1 00:00:00,540 --> 00:00:04,260 Yeah , yeah , six 2 00:00:04,260 --> 00:00:08,110 minutes . That's not too bad . This 3 00:00:08,110 --> 00:00:10,166 seems a little high . Yeah , there's 4 00:00:10,166 --> 00:00:13,700 the pencil mark for Kirby that is what 5 00:00:13,710 --> 00:00:17,250 the heck man , senior prank . 6 00:00:17,940 --> 00:00:20,107 There we go . That's much better now . 7 00:00:20,107 --> 00:00:22,690 I feel taller and more in command . 8 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:26,500 Alright . Uh some bear with me here , 9 00:00:26,500 --> 00:00:29,210 we've got quite a few things to to top 10 00:00:29,210 --> 00:00:31,266 out today and we'll get right to you 11 00:00:31,266 --> 00:00:33,321 after that . So I think this morning 12 00:00:33,321 --> 00:00:35,543 and I think we you should have read out 13 00:00:35,543 --> 00:00:37,543 and you should be aware , Secretary 14 00:00:37,543 --> 00:00:39,599 Austin , I had a chance to talk with 15 00:00:39,599 --> 00:00:41,766 his Japanese counterpart , the Defense 16 00:00:41,766 --> 00:00:43,377 minister Kishi uh and shared 17 00:00:43,377 --> 00:00:46,110 assessments on the DpRK is recent 18 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:48,190 ballistic missile launches and they 19 00:00:48,190 --> 00:00:49,968 also had a chance to consult on 20 00:00:49,968 --> 00:00:51,801 response measures . Today's call 21 00:00:51,801 --> 00:00:53,857 followed yesterday's phone call that 22 00:00:53,857 --> 00:00:56,079 the Secretary had with the South korean 23 00:00:56,079 --> 00:00:57,690 counterpart in both of these 24 00:00:57,690 --> 00:00:59,760 conversations . Each of the leaders 25 00:00:59,990 --> 00:01:02,670 condemn these launches underscored that 26 00:01:02,670 --> 00:01:04,837 the launches are a continued threat to 27 00:01:04,837 --> 00:01:07,080 regional and global security . Um and 28 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:09,247 of course stressed that we're going to 29 00:01:09,247 --> 00:01:11,560 continue to work with them our allies 30 00:01:12,050 --> 00:01:14,820 to address North Korea's provocative 31 00:01:14,820 --> 00:01:16,970 actions and work toward the complete 32 00:01:16,970 --> 00:01:20,270 denuclearization of the peninsula . Uh 33 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,391 Now , as part of this fourth official 34 00:01:22,391 --> 00:01:24,336 visit to the indo pacific region , 35 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:26,536 Secretary Austin will participate in 36 00:01:26,536 --> 00:01:28,313 the 19th shangri la dialogue in 37 00:01:28,313 --> 00:01:31,230 Singapore hosted by the International 38 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:34,630 Institute for Strategic Studies . Most 39 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:36,862 most of us know that is double I double 40 00:01:36,862 --> 00:01:39,260 s . I also have the chance to meet with 41 00:01:39,270 --> 00:01:41,550 key indo pacific leaders to again 42 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:43,116 advance some of our defense 43 00:01:43,116 --> 00:01:45,171 relationships in the region and from 44 00:01:45,171 --> 00:01:47,116 there the secretary will travel to 45 00:01:47,116 --> 00:01:48,949 Bangkok as the United States and 46 00:01:48,949 --> 00:01:50,838 Thailand may take important steps 47 00:01:50,838 --> 00:01:53,060 towards modernizing the US tie alliance 48 00:01:53,060 --> 00:01:55,227 and expanding the depth and breadth of 49 00:01:55,227 --> 00:01:58,060 our military cooperation . Secretary 50 00:01:58,060 --> 00:02:00,540 Austin's trip will fall on the heels of 51 00:02:00,540 --> 00:02:03,110 the US Asean special summit that 52 00:02:03,110 --> 00:02:05,166 President biden hosted in Washington 53 00:02:05,166 --> 00:02:07,277 just earlier this month . I think you 54 00:02:07,277 --> 00:02:09,499 all track that uh and President Biden's 55 00:02:09,499 --> 00:02:11,666 recent visit of course , just over the 56 00:02:11,666 --> 00:02:13,832 last few days to the republic of Korea 57 00:02:13,832 --> 00:02:15,943 and Japan . This series of high level 58 00:02:15,943 --> 00:02:17,970 engagements certainly reflects the 59 00:02:17,970 --> 00:02:19,803 United States deep commitment to 60 00:02:19,803 --> 00:02:21,914 working alongside regional allies and 61 00:02:21,914 --> 00:02:24,137 partners to chart our shared vision for 62 00:02:24,137 --> 00:02:26,580 a free and open indo pacific region and 63 00:02:26,580 --> 00:02:28,691 as president biden has certainly made 64 00:02:28,691 --> 00:02:30,810 clear Asean centrality remains at the 65 00:02:30,810 --> 00:02:34,150 heart of our vision there . Moving on 66 00:02:34,150 --> 00:02:36,630 to Europe , the US 6th fleet will kick 67 00:02:36,630 --> 00:02:39,130 off the us naval forces , Europe led 68 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:41,810 annual joint multinational maritime 69 00:02:41,810 --> 00:02:45,330 focused Baltic Operations 22 or ball 70 00:02:45,330 --> 00:02:48,550 tops 22 That's an exercise executed by 71 00:02:48,550 --> 00:02:51,350 naval striking and support forces NATO 72 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:53,840 which is based there in Naples Italy . 73 00:02:53,850 --> 00:02:55,690 The exercise will take place 74 00:02:55,820 --> 00:02:58,880 predominantly in and around Sweden from 75 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:02,670 June 5 to June 17 . This 76 00:03:02,670 --> 00:03:04,960 exercises in its 51st iteration 77 00:03:05,140 --> 00:03:07,610 provides unique training opportunity 78 00:03:07,610 --> 00:03:09,554 that strengthens combined response 79 00:03:09,554 --> 00:03:11,777 capabilities critical to preserving the 80 00:03:11,777 --> 00:03:13,888 freedom of navigation and security in 81 00:03:13,888 --> 00:03:15,999 the Baltic sea region . Participating 82 00:03:15,999 --> 00:03:17,888 nations will exercise a myriad of 83 00:03:17,888 --> 00:03:19,777 capabilities that demonstrate the 84 00:03:19,777 --> 00:03:22,110 inherent flexibility of maritime forces , 85 00:03:22,110 --> 00:03:23,999 including amphibious operations , 86 00:03:23,999 --> 00:03:26,054 gunnery , anti submarine air defense 87 00:03:26,054 --> 00:03:28,054 exercises as well as mine clearance 88 00:03:28,054 --> 00:03:29,888 operations , explosive ordinance 89 00:03:29,888 --> 00:03:31,666 disposal and diving and salvage 90 00:03:31,666 --> 00:03:34,360 operations . 14 NATO nations to partner 91 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:37,150 nations , Finland and Sweden In more 92 00:03:37,150 --> 00:03:39,940 than 45 maritime units , 75 aircraft 93 00:03:39,940 --> 00:03:42,230 and approximately 7000 personnel will 94 00:03:42,230 --> 00:03:46,070 participate Unique to ball tops . 22 is 95 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:48,620 Sweden's role in hosting the exercise , 96 00:03:48,630 --> 00:03:51,470 which coincidentally occurs during 97 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:53,700 Sweden's sweet , the Swedish Navy's 98 00:03:53,710 --> 00:03:56,560 500th anniversary . So we're grateful 99 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:58,671 for their ability to lead and to host 100 00:03:58,671 --> 00:04:01,950 this year . Um just to level set the 101 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:03,904 this year's ball tops will include 102 00:04:03,904 --> 00:04:05,738 forces from Belgium , Bulgaria , 103 00:04:05,738 --> 00:04:07,682 Denmark Estonia , Finland France , 104 00:04:07,682 --> 00:04:09,516 Germany , Latvia Lithuania , the 105 00:04:09,516 --> 00:04:11,571 Netherlands Norway Poland , Sweden , 106 00:04:11,571 --> 00:04:13,516 Turkey , the United Kingdom and of 107 00:04:13,516 --> 00:04:15,404 course the United States . So big 108 00:04:15,404 --> 00:04:17,571 exercise , lots to get done and I know 109 00:04:17,571 --> 00:04:19,571 they're looking forward to it . The 110 00:04:19,571 --> 00:04:21,404 Office of the Under Secretary of 111 00:04:21,404 --> 00:04:21,130 Defense for Policy is pleased to 112 00:04:21,130 --> 00:04:23,040 announce to directorship of 113 00:04:23,050 --> 00:04:25,106 appointments to the regional centers 114 00:04:25,106 --> 00:04:27,161 affiliated with the National Defense 115 00:04:27,161 --> 00:04:29,240 University . Miss Amanda J . Dory as 116 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:31,351 the director of the Africa Center for 117 00:04:31,351 --> 00:04:33,710 Strategic Studies . She will succeed 118 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,570 Miss Kate Almquist knopf Who served in 119 00:04:36,570 --> 00:04:39,380 that position from July of 2014 until 120 00:04:39,380 --> 00:04:41,820 december of 2021 . Some of you know , 121 00:04:41,830 --> 00:04:44,180 Amanda quite well . Mystery is 122 00:04:44,180 --> 00:04:45,902 currently the principal Deputy 123 00:04:45,902 --> 00:04:48,124 Assistant Secretary of Defense for indo 124 00:04:48,124 --> 00:04:50,069 pacific security affairs . She has 125 00:04:50,069 --> 00:04:52,236 served in multiple leadership roles in 126 00:04:52,236 --> 00:04:54,402 the Office of the Secretary of Defense 127 00:04:54,402 --> 00:04:54,210 for Policy , including the Deputy 128 00:04:54,210 --> 00:04:56,154 Assistant Secretary of Defense for 129 00:04:56,154 --> 00:04:59,510 african affairs . Also dr paul J Angelo 130 00:04:59,510 --> 00:05:01,566 was selected as the Director for the 131 00:05:01,566 --> 00:05:03,177 William J . Perry Center for 132 00:05:03,177 --> 00:05:05,500 hemispheric Defense Studies . He will 133 00:05:05,500 --> 00:05:08,040 be succeeding Retired Army Lieutenant 134 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:10,740 General Frederick S . Rudesheim who 135 00:05:10,740 --> 00:05:12,962 served in the position from february of 136 00:05:12,962 --> 00:05:16,100 2018 until May of 2022 . In other words 137 00:05:16,110 --> 00:05:19,170 this month , Dr Angelo is a fellow for 138 00:05:19,170 --> 00:05:21,390 latin american studies at the Council 139 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:23,178 on Foreign Relations , where he 140 00:05:23,178 --> 00:05:26,320 researches migration , insecurity and 141 00:05:26,330 --> 00:05:28,386 strategic competition in the Western 142 00:05:28,386 --> 00:05:30,608 hemisphere . The whole department would 143 00:05:30,608 --> 00:05:32,608 like to express our gratitude to MS 144 00:05:32,608 --> 00:05:34,970 Palmquist off and to general rudesheim 145 00:05:34,970 --> 00:05:36,914 for their dedicated service to the 146 00:05:36,914 --> 00:05:38,692 nation . Both recipients of the 147 00:05:38,692 --> 00:05:40,414 Secretary of Defense Medal for 148 00:05:40,414 --> 00:05:42,303 exceptional public service and of 149 00:05:42,303 --> 00:05:44,470 course that's very well deserved . And 150 00:05:44,470 --> 00:05:46,692 then finally , with memorial Day coming 151 00:05:46,692 --> 00:05:48,692 up , Arlington National Cemetery is 152 00:05:48,692 --> 00:05:50,803 going to be honored to host the first 153 00:05:50,803 --> 00:05:52,692 Flowers of Remembrance Day . This 154 00:05:52,692 --> 00:05:55,160 saturday May 28th from nine until 49 a . 155 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:57,160 M . To four p.m. At the Tomb of the 156 00:05:57,160 --> 00:05:59,327 Unknown soldier Flowers of Remembrance 157 00:05:59,327 --> 00:06:01,160 Day will pay homage to the first 158 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:03,216 official decoration day now known as 159 00:06:03,216 --> 00:06:05,271 Memorial Day , which originally took 160 00:06:05,271 --> 00:06:07,880 place at the cemetery in 18 68 as a way 161 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:09,936 to honor the sacrifices of all those 162 00:06:09,936 --> 00:06:12,102 who fought and died in the Civil War . 163 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:14,296 This first decoration day featured a 164 00:06:14,296 --> 00:06:16,462 procession from Arlington House to the 165 00:06:16,462 --> 00:06:18,407 tomb of the Civil War Unknowns and 166 00:06:18,407 --> 00:06:20,573 further into the cemetery where people 167 00:06:20,573 --> 00:06:22,573 decorated the graves with flowers . 168 00:06:22,573 --> 00:06:24,573 This became an annual tradition and 169 00:06:24,573 --> 00:06:26,629 established Arlington as the site of 170 00:06:26,629 --> 00:06:28,851 the nation's official annual decoration 171 00:06:28,851 --> 00:06:30,851 day observance . Arlington National 172 00:06:30,851 --> 00:06:32,851 Cemetery historians will be able to 173 00:06:32,851 --> 00:06:35,073 offer history talks at 10 a.m. And 2:30 174 00:06:35,073 --> 00:06:37,018 p.m. In the center of the memorial 175 00:06:37,018 --> 00:06:39,073 amphitheater to share the history of 176 00:06:39,073 --> 00:06:41,129 decoration day . An optional walking 177 00:06:41,129 --> 00:06:43,296 tour will follow the 10 AM talk . Only 178 00:06:43,296 --> 00:06:45,540 flowers will be provided or members of 179 00:06:45,540 --> 00:06:47,800 the public may bring their own any long 180 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:50,050 stem flower to place at the tomb of the 181 00:06:50,050 --> 00:06:53,140 Unknown soldier . Um , asked to remind 182 00:06:53,150 --> 00:06:55,700 folks that visitors should not bring 183 00:06:55,710 --> 00:06:57,920 vases , wreaths or flowers with any 184 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:00,031 packaging or plastic containers . The 185 00:07:00,031 --> 00:07:01,976 public is also encouraged to bring 186 00:07:01,976 --> 00:07:04,031 water and wear comfortable shoes for 187 00:07:04,031 --> 00:07:06,142 walking to the tomb plaza . Any of us 188 00:07:06,142 --> 00:07:08,476 have walked Arlington National Cemetery . 189 00:07:08,476 --> 00:07:10,698 No . That comfortable walking shoes are 190 00:07:10,698 --> 00:07:10,170 must . And with that we'll take 191 00:07:10,170 --> 00:07:12,337 questions . That looks like a leader . 192 00:07:12,337 --> 00:07:15,240 You're up first . Yeah . Thanks john um 193 00:07:15,250 --> 00:07:17,160 two quick things . And then uh , 194 00:07:17,170 --> 00:07:20,310 Ukraine question . Um , first , can you 195 00:07:20,310 --> 00:07:23,220 say as of today whether or not there 196 00:07:23,220 --> 00:07:25,760 are any U . S . Military troops in 197 00:07:26,140 --> 00:07:29,170 Ukraine at all ? And do you expect that 198 00:07:29,170 --> 00:07:32,730 to change ? And just a quick one on the 199 00:07:32,730 --> 00:07:35,280 naming commission ? Is does the 200 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:37,880 secretary have to wait until the final 201 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:41,740 report is out um , in later this 202 00:07:41,740 --> 00:07:44,870 year before he takes any action on any 203 00:07:44,870 --> 00:07:47,670 of the new base names ? That's probably 204 00:07:47,670 --> 00:07:49,820 just a yes or no . And then I have a 205 00:07:49,820 --> 00:07:53,500 third . Um , does the U . S . Military 206 00:07:53,500 --> 00:07:56,210 anticipate any role at all in the 207 00:07:56,210 --> 00:07:59,470 effort to get more of the grain out of 208 00:07:59,470 --> 00:08:02,520 Ukraine . Okay there's I am there's no 209 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:04,742 way and I'm gonna remember all three of 210 00:08:04,742 --> 00:08:08,260 those . So um ah 211 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:11,607 on troops in Ukraine the President the 212 00:08:11,607 --> 00:08:13,829 Commander in chief has been clear there 213 00:08:13,829 --> 00:08:15,996 are not going to be us troops fighting 214 00:08:15,996 --> 00:08:18,051 in Ukraine . And that is that is the 215 00:08:18,051 --> 00:08:20,218 case today . As you know , the embassy 216 00:08:20,218 --> 00:08:20,180 has opened and there's a defense 217 00:08:20,180 --> 00:08:22,970 attache a 218 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:27,140 uh colonel as the defense S . S . A . 219 00:08:27,140 --> 00:08:30,500 And and that that colonel is in is 220 00:08:30,500 --> 00:08:33,580 operating in uh in with the embassy uh 221 00:08:33,590 --> 00:08:37,460 folks . Um And uh I'm not going to 222 00:08:37,460 --> 00:08:39,404 go beyond that in terms of talking 223 00:08:39,404 --> 00:08:41,516 about troops in Ukraine . Nothing has 224 00:08:41,516 --> 00:08:44,430 changed about the president's direction 225 00:08:44,540 --> 00:08:46,318 that U . S . Troops will not be 226 00:08:46,318 --> 00:08:48,484 fighting in this war in Ukraine . That 227 00:08:48,484 --> 00:08:50,550 has not changed now . Now whether or 228 00:08:50,550 --> 00:08:52,550 not and I know what this gets to is 229 00:08:52,550 --> 00:08:54,661 whether or not the United States will 230 00:08:54,661 --> 00:08:56,328 be military will be providing 231 00:08:56,328 --> 00:08:58,550 assistance to our diplomats . We are in 232 00:08:58,550 --> 00:09:00,661 constant communication with the State 233 00:09:00,661 --> 00:09:03,460 Department about future security needs . 234 00:09:03,740 --> 00:09:05,760 There's been no change as we speak 235 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:08,370 today uh to the State Department's view 236 00:09:08,370 --> 00:09:11,000 that that they can handle security 237 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:13,111 requirements with diplomatic security 238 00:09:13,111 --> 00:09:14,944 personnel but it's obviously not 239 00:09:14,944 --> 00:09:17,056 uncommon at all for the United States 240 00:09:17,056 --> 00:09:18,833 military to participate in some 241 00:09:18,833 --> 00:09:20,722 security protocols that embassies 242 00:09:20,722 --> 00:09:22,944 around the world and we're in an active 243 00:09:22,944 --> 00:09:22,200 discussion with the State Department 244 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,200 about that Now I won't get ahead of 245 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:26,422 that . And clearly that will be a State 246 00:09:26,422 --> 00:09:29,440 Department decision to make . Uh yeah I 247 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:31,162 already forgot the other one . 248 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:38,000 He's down . Um the secretary 249 00:09:38,010 --> 00:09:41,010 has the authorities uh to 250 00:09:41,020 --> 00:09:44,430 approve the recommendations of uh of 251 00:09:44,430 --> 00:09:47,210 the Gaming commission . But as I think 252 00:09:47,210 --> 00:09:49,360 you I hope you gathered from his 253 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:52,430 statement that he wants to wait until 254 00:09:52,430 --> 00:09:54,597 the commission has done all their work 255 00:09:54,597 --> 00:09:58,040 before he starts to get involved in 256 00:09:58,040 --> 00:09:59,651 making decisions about their 257 00:09:59,651 --> 00:10:01,373 recommendations . He very much 258 00:10:01,373 --> 00:10:03,596 appreciates the work that they have put 259 00:10:03,596 --> 00:10:05,373 into this . The very thoughtful 260 00:10:05,373 --> 00:10:07,540 approach that they have taken um uh to 261 00:10:07,540 --> 00:10:09,762 this particular problem set . Um And he 262 00:10:09,762 --> 00:10:11,540 looks forward as he said in his 263 00:10:11,540 --> 00:10:13,429 statement to getting their entire 264 00:10:13,429 --> 00:10:15,651 report before I think he starts to make 265 00:10:15,651 --> 00:10:17,596 any decisions . And then there was 266 00:10:17,596 --> 00:10:21,330 another one . Green and what was the 267 00:10:21,330 --> 00:10:24,560 question leader ? The question was 268 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:28,920 is there any thought toward using U . S . 269 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:31,720 Military in any way to help facilitate 270 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:34,060 the movement of brain out of Ukraine . 271 00:10:34,740 --> 00:10:36,796 Now either there are no plans to use 272 00:10:36,796 --> 00:10:38,962 the United States military or military 273 00:10:38,962 --> 00:10:41,400 resources or assets to assist in the uh 274 00:10:41,410 --> 00:10:43,410 in the movement of grain outside of 275 00:10:43,410 --> 00:10:45,320 Ukraine . Okay what else ? 276 00:10:47,540 --> 00:10:49,610 Last year during covid troops helped 277 00:10:49,610 --> 00:10:52,090 with the with the movement of vaccines 278 00:10:52,090 --> 00:10:54,312 that help distribute vaccines . They've 279 00:10:54,312 --> 00:10:56,257 helped with baby formula . They've 280 00:10:56,257 --> 00:10:58,257 helped secure the wall . Is there a 281 00:10:58,257 --> 00:11:00,479 role for U . S . Troops to help protect 282 00:11:00,479 --> 00:11:02,312 american schoolchildren from the 283 00:11:02,312 --> 00:11:04,479 shooting like the one that happened in 284 00:11:04,479 --> 00:11:07,360 your body this week ? I mean I 285 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:10,860 certainly know of no efforts , requests 286 00:11:10,870 --> 00:11:12,720 by local governments or state 287 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:14,831 governments to have the United States 288 00:11:14,831 --> 00:11:17,950 military involved in that . I would so 289 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:21,480 so I I know know roll no perceived role 290 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:25,450 no no pending request for assistance 291 00:11:25,460 --> 00:11:29,360 in that regard . But I would echo 292 00:11:30,540 --> 00:11:32,762 I would like to take the opportunity to 293 00:11:32,762 --> 00:11:34,540 echo what Secretary Austin said 294 00:11:34,540 --> 00:11:36,707 yesterday at the Air Force Academy and 295 00:11:36,707 --> 00:11:38,818 expressing that as he very eloquently 296 00:11:38,818 --> 00:11:41,040 did the condolences of everybody in the 297 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,262 Department of Defense for the people of 298 00:11:43,262 --> 00:11:45,373 Vivaldi , particularly those families 299 00:11:45,373 --> 00:11:47,096 that are just going through an 300 00:11:47,096 --> 00:11:49,980 unbelievable um an unbelievable time of 301 00:11:49,990 --> 00:11:51,990 mourning and sadness right now just 302 00:11:52,750 --> 00:11:54,639 push on that a little . The state 303 00:11:54,639 --> 00:11:56,694 governors didn't have to ask for the 304 00:11:56,694 --> 00:11:58,750 military to help with baby formula . 305 00:11:58,750 --> 00:12:00,990 Right . So why would it need to be a 306 00:12:00,990 --> 00:12:03,101 state governor request ? I didn't say 307 00:12:03,101 --> 00:12:04,934 it needed to be a state governor 308 00:12:04,934 --> 00:12:07,101 request . I said I know of no role for 309 00:12:07,101 --> 00:12:09,101 the United States military and with 310 00:12:09,101 --> 00:12:11,260 respect to protecting schools at a 311 00:12:11,260 --> 00:12:13,550 local level . Um and there's certainly 312 00:12:13,550 --> 00:12:15,717 been no request for that Tara . I mean 313 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:19,260 uh this is an issue better decided by 314 00:12:19,340 --> 00:12:23,120 state and local governments , not by 315 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:25,287 the United States military . I know of 316 00:12:25,287 --> 00:12:28,270 no such demand signal for that that 317 00:12:28,270 --> 00:12:30,437 role . But again we we certainly mourn 318 00:12:30,437 --> 00:12:32,381 with the people of vivaldi today . 319 00:12:32,381 --> 00:12:34,800 Sylvia . I would like to go back to 320 00:12:34,810 --> 00:12:38,670 Ukraine . We are approaching the 100 321 00:12:38,680 --> 00:12:42,590 day mark in Ukraine . I 322 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:45,810 wanted to know if how you assess the 323 00:12:45,810 --> 00:12:49,580 risk of war fatigue in the public in 324 00:12:49,580 --> 00:12:52,670 the american public , How do you do you 325 00:12:52,670 --> 00:12:54,840 think the support for the war in 326 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:58,110 Ukraine is going to last 327 00:12:59,820 --> 00:13:02,042 as long as you want to ? The last thing 328 00:13:02,042 --> 00:13:04,264 that I think I would ever want to do is 329 00:13:04,530 --> 00:13:06,960 speak on behalf of the american people 330 00:13:07,700 --> 00:13:11,280 and in their level of concern that's 331 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:14,670 that would be significantly 332 00:13:14,670 --> 00:13:16,726 inappropriate for me to do from this 333 00:13:16,726 --> 00:13:20,380 podium . What I can tell them through 334 00:13:20,380 --> 00:13:24,370 you is that we remain very very focused 335 00:13:24,380 --> 00:13:26,700 on supporting the Ukrainian armed 336 00:13:26,700 --> 00:13:28,644 forces and their ability to defend 337 00:13:28,644 --> 00:13:31,190 themselves . The President was was 338 00:13:31,190 --> 00:13:33,246 grateful for the support that he got 339 00:13:33,246 --> 00:13:35,190 from Congress for this most recent 340 00:13:35,190 --> 00:13:37,190 supplemental request we are working 341 00:13:37,190 --> 00:13:39,301 through now what the next package and 342 00:13:39,301 --> 00:13:41,301 packages of aid and assistance from 343 00:13:41,301 --> 00:13:43,357 this department will look like uh no 344 00:13:43,357 --> 00:13:45,023 decisions have been made , no 345 00:13:45,023 --> 00:13:47,820 announcements uh on the next on the 346 00:13:47,820 --> 00:13:50,950 next aid package . But but we're 347 00:13:50,950 --> 00:13:53,117 certainly working our way through that 348 00:13:53,117 --> 00:13:55,480 and it's been very clear to us from the 349 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:57,591 Commander in chief himself that we're 350 00:13:57,591 --> 00:13:59,147 going to take seriously our 351 00:13:59,147 --> 00:14:01,369 responsibilities to help Ukraine better 352 00:14:01,369 --> 00:14:03,480 defend itself and that so we're going 353 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:03,460 to be focused on that . And as we've 354 00:14:03,460 --> 00:14:05,910 said , Gosh many times we're going to 355 00:14:05,910 --> 00:14:08,132 do this as long as we can . And as fast 356 00:14:08,132 --> 00:14:10,354 as we can and nothing has changed about 357 00:14:10,354 --> 00:14:13,840 that soon . Yeah . Um so you said that 358 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:16,140 there will be no US troops fighting in 359 00:14:16,140 --> 00:14:18,307 Ukraine . But you've also told us that 360 00:14:18,307 --> 00:14:20,362 there's at least one U . S . Service 361 00:14:20,362 --> 00:14:22,418 member in Ukraine . The question was 362 00:14:22,418 --> 00:14:24,640 are there any forces in Ukraine ? And I 363 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:26,807 mean I'm not gonna obviously there's a 364 00:14:26,807 --> 00:14:28,751 defense attache who was a military 365 00:14:28,751 --> 00:14:31,060 officer so you're saying that the 366 00:14:31,070 --> 00:14:33,237 troops will not be fighting in Ukraine 367 00:14:33,237 --> 00:14:35,459 but you said that there is at least one 368 00:14:35,459 --> 00:14:37,570 U . S . Service member in Ukraine who 369 00:14:37,570 --> 00:14:39,810 is not fighting . So are you reserving 370 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:42,182 the right to have troops in Ukraine who 371 00:14:42,182 --> 00:14:44,990 are not involved in combat ? That is 372 00:14:44,990 --> 00:14:48,020 not for me to to to to say or even for 373 00:14:48,020 --> 00:14:51,300 the department to say uh that is gonna 374 00:14:51,310 --> 00:14:55,230 if there is going to be any US military 375 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:58,410 security assistance to our diplomats 376 00:14:58,410 --> 00:15:01,220 that's going to be between uh Secretary 377 00:15:01,220 --> 00:15:03,331 Blinken and Secretary Austin . And of 378 00:15:03,331 --> 00:15:06,050 course a conversation with uh with the 379 00:15:06,050 --> 00:15:08,360 President as well as to whether or not 380 00:15:08,370 --> 00:15:10,648 it's appropriate for there to be any U . 381 00:15:10,648 --> 00:15:12,870 S . Military assistance to the security 382 00:15:12,870 --> 00:15:15,510 element there at the embassy , we are 383 00:15:15,530 --> 00:15:17,197 actively talking to our State 384 00:15:17,197 --> 00:15:19,363 Department colleagues about that right 385 00:15:19,363 --> 00:15:21,363 now . No decisions have been made I 386 00:15:21,363 --> 00:15:23,030 guess follow up on the naming 387 00:15:23,030 --> 00:15:25,086 commission stuff . One of the things 388 00:15:25,086 --> 00:15:27,197 that wasn't clear when the commission 389 00:15:27,197 --> 00:15:29,419 was describing the process because they 390 00:15:29,419 --> 00:15:29,210 were saying that this report will go to 391 00:15:29,210 --> 00:15:31,432 Congress and then Congress will provide 392 00:15:31,432 --> 00:15:34,130 to the secretary uh what's your 393 00:15:34,130 --> 00:15:36,352 understanding of that that Congress can 394 00:15:36,352 --> 00:15:38,510 change that report or give the 395 00:15:38,510 --> 00:15:40,454 secretary whatever version of that 396 00:15:40,454 --> 00:15:42,621 report of those names that it wants to 397 00:15:42,621 --> 00:15:44,843 or with the secretary actually received 398 00:15:44,843 --> 00:15:47,010 that exact report that was produced by 399 00:15:47,010 --> 00:15:49,066 the commission and make his decision 400 00:15:49,066 --> 00:15:51,010 based on , I mean look , there's a 401 00:15:51,010 --> 00:15:52,899 whole process here . So while the 402 00:15:52,899 --> 00:15:55,010 announcement of the recommended names 403 00:15:55,010 --> 00:15:56,566 occurred , the department's 404 00:15:56,566 --> 00:15:58,677 implementation work will not commence 405 00:15:58,677 --> 00:16:00,566 until after the naming commission 406 00:16:00,566 --> 00:16:02,899 submits its congressional mandated plan . 407 00:16:02,899 --> 00:16:02,800 As I said , secretary appreciates the 408 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:04,744 work that they've done . We're not 409 00:16:04,744 --> 00:16:06,744 going to make any decisions or move 410 00:16:06,744 --> 00:16:08,856 forward until they've completed their 411 00:16:08,856 --> 00:16:08,630 work . We're not going to implement the 412 00:16:08,630 --> 00:16:10,630 commission's plan until at least 90 413 00:16:10,630 --> 00:16:12,741 days after the commission has briefed 414 00:16:12,741 --> 00:16:14,852 Congress and given Congress a written 415 00:16:14,852 --> 00:16:16,963 report on its work . So the report is 416 00:16:16,963 --> 00:16:19,186 due to Congress no later than the first 417 00:16:19,186 --> 00:16:21,130 of this year . The commission will 418 00:16:21,130 --> 00:16:23,019 recommend procedures for renaming 419 00:16:23,019 --> 00:16:25,980 assets , bases , installation ships and 420 00:16:25,980 --> 00:16:27,924 will release its plan for removing 421 00:16:27,924 --> 00:16:31,770 names as mandated in the 2021 N . D . A . 422 00:16:31,780 --> 00:16:34,480 So it would be inappropriate for me to 423 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:36,290 speak to the plan before it is 424 00:16:36,290 --> 00:16:38,290 submitted . And again , I think for 425 00:16:38,290 --> 00:16:40,234 further specific information , I'd 426 00:16:40,234 --> 00:16:42,401 refer you to the commission to be more 427 00:16:42,401 --> 00:16:44,512 direct . I think that the concern was 428 00:16:44,512 --> 00:16:46,457 is whether Congress can change the 429 00:16:46,457 --> 00:16:48,568 recommended names , I'm not gonna get 430 00:16:48,568 --> 00:16:48,540 ahead of where we are in the process . 431 00:16:48,540 --> 00:16:50,707 Travis , the secretary won't implement 432 00:16:50,707 --> 00:16:52,429 the plan until after they have 433 00:16:52,429 --> 00:16:54,429 completed their work and he's had a 434 00:16:54,429 --> 00:16:56,484 chance to digest it for himself um , 435 00:16:56,484 --> 00:16:58,651 and and uh and make determinations for 436 00:16:58,651 --> 00:17:00,818 himself , how he wants to to do this . 437 00:17:00,818 --> 00:17:02,873 He has the authority to uh , to name 438 00:17:02,873 --> 00:17:06,260 installations . Uh , but again this is 439 00:17:06,260 --> 00:17:08,427 a congressional mandated commission as 440 00:17:08,427 --> 00:17:10,371 well . So we're going to work with 441 00:17:10,371 --> 00:17:12,482 Congress going forward . I just don't 442 00:17:12,482 --> 00:17:11,530 want to get ahead of where we are in 443 00:17:11,530 --> 00:17:15,040 the process . Yeah . So on the call 444 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:16,762 with Minister of Defense Kishi 445 00:17:16,770 --> 00:17:18,548 Secretary often spoke about the 446 00:17:18,548 --> 00:17:20,690 response measure relating to DpRK 447 00:17:20,690 --> 00:17:23,430 missiles . What would those entail ? Um 448 00:17:23,430 --> 00:17:25,450 and would they be done unilaterally 449 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:27,910 bilaterally or try laterally with rok 450 00:17:27,910 --> 00:17:29,910 allies in the night ? We've already 451 00:17:29,910 --> 00:17:31,910 we've already conducted a bilateral 452 00:17:31,910 --> 00:17:34,132 exercise . I think we talked about this 453 00:17:34,132 --> 00:17:36,354 with Japan's air self Defense Force and 454 00:17:36,354 --> 00:17:38,299 the eighth U . S . Army as well as 455 00:17:38,299 --> 00:17:41,580 South korean military personnel um in 456 00:17:41,580 --> 00:17:43,700 just in just reaction to these , to 457 00:17:43,700 --> 00:17:45,870 these recent launches the launch on 458 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:48,920 Tuesday . So that was a trilateral 459 00:17:49,150 --> 00:17:52,910 exercise and I won't speculate 460 00:17:52,910 --> 00:17:56,020 about future response actions when we 461 00:17:56,020 --> 00:17:58,131 take them and if and when we can talk 462 00:17:58,131 --> 00:18:01,080 about them , we will but we clearly are 463 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,191 willing to do things bilaterally with 464 00:18:03,191 --> 00:18:05,358 either ally as well as try laterally . 465 00:18:05,358 --> 00:18:07,524 And we've already proven that . And uh 466 00:18:07,524 --> 00:18:09,580 one of the things that secretary has 467 00:18:09,580 --> 00:18:11,413 always been keen on is improving 468 00:18:11,413 --> 00:18:13,358 trilateral cooperation between the 469 00:18:13,358 --> 00:18:15,580 United States , Japan and South Korea . 470 00:18:15,580 --> 00:18:17,691 And we also encourage Japan and South 471 00:18:17,691 --> 00:18:19,747 Korea bilaterally to explore options 472 00:18:19,747 --> 00:18:22,024 for mutual self defense as well . Yeah . 473 00:18:22,340 --> 00:18:24,562 So the three missiles that were fired , 474 00:18:24,562 --> 00:18:26,840 one of them is presumed to be an I . C . 475 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:28,451 B . M . You talked about the 476 00:18:28,451 --> 00:18:30,340 assessments that Secretary Austin 477 00:18:30,340 --> 00:18:32,562 shared . I'm curious if what is the D . 478 00:18:32,562 --> 00:18:34,451 O . D . Assessment on these three 479 00:18:34,451 --> 00:18:36,507 launches And what is the D . O . D . 480 00:18:36,507 --> 00:18:38,618 Assessment on the DpRK is progress in 481 00:18:38,618 --> 00:18:40,618 their I . C . B . M . Development . 482 00:18:40,618 --> 00:18:42,507 We'd go so far as to say multiple 483 00:18:42,507 --> 00:18:44,562 ballistic missile launches . We know 484 00:18:44,562 --> 00:18:46,784 that we're still analyzing the data and 485 00:18:46,784 --> 00:18:48,896 the intelligence from that and I just 486 00:18:48,896 --> 00:18:48,860 don't think I'm going to go into more 487 00:18:48,860 --> 00:18:51,160 detail than that . But we're obviously 488 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:54,970 sharing what what we think we know and 489 00:18:54,970 --> 00:18:57,650 with what are Japanese and South korean 490 00:18:57,650 --> 00:18:59,539 partners are also seeing . But we 491 00:18:59,539 --> 00:19:01,820 haven't uh we haven't come to any final 492 00:19:01,820 --> 00:19:04,042 conclusions . And again , I don't think 493 00:19:04,042 --> 00:19:06,209 I'd get into the intelligence analysis 494 00:19:06,209 --> 00:19:08,431 right now . Yeah . You know there was a 495 00:19:08,431 --> 00:19:10,376 time where we used to be able to , 496 00:19:10,376 --> 00:19:12,598 within 24 hours of the launch something 497 00:19:12,598 --> 00:19:14,487 we would have a sense of what the 498 00:19:14,487 --> 00:19:16,598 assessment was , what they were and I 499 00:19:16,598 --> 00:19:18,820 don't even know what day it is thursday 500 00:19:18,820 --> 00:19:21,042 now we're like three days out from this 501 00:19:21,042 --> 00:19:23,264 one . So why is it that we , I mean the 502 00:19:23,264 --> 00:19:25,487 the Japanese , the South Koreans , they 503 00:19:25,487 --> 00:19:25,150 give their assessment within hours 504 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:27,327 sometimes even less than that . So why 505 00:19:27,327 --> 00:19:29,604 can't the USa whether it was just an I . 506 00:19:29,604 --> 00:19:31,604 C . B . M . Or if there's something 507 00:19:31,604 --> 00:19:33,660 that was that was different . I just 508 00:19:33,660 --> 00:19:35,827 don't understand . I mean for years we 509 00:19:35,827 --> 00:19:35,330 could always get that kind of 510 00:19:35,330 --> 00:19:37,386 information much more than that . We 511 00:19:37,386 --> 00:19:39,608 just don't get it at all . We just tell 512 00:19:39,608 --> 00:19:41,386 you , we're still analyzing the 513 00:19:41,386 --> 00:19:40,860 intelligence on this . We're still 514 00:19:40,860 --> 00:19:42,860 talking to allies and partners . We 515 00:19:42,860 --> 00:19:44,749 just had a call with the Japanese 516 00:19:44,749 --> 00:19:46,804 Minister of Defense this morning and 517 00:19:46,804 --> 00:19:49,027 we're just not prepared at this time to 518 00:19:49,027 --> 00:19:51,082 lay down what we think we know about 519 00:19:51,082 --> 00:19:53,082 these . Does the U . S . Dispute or 520 00:19:53,082 --> 00:19:54,971 disagree with what the Japanese ? 521 00:19:54,971 --> 00:19:54,750 Because the Japanese have been pretty 522 00:19:54,750 --> 00:19:56,694 open about what they think and the 523 00:19:56,694 --> 00:19:58,472 reason that this one is kind of 524 00:19:58,472 --> 00:20:00,194 confusing is because there was 525 00:20:00,194 --> 00:19:59,910 initially there was report to and then 526 00:19:59,910 --> 00:20:02,132 it was three and the Japanese and south 527 00:20:02,132 --> 00:20:04,188 Koreans were necessarily on the same 528 00:20:04,188 --> 00:20:06,299 page here . So I mean at this point , 529 00:20:06,299 --> 00:20:08,132 who does the US agree with which 530 00:20:08,132 --> 00:20:11,720 assessment , which is we we believe 531 00:20:11,720 --> 00:20:13,831 there were multiple ballistic missile 532 00:20:13,831 --> 00:20:16,070 launches , multiple ballistic missile 533 00:20:16,070 --> 00:20:18,130 launches new or different about the 534 00:20:18,140 --> 00:20:20,307 there was some there were some reports 535 00:20:20,307 --> 00:20:23,180 of the the cube , you know , whatever 536 00:20:23,180 --> 00:20:25,347 it was . One of the ballistic missiles 537 00:20:25,347 --> 00:20:27,513 may have had the ability to change its 538 00:20:27,513 --> 00:20:29,624 trajectory in the air . Was there any 539 00:20:29,624 --> 00:20:31,624 any , I'm just not going to get any 540 00:20:31,624 --> 00:20:33,458 more detail than that . Multiple 541 00:20:33,458 --> 00:20:35,920 ballistic more . Try this again with 542 00:20:35,930 --> 00:20:37,874 english multiple ballistic missile 543 00:20:37,874 --> 00:20:40,041 launches as far as we're willing to go 544 00:20:40,041 --> 00:20:42,041 right now . But I do appreciate the 545 00:20:42,041 --> 00:20:44,152 questions in the fair . Yes , ma'am . 546 00:20:44,152 --> 00:20:46,319 You had a question or is that Courtney 547 00:20:46,319 --> 00:20:48,430 stealing ? She always does . That Fox 548 00:20:48,430 --> 00:20:52,400 usually ask better questions . Actually , 549 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:54,400 I have more than one question . All 550 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:56,900 right , let me get my pen . This is 551 00:20:56,900 --> 00:20:59,110 what happens when you approach 60 . Go 552 00:20:59,110 --> 00:21:02,180 ahead . So , first , can you confirm 553 00:21:02,180 --> 00:21:05,060 that Russia is um withdrawing its 554 00:21:05,060 --> 00:21:08,360 forces from Miami um airbase in Syria ? 555 00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:12,930 And then I'll ask the 2nd 1 later . No , 556 00:21:12,930 --> 00:21:15,263 I'll keep going . I'm right . Okay . So , 557 00:21:15,263 --> 00:21:17,152 if you can give us a sense of the 558 00:21:17,152 --> 00:21:20,680 department's position on the 559 00:21:20,690 --> 00:21:24,380 Turkish threat to launch a new 560 00:21:24,550 --> 00:21:27,770 military operation against kurdish 561 00:21:27,780 --> 00:21:30,780 fighters in Northeast Syria . And if 562 00:21:30,780 --> 00:21:34,600 you got in contact since monday 563 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:37,780 with Turkish about this . And actually 564 00:21:37,780 --> 00:21:40,010 one more , if you have any information 565 00:21:40,020 --> 00:21:42,730 about the claims that Russia , Turkey 566 00:21:42,740 --> 00:21:46,680 detained the ISIS new ISIS leader 567 00:21:46,690 --> 00:21:48,760 Qureshi and Istanbul . 568 00:21:50,340 --> 00:21:54,160 So go in reverse 569 00:21:54,160 --> 00:21:56,382 order . Can't confirm the reports about 570 00:21:56,382 --> 00:21:58,493 Al Qureshi and what , what we've seen 571 00:21:58,493 --> 00:22:00,604 in the press , obviously , we've been 572 00:22:00,604 --> 00:22:02,604 looking at this all day , but we're 573 00:22:02,604 --> 00:22:02,600 just not in a position where we can 574 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:05,260 actually confirm that press reporting 575 00:22:05,740 --> 00:22:08,100 on Turkey . I think , um , we're 576 00:22:08,100 --> 00:22:11,900 obviously very concerned about uh , the 577 00:22:11,910 --> 00:22:14,077 Turks announcement that they intend to 578 00:22:14,340 --> 00:22:16,360 increase their military activity in 579 00:22:16,360 --> 00:22:18,730 Northern Syria . And I think , uh , my 580 00:22:18,730 --> 00:22:20,897 State Department colleague ned price , 581 00:22:20,897 --> 00:22:23,008 I think really put put it much better 582 00:22:23,008 --> 00:22:25,770 than what I can . But our concern is 583 00:22:25,770 --> 00:22:27,603 obviously would be safety of the 584 00:22:27,603 --> 00:22:31,040 civilian population . Um uh , 585 00:22:31,050 --> 00:22:34,870 the the impact on continued defeat ISIS 586 00:22:34,870 --> 00:22:36,814 operations , You know , because it 587 00:22:36,814 --> 00:22:40,180 could draw off potential sdf 588 00:22:40,190 --> 00:22:44,120 personnel to away from the counter ISIS 589 00:22:44,120 --> 00:22:46,231 fight , which is obviously what we're 590 00:22:46,231 --> 00:22:48,342 focused on uh in Northern Syria . And 591 00:22:48,342 --> 00:22:50,564 then of course , just the potential for 592 00:22:50,564 --> 00:22:52,787 more humanitarian assistance needs . So 593 00:22:52,787 --> 00:22:54,953 we we've expressed as a government are 594 00:22:54,953 --> 00:22:56,953 concerned over this . Um and as for 595 00:22:56,953 --> 00:22:59,120 Russians pulling troops out of Syria , 596 00:22:59,120 --> 00:23:02,090 look , I uh I'll just tell you what , 597 00:23:02,100 --> 00:23:04,330 what we know right , We know that they 598 00:23:04,330 --> 00:23:06,470 continue to try to replenish their 599 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:09,460 their their manpower in the Donbas . 600 00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:12,900 Um We know that they have raised the 601 00:23:12,910 --> 00:23:16,380 enlistment age now to 50 to to allow 602 00:23:16,380 --> 00:23:19,040 for even older Russians now to join the 603 00:23:19,040 --> 00:23:21,610 military . If they if they can , we 604 00:23:21,610 --> 00:23:23,666 know that they've started to pull on 605 00:23:23,666 --> 00:23:25,900 some uh some contract personnel from 606 00:23:25,900 --> 00:23:28,067 their reserves to try to bolster their 607 00:23:28,067 --> 00:23:30,650 efforts . Um and we have seen some 608 00:23:30,650 --> 00:23:32,817 spurious reports , nothing that we can 609 00:23:32,817 --> 00:23:34,983 confirm that they're looking elsewhere 610 00:23:34,983 --> 00:23:36,928 for additional manpower to include 611 00:23:36,928 --> 00:23:39,094 pulling from potentially some of their 612 00:23:39,094 --> 00:23:40,983 overseas operations . But I can't 613 00:23:40,983 --> 00:23:42,928 confirm that specific report about 614 00:23:42,928 --> 00:23:45,930 Syria , but it's very clear that uh and 615 00:23:45,930 --> 00:23:47,652 much of this is in open source 616 00:23:47,652 --> 00:23:50,210 reporting that the Russians are opening 617 00:23:50,210 --> 00:23:52,520 up the valves , if you will to to try 618 00:23:52,520 --> 00:23:55,920 to uh create a bigger influx of 619 00:23:55,930 --> 00:23:58,470 potential a military personnel to be 620 00:23:58,470 --> 00:24:00,600 used in in Ukraine , they continue to 621 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:02,600 take casualties every single day in 622 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:04,767 this war . We know that they have lost 623 00:24:04,767 --> 00:24:08,350 not only soldiers , but they've they've 624 00:24:08,350 --> 00:24:10,461 lost a lot of equipment and weapons . 625 00:24:10,461 --> 00:24:14,080 They are expanding , um , a significant 626 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:16,080 number of their cruise missiles and 627 00:24:16,080 --> 00:24:18,330 precision guided munitions inventory in 628 00:24:18,330 --> 00:24:22,210 this war . So we know that they are 629 00:24:22,220 --> 00:24:24,442 looking across the board at ways to try 630 00:24:24,442 --> 00:24:26,664 to re supply and replenish themselves . 631 00:24:27,140 --> 00:24:30,590 Okay . Yeah , real , thank you . I want 632 00:24:30,590 --> 00:24:32,368 to ask you about the shangri La 633 00:24:32,368 --> 00:24:34,312 dialogue . The secretary said in a 634 00:24:34,312 --> 00:24:36,257 congressional hearing earlier this 635 00:24:36,257 --> 00:24:38,312 month that he is willing to meet the 636 00:24:38,312 --> 00:24:40,423 chinese counterparts on the sidelines 637 00:24:40,423 --> 00:24:42,850 of the Congress has china agreed to 638 00:24:42,860 --> 00:24:45,640 meet in Singapore . I don't have any 639 00:24:45,650 --> 00:24:48,000 specific meetings to announce her to 640 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:50,510 speak to today really . I mean , I I 641 00:24:50,510 --> 00:24:53,020 think it's fair to say that well , two 642 00:24:53,020 --> 00:24:55,020 things . The secretary is very much 643 00:24:55,020 --> 00:24:57,187 looking forward to going to shangri La 644 00:24:57,187 --> 00:24:59,860 and um having a dialogue about all the 645 00:24:59,860 --> 00:25:02,027 challenges that need to be specific to 646 00:25:02,027 --> 00:25:04,249 include the pacing challenge of china . 647 00:25:04,249 --> 00:25:06,304 And he also looks forward to meeting 648 00:25:06,304 --> 00:25:07,916 bilaterally with many of his 649 00:25:07,916 --> 00:25:07,810 counterparts . I just don't have a 650 00:25:07,810 --> 00:25:09,810 schedule for that to read out or to 651 00:25:09,810 --> 00:25:13,060 announce today . The question on monday , 652 00:25:13,070 --> 00:25:15,070 the chinese and Lothian Bloomberg's 653 00:25:15,070 --> 00:25:17,830 conducted a joint patrol near Japan as 654 00:25:17,830 --> 00:25:20,340 the president participated in the squad 655 00:25:20,340 --> 00:25:23,710 leaders meeting in Tokyo . Do you see 656 00:25:23,710 --> 00:25:26,440 the patrol as provocative ? Are you 657 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:28,800 aware of any activities that were not 658 00:25:28,810 --> 00:25:30,930 consistent with international role ? 659 00:25:30,940 --> 00:25:32,996 Yeah . Look , they conducted a joint 660 00:25:32,996 --> 00:25:36,510 military exercise uh , on the 661 00:25:36,520 --> 00:25:39,460 24th , which I guess was Tuesday . Um , 662 00:25:39,940 --> 00:25:43,440 and this was largely a bomber exercise . 663 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:46,310 They flew over the sea of Japan and 664 00:25:46,310 --> 00:25:48,532 continued through the east china sea in 665 00:25:48,532 --> 00:25:50,699 the , in the Philippine sea . I mean , 666 00:25:50,699 --> 00:25:54,060 um , we know a little bit about bomber 667 00:25:54,060 --> 00:25:57,310 exercises and you don't just throw them 668 00:25:57,310 --> 00:25:59,950 together . Um , this one 669 00:26:00,440 --> 00:26:02,740 very likely had to have been planned 670 00:26:02,740 --> 00:26:05,240 well in advance because that's what it 671 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:08,860 takes to pull this off . Um , so 672 00:26:09,540 --> 00:26:13,160 it's clear that china has 673 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:15,360 and continues to look for ways to 674 00:26:15,370 --> 00:26:17,592 prioritize our relationship with Russia 675 00:26:17,592 --> 00:26:19,703 versus prioritizing the relationships 676 00:26:19,703 --> 00:26:21,926 with , with with other countries in the 677 00:26:21,926 --> 00:26:23,870 indo pacific and clearly quite the 678 00:26:23,870 --> 00:26:25,870 contrary is happening that they are 679 00:26:25,870 --> 00:26:27,870 alienating and isolating themselves 680 00:26:27,870 --> 00:26:29,870 from many other nations in the Asia 681 00:26:29,870 --> 00:26:31,814 pacific through their coercion and 682 00:26:31,814 --> 00:26:33,930 intimidation . Um , so clearly shows 683 00:26:33,930 --> 00:26:36,041 that china is continuing its military 684 00:26:36,041 --> 00:26:38,208 cooperation with Russia even as Russia 685 00:26:38,208 --> 00:26:40,430 now continues this to prosecute this , 686 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:43,030 this brutal and unprovoked war inside 687 00:26:43,030 --> 00:26:45,840 Ukraine . Um , it also shows quite 688 00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:47,600 frankly that that Russia is 689 00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:50,290 prioritizing their ties with china um , 690 00:26:50,300 --> 00:26:52,356 in the east and south china seas and 691 00:26:52,356 --> 00:26:54,356 not with other indo pacific nations 692 00:26:54,356 --> 00:26:57,560 either . So , um , this is the way we 693 00:26:57,560 --> 00:26:59,616 took note of it certainly , but it's 694 00:26:59,616 --> 00:27:02,380 the kind of thing that um , that , that 695 00:27:02,390 --> 00:27:04,557 we know from our own experience , it's 696 00:27:04,557 --> 00:27:06,334 not the kind of thing you throw 697 00:27:06,334 --> 00:27:08,501 together at the last minute . Um , let 698 00:27:08,501 --> 00:27:10,668 me get to somebody on the phone here . 699 00:27:10,668 --> 00:27:13,360 I haven't done that . Uh , Jeff Seldin 700 00:27:13,370 --> 00:27:15,800 be away , john thanks very much for 701 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,022 doing this , wondering , can you expand 702 00:27:18,022 --> 00:27:20,078 it all on the types of conversations 703 00:27:20,078 --> 00:27:22,540 the pentagon is having either with the 704 00:27:22,540 --> 00:27:26,400 Turks or with the sdf . Given Turkey's 705 00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:28,733 talk about expanding these buffer zones , 706 00:27:30,140 --> 00:27:32,450 Jeff , I'm sorry but I did not get that 707 00:27:32,450 --> 00:27:34,561 question . Can you try it again ? The 708 00:27:34,561 --> 00:27:36,783 audio is not great . Just just a little 709 00:27:36,783 --> 00:27:40,550 slower . Sorry , is this better ? 710 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:43,807 Let's just go a little slower . I mean 711 00:27:43,807 --> 00:27:46,180 the other thing about it Approaches 60 712 00:27:46,180 --> 00:27:48,013 is not just the eyesight but the 713 00:27:48,013 --> 00:27:50,124 hearing as well . Go ahead . Try it . 714 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:52,490 No problem . Thank you . I was 715 00:27:52,490 --> 00:27:55,400 wondering if you could get into any 716 00:27:55,400 --> 00:27:57,400 more detail or discuss a little bit 717 00:27:57,400 --> 00:28:00,830 more , any of the conversations that 718 00:28:00,830 --> 00:28:03,163 may be going on right now between the U . 719 00:28:03,163 --> 00:28:06,960 S . And Turkey or the U . S . And the 720 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:10,760 S . D . F . Given Turkey's talk about 721 00:28:10,770 --> 00:28:13,640 expanding the buffer zones into 722 00:28:13,640 --> 00:28:15,490 Northern Syria . Don't have any 723 00:28:15,490 --> 00:28:17,546 specific conversations to read out . 724 00:28:17,546 --> 00:28:19,601 And I guess waffle , you asked about 725 00:28:19,601 --> 00:28:21,546 this as well and I missed that . I 726 00:28:21,546 --> 00:28:23,157 apologize , I don't have any 727 00:28:23,157 --> 00:28:24,934 conversations or phone calls or 728 00:28:24,934 --> 00:28:24,480 anything that to read out . Obviously 729 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:26,630 if that happens , we'll certainly uh 730 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:28,751 we'll certainly let you know at least 731 00:28:28,751 --> 00:28:30,584 at the senior levels here at the 732 00:28:30,584 --> 00:28:32,920 department but we are in obviously 733 00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:35,920 daily contact with our sdf partners in 734 00:28:35,930 --> 00:28:37,763 Northern Syria as we continue to 735 00:28:37,763 --> 00:28:39,819 prosecute the fight against ISIS and 736 00:28:39,819 --> 00:28:42,110 that is the only reason why uh U . S . 737 00:28:42,110 --> 00:28:44,410 Forces are in Syria right now is to is 738 00:28:44,410 --> 00:28:46,354 to continue to go after ISIS which 739 00:28:46,354 --> 00:28:48,990 remains a while a reduced of a viable 740 00:28:48,990 --> 00:28:52,760 threat . Um And Turkey is a is a NATO 741 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:56,280 ally and a valued one at that . Um So I 742 00:28:56,280 --> 00:28:58,502 would refer you to the State Department 743 00:28:58,502 --> 00:29:00,613 if in fact there was there's been any 744 00:29:00,613 --> 00:29:02,780 diplomatic discussions with Turkey . I 745 00:29:02,780 --> 00:29:04,947 know of no senior level communications 746 00:29:04,947 --> 00:29:06,780 uh here from the department with 747 00:29:06,780 --> 00:29:09,040 respect to uh Turkey's announcement 748 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:11,262 that they want to conduct operations in 749 00:29:11,262 --> 00:29:13,840 Northern Syria . Again , we we echo and 750 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:15,729 support the comments of our State 751 00:29:15,729 --> 00:29:17,451 Department colleagues who have 752 00:29:17,451 --> 00:29:19,062 expressed our concerns as an 753 00:29:19,062 --> 00:29:20,951 administration over this proposed 754 00:29:20,951 --> 00:29:24,660 operation . Let's see , Jeff 755 00:29:24,740 --> 00:29:28,570 Vogel , thank you . You 756 00:29:28,570 --> 00:29:30,570 may have answered this , but I just 757 00:29:30,570 --> 00:29:32,570 wanted to ask directly , has Turkey 758 00:29:32,570 --> 00:29:34,792 notified the U . S . Government that it 759 00:29:34,792 --> 00:29:36,792 intends to launch an operation into 760 00:29:36,792 --> 00:29:39,690 Northeast Syria ? I have no knowledge 761 00:29:39,690 --> 00:29:41,412 of an official announcement or 762 00:29:41,412 --> 00:29:43,523 notification , Jeff ? Again , I would 763 00:29:43,523 --> 00:29:45,357 refer you to my State Department 764 00:29:45,357 --> 00:29:47,523 colleagues for that but look that they 765 00:29:47,523 --> 00:29:49,690 have , they've said it publically . Um 766 00:29:49,690 --> 00:29:51,634 And again ned price over the State 767 00:29:51,634 --> 00:29:51,320 Department already answered for the U . 768 00:29:51,320 --> 00:29:53,320 S . Government a couple of days ago 769 00:29:53,320 --> 00:29:55,980 about this . Let's see anybody in the 770 00:29:55,980 --> 00:29:59,970 room here in the past 771 00:29:59,980 --> 00:30:01,869 year and a half . Actually before 772 00:30:01,869 --> 00:30:04,202 before you all came into office , the U . 773 00:30:04,202 --> 00:30:06,313 S . Military has been deployed in the 774 00:30:06,313 --> 00:30:06,240 mexican border with the United States 775 00:30:06,240 --> 00:30:08,573 as we all know that operation continues . 776 00:30:09,740 --> 00:30:11,573 Is there any specific reason why 777 00:30:11,573 --> 00:30:13,740 Secretary Austin has not yet spoken to 778 00:30:13,740 --> 00:30:16,018 his mexican counterparts and if he has , 779 00:30:16,018 --> 00:30:17,962 I apologize , I didn't see any , I 780 00:30:17,962 --> 00:30:20,000 don't see any record of that . Um I 781 00:30:20,010 --> 00:30:22,232 don't have to go look and see . I don't 782 00:30:22,232 --> 00:30:24,250 I have to go look and see what the 783 00:30:24,260 --> 00:30:27,360 record is but that we have 784 00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:29,896 General Van Herk in Northern command 785 00:30:29,896 --> 00:30:31,673 has terrific relations with his 786 00:30:31,673 --> 00:30:35,330 counterparts um in Mexico . Um And 787 00:30:35,340 --> 00:30:37,580 obviously we certainly value the 788 00:30:37,590 --> 00:30:39,757 relationship that we have them , but I 789 00:30:39,757 --> 00:30:41,979 don't have a record necessarily of a of 790 00:30:41,979 --> 00:30:44,146 a phone call . Just curious because it 791 00:30:44,146 --> 00:30:46,090 is our southern neighbors only two 792 00:30:46,090 --> 00:30:48,257 neighbors , the United States , Canada 793 00:30:48,257 --> 00:30:50,368 and Mexico and boston has spoken with 794 00:30:50,368 --> 00:30:52,368 other . I'm gonna have to check the 795 00:30:52,368 --> 00:30:55,370 record and say thank you . Or just a 796 00:30:55,380 --> 00:30:57,491 quick question for an update on where 797 00:30:57,491 --> 00:30:59,436 shipments of weapons and equipment 798 00:30:59,436 --> 00:31:01,269 stand , How much of the last 100 799 00:31:01,269 --> 00:31:03,436 million packages , The one before that 800 00:31:03,436 --> 00:31:03,330 have yet to go in And what's the 801 00:31:03,330 --> 00:31:05,330 schedule on that before you'll need 802 00:31:05,330 --> 00:31:07,552 another , another drawdown authority or 803 00:31:07,552 --> 00:31:07,250 another package of us ? Yeah , we've 804 00:31:07,250 --> 00:31:09,472 been overlapping them more or you don't 805 00:31:09,472 --> 00:31:11,417 have to wait for one package to be 806 00:31:11,417 --> 00:31:13,361 completed all of them . Um In fact 807 00:31:13,361 --> 00:31:16,060 we're still closing out the last three 808 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:19,200 uh drawdown packages . They're done 809 00:31:19,210 --> 00:31:21,321 concurrently . I mean we're not , You 810 00:31:21,321 --> 00:31:23,543 know , we're not doing it piecemeal one 811 00:31:23,543 --> 00:31:25,599 at a time . I don't have the data in 812 00:31:25,599 --> 00:31:27,710 front of me in terms of like how much 813 00:31:27,710 --> 00:31:30,850 of the last drawdown package has been 814 00:31:30,850 --> 00:31:32,572 delivered ? I mean it was just 815 00:31:32,572 --> 00:31:34,683 announced a week or so ago , the last 816 00:31:34,683 --> 00:31:35,683 $200 million 817 00:31:35,683 --> 00:31:39,350 the 818 00:31:39,600 --> 00:31:42,330 the number of 155 millimeter rounds to 819 00:31:42,340 --> 00:31:45,820 209,000 . I think we're uh well over 820 00:31:45,820 --> 00:31:47,876 about 100 and 60,000 of those rounds 821 00:31:47,876 --> 00:31:50,270 are already in you Ukraine . It 822 00:31:50,270 --> 00:31:53,150 increased the number of howitzers 208 . 823 00:31:53,160 --> 00:31:56,010 Um , and we know that uh , you know , 824 00:31:56,020 --> 00:31:58,250 more than 80 of those howitzers are not 825 00:31:58,250 --> 00:32:00,306 only in Ukraine , but they're in the 826 00:32:00,306 --> 00:32:02,417 fight in Ukraine . So the stuff keeps 827 00:32:02,417 --> 00:32:04,250 going every single day . We keep 828 00:32:04,250 --> 00:32:06,417 coordinating it and moving it into the 829 00:32:06,417 --> 00:32:08,639 country . Um , but I would have to , if 830 00:32:08,639 --> 00:32:10,528 you really want to sort of a more 831 00:32:10,528 --> 00:32:10,500 granular feel , I'd have to take the 832 00:32:10,500 --> 00:32:12,611 question and see if we can give you a 833 00:32:12,611 --> 00:32:14,556 little bit more direct in terms of 834 00:32:14,556 --> 00:32:16,667 where each , what what what what what 835 00:32:16,667 --> 00:32:18,722 the package is included and how much 836 00:32:18,722 --> 00:32:20,778 we've gotten complete , if you don't 837 00:32:20,778 --> 00:32:23,000 mind , I'll take the question of how my 838 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:25,111 guys put together a quick summary . I 839 00:32:25,111 --> 00:32:24,860 just don't have it in front of me . 840 00:32:25,540 --> 00:32:28,710 Yeah , louis earlier today , defense 841 00:32:28,710 --> 00:32:30,654 officials asked whether this was a 842 00:32:30,654 --> 00:32:32,877 stalemate , but I think the question is 843 00:32:34,040 --> 00:32:36,040 based off what's going on in Donbas 844 00:32:36,040 --> 00:32:38,820 overall on all of the battlefronts that 845 00:32:38,820 --> 00:32:41,380 you're seeing in southern eastern 846 00:32:41,380 --> 00:32:44,860 Northeastern Ukraine . Is it 847 00:32:46,540 --> 00:32:48,651 possible now to label what's going on 848 00:32:48,651 --> 00:32:51,150 across that broad battlefield as as 849 00:32:51,150 --> 00:32:53,094 opposed to just what's going on in 850 00:32:53,094 --> 00:32:55,420 there , I guess I should understand the 851 00:32:55,420 --> 00:32:57,650 fascination with labeling this thing , 852 00:32:57,740 --> 00:32:59,851 but I think we're just going to avoid 853 00:32:59,851 --> 00:33:01,851 doing that . Um it depends on where 854 00:33:01,851 --> 00:33:04,073 you're looking . Um if you were to take 855 00:33:04,073 --> 00:33:06,129 a bird's eye , look at Ukraine , you 856 00:33:06,129 --> 00:33:08,296 will see areas where there hasn't been 857 00:33:08,296 --> 00:33:10,129 much of anything happening . For 858 00:33:10,129 --> 00:33:12,680 instance , the , the fighting between 859 00:33:12,680 --> 00:33:14,736 Kherson and Mykolaiv continues the , 860 00:33:14,736 --> 00:33:16,902 those the Ukrainian and Russian troops 861 00:33:16,902 --> 00:33:18,958 are in contact every day and neither 862 00:33:18,958 --> 00:33:21,291 side of it is merely made much progress . 863 00:33:21,291 --> 00:33:23,402 The Ukrainians would say they've made 864 00:33:23,402 --> 00:33:25,513 it is progress by by holding back the 865 00:33:25,513 --> 00:33:27,569 Russians from any kind of advance on 866 00:33:27,569 --> 00:33:29,736 Michael , a that's not insignificant . 867 00:33:29,736 --> 00:33:31,990 Um , Ark IV in the north , the 868 00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:34,222 Ukrainians have have been and remain on 869 00:33:34,222 --> 00:33:36,111 the counter a counter offensive , 870 00:33:36,111 --> 00:33:38,333 literally pushing Russian troops closer 871 00:33:38,333 --> 00:33:40,556 to the border and uh and further to the 872 00:33:40,556 --> 00:33:42,830 east . Um , so they've actually pushed 873 00:33:42,840 --> 00:33:45,920 back the Russians in the Donbas . It's , 874 00:33:45,930 --> 00:33:48,152 it gets a little bit more messy louis , 875 00:33:48,152 --> 00:33:50,263 I mean every day there are skirmishes 876 00:33:50,263 --> 00:33:52,910 and fights over sometimes very small 877 00:33:52,910 --> 00:33:55,132 Hamlets and villages . Sometimes bigger 878 00:33:55,132 --> 00:33:57,260 cities where the Russians make gains 879 00:33:57,260 --> 00:33:59,371 and then they lose those gains in the 880 00:33:59,371 --> 00:34:01,316 next day or so . So every day , uh 881 00:34:01,316 --> 00:34:03,538 there's literally ground that's trading 882 00:34:03,538 --> 00:34:05,720 hands right now , We would tell you 883 00:34:05,720 --> 00:34:08,960 that um uh again , this is the snapshot 884 00:34:08,960 --> 00:34:11,127 today , I tomorrow it may be something 885 00:34:11,127 --> 00:34:13,182 different , but today we assess that 886 00:34:13,182 --> 00:34:15,127 the Russians have made incremental 887 00:34:15,127 --> 00:34:17,238 gains over the last couple of days in 888 00:34:17,238 --> 00:34:19,460 the north of particularly the northeast 889 00:34:19,460 --> 00:34:23,400 Donbas region , uh , near uh 890 00:34:23,410 --> 00:34:27,050 Severo Donetsk , Luhansk um 891 00:34:27,300 --> 00:34:30,100 they continue to make some very 892 00:34:30,100 --> 00:34:33,970 incremental progress moving to the 893 00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:37,280 west out of Donetsk again in the Donbas 894 00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:40,210 region . But the , but the move , for 895 00:34:40,210 --> 00:34:42,210 instance , that they , they've been 896 00:34:42,210 --> 00:34:43,988 trying to move on Slovyansk for 897 00:34:43,988 --> 00:34:46,043 instance , and Kramatorsk where that 898 00:34:46,043 --> 00:34:48,266 missile strike happened a few weeks ago 899 00:34:48,266 --> 00:34:50,321 and there just hasn't , they haven't 900 00:34:50,321 --> 00:34:52,210 made much of any progress there . 901 00:34:52,210 --> 00:34:54,530 There's a lot to that . It's a stiff 902 00:34:54,530 --> 00:34:56,740 Ukrainian resistance resistance that 903 00:34:56,740 --> 00:34:59,500 continues to be assisted and aided by 904 00:34:59,510 --> 00:35:02,150 shipments from the west of weapons and 905 00:35:02,150 --> 00:35:05,490 material . Um and they're they're very 906 00:35:05,490 --> 00:35:07,101 good command and control and 907 00:35:07,101 --> 00:35:08,768 organizational effort and the 908 00:35:08,768 --> 00:35:10,860 battlefield initiative , as well as 909 00:35:11,040 --> 00:35:13,151 problems that Russians have still had 910 00:35:13,151 --> 00:35:14,984 in overcoming their challenges , 911 00:35:14,984 --> 00:35:17,262 whether it's sustainment and logistics , 912 00:35:17,262 --> 00:35:19,484 command and control , unit , cohesion , 913 00:35:19,484 --> 00:35:19,400 operational , maneuver , integration of 914 00:35:19,410 --> 00:35:21,630 air to ground . Um they're trying to 915 00:35:21,640 --> 00:35:23,751 get better at that things , but those 916 00:35:23,751 --> 00:35:26,084 things , but they haven't yet . So it's , 917 00:35:26,084 --> 00:35:28,470 I hate the word , but it's an accurate 918 00:35:28,470 --> 00:35:30,760 word . It's very dynamic . It's it's 919 00:35:30,760 --> 00:35:32,830 very dynamic on any given day and 920 00:35:32,830 --> 00:35:34,997 that's why because it's so dynamic and 921 00:35:34,997 --> 00:35:37,108 because depending on what your bird's 922 00:35:37,108 --> 00:35:38,941 eye view , you're going to see a 923 00:35:38,941 --> 00:35:40,941 different thing every day . I think 924 00:35:40,941 --> 00:35:43,163 we're just a little reticent to slap up 925 00:35:43,163 --> 00:35:45,386 a bumper sticker stalemate on it . It's 926 00:35:45,386 --> 00:35:48,200 back and forth . Look , um two things 927 00:35:48,200 --> 00:35:50,610 are true . The Ukrainians continued to 928 00:35:50,610 --> 00:35:53,960 fight bravely stiffly very creatively 929 00:35:54,470 --> 00:35:56,540 and there's no , we've seen no 930 00:35:56,540 --> 00:35:59,920 dimunition of their , of their morale , 931 00:35:59,930 --> 00:36:02,250 of their leadership ability and their 932 00:36:02,260 --> 00:36:04,204 desire and determination to defend 933 00:36:04,210 --> 00:36:07,190 every inch of their territory . Uh and 934 00:36:07,200 --> 00:36:09,367 as I said earlier , I think the Silvis 935 00:36:09,367 --> 00:36:11,478 question , we're going to continue to 936 00:36:11,478 --> 00:36:13,589 help them do that as much as we can , 937 00:36:13,589 --> 00:36:15,811 as fast as we can . And the other thing 938 00:36:15,811 --> 00:36:15,430 that's true is that the Russians have 939 00:36:15,430 --> 00:36:17,541 been fighting in this particular part 940 00:36:17,541 --> 00:36:19,652 of Ukraine now for eight years . They 941 00:36:19,652 --> 00:36:22,000 also know the train and they have a 942 00:36:22,000 --> 00:36:24,540 significant amount of their assessed 943 00:36:24,540 --> 00:36:26,373 and available combat power still 944 00:36:26,373 --> 00:36:28,262 available to them . I mean , they 945 00:36:28,262 --> 00:36:30,810 amassed 100 and you know what ? More 946 00:36:30,810 --> 00:36:32,754 than 100 and 30 battalion tactical 947 00:36:32,754 --> 00:36:35,450 groups , dozens and dozens of aircraft , 948 00:36:35,830 --> 00:36:39,710 uh hundreds of of tanks and heavy 949 00:36:39,710 --> 00:36:42,250 vehicles in the run up to this invasion . 950 00:36:42,250 --> 00:36:44,417 And they still have a lot of that left 951 00:36:44,417 --> 00:36:46,750 to them . So there's still , as we said , 952 00:36:46,750 --> 00:36:49,028 when this fighting in the Donbas began , 953 00:36:49,028 --> 00:36:51,250 it could be prolonged and that it could 954 00:36:51,250 --> 00:36:53,417 be very intimate fighting . And it has 955 00:36:53,417 --> 00:36:56,730 proven to be that yeah , kelly Moscow 956 00:36:56,730 --> 00:36:58,841 was saying they want sanctions lifted 957 00:36:58,841 --> 00:37:00,952 before it allows grain shipments . Is 958 00:37:00,952 --> 00:37:03,063 Russia holding critical food supplies 959 00:37:03,063 --> 00:37:05,230 hostage here . I think you've seen the 960 00:37:05,230 --> 00:37:07,230 Ukrainians speak directly to this . 961 00:37:07,560 --> 00:37:10,900 Look again without labeling anything 962 00:37:10,900 --> 00:37:14,580 here . This is just 963 00:37:14,580 --> 00:37:18,330 another part of a 964 00:37:18,330 --> 00:37:20,600 brutal way of prosecuting a completely 965 00:37:20,600 --> 00:37:22,544 unprovoked war . Now they're using 966 00:37:22,544 --> 00:37:25,840 economic tools as as weapons . They're 967 00:37:25,840 --> 00:37:29,460 weaponizing food . They're weaponizing 968 00:37:29,670 --> 00:37:33,450 economic assistance , I guess we 969 00:37:33,450 --> 00:37:35,506 shouldn't be surprised by that since 970 00:37:35,506 --> 00:37:37,450 they've weaponized everything else 971 00:37:37,450 --> 00:37:39,506 including lies and information , but 972 00:37:39,506 --> 00:37:41,728 they're weaponizing it . This war needs 973 00:37:41,728 --> 00:37:43,894 to end . Now . You heard the Secretary 974 00:37:43,894 --> 00:37:43,200 say that just the other day and Mr 975 00:37:43,200 --> 00:37:45,367 Putin could do the right thing today . 976 00:37:45,367 --> 00:37:47,590 They're weaponizing food . Um and we 977 00:37:47,590 --> 00:37:50,220 are obviously in discussion with the 978 00:37:50,220 --> 00:37:52,276 administration is in discussion with 979 00:37:52,276 --> 00:37:54,387 our international partners and allies 980 00:37:54,387 --> 00:37:56,609 about how best to address this . Yeah , 981 00:37:56,609 --> 00:37:59,740 well , thank you sir . First of all , 982 00:37:59,740 --> 00:38:02,210 congratulations for your new position . 983 00:38:02,220 --> 00:38:05,480 I hope for the best . Thank you . My 984 00:38:05,490 --> 00:38:08,920 question is that under the leadership 985 00:38:08,920 --> 00:38:12,270 of President biden squad took place in 986 00:38:12,270 --> 00:38:15,390 Japan , US Japan India and Australia . 987 00:38:15,540 --> 00:38:17,510 And this was the first time after 988 00:38:17,550 --> 00:38:20,150 Russia invaded Ukraine . And also 989 00:38:22,020 --> 00:38:24,400 the Australian prime Minister was 990 00:38:24,620 --> 00:38:26,787 elected newly elected Prime Minister . 991 00:38:27,120 --> 00:38:29,120 Whether in discussion as far as the 992 00:38:29,120 --> 00:38:31,064 military concern about the chinese 993 00:38:32,340 --> 00:38:35,610 exercises and also in the area and 994 00:38:35,620 --> 00:38:38,170 threatening Taiwan among other things . 995 00:38:38,170 --> 00:38:40,281 And what do you think about this core 996 00:38:40,281 --> 00:38:42,448 meeting during this time took place in 997 00:38:42,448 --> 00:38:45,080 Japan . Okay , there's a lot there and 998 00:38:45,080 --> 00:38:47,413 I won't speak for the President clearly . 999 00:38:47,413 --> 00:38:51,290 But um we believe 1000 00:38:51,290 --> 00:38:54,440 the Quad , the Quad arrangement has 1001 00:38:54,440 --> 00:38:57,340 already proven very valuable in terms 1002 00:38:57,340 --> 00:38:59,870 of helping strengthen our alliances and 1003 00:38:59,870 --> 00:39:02,190 partnerships in the region . Um and 1004 00:39:02,190 --> 00:39:04,190 there's as I think you've heard the 1005 00:39:04,190 --> 00:39:06,023 president talked about , there's 1006 00:39:06,023 --> 00:39:08,134 there's lots of room uh to to improve 1007 00:39:08,134 --> 00:39:10,412 that kind of cooperation going forward . 1008 00:39:10,412 --> 00:39:14,030 Um and as for uh tensions with 1009 00:39:14,040 --> 00:39:16,700 Beijing whether it's about Taiwan or 1010 00:39:16,700 --> 00:39:19,020 the east china sea or South china sea . 1011 00:39:19,020 --> 00:39:21,242 You know , we have been very clear here 1012 00:39:21,242 --> 00:39:23,353 from this department . It remains the 1013 00:39:23,353 --> 00:39:25,464 pacing challenge that this department 1014 00:39:25,464 --> 00:39:27,631 faces . You heard the Secretary talked 1015 00:39:27,631 --> 00:39:29,742 about that yesterday at the Air Force 1016 00:39:29,742 --> 00:39:31,853 Academy um and we're laser focused on 1017 00:39:31,853 --> 00:39:31,570 that . It's a key component of our 1018 00:39:31,570 --> 00:39:33,792 national Defense strategy . Look at the 1019 00:39:33,792 --> 00:39:35,903 budget we submitted and the amount of 1020 00:39:35,903 --> 00:39:38,237 money we're investing in , new research , 1021 00:39:38,237 --> 00:39:40,380 technology , science um and and 1022 00:39:40,380 --> 00:39:42,990 capabilities all of it with the mind 1023 00:39:43,030 --> 00:39:45,252 towards helping us deal with the pacing 1024 00:39:45,252 --> 00:39:47,363 challenge of china . So again , we're 1025 00:39:47,363 --> 00:39:49,820 just going to stay focused on this . Is 1026 00:39:49,820 --> 00:39:52,400 there a real threat by the chinese to 1027 00:39:52,400 --> 00:39:54,970 the Taiwan when President said that us 1028 00:39:54,980 --> 00:39:58,650 will defense Taiwan if there's attack 1029 00:39:58,650 --> 00:40:01,530 or anything , the President made clear 1030 00:40:01,530 --> 00:40:03,641 that we still adhere to the one china 1031 00:40:03,641 --> 00:40:06,740 policy and that we also 1032 00:40:07,920 --> 00:40:11,730 adhere to and um and continue to um 1033 00:40:12,110 --> 00:40:13,999 act in accordance with the Taiwan 1034 00:40:13,999 --> 00:40:16,054 relations act , which requires us to 1035 00:40:16,054 --> 00:40:18,166 continue to help Taiwan defend itself 1036 00:40:18,166 --> 00:40:20,388 and we're gonna we're gonna continue to 1037 00:40:20,388 --> 00:40:22,221 do that . But you also heard the 1038 00:40:22,221 --> 00:40:22,110 President say , and you heard Secretary 1039 00:40:22,110 --> 00:40:24,590 Austin say that we don't want to see 1040 00:40:24,590 --> 00:40:26,860 the status quo over the Taiwan strait 1041 00:40:26,860 --> 00:40:28,860 change unilaterally . Certainly not 1042 00:40:28,860 --> 00:40:30,971 through military action . And there's 1043 00:40:30,971 --> 00:40:33,420 no reason for that to occur . But I'm 1044 00:40:33,430 --> 00:40:37,070 just quickly , sorry , Like Russia and 1045 00:40:37,070 --> 00:40:40,600 China are now two closest allies 1046 00:40:40,950 --> 00:40:44,570 in the world against Ukraine . 1047 00:40:44,580 --> 00:40:48,010 But now you think china will take 1048 00:40:48,340 --> 00:40:51,680 advantage of the attacking Taiwan 1049 00:40:51,680 --> 00:40:54,250 because China think that Russia will 1050 00:40:54,250 --> 00:40:57,690 come to defend them . I can't speak for 1051 00:40:57,690 --> 00:41:00,370 President Xi and what he may or may not 1052 00:41:00,370 --> 00:41:02,481 do . I mean he has made it clear that 1053 00:41:02,481 --> 00:41:04,537 that he at least wants militarily to 1054 00:41:04,537 --> 00:41:06,970 have the capacity uh to take that kind 1055 00:41:06,970 --> 00:41:09,110 of action uh near the end of this 1056 00:41:09,110 --> 00:41:11,930 decade . Uh But again , 1057 00:41:13,310 --> 00:41:15,900 we're focused on making sure that we 1058 00:41:15,900 --> 00:41:19,310 can uh structure true integrated 1059 00:41:19,310 --> 00:41:21,421 deterrents in the indo pacific region 1060 00:41:21,421 --> 00:41:23,032 that can be achieved through 1061 00:41:23,032 --> 00:41:25,254 coordination and collaboration with our 1062 00:41:25,254 --> 00:41:27,570 allies and partners such as Japan such 1063 00:41:27,570 --> 00:41:31,500 as South Korea . Uh and uh uh we we 1064 00:41:31,500 --> 00:41:34,130 don't want to see there's no reason for 1065 00:41:34,140 --> 00:41:37,140 us to see tensions across the strait 1066 00:41:37,150 --> 00:41:39,230 come to blows or to any kind of 1067 00:41:39,230 --> 00:41:41,341 conflict . There's no reason for that 1068 00:41:41,341 --> 00:41:43,508 to occur . Nothing's changed about our 1069 00:41:43,508 --> 00:41:45,730 adherence to the one china policy , but 1070 00:41:45,730 --> 00:41:47,674 nothing has also changed about our 1071 00:41:47,674 --> 00:41:50,008 commitment to help Taiwan defend itself . 1072 00:41:50,008 --> 00:41:52,490 Yeah , so China is seeking more region 1073 00:41:52,990 --> 00:41:55,101 just today , the Foreign Ministers of 1074 00:41:55,101 --> 00:41:57,268 the soldiers , they're offering things 1075 00:41:57,268 --> 00:41:59,650 like scholarships for workers 1076 00:42:00,700 --> 00:42:02,644 uh ways to combat climate change . 1077 00:42:02,644 --> 00:42:04,922 These are small islands in the pacific . 1078 00:42:04,922 --> 00:42:07,180 So what's the U . S doing to counter 1079 00:42:07,180 --> 00:42:09,013 that to make new partners in the 1080 00:42:09,013 --> 00:42:11,320 pacific first of all . Um 1081 00:42:12,400 --> 00:42:14,760 one of the things one of our asymmetric 1082 00:42:14,760 --> 00:42:16,590 advantage is is our network of 1083 00:42:16,590 --> 00:42:18,646 alliances and partners in the region 1084 00:42:18,646 --> 00:42:21,040 which is vast . Um and we're investing 1085 00:42:21,040 --> 00:42:23,050 a lot of time and energy and have 1086 00:42:23,060 --> 00:42:25,116 certainly since President biden came 1087 00:42:25,116 --> 00:42:27,060 into office in re invigorating and 1088 00:42:27,060 --> 00:42:28,893 revitalizing those alliances and 1089 00:42:28,893 --> 00:42:30,838 partnerships . First trip that the 1090 00:42:30,838 --> 00:42:33,810 secretary took was to uh to to Tokyo 1091 00:42:33,810 --> 00:42:37,340 into soul and into India uh 1092 00:42:37,350 --> 00:42:40,320 to make it clear that work actually 1093 00:42:41,500 --> 00:42:43,556 putting our money where our mouth is 1094 00:42:43,556 --> 00:42:45,556 when it comes to investing in these 1095 00:42:45,556 --> 00:42:45,440 partnerships . And certainly the 1096 00:42:45,440 --> 00:42:47,440 president's trip just recently 1097 00:42:47,440 --> 00:42:50,290 completed I think rounds that out quite 1098 00:42:50,290 --> 00:42:53,830 well . Um It's our alliances 1099 00:42:53,840 --> 00:42:57,040 are network of partnerships uh that 1100 00:42:57,050 --> 00:42:59,850 that china envies a lot because they 1101 00:42:59,850 --> 00:43:03,070 don't have that they might be trying to 1102 00:43:03,070 --> 00:43:05,300 make these bilateral transactional 1103 00:43:05,300 --> 00:43:07,290 deals with places like the Solomon 1104 00:43:07,290 --> 00:43:09,512 Island . And we've already talked about 1105 00:43:09,512 --> 00:43:11,734 our concerns with respect to that , but 1106 00:43:11,734 --> 00:43:14,310 those are transactions . Um and uh 1107 00:43:14,320 --> 00:43:17,780 they're not real partnerships . Uh they 1108 00:43:17,780 --> 00:43:20,960 are in many cases they coerce and 1109 00:43:20,960 --> 00:43:24,230 intimidate other nations uh to try to 1110 00:43:24,240 --> 00:43:26,462 act in ways that are more beneficial to 1111 00:43:26,462 --> 00:43:28,407 chinese interests than they are to 1112 00:43:28,407 --> 00:43:30,520 their own or to the regions . But 1113 00:43:30,520 --> 00:43:33,250 they're transactional and 1114 00:43:34,630 --> 00:43:38,310 and our our view is what we bring is 1115 00:43:38,310 --> 00:43:42,310 true leadership um and uh 1116 00:43:42,320 --> 00:43:45,040 and collaboration and coordination um 1117 00:43:45,050 --> 00:43:48,380 and a sense of of mutual respect for 1118 00:43:48,390 --> 00:43:50,390 the kinds of capabilities that that 1119 00:43:50,390 --> 00:43:52,660 other nations bring um bring to the 1120 00:43:52,660 --> 00:43:54,827 effort in the indo pacific I mean look 1121 00:43:54,827 --> 00:43:57,350 uh you've heard the secretary talked 1122 00:43:57,350 --> 00:43:59,350 about integrated deterrents all the 1123 00:43:59,350 --> 00:44:01,517 time and too often when he talks about 1124 00:44:01,517 --> 00:44:03,739 it . People just think , well he's just 1125 00:44:03,739 --> 00:44:05,739 talking about jointness . He's just 1126 00:44:05,739 --> 00:44:07,850 talking about better networks between 1127 00:44:07,850 --> 00:44:09,628 the army and the navy or better 1128 00:44:09,628 --> 00:44:11,920 coordination between uh , you know , 1129 00:44:11,930 --> 00:44:14,230 the Air force and and and ground units . 1130 00:44:14,240 --> 00:44:16,407 There's a part of that . That's true . 1131 00:44:16,407 --> 00:44:18,573 And if you look at the budget , you'll 1132 00:44:18,573 --> 00:44:18,550 see we're investing in new capabilities . 1133 00:44:18,560 --> 00:44:20,616 But there's a key part of integrated 1134 00:44:20,616 --> 00:44:22,504 deterrents that gets left out and 1135 00:44:22,504 --> 00:44:24,727 that's folding in the contributions and 1136 00:44:24,727 --> 00:44:26,671 the capabilities of our allies and 1137 00:44:26,671 --> 00:44:28,727 partners . Because in some ways they 1138 00:44:28,727 --> 00:44:30,838 can do things we can't or they can do 1139 00:44:30,838 --> 00:44:32,838 things better than we can . And the 1140 00:44:32,838 --> 00:44:35,060 Secretary wants them folded into that . 1141 00:44:35,060 --> 00:44:34,200 You're not hearing that from the 1142 00:44:34,200 --> 00:44:36,367 chinese , you're not hearing that when 1143 00:44:36,367 --> 00:44:38,311 they have these conversations with 1144 00:44:38,311 --> 00:44:40,422 people like in the Solomon's island , 1145 00:44:40,422 --> 00:44:42,644 it's not about what what we what we can 1146 00:44:42,644 --> 00:44:44,644 do together . It's like it's a very 1147 00:44:44,644 --> 00:44:46,589 transactional relationship that is 1148 00:44:46,589 --> 00:44:48,089 usually very short sighted 1149 00:44:50,840 --> 00:44:53,070 and we're not making people choose is 1150 00:44:53,070 --> 00:44:56,980 the US concerned that potential allies 1151 00:44:57,390 --> 00:44:59,668 could be tempted to be on china's side . 1152 00:44:59,668 --> 00:45:01,834 We're very comfortable with our strong 1153 00:45:01,834 --> 00:45:05,010 and revitalized and getting deeper 1154 00:45:05,130 --> 00:45:07,352 network of alliances and partnerships . 1155 00:45:07,352 --> 00:45:09,408 And I would again remind , I've said 1156 00:45:09,408 --> 00:45:11,463 this a million times , but I'm gonna 1157 00:45:11,463 --> 00:45:13,630 keep doing it . You know , five of our 1158 00:45:13,630 --> 00:45:15,852 seven treaty alliances are in that part 1159 00:45:15,852 --> 00:45:17,963 of the world . I mean that's that's a 1160 00:45:17,963 --> 00:45:17,880 significant statement of how seriously 1161 00:45:17,880 --> 00:45:20,102 the United States takes security in the 1162 00:45:20,102 --> 00:45:22,158 indo pacific region . No , we're not 1163 00:45:22,158 --> 00:45:24,460 worried about allies and partners , uh 1164 00:45:24,470 --> 00:45:26,692 looking away from the relationships not 1165 00:45:26,692 --> 00:45:28,748 only that they have with us but with 1166 00:45:28,748 --> 00:45:30,748 our other allies and partners . And 1167 00:45:30,748 --> 00:45:32,859 again , we're always looking for ways 1168 00:45:33,290 --> 00:45:35,550 we talked about this with about with 1169 00:45:35,560 --> 00:45:37,560 Japan and South Korea . Looking for 1170 00:45:37,560 --> 00:45:40,360 ways to have our allies and improve 1171 00:45:40,370 --> 00:45:42,537 their relationships with one another . 1172 00:45:42,537 --> 00:45:45,570 To if I may follow briefly on that None 1173 00:45:45,570 --> 00:45:48,400 of the 10 Nation Islands are involved 1174 00:45:48,400 --> 00:45:50,400 in what china is calling the common 1175 00:45:50,400 --> 00:45:52,880 development vision are in any of these 1176 00:45:52,880 --> 00:45:54,991 treaties that you mentioned . They're 1177 00:45:54,991 --> 00:45:57,047 not in any of our defense treaties . 1178 00:45:57,047 --> 00:45:59,213 There's a lot of countries in the indo 1179 00:45:59,213 --> 00:45:58,880 pacific that our treaty allies , that 1180 00:45:58,880 --> 00:46:01,102 doesn't mean we don't have partnerships 1181 00:46:01,102 --> 00:46:03,720 with them to understand that the point 1182 00:46:03,730 --> 00:46:05,880 being that this enables china to 1183 00:46:05,890 --> 00:46:08,450 leapfrog over the 1st and 2nd island 1184 00:46:08,450 --> 00:46:10,730 defenses into essentially Australia new 1185 00:46:10,730 --> 00:46:12,841 Zealand's backyard , which we do have 1186 00:46:12,841 --> 00:46:15,460 treaties with uh how is that balancing 1187 00:46:15,460 --> 00:46:17,738 out with the pacing challenge of china . 1188 00:46:17,738 --> 00:46:19,849 Will this be part of the inc when you 1189 00:46:19,849 --> 00:46:21,960 deal with china ? We we have from the 1190 00:46:21,960 --> 00:46:24,500 beginning factored into why we 1191 00:46:24,500 --> 00:46:26,722 described china as a pacing challenge . 1192 00:46:26,722 --> 00:46:29,200 We factored into that very early on 1193 00:46:29,210 --> 00:46:31,266 this isn't the first time that china 1194 00:46:31,266 --> 00:46:33,099 has tried to secure some sort of 1195 00:46:33,099 --> 00:46:35,043 bilateral transaction with another 1196 00:46:35,043 --> 00:46:37,266 nation in the indo pacific or elsewhere 1197 00:46:37,266 --> 00:46:39,432 around the world . So we that's that's 1198 00:46:39,432 --> 00:46:41,900 baked into our calculus in terms of how 1199 00:46:41,900 --> 00:46:43,733 we're gonna deal with integrated 1200 00:46:43,733 --> 00:46:45,900 deterrence and the pacing challenge of 1201 00:46:45,900 --> 00:46:45,420 this china is the fact that they're 1202 00:46:45,420 --> 00:46:48,690 going to try to twist arms to coerce , 1203 00:46:48,690 --> 00:46:51,650 to intimidate to entice and to transact 1204 00:46:51,660 --> 00:46:53,950 relationships with other countries or 1205 00:46:53,960 --> 00:46:57,130 or other people in the indo pacific for 1206 00:46:57,130 --> 00:46:59,710 their own benefit . Okay . I'm gonna 1207 00:46:59,710 --> 00:47:02,410 have to call it there . Thank you . Mhm .