --> 00:02:21,268 partners . Finally , I'd like to 60 00:02:21,268 --> 00:02:23,046 announce that the secretary has 61 00:02:23,046 --> 00:02:25,212 approved the next round of D . O . D . 62 00:02:25,212 --> 00:02:27,157 Advisory boards and committees for 63 00:02:27,157 --> 00:02:29,212 resumption of operations . These are 64 00:02:29,212 --> 00:02:29,160 gonna be listed in the press release . 65 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:31,216 That will be going up on defense dot 66 00:02:31,216 --> 00:02:33,216 gov here very very shortly . So you 67 00:02:33,216 --> 00:02:35,438 don't have to write all this down . But 68 00:02:35,438 --> 00:02:37,660 I will list them for the record . These 69 00:02:37,660 --> 00:02:39,771 boards include the Defense Innovation 70 00:02:39,771 --> 00:02:41,993 Board , the National Security Education 71 00:02:41,993 --> 00:02:44,160 Board , the National Security Agency , 72 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:46,049 emerging technologies Panel , The 73 00:02:46,049 --> 00:02:47,827 advisory board for the National 74 00:02:47,827 --> 00:02:49,660 Reconnaissance Office , the Army 75 00:02:49,660 --> 00:02:51,604 Education Advisory Committee , the 76 00:02:51,604 --> 00:02:53,827 Education for Seapower Advisory Board , 77 00:02:53,827 --> 00:02:55,938 The Board of Visitors for the Western 78 00:02:55,938 --> 00:02:57,938 Hemisphere , Institute for Security 79 00:02:57,938 --> 00:02:59,493 Cooperation , the Strategic 80 00:02:59,493 --> 00:03:01,660 Environmental Research and Development 81 00:03:01,660 --> 00:03:03,771 Program Scientific advisory board and 82 00:03:03,771 --> 00:03:06,104 the board of regions uniformed services . 83 00:03:06,104 --> 00:03:07,993 University of the health sciences 84 00:03:07,993 --> 00:03:09,938 positions for these boards will be 85 00:03:09,938 --> 00:03:11,938 filled in in coming weeks . Clearly 86 00:03:11,938 --> 00:03:13,827 keep you up to date on that . The 87 00:03:13,827 --> 00:03:15,993 departments boards and committees have 88 00:03:15,993 --> 00:03:18,216 been and will continue to be a valuable 89 00:03:18,216 --> 00:03:20,438 resource as we defend the nation . Take 90 00:03:20,438 --> 00:03:20,410 care of our people and succeed through 91 00:03:20,410 --> 00:03:22,299 teamwork . Uh And I know that the 92 00:03:22,299 --> 00:03:24,132 secretary and all our department 93 00:03:24,132 --> 00:03:26,354 leadership look forward to working with 94 00:03:26,354 --> 00:03:28,466 these advisory boards going forward . 95 00:03:28,466 --> 00:03:30,521 Finally , in light of all that , I'd 96 00:03:30,521 --> 00:03:32,743 like to announce that the secretary has 97 00:03:32,743 --> 00:03:34,966 nominated Mr Michael Bloomberg to serve 98 00:03:34,966 --> 00:03:37,132 as the chair of the Defense Innovation 99 00:03:37,132 --> 00:03:39,188 Board to leverage his experience and 100 00:03:39,188 --> 00:03:41,132 strategic insights on innovation , 101 00:03:41,132 --> 00:03:42,966 business and public service . Mr 102 00:03:42,966 --> 00:03:44,799 Bloomberg , as you all know , an 103 00:03:44,799 --> 00:03:46,854 entrepreneur and a leader who served 104 00:03:46,854 --> 00:03:48,910 three terms as the mayor of new york 105 00:03:48,910 --> 00:03:51,077 city will bring a wealth of experience 106 00:03:51,077 --> 00:03:51,070 and technology , innovation , business 107 00:03:51,070 --> 00:03:52,737 and government to the Defense 108 00:03:52,737 --> 00:03:55,170 Innovation Board . His his leadership 109 00:03:55,170 --> 00:03:57,003 will be critical to ensuring the 110 00:03:57,003 --> 00:03:59,114 department has access to the best and 111 00:03:59,114 --> 00:04:01,337 brightest minds in science , technology 112 00:04:01,337 --> 00:04:03,448 innovation through the team of divers 113 00:04:03,448 --> 00:04:05,559 experts that he will lead as chair of 114 00:04:05,559 --> 00:04:07,281 that board . And obviously the 115 00:04:07,281 --> 00:04:09,226 secretary is very grateful that Mr 116 00:04:09,226 --> 00:04:11,170 Bloomberg was willing to take this 117 00:04:11,170 --> 00:04:13,281 additional responsibility on and very 118 00:04:13,281 --> 00:04:15,448 grateful that he's willing to serve in 119 00:04:15,448 --> 00:04:15,320 that capacity and with that we'll start 120 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:17,264 taking questions bob over to you . 121 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:19,660 Thank you , john , two questions 122 00:04:19,660 --> 00:04:23,110 related to Ukraine situation . First , 123 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:25,231 do you have there been any additional 124 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,840 shifting a movement of US troops within 125 00:04:28,840 --> 00:04:32,440 europe um units uh , to 126 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:34,850 eastern europe beyond what you've 127 00:04:34,860 --> 00:04:37,140 already described ? I think last week . 128 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:39,710 And the second question is regarding 129 00:04:39,710 --> 00:04:42,280 the lack of media access to the troops 130 00:04:42,280 --> 00:04:44,391 who are on the ground there , who are 131 00:04:44,391 --> 00:04:46,770 deploying their , can you just take the 132 00:04:46,780 --> 00:04:49,290 explain what the rationale is for that 133 00:04:49,300 --> 00:04:51,640 position of not providing full access . 134 00:04:51,650 --> 00:04:53,817 Sure , Well , first of all , thank you 135 00:04:53,817 --> 00:04:57,630 for the question . And and we 136 00:04:57,630 --> 00:05:00,370 obviously have received the letter from 137 00:05:00,370 --> 00:05:02,092 the Pentagon Press association 138 00:05:02,092 --> 00:05:04,092 leadership regarding their concerns 139 00:05:04,092 --> 00:05:06,590 over this and we certainly appreciate 140 00:05:06,590 --> 00:05:08,479 you sharing those concerns and we 141 00:05:08,479 --> 00:05:10,590 obviously respect those concerns very 142 00:05:10,590 --> 00:05:13,560 much . Um look , any decision to 143 00:05:14,540 --> 00:05:16,596 provide media access to our troops , 144 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:18,762 whether it's in an operational 145 00:05:18,762 --> 00:05:20,873 environment or a training environment 146 00:05:20,873 --> 00:05:23,760 um is a decision that we take seriously , 147 00:05:23,770 --> 00:05:26,890 we don't make decisions to grant access 148 00:05:26,890 --> 00:05:29,510 or not to grant access lightly . Uh and 149 00:05:29,510 --> 00:05:31,566 there's lots of factors that go into 150 00:05:31,566 --> 00:05:35,100 that . Um ah uh sometimes it has to do 151 00:05:35,100 --> 00:05:37,211 with operational security , sometimes 152 00:05:37,211 --> 00:05:39,433 it has to do with with how that kind of 153 00:05:39,433 --> 00:05:42,350 access nests into the larger strategy 154 00:05:42,350 --> 00:05:44,800 that we're pursuing . So what I would 155 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:47,500 tell you bob is again , absolutely 156 00:05:47,500 --> 00:05:50,930 respect the desire to do it . Uh I hope 157 00:05:50,930 --> 00:05:53,097 you know how much I respect that too . 158 00:05:53,140 --> 00:05:56,160 We're just not at a point now where uh 159 00:05:56,170 --> 00:05:58,170 we are able to provide that kind of 160 00:05:58,170 --> 00:06:01,200 access and if that changes , believe me , 161 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:03,311 I'll be the first one to let you know 162 00:06:03,311 --> 00:06:05,422 that , but uh we're still working our 163 00:06:05,422 --> 00:06:08,400 way through . Um what sort of coverage 164 00:06:08,410 --> 00:06:10,850 is best suited for this particular 165 00:06:11,100 --> 00:06:15,070 mission ? Um uh and I say the following 166 00:06:15,070 --> 00:06:17,650 not as a not as an excuse or anything 167 00:06:17,650 --> 00:06:19,890 like that , but uh you know , to remind 168 00:06:19,900 --> 00:06:22,620 them this is a very small number of 169 00:06:22,630 --> 00:06:25,620 troops that are that are quote unquote 170 00:06:25,620 --> 00:06:28,020 deploying and quite a few of them are 171 00:06:28,020 --> 00:06:30,242 actually just redeploying inside europe 172 00:06:30,242 --> 00:06:33,290 and that we have 80,000 other troops in 173 00:06:33,290 --> 00:06:35,512 europe . So the the additions that were 174 00:06:35,512 --> 00:06:38,040 making while the secretary deems them 175 00:06:38,050 --> 00:06:40,570 necessary to reassure our the eastern 176 00:06:40,570 --> 00:06:43,050 flank of NATO , they are but a small 177 00:06:43,050 --> 00:06:45,217 fraction of the total number of troops 178 00:06:45,217 --> 00:06:47,272 that we have in europe and have been 179 00:06:47,272 --> 00:06:49,494 there and have been there again as part 180 00:06:49,494 --> 00:06:51,828 of our NATO commitments for a long time , 181 00:06:51,828 --> 00:06:53,939 john is it a host country issue or is 182 00:06:53,939 --> 00:06:55,994 it a strategic messaging issue ? Are 183 00:06:55,994 --> 00:06:58,480 you worried that Putin could use the 184 00:06:58,490 --> 00:07:00,940 images of U . S . Troops arriving in 185 00:07:00,940 --> 00:07:03,970 Poland and elsewhere and view it as 186 00:07:03,980 --> 00:07:06,640 offensive ? I mean , what what is the 187 00:07:06,650 --> 00:07:08,872 thinking here ? Yeah , I mean , there's 188 00:07:08,872 --> 00:07:11,039 again , there's a lot that goes into a 189 00:07:11,039 --> 00:07:13,150 decision like this , jen and uh , and 190 00:07:13,150 --> 00:07:16,740 and some of it is uh what what is the 191 00:07:16,750 --> 00:07:18,750 what is the larger goal here on the 192 00:07:18,750 --> 00:07:20,861 geopolitical stage ? And what we've , 193 00:07:20,861 --> 00:07:23,230 what we've been saying , I think pretty 194 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:25,750 consistently , is that we believe 195 00:07:25,750 --> 00:07:27,583 there's still time and space for 196 00:07:27,583 --> 00:07:29,472 diplomacy . We still believe that 197 00:07:29,472 --> 00:07:33,210 there's headspace with Mr . Putin 198 00:07:33,210 --> 00:07:35,321 that that can be operated inside of , 199 00:07:35,321 --> 00:07:37,377 We still believe that that he hasn't 200 00:07:37,377 --> 00:07:40,030 made a final decision . And so a lot of 201 00:07:40,030 --> 00:07:42,240 what we're doing , not just what we're 202 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:44,240 doing , but how we're talking about 203 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:47,460 what we're doing is designed um , to 204 00:07:47,470 --> 00:07:50,070 make it very clear where the United 205 00:07:50,070 --> 00:07:52,237 States national security interests are 206 00:07:52,237 --> 00:07:54,348 and what we're trying to achieve here 207 00:07:54,348 --> 00:07:56,403 in a nutshell . What we're trying to 208 00:07:56,403 --> 00:07:58,570 achieve here is a de escalation of the 209 00:07:58,570 --> 00:08:00,737 tensions and a diplomatic path forward 210 00:08:00,737 --> 00:08:02,959 and and virtually everything that we've 211 00:08:02,959 --> 00:08:05,126 done , everything I've set up here and 212 00:08:05,126 --> 00:08:07,292 quite frankly everything I've not said 213 00:08:07,292 --> 00:08:09,403 up here is designed to help us get to 214 00:08:09,403 --> 00:08:11,237 um a better outcome , a peaceful 215 00:08:11,237 --> 00:08:13,890 outcome , a diplomatic outcome nobody 216 00:08:13,900 --> 00:08:16,067 wants to see except with the exception 217 00:08:16,067 --> 00:08:18,430 of possibly Mr Putin any military 218 00:08:18,430 --> 00:08:21,340 conflict breaking out in europe . So 219 00:08:21,340 --> 00:08:24,230 we're being very careful . Um we're 220 00:08:24,230 --> 00:08:27,010 trying to be very deliberate and again 221 00:08:27,010 --> 00:08:30,570 I was just uh I would just 222 00:08:30,580 --> 00:08:33,550 beg your understanding of that just to 223 00:08:33,550 --> 00:08:35,810 follow up the 82nd Airborne that's 224 00:08:35,810 --> 00:08:37,921 arriving in Poland . There's The Wall 225 00:08:37,921 --> 00:08:39,921 Street Journal reports this morning 226 00:08:39,921 --> 00:08:41,977 that they are going to be setting up 227 00:08:41,977 --> 00:08:44,700 tents checkpoints in the event that 228 00:08:44,700 --> 00:08:47,790 americans have to be to flee Ukraine 229 00:08:47,790 --> 00:08:50,590 frankly , if the if Russia invades is 230 00:08:50,590 --> 00:08:52,646 that their mission , can you explain 231 00:08:52,646 --> 00:08:54,757 what their mission is ? Will there be 232 00:08:54,757 --> 00:08:57,500 setting up evacuation points ? Are you 233 00:08:57,500 --> 00:08:59,730 ruling out sending the U . S . Military 234 00:08:59,740 --> 00:09:02,200 into Ukraine to help evacuate 235 00:09:02,210 --> 00:09:06,120 americans ? I think you've heard us 236 00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:09,100 say consistently that there are 237 00:09:09,370 --> 00:09:12,260 no active efforts in play too 238 00:09:12,940 --> 00:09:16,220 militarily evacuate american citizens 239 00:09:16,230 --> 00:09:19,120 from Ukraine . The State Department has 240 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:22,570 been exceedingly consistent and 241 00:09:22,570 --> 00:09:26,310 clear about warning americans from from 242 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:28,487 away from traveling to Ukraine and the 243 00:09:28,487 --> 00:09:31,260 president himself just the other day um 244 00:09:31,270 --> 00:09:33,900 advised americans to leave Ukraine , 245 00:09:33,910 --> 00:09:36,070 given the current tensions . Uh so 246 00:09:36,070 --> 00:09:37,848 there's been plenty of time and 247 00:09:37,848 --> 00:09:39,980 opportunity and it's it's not a war 248 00:09:39,980 --> 00:09:42,160 zone . I mean there's plenty of 249 00:09:42,340 --> 00:09:45,160 physical opportunities to to remove 250 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:47,049 yourself from Ukraine , including 251 00:09:47,049 --> 00:09:48,827 commercial air railroads , good 252 00:09:48,827 --> 00:09:50,938 highways , there's lots of ways to to 253 00:09:50,938 --> 00:09:53,070 leave and all that is still at play 254 00:09:53,070 --> 00:09:55,440 right now . And again , we've said from 255 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:57,820 the very get go , there's there's no no 256 00:09:57,820 --> 00:10:00,400 effort right now ongoing . Nothing that 257 00:10:00,410 --> 00:10:02,900 we're expecting to use military assets 258 00:10:02,910 --> 00:10:05,470 to move americans out of Ukraine . That 259 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:08,610 that's the same today now . Like I'm 260 00:10:08,610 --> 00:10:10,610 almost there there was a lot lot of 261 00:10:10,610 --> 00:10:12,721 questions and I'm just I'm gonna work 262 00:10:12,721 --> 00:10:15,530 my way through this . Um when the 263 00:10:15,540 --> 00:10:17,570 secretary decided to send leading 264 00:10:17,570 --> 00:10:19,681 elements of the 82nd Airborne , which 265 00:10:19,681 --> 00:10:22,120 we talked about very publicly . Um We 266 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:24,231 said from the very get go that one of 267 00:10:24,231 --> 00:10:27,650 the reasons why we chose that unit is 268 00:10:27,660 --> 00:10:29,716 their multi mission and they're on a 269 00:10:29,716 --> 00:10:31,938 high alert readiness posture as it is . 270 00:10:31,938 --> 00:10:34,104 That's their job . That's what they do 271 00:10:34,104 --> 00:10:36,160 and they do a lot of things really , 272 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:38,049 really well and they can do those 273 00:10:38,049 --> 00:10:39,938 things quickly . And we said , as 274 00:10:39,938 --> 00:10:41,993 Secretary said in a matter of fact , 275 00:10:41,993 --> 00:10:44,216 when he was up at this very podium that 276 00:10:44,216 --> 00:10:46,327 uh they are multi mission capable and 277 00:10:46,327 --> 00:10:48,438 they're gonna be ready to do a number 278 00:10:48,438 --> 00:10:50,660 of contingencies , including and he was 279 00:10:50,660 --> 00:10:50,560 asked , you know , would that include 280 00:10:50,560 --> 00:10:52,782 evacuation . And he said if that's what 281 00:10:52,782 --> 00:10:54,893 we're called to do , we're capable to 282 00:10:54,893 --> 00:10:57,760 do that . So I can't rule out the fact 283 00:10:57,770 --> 00:11:00,990 that uh these soldiers could be used 284 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,520 with some into some degree with 285 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,190 evacuation assistance on the other side 286 00:11:06,190 --> 00:11:08,140 of that border . Um and certainly 287 00:11:08,140 --> 00:11:10,473 they're going to be prepared to do that . 288 00:11:10,473 --> 00:11:12,251 In fact , I've said that myself 289 00:11:12,251 --> 00:11:14,980 publicly That the ability to contribute 290 00:11:14,980 --> 00:11:16,830 to any assistance that might be 291 00:11:16,830 --> 00:11:19,750 required might be required the 82nd 292 00:11:19,750 --> 00:11:21,972 would be prepared to do that now as for 293 00:11:21,972 --> 00:11:24,083 what exactly they're , you know , how 294 00:11:24,083 --> 00:11:25,972 they're going to prepare for that 295 00:11:25,972 --> 00:11:28,028 mission physically and tangibly . Um 296 00:11:28,028 --> 00:11:27,890 you know , I don't have anything to to 297 00:11:27,890 --> 00:11:30,110 speak to uh with great detail today , 298 00:11:30,110 --> 00:11:32,166 but that is clearly going to be , is 299 00:11:32,166 --> 00:11:33,999 one of the missions that they're 300 00:11:33,999 --> 00:11:36,180 capable of doing , trained to do and 301 00:11:36,180 --> 00:11:38,720 we'll be ready to do if needed . But 302 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:40,831 then the other thing that I'd like to 303 00:11:40,831 --> 00:11:42,831 just foot stomp and it kind of goes 304 00:11:42,831 --> 00:11:44,776 back to what I said at the risk of 305 00:11:44,776 --> 00:11:48,170 sounding redundant . Um if americans 306 00:11:48,170 --> 00:11:50,690 that are in Ukraine heed the warnings 307 00:11:50,690 --> 00:11:52,746 that they have gotten from the State 308 00:11:52,746 --> 00:11:54,634 Department and from the President 309 00:11:54,634 --> 00:11:57,030 himself , there should be no need For 310 00:11:57,030 --> 00:11:59,350 the 82nd airborne to have to assist 311 00:11:59,350 --> 00:12:01,810 with evacuation assistance evacuation 312 00:12:01,810 --> 00:12:04,650 missions . If if americans that are in 313 00:12:04,650 --> 00:12:07,970 Ukraine are are paying close attention 314 00:12:07,970 --> 00:12:10,110 to the to the warnings and advisories 315 00:12:10,110 --> 00:12:12,221 that they've gotten and uh and do the 316 00:12:12,221 --> 00:12:14,750 right thing while there's time to do it . 317 00:12:15,640 --> 00:12:17,862 Does that answer your question ? It was 318 00:12:17,862 --> 00:12:20,084 a long and I appreciate your patience . 319 00:12:20,084 --> 00:12:21,973 Megan can we get an update on the 320 00:12:21,973 --> 00:12:24,140 groups of troops who are newly arrived 321 00:12:24,140 --> 00:12:26,251 or newly moved around in europe ? How 322 00:12:26,251 --> 00:12:28,473 many have made it to Romania ? How many 323 00:12:28,473 --> 00:12:30,696 have made it to Germany ? How many made 324 00:12:30,696 --> 00:12:32,918 it to Poland ? And also jen asked about 325 00:12:32,918 --> 00:12:34,862 the Wall Street Journal and Poland 326 00:12:34,862 --> 00:12:36,918 situation in Romania . What are they 327 00:12:36,918 --> 00:12:38,918 going to be doing in Germany at the 328 00:12:38,918 --> 00:12:40,973 command headquarters ? What are they 329 00:12:40,973 --> 00:12:43,084 going ? What is that , what are their 330 00:12:43,084 --> 00:12:42,490 days going to look like once They're 331 00:12:42,490 --> 00:12:44,760 also the striker squadron ? I think 332 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:46,816 they're leaving Germany today . Um , 333 00:12:46,816 --> 00:12:48,816 it's going to take them some , some 334 00:12:48,816 --> 00:12:50,649 days to get to Romania . I think 335 00:12:50,649 --> 00:12:52,427 there's some very small leading 336 00:12:52,427 --> 00:12:54,538 elements as you might expect when the 337 00:12:54,538 --> 00:12:56,482 army moves . They always move some 338 00:12:56,482 --> 00:12:56,360 leading elements . So there's a , 339 00:12:56,370 --> 00:12:58,592 there's a , there's some small elements 340 00:12:58,592 --> 00:13:01,700 of already in Romania preparing for the 341 00:13:01,700 --> 00:13:03,450 rest to come . Uh , they'll be 342 00:13:03,450 --> 00:13:06,940 operating uh , with our Romanian 343 00:13:06,940 --> 00:13:09,120 counterparts . Um , uh , I don't have 344 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,287 anything more detailed than that . I'd 345 00:13:11,287 --> 00:13:13,509 point you to Yukon to , to really speak 346 00:13:13,509 --> 00:13:15,676 to that . But they're remember they're 347 00:13:15,676 --> 00:13:17,731 really going to , to reassure , uh , 348 00:13:17,731 --> 00:13:19,787 and to be able to provide additional 349 00:13:19,787 --> 00:13:21,842 capability in Romania . I would also 350 00:13:21,842 --> 00:13:24,009 remind Megan there's another , there's 351 00:13:24,009 --> 00:13:26,176 already 900 . Um , so this , this 1000 352 00:13:26,176 --> 00:13:28,390 almost doubles what we already had in 353 00:13:28,390 --> 00:13:30,750 Romania . Um , nothing really 354 00:13:30,750 --> 00:13:33,060 significant changes in terms of the 355 00:13:33,060 --> 00:13:35,171 82nd airborne , they continue to flow 356 00:13:35,171 --> 00:13:37,960 in in tranches . So , um , 357 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:42,690 Of the 1700 that we said , we're going 358 00:13:42,700 --> 00:13:46,620 um , less than half are already 359 00:13:46,620 --> 00:13:48,731 there are there and and the rest will 360 00:13:48,731 --> 00:13:50,840 flow in over the next few days and 361 00:13:50,850 --> 00:13:52,740 again they will be establishing 362 00:13:52,740 --> 00:13:55,240 themselves as I answered to gen , uh , 363 00:13:55,250 --> 00:13:57,260 to be able to respond to multiple 364 00:13:57,260 --> 00:14:00,110 contingencies and to conduct whatever 365 00:14:00,110 --> 00:14:02,110 missions are called on to do one of 366 00:14:02,110 --> 00:14:04,470 them could very well be uh , preparing 367 00:14:04,620 --> 00:14:08,160 for some sort of evacuation assistance 368 00:14:08,170 --> 00:14:10,990 on the polish side of that border . So 369 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:13,240 to follow up the army's fifth Corps has 370 00:14:13,250 --> 00:14:15,194 a headquarters in Poland that they 371 00:14:15,194 --> 00:14:17,460 stood up recently ostensibly for this 372 00:14:17,460 --> 00:14:19,293 sort of mission . Are they being 373 00:14:19,293 --> 00:14:22,010 involved at all in any of this or you 374 00:14:22,010 --> 00:14:24,232 know , where they were considered to be 375 00:14:24,232 --> 00:14:26,399 involved in any of these deployments ? 376 00:14:26,399 --> 00:14:28,177 Yeah , I mean , I think they're 377 00:14:28,177 --> 00:14:30,177 absolutely involved and I think the 378 00:14:30,177 --> 00:14:32,280 striker squadron sort of reports up 379 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:34,502 through that chain of command as well . 380 00:14:34,502 --> 00:14:36,724 Um , I'd point you to you calm to speak 381 00:14:36,724 --> 00:14:39,040 with more specificity about how their , 382 00:14:39,050 --> 00:14:41,272 how they had different headquarters are 383 00:14:41,272 --> 00:14:43,550 going to be broken down . Yeah , jenny , 384 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:47,620 thank you . I have a application on the 385 00:14:47,630 --> 00:14:50,670 Korea china and North Korea's . And the 386 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:54,280 first question is the three party U . S 387 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:57,230 and South Korea . Japan Defense 388 00:14:57,230 --> 00:14:59,180 Ministers meeting will have , 389 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:05,250 is that thing to say ? I'm sorry , what 390 00:15:05,260 --> 00:15:07,740 Defense ministers to the party tops to 391 00:15:07,750 --> 00:15:10,630 South Korea ? Us Japan Defense 392 00:15:10,630 --> 00:15:13,760 Ministers meeting will be held as soon . 393 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:18,500 Okay , announced yesterday Is 394 00:15:18,500 --> 00:15:21,850 status , is it ? I mean 395 00:15:22,740 --> 00:15:25,760 when we have a date . Oh , I think 396 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:27,927 we'll have very well have more to talk 397 00:15:27,927 --> 00:15:30,950 about that . Um pretty soon . And that 398 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,880 means very soon . How soon ? It's very 399 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:38,340 soon ? Well you didn't mention the date 400 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:40,660 but I didn't mention it . But another . 401 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:42,911 Okay , skip that . Anyway , skip that 402 00:15:42,911 --> 00:15:45,150 anyway . Yeah , I found that out very 403 00:15:45,150 --> 00:15:48,370 soon . And the other one , the north 404 00:15:48,370 --> 00:15:51,480 Korea's I C . B . M missile operating 405 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:55,030 base Which is located just 15 406 00:15:55,030 --> 00:15:58,610 miles from the Chinese border . Aren't 407 00:15:58,610 --> 00:16:02,000 you worried about this ? What is your 408 00:16:02,710 --> 00:16:06,570 opinion on that ? I'm 409 00:16:06,570 --> 00:16:08,681 sorry . Can you repeat the question ? 410 00:16:08,681 --> 00:16:12,470 Pay attention please . Yeah . And 411 00:16:12,470 --> 00:16:16,420 those I was just looking to see . I 412 00:16:16,420 --> 00:16:18,531 was just looking to see if I had more 413 00:16:18,531 --> 00:16:22,460 on your first question . Um Yeah I'm 414 00:16:22,460 --> 00:16:25,920 sorry go ahead on the north 415 00:16:25,920 --> 00:16:29,620 Koreans CBM missile operating base 416 00:16:30,340 --> 00:16:34,170 Which is located just 15 miles from the 417 00:16:34,180 --> 00:16:37,170 Chinese border . So I'm too worried 418 00:16:37,170 --> 00:16:39,750 about this . I don't have any 419 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:43,440 information on that journey . I don't 420 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:44,996 have any information on the 421 00:16:45,090 --> 00:16:47,860 installation status in north Korea . 422 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:51,490 Just give me another one . China has a 423 00:16:51,500 --> 00:16:54,850 place to support for Lucia's 424 00:16:55,310 --> 00:16:58,920 invasion of Ukraine . And also North 425 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:02,360 Korea also said that it supports Russia 426 00:17:02,370 --> 00:17:05,250 through face to face meeting with 427 00:17:05,260 --> 00:17:08,460 Russian poutine recently . 428 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:12,270 So what is the United States is 429 00:17:12,270 --> 00:17:15,770 stranded ? Told china and north Korea . 430 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:18,980 Do you have any new strategies ? I 431 00:17:18,990 --> 00:17:21,560 don't , I mean are you referring to the 432 00:17:22,430 --> 00:17:25,050 the readout of the conversation between 433 00:17:25,050 --> 00:17:28,600 Xi and Putin . Yes because the chinese 434 00:17:28,610 --> 00:17:31,290 please . The you know , they involved 435 00:17:31,290 --> 00:17:34,730 with the Russian crisis . They strongly 436 00:17:34,730 --> 00:17:38,260 promised with put it in and also 437 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:41,990 North korean kim jong un face to face 438 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:45,080 meeting with the Russian authority . He 439 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:48,930 also supported Russia to 440 00:17:48,930 --> 00:17:51,840 involve Ukraine crisis . 441 00:17:52,710 --> 00:17:56,290 So if those china , north 442 00:17:56,290 --> 00:17:58,970 Korea involved Ukraine crisis , 443 00:18:00,540 --> 00:18:03,360 do you have any new strategies ? 444 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:06,887 I mean do you do you have any strategy 445 00:18:06,887 --> 00:18:10,060 a strategy to china ? And 446 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:13,744 I don't have any new strategy with 447 00:18:13,744 --> 00:18:15,800 respect to china and North Korea and 448 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:17,800 whatever statements they might have 449 00:18:17,800 --> 00:18:19,800 made in support of what Mr Putin is 450 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:21,990 doing . We're focused on uh again 451 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:23,833 trying to find a diplomatic path 452 00:18:23,833 --> 00:18:26,870 forward here so that it doesn't devolve 453 00:18:26,870 --> 00:18:29,440 into conflict over Ukraine . And to 454 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:31,662 make sure that we're shoring up our our 455 00:18:31,662 --> 00:18:34,860 our contributions to the NATO alliance 456 00:18:34,860 --> 00:18:37,500 which we take very seriously . I'll 457 00:18:37,500 --> 00:18:39,722 only say what I've said before . I mean 458 00:18:39,722 --> 00:18:41,778 these two countries Russia and china 459 00:18:41,778 --> 00:18:43,889 are not countries with a whole lot of 460 00:18:43,889 --> 00:18:46,056 friends and aren't part of our part of 461 00:18:46,056 --> 00:18:48,222 broader alliance systems that they can 462 00:18:48,222 --> 00:18:50,222 rely on . And every indication that 463 00:18:50,222 --> 00:18:51,278 we've seen is this 464 00:18:54,540 --> 00:18:56,762 in recent days here . This is more of a 465 00:18:56,762 --> 00:18:58,929 partnership of convenience of anything 466 00:18:58,929 --> 00:19:01,920 else between Xi and Putin and uh and 467 00:19:01,930 --> 00:19:03,986 and these are not two countries that 468 00:19:03,986 --> 00:19:06,152 are uniformly aligned on every issue . 469 00:19:06,152 --> 00:19:08,810 Um so they can speak for themselves and 470 00:19:08,810 --> 00:19:10,699 what they put out in their little 471 00:19:10,699 --> 00:19:12,699 communicate that's that's fine . Um 472 00:19:12,699 --> 00:19:14,760 we're focused on making sure that we 473 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:17,310 are committed to the NATO alliance that 474 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:19,650 that that that that's obvious uh into 475 00:19:19,650 --> 00:19:21,483 trying to find a diplomatic path 476 00:19:21,483 --> 00:19:24,010 forward here . Orne , my CNN colleague 477 00:19:24,010 --> 00:19:26,210 nick Paton Walsh is reporting based on 478 00:19:26,220 --> 00:19:28,250 troops to Afghanistan and medical 479 00:19:28,250 --> 00:19:30,194 records as well as interviews with 480 00:19:30,194 --> 00:19:32,361 doctors , victims and witnesses , none 481 00:19:32,361 --> 00:19:34,583 of whom were interviewed by us military 482 00:19:34,583 --> 00:19:36,750 investigators , that there are further 483 00:19:36,750 --> 00:19:38,806 questions about the role gunfire may 484 00:19:38,806 --> 00:19:40,972 have played in the immediate aftermath 485 00:19:40,972 --> 00:19:40,670 of the suicide bombing and navigate . 486 00:19:41,940 --> 00:19:44,162 Should the pentagon further investigate 487 00:19:44,162 --> 00:19:46,440 this matter or depending on leadership , 488 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:48,107 feel that the matter has been 489 00:19:48,107 --> 00:19:50,107 satisfactorily investigated to this 490 00:19:50,107 --> 00:19:52,329 point in the investigation , we believe 491 00:19:52,329 --> 00:19:54,551 was comprehensive . It was credible and 492 00:19:54,551 --> 00:19:56,718 it was quite definitive and or , and I 493 00:19:56,718 --> 00:19:58,773 think you were here in the room when 494 00:19:58,773 --> 00:20:00,996 the investigating team came up here and 495 00:20:00,996 --> 00:20:03,218 and laid it out for you over the course 496 00:20:03,218 --> 00:20:05,551 of an hour or more pretty detailed work . 497 00:20:05,551 --> 00:20:09,530 And as as they said , and I'm quite 498 00:20:09,530 --> 00:20:12,520 frankly quoting from their work , the 499 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:14,742 investigation found no definitive proof 500 00:20:14,742 --> 00:20:16,853 that anyone was ever hit or killed by 501 00:20:16,853 --> 00:20:19,280 gunfire either us or Afghan . Um and I 502 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:21,490 think I'd leave it at that . Let me go 503 00:20:21,490 --> 00:20:23,768 to the phones here , Carla , I promise . 504 00:20:23,768 --> 00:20:25,990 I won't forget you , but I haven't done 505 00:20:25,990 --> 00:20:28,640 anybody here . Uh Travis Triton from 506 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:31,650 military dot com . Hey john , thanks 507 00:20:31,660 --> 00:20:34,680 most of my questions were asked , but I 508 00:20:34,690 --> 00:20:36,900 did want to ask there looks like there 509 00:20:36,900 --> 00:20:39,090 may be an agreement on the hill on 510 00:20:39,100 --> 00:20:41,540 annual defense funding . And I know 511 00:20:41,540 --> 00:20:44,590 there was a lot of dire talk from the 512 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:46,767 military branches about the effects of 513 00:20:46,767 --> 00:20:48,822 str and I was wondering if you could 514 00:20:48,822 --> 00:20:52,230 just um uh talk about the current 515 00:20:52,230 --> 00:20:54,452 situation in D . O . D . And how you're 516 00:20:54,452 --> 00:20:57,390 faring on a stopgap budget measure . 517 00:20:57,400 --> 00:21:00,650 Thanks . It's not for us to to speak to 518 00:21:00,650 --> 00:21:02,539 a stopgap spending measure . It's 519 00:21:02,539 --> 00:21:04,761 really for Congress to speak to that we 520 00:21:04,761 --> 00:21:07,180 and we certainly hope that that we can 521 00:21:07,180 --> 00:21:09,960 get full funding for the year and not 522 00:21:10,340 --> 00:21:13,580 obviously not another cr that takes us 523 00:21:13,580 --> 00:21:15,800 yet another month or two . What the 524 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:17,970 secretary has been very clear about is 525 00:21:17,970 --> 00:21:20,192 the importance of four year funding and 526 00:21:20,192 --> 00:21:22,526 what that does for us . I mean with a C . 527 00:21:22,526 --> 00:21:24,760 R . As you know , Travis we can't start 528 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:26,704 new programs . You can't build new 529 00:21:26,704 --> 00:21:29,120 ships you were going to have to delay 530 00:21:29,130 --> 00:21:32,540 uh perhaps as much as 100 military 531 00:21:32,540 --> 00:21:34,762 construction projects . And when you do 532 00:21:34,762 --> 00:21:36,540 that it's not just the military 533 00:21:36,540 --> 00:21:38,707 installations that are affected , it's 534 00:21:38,707 --> 00:21:38,130 the local communities and local 535 00:21:38,130 --> 00:21:40,360 businesses Around those installations 536 00:21:40,360 --> 00:21:42,416 that will suffer in order to pay for 537 00:21:42,416 --> 00:21:44,820 the 2.7% pay increase that we want to 538 00:21:44,820 --> 00:21:46,876 give our troops much deserved by the 539 00:21:46,876 --> 00:21:48,931 way . Uh that that money is going to 540 00:21:48,931 --> 00:21:50,987 have to come from other accounts and 541 00:21:50,987 --> 00:21:52,598 that and that could eat into 542 00:21:52,598 --> 00:21:54,709 operational readiness as well . Uh it 543 00:21:54,709 --> 00:21:56,764 could affect health care funding for 544 00:21:56,764 --> 00:21:58,931 military families . So um all of these 545 00:21:58,931 --> 00:22:01,990 things are at stake the ability to to 546 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:04,730 conduct new research and development in 547 00:22:04,740 --> 00:22:06,840 new important technologies like 548 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:08,673 microelectronics like artificial 549 00:22:08,673 --> 00:22:10,784 intelligence like hypersonic . All of 550 00:22:10,784 --> 00:22:13,007 that would have to be slowed down if we 551 00:22:13,007 --> 00:22:15,173 don't get full year funding . So we've 552 00:22:15,173 --> 00:22:17,229 been nothing but clear . The Service 553 00:22:17,229 --> 00:22:19,451 Chiefs were up on the hill a week or so 554 00:22:19,451 --> 00:22:21,618 ago . I think they laid it out in very 555 00:22:21,618 --> 00:22:23,840 specific terms with what living under a 556 00:22:23,840 --> 00:22:26,062 continuing resolution . Well , it means 557 00:22:26,062 --> 00:22:28,118 you described it as dire talk and uh 558 00:22:28,118 --> 00:22:30,340 and frankly I think we would agree with 559 00:22:30,340 --> 00:22:32,451 that that there are there there could 560 00:22:32,451 --> 00:22:34,507 be dire consequences if we can't get 561 00:22:34,507 --> 00:22:36,729 full year funding for this year . Now . 562 00:22:36,729 --> 00:22:38,951 Look , the Congress has never failed to 563 00:22:38,951 --> 00:22:41,173 to appropriate for us in the past . And 564 00:22:41,173 --> 00:22:43,540 uh and the secretaries uh obviously 565 00:22:43,540 --> 00:22:45,790 interested in making sure we get that 566 00:22:45,790 --> 00:22:47,790 four year funding . We we certainly 567 00:22:47,790 --> 00:22:49,734 call on the Congress to to do what 568 00:22:49,734 --> 00:22:51,957 they've always done . Uh and that is to 569 00:22:51,957 --> 00:22:53,957 to support the department with with 570 00:22:53,957 --> 00:22:55,679 funding for a full year as was 571 00:22:55,679 --> 00:22:59,150 authorized . Um Qasim 572 00:22:59,150 --> 00:23:03,140 from Honolulu . Yes John 573 00:23:03,150 --> 00:23:05,310 thank you very much . The Washington 574 00:23:05,310 --> 00:23:08,470 Post had acquired actually an army 575 00:23:08,470 --> 00:23:10,850 investigation on withdrawal from 576 00:23:10,850 --> 00:23:13,230 Afghanistan . And in that report , 577 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,010 Brigadier General Sullivan told the 578 00:23:16,010 --> 00:23:18,121 investigators that he wanted to state 579 00:23:18,121 --> 00:23:20,950 supplies to host 5000 evacuees at Kabul 580 00:23:20,950 --> 00:23:23,410 Airport . But his efforts was 581 00:23:23,410 --> 00:23:25,132 complicated because he was not 582 00:23:25,132 --> 00:23:27,354 permitted to discuss the possibility of 583 00:23:27,354 --> 00:23:29,354 a full scale evacuation with anyone 584 00:23:29,450 --> 00:23:32,130 other than british officials . So my 585 00:23:32,130 --> 00:23:34,530 question is why would us prefer not to 586 00:23:34,540 --> 00:23:36,710 be transparent to the partners who 587 00:23:36,710 --> 00:23:38,932 without hesitation took arms to support 588 00:23:38,932 --> 00:23:41,970 the US after 9-11 . So first of all , 589 00:23:41,970 --> 00:23:44,081 what the Washington post is reporting 590 00:23:44,081 --> 00:23:46,360 on are the raw materials that went into 591 00:23:46,360 --> 00:23:48,430 the Abbey Gate investigation , which 592 00:23:48,430 --> 00:23:52,050 you all we were briefed on friday . So 593 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:54,740 these documents that were released 594 00:23:54,740 --> 00:23:56,796 under the Freedom of Information Act 595 00:23:56,796 --> 00:23:58,907 are really the raw material that went 596 00:23:58,907 --> 00:24:01,184 to that investigation about Abbey Gate . 597 00:24:01,184 --> 00:24:02,907 Uh , and in the course of that 598 00:24:02,907 --> 00:24:04,962 investigation , clearly lots of uh , 599 00:24:04,962 --> 00:24:06,796 lots of questions were asked and 600 00:24:06,796 --> 00:24:08,796 answered . I would refer you to the 601 00:24:08,796 --> 00:24:10,851 documents . I'm not going to be in a 602 00:24:10,851 --> 00:24:12,796 position where I'm uh Relitigating 603 00:24:12,796 --> 00:24:15,270 every single statement made across the 604 00:24:15,270 --> 00:24:18,510 course of what is about 2000 pages . 605 00:24:18,510 --> 00:24:22,150 What I would tell you is this This was 606 00:24:22,150 --> 00:24:24,300 a tough mission over the course of 17 607 00:24:24,300 --> 00:24:27,170 days . And what those documents reveal , 608 00:24:27,190 --> 00:24:29,530 if you look at any of them is a lot of 609 00:24:29,530 --> 00:24:31,697 good people . And I'm not just talking 610 00:24:31,697 --> 00:24:33,697 about in the military . I'm talking 611 00:24:33,697 --> 00:24:35,474 about with our State Department 612 00:24:35,474 --> 00:24:37,530 colleagues and our and to your point 613 00:24:37,530 --> 00:24:39,641 our coalition partners and allies , a 614 00:24:39,641 --> 00:24:41,697 lot of good people , making a lot of 615 00:24:41,697 --> 00:24:43,419 tough decisions in unrelenting 616 00:24:43,419 --> 00:24:45,141 circumstances , very difficult 617 00:24:45,141 --> 00:24:47,252 circumstances with as an increasingly 618 00:24:47,252 --> 00:24:50,300 desperate uh crowd of afghans who were 619 00:24:50,300 --> 00:24:52,780 trying to to leave the country . Um , 620 00:24:52,790 --> 00:24:54,901 and we've been nothing but honest and 621 00:24:54,901 --> 00:24:56,846 open about the fact that it wasn't 622 00:24:56,846 --> 00:24:59,012 perfect in every regard . We've got an 623 00:24:59,012 --> 00:25:01,290 after action review going on right now . 624 00:25:01,290 --> 00:25:03,457 We're going to learn from the mistakes 625 00:25:03,457 --> 00:25:05,568 were made . But we're also very proud 626 00:25:05,568 --> 00:25:07,700 of the fact that together with our 627 00:25:07,700 --> 00:25:09,700 interagency colleagues at the State 628 00:25:09,700 --> 00:25:11,922 Department , Brave diplomats who are on 629 00:25:11,922 --> 00:25:14,033 those gates with our marines with our 630 00:25:14,033 --> 00:25:16,089 coalition and allied partners , that 631 00:25:16,089 --> 00:25:18,320 124,000 people were safely evacuated 632 00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:20,598 from Afghanistan . That's no mean feat . 633 00:25:20,598 --> 00:25:22,709 You know , one of the things we don't 634 00:25:22,709 --> 00:25:24,931 talk about today is the fact that we've 635 00:25:24,931 --> 00:25:27,410 got just over 6000 now um Afghans that 636 00:25:27,410 --> 00:25:29,688 are on two military bases here at home . 637 00:25:29,740 --> 00:25:32,250 I mean tens of thousands of afghans are 638 00:25:32,250 --> 00:25:34,417 now starting new lives in this country 639 00:25:34,417 --> 00:25:36,361 because of the work that the inter 640 00:25:36,361 --> 00:25:38,583 agency did , not just the military , we 641 00:25:38,583 --> 00:25:40,750 housed them provided a safe and secure 642 00:25:40,750 --> 00:25:42,806 environment but HHS was involved and 643 00:25:42,806 --> 00:25:44,528 DHS was involved and the State 644 00:25:44,528 --> 00:25:46,639 Department was involved . There was a 645 00:25:46,639 --> 00:25:46,290 lot of good work that was done here . 646 00:25:46,300 --> 00:25:48,189 I'm not going to relitigate every 647 00:25:48,189 --> 00:25:50,244 single document in that uh , in that 648 00:25:50,244 --> 00:25:52,300 trove there , that's on the , on the 649 00:25:52,300 --> 00:25:54,244 Foia website . You can read it for 650 00:25:54,244 --> 00:25:56,467 yourself but I would beseech you as you 651 00:25:56,467 --> 00:25:58,578 do that to just not forget the larger 652 00:25:58,578 --> 00:26:00,689 perspective here of what we were able 653 00:26:00,689 --> 00:26:02,744 to get done . Mike breast Washington 654 00:26:02,744 --> 00:26:05,160 examiner . Oh Mr Kirby thanks for 655 00:26:05,160 --> 00:26:08,240 taking my question back in december . 656 00:26:08,250 --> 00:26:10,028 You said that there were active 657 00:26:10,028 --> 00:26:12,083 discussions going on about mandating 658 00:26:12,083 --> 00:26:14,306 the coronavirus booster vaccine . Where 659 00:26:14,306 --> 00:26:16,780 does that stand right now ? No 660 00:26:16,790 --> 00:26:19,360 decisions to speak to mike with respect 661 00:26:19,360 --> 00:26:22,060 to any decisions on um , making the 662 00:26:22,060 --> 00:26:24,450 booster mandatory . I think we're still 663 00:26:24,450 --> 00:26:28,090 examining that joe Gould defense news . 664 00:26:29,140 --> 00:26:31,251 Hi john , thanks for taking my call . 665 00:26:31,251 --> 00:26:35,250 Um , the american Federation 666 00:26:35,250 --> 00:26:36,972 of Government Employees . It's 667 00:26:36,972 --> 00:26:38,917 America's largest federal employee 668 00:26:38,917 --> 00:26:41,220 union um wrote a letter urging 669 00:26:41,220 --> 00:26:45,060 lawmakers to repeal a series of caps on 670 00:26:45,060 --> 00:26:48,330 civilian workers at pentagon 671 00:26:48,330 --> 00:26:50,274 headquarters functions . And their 672 00:26:50,274 --> 00:26:53,770 argument is that , um , those roles are 673 00:26:53,770 --> 00:26:57,110 being filled by , um , uh , an inflated 674 00:26:57,110 --> 00:27:00,260 contractor workforce . Um , would the 675 00:27:00,260 --> 00:27:03,290 pentagon welcome that move by lawmakers 676 00:27:03,290 --> 00:27:05,660 if , if they decide to follow the 677 00:27:05,660 --> 00:27:08,940 recommendation of the union joe I'm 678 00:27:08,940 --> 00:27:11,107 gonna have to take your question there 679 00:27:11,107 --> 00:27:13,329 partner . I am not aware of that letter 680 00:27:13,329 --> 00:27:15,384 or that issue and uh , I don't think 681 00:27:15,384 --> 00:27:17,384 it'd be good for me to speculate on 682 00:27:17,384 --> 00:27:16,650 that . So let me take that question , 683 00:27:16,650 --> 00:27:18,706 we'll get back to you , Carla , just 684 00:27:18,706 --> 00:27:20,817 jump going back really quickly to jen 685 00:27:20,817 --> 00:27:23,270 and to bob's question . So can you 686 00:27:23,270 --> 00:27:26,300 confirm the details that troops that 687 00:27:26,300 --> 00:27:28,467 are currently in Poland are setting up 688 00:27:28,467 --> 00:27:30,689 tents , checkpoints and other things to 689 00:27:30,689 --> 00:27:33,390 prepare for an evacuation . Currently I 690 00:27:33,390 --> 00:27:35,557 know of no tents that are being set up 691 00:27:35,557 --> 00:27:37,723 right now , carla again , there's only 692 00:27:37,723 --> 00:27:39,834 sort of Less than half of the leading 693 00:27:39,834 --> 00:27:42,057 elements that are there , the 1700 that 694 00:27:42,057 --> 00:27:44,168 we talked about . Um , that's not the 695 00:27:44,168 --> 00:27:46,334 whole of the 82nd airborne uh , 1700 . 696 00:27:46,334 --> 00:27:48,590 Um , uh , so it's , it's not even the 697 00:27:48,590 --> 00:27:51,070 whole unit itself and that's 1700 . 698 00:27:51,080 --> 00:27:53,302 About less than half of them are on the 699 00:27:53,302 --> 00:27:55,910 ground right now . Um I can't speak to 700 00:27:55,920 --> 00:27:58,230 uh specifically whether tents are being 701 00:27:58,230 --> 00:28:00,720 set up again , they would be prepared 702 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:03,510 to do that kind of thing . And I I 703 00:28:03,510 --> 00:28:05,732 certainly am not going to rule out that 704 00:28:05,732 --> 00:28:07,954 in coming days or weeks that they might 705 00:28:07,954 --> 00:28:10,640 be setting up um some temporary 706 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:12,807 facilities just in case there's a need 707 00:28:12,807 --> 00:28:15,640 to in case there are americans who are 708 00:28:15,640 --> 00:28:17,973 coming across that border and need help . 709 00:28:17,973 --> 00:28:20,029 They're trained to do that . They're 710 00:28:20,029 --> 00:28:22,196 trained to do a lot of things . That's 711 00:28:22,196 --> 00:28:22,160 that's one thing they're trained to do , 712 00:28:22,170 --> 00:28:24,490 but this isn't , and we've been very 713 00:28:24,490 --> 00:28:26,379 clear , we're not talking about a 714 00:28:26,379 --> 00:28:28,160 classic noncombatant evacuation 715 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:30,382 operation where you're sending in great 716 00:28:30,382 --> 00:28:32,438 tales and flying people out , that's 717 00:28:32,438 --> 00:28:34,660 that's not what's envisioned here . And 718 00:28:34,660 --> 00:28:36,382 frankly , again , I hate to be 719 00:28:36,382 --> 00:28:38,604 redundant , but I'm gonna be it doesn't 720 00:28:38,604 --> 00:28:41,770 need to come to that . I mean , if if 721 00:28:42,230 --> 00:28:44,508 if things work out the way they should , 722 00:28:44,508 --> 00:28:46,674 there will be no reason uh for them to 723 00:28:46,674 --> 00:28:48,674 handle any evacuees , because there 724 00:28:48,674 --> 00:28:50,786 won't have been an invasion , another 725 00:28:50,786 --> 00:28:52,619 invasion by Mr Putin and Russian 726 00:28:52,619 --> 00:28:54,730 military forces . And even if that is 727 00:28:54,730 --> 00:28:56,619 the course that happens , another 728 00:28:56,619 --> 00:28:58,341 invasion , um If americans are 729 00:28:58,341 --> 00:29:00,230 listening listening carefully and 730 00:29:00,230 --> 00:29:02,230 following the guidance by the State 731 00:29:02,230 --> 00:29:04,397 Department and by the President of the 732 00:29:04,397 --> 00:29:06,397 United States , they they should be 733 00:29:06,397 --> 00:29:08,397 leaving now . They should have been 734 00:29:08,397 --> 00:29:10,619 leaving before now . And there's plenty 735 00:29:10,619 --> 00:29:10,110 of ways to do that . Just by going to 736 00:29:10,110 --> 00:29:12,054 keep on jumping on an airplane and 737 00:29:12,054 --> 00:29:14,277 leaving or getting in a car and driving 738 00:29:14,277 --> 00:29:16,443 across the country . I mean it's , you 739 00:29:16,443 --> 00:29:18,499 know , there's , it's not a military 740 00:29:18,499 --> 00:29:20,666 conflict zone right now and there's no 741 00:29:20,666 --> 00:29:22,890 reason why it should , has Poland been 742 00:29:22,890 --> 00:29:25,200 designated as the evacuation point ? 743 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:28,350 Should it come to that ? I know , I 744 00:29:28,360 --> 00:29:30,304 don't think that there's a , we've 745 00:29:30,304 --> 00:29:32,416 designated specific evacuation points 746 00:29:32,416 --> 00:29:34,527 in this . This will be something that 747 00:29:34,527 --> 00:29:36,360 the 82nd and the and the general 748 00:29:36,360 --> 00:29:38,138 Walters as the european command 749 00:29:38,138 --> 00:29:40,249 commander would be thinking about . I 750 00:29:40,249 --> 00:29:42,471 don't know if he's made final decisions 751 00:29:42,471 --> 00:29:44,582 on that right now . Again , um , uh , 752 00:29:44,582 --> 00:29:46,249 there we want to be ready for 753 00:29:46,249 --> 00:29:48,080 everything . We would ask that 754 00:29:48,090 --> 00:29:49,850 americans in Ukraine also make 755 00:29:49,850 --> 00:29:52,450 themselves ready and do the right thing 756 00:29:52,470 --> 00:29:54,581 for themselves and for their families 757 00:29:54,581 --> 00:29:56,748 and and not travel to Ukraine . And if 758 00:29:56,748 --> 00:29:58,748 they're in Ukraine to leave Ukraine 759 00:29:58,748 --> 00:30:00,914 while there's time and certainly every 760 00:30:00,914 --> 00:30:03,137 capacity and capability to do so safely 761 00:30:03,137 --> 00:30:04,859 and efficiently through normal 762 00:30:04,859 --> 00:30:07,060 commercial transportation . You said 763 00:30:07,060 --> 00:30:09,227 that no additional troops have gone to 764 00:30:09,227 --> 00:30:11,338 europe but have any additional troops 765 00:30:11,338 --> 00:30:13,338 in the United States been placed on 766 00:30:13,338 --> 00:30:15,504 high alert since you last updated us . 767 00:30:15,504 --> 00:30:17,560 Not that I'm aware of . Okay , thank 768 00:30:17,560 --> 00:30:17,390 you , john first I have a question on 769 00:30:17,390 --> 00:30:20,010 Ukraine . So you're asking thousands of 770 00:30:20,020 --> 00:30:22,242 americans families to upend their lives 771 00:30:22,242 --> 00:30:24,650 in Ukraine and live , which is not an 772 00:30:24,660 --> 00:30:27,050 easy decision to make as , as you know , 773 00:30:27,640 --> 00:30:29,840 why should they do that based on what 774 00:30:29,850 --> 00:30:31,906 up until now you say , we don't know 775 00:30:31,930 --> 00:30:34,152 where , we don't think Putin has made a 776 00:30:34,152 --> 00:30:35,763 decision . We don't have the 777 00:30:35,763 --> 00:30:37,763 intelligence to say whether this is 778 00:30:37,763 --> 00:30:39,708 going to happen or not . So you're 779 00:30:39,708 --> 00:30:41,940 asking them to make such a crucial 780 00:30:41,940 --> 00:30:44,090 decision that will have major 781 00:30:44,090 --> 00:30:46,410 implications on their lives without 782 00:30:46,420 --> 00:30:48,540 giving them any real information that 783 00:30:48,540 --> 00:30:50,540 there's an imminent threat . That's 784 00:30:50,540 --> 00:30:52,484 what I'm getting at is I think I'm 785 00:30:52,484 --> 00:30:54,596 going to take issue with the question 786 00:30:54,596 --> 00:30:56,707 there . First of all , we're advising 787 00:30:56,707 --> 00:30:58,373 them to do this and the State 788 00:30:58,373 --> 00:31:00,540 Department has , I don't want to speak 789 00:31:00,540 --> 00:31:00,240 for my State Department colleagues , 790 00:31:00,240 --> 00:31:02,407 but they've been very clear about that 791 00:31:02,407 --> 00:31:04,296 guidance and that and that advice 792 00:31:04,296 --> 00:31:06,629 obviously , uh we can't make them do it , 793 00:31:06,629 --> 00:31:08,740 they have to make those decisions for 794 00:31:08,740 --> 00:31:12,120 themselves . Um and I think 40 , you've 795 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:14,380 been sitting on these briefings as well 796 00:31:14,380 --> 00:31:16,436 as anybody else . We've been nothing 797 00:31:16,436 --> 00:31:18,602 but clear about the continued military 798 00:31:18,602 --> 00:31:20,824 build up along that border with Ukraine 799 00:31:20,824 --> 00:31:22,769 and Belarus , uh and the continued 800 00:31:22,769 --> 00:31:24,713 military options that Mr Putin has 801 00:31:24,713 --> 00:31:26,936 available to him . We have been I think 802 00:31:26,936 --> 00:31:30,440 extraordinarily transparent um about uh 803 00:31:30,450 --> 00:31:33,430 the possibilities of military conflict 804 00:31:33,430 --> 00:31:35,750 inside Ukraine . Um And so we made no 805 00:31:35,750 --> 00:31:37,917 bones about that . And and in our best 806 00:31:37,917 --> 00:31:40,660 judgment as a government . Our advice 807 00:31:40,670 --> 00:31:42,770 is that this is not the time to be 808 00:31:42,770 --> 00:31:44,992 going to Ukraine . It's not the time to 809 00:31:44,992 --> 00:31:47,103 be staying in Ukraine , each of these 810 00:31:47,103 --> 00:31:49,530 families , you're right , these were 811 00:31:49,530 --> 00:31:51,586 not saying their easy decisions , we 812 00:31:51,586 --> 00:31:53,752 understand that and they're gonna have 813 00:31:53,752 --> 00:31:55,919 to make these decisions for themselves 814 00:31:55,919 --> 00:31:58,086 and as appropriate . All we can do all 815 00:31:58,086 --> 00:32:00,700 we must do as a government is give them 816 00:32:00,700 --> 00:32:02,700 the best advice and guidance we can 817 00:32:02,700 --> 00:32:04,700 based on the information that we're 818 00:32:04,700 --> 00:32:06,867 seeing and what and what we know to be 819 00:32:06,867 --> 00:32:09,089 the case on the ground . So that's what 820 00:32:09,089 --> 00:32:11,144 we're doing . Ask another question . 821 00:32:11,144 --> 00:32:14,780 Sure . So do you , I asked a couple of 822 00:32:14,780 --> 00:32:16,980 days ago again about the operation 823 00:32:16,980 --> 00:32:18,900 against ISIS leader Hiroshi 824 00:32:19,150 --> 00:32:21,206 Northeastern Syria , do you have any 825 00:32:21,206 --> 00:32:24,250 updates on whether you revise the 826 00:32:24,250 --> 00:32:26,306 number of civilian casualties during 827 00:32:26,306 --> 00:32:29,260 that operation Tony Capasso of 828 00:32:29,270 --> 00:32:30,270 Bloomberg . 829 00:32:34,540 --> 00:32:36,651 Hey john sorry , I accidentally muted 830 00:32:36,651 --> 00:32:39,780 myself . I have a budget question Fy 23 831 00:32:39,780 --> 00:32:41,891 budget question yesterday . Secretary 832 00:32:41,891 --> 00:32:44,058 Warm with confirmed that the D O . D . 833 00:32:44,058 --> 00:32:46,224 Is not your received top line guidance 834 00:32:46,224 --> 00:32:48,336 from O M . B . Which isn't surprising 835 00:32:48,336 --> 00:32:50,224 since D O D said over its desired 836 00:32:50,224 --> 00:32:52,336 number in mid january . But here's my 837 00:32:52,336 --> 00:32:55,010 question , what is the current D O . D 838 00:32:55,020 --> 00:32:58,010 inflation estimate for Fy 23 ? It was 839 00:32:58,020 --> 00:33:01,430 2.2% for 20 for 22 . There's a lot of 840 00:33:01,430 --> 00:33:04,330 interest in this subject and I know DOD . 841 00:33:04,330 --> 00:33:07,610 has an inflation estimate for 23 . What 842 00:33:07,610 --> 00:33:10,570 is it Tony but I will take your 843 00:33:10,570 --> 00:33:13,380 questions . Um Sylvie 844 00:33:15,540 --> 00:33:18,540 written answer . Hello . Hello john , 845 00:33:18,550 --> 00:33:22,540 thank you . Um I have actually three 846 00:33:22,540 --> 00:33:26,360 questions first . I want to know if 847 00:33:26,360 --> 00:33:30,280 you have any , you have any any 848 00:33:30,290 --> 00:33:33,480 indication about more Russian troops 849 00:33:33,490 --> 00:33:36,850 arrivals at the border with Ukraine . 850 00:33:37,840 --> 00:33:40,740 I want to know if you have any detail 851 00:33:40,740 --> 00:33:44,550 on the arrival of Russian bombers in 852 00:33:44,550 --> 00:33:48,250 Kaliningrad and also the 853 00:33:48,260 --> 00:33:51,750 Russian uh , Chief of Defense 854 00:33:51,760 --> 00:33:55,020 General Gerasimov has arrived in 855 00:33:55,020 --> 00:33:57,870 Belarus today um 856 00:33:58,290 --> 00:34:01,790 as the exercise military 857 00:34:01,790 --> 00:34:04,330 exercises going to start , I wanted to 858 00:34:04,330 --> 00:34:07,740 know if for you , it's something usual 859 00:34:07,750 --> 00:34:11,540 or if you find his presence on the 860 00:34:11,540 --> 00:34:15,340 ground concerning concerned by his 861 00:34:15,340 --> 00:34:17,562 presence on the ground . He's the Chief 862 00:34:17,562 --> 00:34:19,940 of Defense for uh , for his military , 863 00:34:19,940 --> 00:34:22,162 it's not uncommon for Chiefs of Defense 864 00:34:22,162 --> 00:34:24,384 to observe exercises . I think you have 865 00:34:24,384 --> 00:34:26,551 to look at it in the context of what's 866 00:34:26,551 --> 00:34:28,662 going on . Obviously . Um , we're not 867 00:34:28,662 --> 00:34:30,829 looking at this exercise in a vacuum . 868 00:34:30,829 --> 00:34:33,770 Um , uh , and we understand that senior 869 00:34:33,770 --> 00:34:35,992 military leaders are very much involved 870 00:34:35,992 --> 00:34:38,270 in facilitating this build up build up , 871 00:34:38,270 --> 00:34:40,381 which we believe is destabilizing and 872 00:34:40,381 --> 00:34:42,530 unnecessary has nothing to do uh , 873 00:34:42,540 --> 00:34:45,480 since since NATO is not a threat uh , 874 00:34:45,490 --> 00:34:47,657 to Russian sovereignty , since Ukraine 875 00:34:47,657 --> 00:34:49,934 is not a threat to Russian sovereignty , 876 00:34:49,934 --> 00:34:49,770 there should be no reason for this 877 00:34:49,770 --> 00:34:51,937 build up . So we obviously are viewing 878 00:34:51,937 --> 00:34:54,159 this certainly in light of what's going 879 00:34:54,159 --> 00:34:56,381 on , but but his presence alone at this 880 00:34:56,381 --> 00:34:58,603 exercise is not setting off alarm bells 881 00:34:58,603 --> 00:35:00,603 here at the pentagon . Um , I'm not 882 00:35:00,603 --> 00:35:02,770 going to talk about the Russian bomber 883 00:35:02,770 --> 00:35:04,937 deployments . I've , I think I've made 884 00:35:04,937 --> 00:35:06,937 it very clear and continue to do so 885 00:35:06,937 --> 00:35:09,048 that I am not going to put the United 886 00:35:09,048 --> 00:35:11,048 States Department of Defense in the 887 00:35:11,048 --> 00:35:12,826 position of speaking to Russian 888 00:35:12,826 --> 00:35:12,660 military movements with great 889 00:35:12,660 --> 00:35:16,110 specificity , um , that we , we can 890 00:35:16,110 --> 00:35:18,630 speak for our own . Um , but I'm not 891 00:35:18,630 --> 00:35:22,050 gonna detail on a day to day basis . Uh , 892 00:35:22,060 --> 00:35:24,640 every movement of every unit inside the 893 00:35:24,650 --> 00:35:27,640 Russian armed forces . Um , and as for 894 00:35:27,650 --> 00:35:29,930 uh , troop numbers build up your first 895 00:35:29,930 --> 00:35:32,070 question . We have continued to see 896 00:35:32,080 --> 00:35:33,747 even over the last 24 hours , 897 00:35:33,750 --> 00:35:36,610 additional capabilities flow from 898 00:35:36,610 --> 00:35:38,832 elsewhere in Russia to that border with 899 00:35:38,832 --> 00:35:41,170 Ukraine and in belarus As before we're 900 00:35:41,170 --> 00:35:43,210 not going to get into it , uh , 901 00:35:43,220 --> 00:35:45,630 providing specific numbers , but that , 902 00:35:45,640 --> 00:35:48,020 but the numbers continue to grow . Uh , 903 00:35:48,030 --> 00:35:51,870 we maintain that he's north of 100,000 904 00:35:51,870 --> 00:35:53,981 for sure . And he continues to add to 905 00:35:53,981 --> 00:35:55,648 that capability . We also see 906 00:35:55,648 --> 00:35:57,759 indications that additional battalion 907 00:35:57,759 --> 00:36:00,250 tactical groups are on their way . Uh , 908 00:36:00,260 --> 00:36:02,930 and so every day he adds to his options 909 00:36:02,940 --> 00:36:05,162 every day . He adds to his capabilities 910 00:36:05,162 --> 00:36:06,996 every day . Um , he continues to 911 00:36:06,996 --> 00:36:09,190 destabilize what is already a very 912 00:36:09,190 --> 00:36:11,840 tense situation and he could easily 913 00:36:11,850 --> 00:36:14,440 destabilize by moving these forces back 914 00:36:14,440 --> 00:36:16,430 home . Um , and by committing to a 915 00:36:16,430 --> 00:36:19,640 diplomatic path forward Caitlin 916 00:36:19,640 --> 00:36:22,490 Doornbos from stars and stripes . Hey 917 00:36:22,490 --> 00:36:24,268 john , I'm following up on some 918 00:36:24,268 --> 00:36:27,030 previous questions . I know you've got 919 00:36:27,030 --> 00:36:29,440 no ongoing plans for evacuation , but I 920 00:36:29,440 --> 00:36:31,440 just want to see if you can confirm 921 00:36:31,440 --> 00:36:33,662 that the pentagon has received approval 922 00:36:33,662 --> 00:36:35,496 from the White House to evacuate 923 00:36:35,496 --> 00:36:37,820 civilians from Ukraine should Russia 924 00:36:37,820 --> 00:36:40,750 invade . And then also , I know you 925 00:36:40,930 --> 00:36:42,930 you're being pretty tight lipped on 926 00:36:42,930 --> 00:36:45,580 north of 100,000 . But I think we've 927 00:36:45,580 --> 00:36:47,747 been at north of 100,000 for about six 928 00:36:47,747 --> 00:36:49,913 weeks now . Is there anything more you 929 00:36:49,913 --> 00:36:51,802 can give us as far as I've seen , 930 00:36:51,802 --> 00:36:53,636 reporting them all the way up to 931 00:36:53,636 --> 00:36:56,450 140,000 . 470,000 . Thank you today . 932 00:36:56,460 --> 00:36:58,516 No Caitlin , I'm just gonna stick it 933 00:36:58,516 --> 00:37:00,740 north of 100,000 . Um but he does 934 00:37:00,740 --> 00:37:02,851 continue to add to his capabilities . 935 00:37:02,851 --> 00:37:05,200 And look in terms of the approval 936 00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:07,200 process . I mean you guys have been 937 00:37:07,200 --> 00:37:09,311 covering this place long enough . You 938 00:37:09,311 --> 00:37:11,422 know I mean the secretaries , the the 939 00:37:11,422 --> 00:37:10,780 top of the chain of command here in the 940 00:37:10,780 --> 00:37:13,060 military at the department anyway the 941 00:37:13,060 --> 00:37:15,171 commander in chief , the President is 942 00:37:15,171 --> 00:37:17,338 at the top top of the chain of command 943 00:37:17,338 --> 00:37:19,393 in terms of uh the use of the United 944 00:37:19,393 --> 00:37:21,460 States military . So um Secretary 945 00:37:21,460 --> 00:37:24,430 issues the orders but on on an issue of 946 00:37:24,440 --> 00:37:26,551 this importance . From a geopolitical 947 00:37:26,551 --> 00:37:28,662 perspective , of course there's going 948 00:37:28,662 --> 00:37:30,662 to be interagency discussion and of 949 00:37:30,662 --> 00:37:32,551 course um there's going to be the 950 00:37:32,551 --> 00:37:34,384 involvement by the president and 951 00:37:34,384 --> 00:37:37,510 decisions of this nature nancy . 952 00:37:37,510 --> 00:37:41,330 Youssef Yeah , thank 953 00:37:41,330 --> 00:37:43,219 you . I'd like to go back to your 954 00:37:43,219 --> 00:37:45,920 answers about embedding and why um 955 00:37:45,920 --> 00:37:48,031 journalists can't do so . Um you said 956 00:37:48,031 --> 00:37:50,330 that among the reasons was um that 957 00:37:50,330 --> 00:37:52,670 embedding was um that you're 958 00:37:52,680 --> 00:37:54,569 considering the national security 959 00:37:54,569 --> 00:37:56,680 interests and that the U . S . Wanted 960 00:37:56,680 --> 00:37:58,902 diplomacy to play out . But journalists 961 00:37:58,902 --> 00:38:01,124 were embedded in the run up to the 2003 962 00:38:01,124 --> 00:38:03,069 invasion when the U . S . Also was 963 00:38:03,069 --> 00:38:05,291 hoping diplomacy will prevail . And I'm 964 00:38:05,291 --> 00:38:07,347 having a hard time understanding how 965 00:38:07,347 --> 00:38:09,569 less transparency reflects the national 966 00:38:09,569 --> 00:38:09,060 security interests of the nation that 967 00:38:09,060 --> 00:38:11,430 promotes freedom of press worldwide . 968 00:38:11,430 --> 00:38:13,597 So I was hoping you could give us more 969 00:38:13,597 --> 00:38:15,263 a more specific answer on why 970 00:38:15,263 --> 00:38:17,263 journalists can embed with deployed 971 00:38:17,263 --> 00:38:19,263 troops and what the process will be 972 00:38:19,263 --> 00:38:21,597 going forward in light of the P . P . A . 973 00:38:21,597 --> 00:38:23,708 Letter . Thank you . Thanks nancy . I 974 00:38:23,708 --> 00:38:27,420 do think uh again I stand by what I 975 00:38:27,420 --> 00:38:29,980 said to bob . We obviously uh respect 976 00:38:29,980 --> 00:38:32,202 the job that you do and appreciate it . 977 00:38:32,420 --> 00:38:35,350 Um and we try to provide as much 978 00:38:35,360 --> 00:38:37,680 transparency and access as we can . It 979 00:38:37,680 --> 00:38:40,070 oftentimes is not as much as you want 980 00:38:40,080 --> 00:38:42,302 and and I get there's a natural tension 981 00:38:42,302 --> 00:38:44,524 there , there are a lot of factors that 982 00:38:44,524 --> 00:38:46,636 go into making decisions about access 983 00:38:46,636 --> 00:38:48,580 to you . I mean even just how many 984 00:38:48,580 --> 00:38:50,747 briefings we're going to do every week 985 00:38:50,747 --> 00:38:52,858 is not something we do accidentally . 986 00:38:52,858 --> 00:38:54,636 Um We make these decisions very 987 00:38:54,636 --> 00:38:56,858 deliberately and they are nested inside 988 00:38:56,858 --> 00:38:58,802 larger national security goals and 989 00:38:58,802 --> 00:39:00,913 national security efforts and I fully 990 00:39:00,913 --> 00:39:02,636 appreciate that not all of our 991 00:39:02,636 --> 00:39:04,802 decisions are going to be popular . Um 992 00:39:04,802 --> 00:39:08,450 uh and uh I do think Uh 993 00:39:08,460 --> 00:39:12,130 comparing this to 2003 in Iraq is not a 994 00:39:12,130 --> 00:39:15,510 fair comparison . Uh This is uh this is 995 00:39:15,510 --> 00:39:18,190 a modest number of forces that are 996 00:39:18,200 --> 00:39:22,070 redeploying or I'm sorry relocating um 997 00:39:22,080 --> 00:39:25,600 to uh to provide reassurance to allies 998 00:39:26,370 --> 00:39:29,740 And as as measured against the 999 00:39:29,740 --> 00:39:32,210 percentage of 80 some odd 1000 troops 1000 00:39:32,210 --> 00:39:34,210 that are already in europe . It's a 1001 00:39:34,210 --> 00:39:36,590 it's a pretty small addition . Um and 1002 00:39:36,590 --> 00:39:38,812 it's really done about on reassurance . 1003 00:39:38,812 --> 00:39:41,460 Uh , so if there's a change in the 1004 00:39:41,470 --> 00:39:43,637 approach that that we're going to take 1005 00:39:43,637 --> 00:39:45,414 care of the department , I will 1006 00:39:45,414 --> 00:39:47,137 absolutely let you know . I do 1007 00:39:47,137 --> 00:39:49,303 appreciate the concerns that have been 1008 00:39:49,303 --> 00:39:51,414 very clearly communicated . And again 1009 00:39:51,414 --> 00:39:54,940 we respect those concerns And um and uh 1010 00:39:54,950 --> 00:39:57,000 we have obviously duly passed those 1011 00:39:57,000 --> 00:39:59,111 concerns on up the chain of command . 1012 00:39:59,440 --> 00:40:00,330 Pierre 1013 00:40:09,610 --> 00:40:13,500 john I'm here . Shipmate 1014 00:40:13,510 --> 00:40:16,590 you there ? Yes . I have a question 1015 00:40:16,600 --> 00:40:18,711 Iran today announced that they have a 1016 00:40:18,711 --> 00:40:20,933 new ballistic missile . Do you have any 1017 00:40:20,933 --> 00:40:23,810 early assessment of uh this missile ? 1018 00:40:23,820 --> 00:40:27,050 Uh If it is also the injuries to U . S . 1019 00:40:27,050 --> 00:40:29,420 Soldiers and two allies in the area . I 1020 00:40:29,420 --> 00:40:31,587 have not seen the announcement by Iran 1021 00:40:31,587 --> 00:40:33,753 that they have a new ballistic missile 1022 00:40:33,753 --> 00:40:33,530 program . So I I don't have any 1023 00:40:33,530 --> 00:40:37,410 specific to say that that said we 1024 00:40:37,410 --> 00:40:41,130 have , I continually watched 1025 00:40:41,710 --> 00:40:43,766 as Iran has improved their ballistic 1026 00:40:43,766 --> 00:40:45,932 missile program . Uh and we are keenly 1027 00:40:45,932 --> 00:40:48,760 aware of the regional threats that that 1028 00:40:48,760 --> 00:40:51,110 ballistic missile program poses . Which 1029 00:40:51,110 --> 00:40:53,200 is why we're working so hard with 1030 00:40:53,200 --> 00:40:55,422 allies and partners in the region to be 1031 00:40:55,422 --> 00:40:57,589 able to counter those kinds of threats 1032 00:40:57,589 --> 00:40:59,200 and to make sure that we are 1033 00:40:59,200 --> 00:41:01,144 contributing to their self defense 1034 00:41:01,144 --> 00:41:03,200 needs as well . Okay , I've got time 1035 00:41:03,200 --> 00:41:05,256 for one more . and I'd like to go to 1036 00:41:05,256 --> 00:41:06,756 anna Maria from Romania tv 1037 00:41:15,410 --> 00:41:16,521 right there , man , 1038 00:41:21,110 --> 00:41:23,277 okay . It looks like ana Maria was not 1039 00:41:23,277 --> 00:41:25,499 there . Does anybody else have one more 1040 00:41:26,400 --> 00:41:29,400 referring today the Iran reviewed the 1041 00:41:29,400 --> 00:41:33,380 new missile . It's the high bar um 1042 00:41:33,450 --> 00:41:37,290 shaken , It's 900 miles and 1043 00:41:37,300 --> 00:41:41,010 it runs on solid fuel so it puts 1044 00:41:41,020 --> 00:41:43,830 us bases in Israel within within range . 1045 00:41:44,210 --> 00:41:47,070 And then it's been announced today at 1046 00:41:47,080 --> 00:41:48,747 the heels of the new round of 1047 00:41:48,747 --> 00:41:51,430 negotiations in Vienna concerning the 1048 00:41:51,430 --> 00:41:53,560 Iran nuclear nuclear program . So how 1049 00:41:53,570 --> 00:41:55,681 do you do you think Iran is messaging 1050 00:41:55,681 --> 00:41:57,959 something to to the U . S . And Israel ? 1051 00:41:57,959 --> 00:41:59,848 And again , I can't speak to this 1052 00:41:59,848 --> 00:42:02,181 announcement friday . I haven't seen it . 1053 00:42:02,181 --> 00:42:04,126 So I'd rather reserve comment on a 1054 00:42:04,200 --> 00:42:06,440 missile . They claim they have , I just 1055 00:42:06,440 --> 00:42:08,640 don't have anything specific on that . 1056 00:42:08,650 --> 00:42:10,650 You guys are as always a little bit 1057 00:42:10,650 --> 00:42:12,594 ahead of me in terms of what's out 1058 00:42:12,594 --> 00:42:14,817 there in the new space . Um , but as to 1059 00:42:14,817 --> 00:42:16,594 your question are they are they 1060 00:42:16,594 --> 00:42:19,390 messaging frankly , we see their malign 1061 00:42:19,390 --> 00:42:21,668 activities as much more than messaging . 1062 00:42:21,668 --> 00:42:23,723 I mean they are malign activities on 1063 00:42:23,723 --> 00:42:25,834 their own . They are destabilizing in 1064 00:42:25,834 --> 00:42:25,630 the region . They're supporting 1065 00:42:25,630 --> 00:42:27,810 terrorist groups across the region . 1066 00:42:27,820 --> 00:42:30,020 They are harassing maritime shipping . 1067 00:42:30,030 --> 00:42:32,197 They are advancing a ballistic missile 1068 00:42:32,197 --> 00:42:34,363 program that is designed for offensive 1069 00:42:34,363 --> 00:42:37,330 purposes to to inflict harm and damage 1070 00:42:37,340 --> 00:42:41,260 uh potentially lethal . So on on 1071 00:42:41,260 --> 00:42:43,660 other states , other people's and our 1072 00:42:43,660 --> 00:42:46,560 allies and partners . Um we don't we 1073 00:42:46,560 --> 00:42:48,893 don't look at this as a messaging issue . 1074 00:42:48,893 --> 00:42:51,060 We look at it as a legitimate national 1075 00:42:51,060 --> 00:42:53,330 security threat issue in the region , 1076 00:42:53,330 --> 00:42:55,510 to our people , to our facilities and 1077 00:42:55,510 --> 00:42:57,621 to those of our allies and partners . 1078 00:42:57,800 --> 00:43:00,500 Alright . Thanks everybody . Yeah .