1 00:00:01,200 --> 00:00:05,060 Okay . Alright , well , good afternoon 2 00:00:05,070 --> 00:00:08,920 everyone . Just a 3 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:11,090 few things to cover and I'll get right 4 00:00:11,090 --> 00:00:13,320 to your questions . As you're aware , 5 00:00:13,330 --> 00:00:15,600 North Korea conducted another ballistic 6 00:00:15,610 --> 00:00:17,832 missile launch last night launching two 7 00:00:17,832 --> 00:00:19,930 short range missiles . United States 8 00:00:19,930 --> 00:00:21,986 strongly condemns this irresponsible 9 00:00:21,986 --> 00:00:24,360 act , which violates numerous unanimous 10 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:26,138 United Nations Security Council 11 00:00:26,138 --> 00:00:28,720 mandates the DPRK is urged to 12 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:30,887 immediately cease actions that violate 13 00:00:30,887 --> 00:00:32,990 U . N . Security Council resolutions 14 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:35,780 escalate military tensions destabilize 15 00:00:35,780 --> 00:00:37,920 the region and endanger the peace and 16 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:40,600 security of innocent people In response 17 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:42,750 to the DPrk is provocative ballistic 18 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,390 missile launch . The USs Ronald Reagan 19 00:00:45,390 --> 00:00:47,446 carrier strike group , joined by two 20 00:00:47,446 --> 00:00:49,700 Japanese navy destroyers And one 21 00:00:49,700 --> 00:00:51,533 Republic of Korea Navy destroyer 22 00:00:51,533 --> 00:00:53,770 arrived October five in the Sea of 23 00:00:53,770 --> 00:00:56,210 Japan to conduct trilateral ballistic 24 00:00:56,210 --> 00:00:58,830 missile defense exercises . These 25 00:00:58,830 --> 00:01:00,719 exercises send a clear message of 26 00:01:00,719 --> 00:01:02,950 allied unity between our nations and 27 00:01:02,950 --> 00:01:04,950 enhance the interoperability of our 28 00:01:04,950 --> 00:01:07,870 collective forces . The exercises also 29 00:01:07,870 --> 00:01:09,926 demonstrate the deep strength of our 30 00:01:09,926 --> 00:01:12,110 trilateral relationship with Japan and 31 00:01:12,110 --> 00:01:14,500 the Republic of Korea which is resolute 32 00:01:14,510 --> 00:01:16,566 against those who challenge regional 33 00:01:16,566 --> 00:01:18,920 stability moving forward . We will 34 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:20,976 continue to consult closely with our 35 00:01:20,976 --> 00:01:23,142 allies and partners and stand ready to 36 00:01:23,142 --> 00:01:25,309 respond appropriately to any potential 37 00:01:25,309 --> 00:01:27,587 future provocative acts by North Korea . 38 00:01:27,587 --> 00:01:29,531 As always , we remain committed to 39 00:01:29,531 --> 00:01:31,753 preserving a free and open indo pacific 40 00:01:31,753 --> 00:01:33,920 and peace and stability throughout the 41 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:36,840 region separately after 18 months of 42 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:39,040 thorough work to include consultations 43 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:40,707 with subject matter experts , 44 00:01:40,707 --> 00:01:42,762 historians and communities rooted in 45 00:01:42,762 --> 00:01:44,707 the bases in question . The naming 46 00:01:44,707 --> 00:01:46,818 commission completed its analysis and 47 00:01:46,818 --> 00:01:48,762 provided Secretary Austin with its 48 00:01:48,762 --> 00:01:50,707 final report . After reviewing the 49 00:01:50,707 --> 00:01:52,762 report . The Secretary has concurred 50 00:01:52,762 --> 00:01:54,762 with all of the naming commission's 51 00:01:54,762 --> 00:01:56,762 recommendations and is committed to 52 00:01:56,762 --> 00:01:58,984 implementing them as soon as possible . 53 00:01:58,984 --> 00:02:01,318 Today . Secretary Austin has directed D . 54 00:02:01,318 --> 00:02:03,484 O . D . Leaders and the services via a 55 00:02:03,484 --> 00:02:05,096 memo to begin implementation 56 00:02:05,096 --> 00:02:07,096 immediately following the N . D . A 57 00:02:07,096 --> 00:02:09,207 mandated 90 day waiting period copy . 58 00:02:09,207 --> 00:02:11,318 The memo will be available on defense 59 00:02:11,318 --> 00:02:13,484 dot gov . Secretary Austin is grateful 60 00:02:13,484 --> 00:02:15,429 for the work of the commission and 61 00:02:15,429 --> 00:02:17,651 thanks them for their dedicated efforts 62 00:02:17,651 --> 00:02:19,596 and recommendations that will give 63 00:02:19,596 --> 00:02:21,540 proud new names that are rooted in 64 00:02:21,540 --> 00:02:23,707 their local communities and that honor 65 00:02:23,707 --> 00:02:25,929 american heroes whose valor courage and 66 00:02:25,929 --> 00:02:28,040 patriotism exemplify the very best of 67 00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:30,262 the U . S . Military . Also , the White 68 00:02:30,262 --> 00:02:32,318 House announced today new actions by 69 00:02:32,318 --> 00:02:34,373 more than 20 agencies to include the 70 00:02:34,373 --> 00:02:36,262 Department of Defense designed to 71 00:02:36,262 --> 00:02:38,096 bolster the federal government's 72 00:02:38,096 --> 00:02:40,262 resilience to climate change impacts . 73 00:02:40,262 --> 00:02:42,484 As you may recall last year the D . O . 74 00:02:42,484 --> 00:02:44,651 D . Released its climate adaption plan 75 00:02:44,651 --> 00:02:46,630 on october 7 2021 . Today we're 76 00:02:46,630 --> 00:02:48,186 releasing a progress report 77 00:02:48,186 --> 00:02:50,352 highlighting D . O . D . S investments 78 00:02:50,352 --> 00:02:52,408 toward increasing our resilience and 79 00:02:52,408 --> 00:02:54,463 efforts to improve combat capability 80 00:02:54,463 --> 00:02:56,519 while also reducing the department's 81 00:02:56,519 --> 00:02:58,686 climate impacts . The full D . O . D . 82 00:02:58,686 --> 00:03:00,963 Report is available on defense dot gov . 83 00:03:00,963 --> 00:03:03,074 Finally , on a special note we'd like 84 00:03:03,074 --> 00:03:05,297 to recognize and congratulate US Marine 85 00:03:05,297 --> 00:03:07,463 Corps Colonel Nicole man who yesterday 86 00:03:07,463 --> 00:03:09,408 became the first female marine and 87 00:03:09,408 --> 00:03:11,130 native american to lead a nasa 88 00:03:11,130 --> 00:03:13,186 spaceflight . Colonel man and SpaceX 89 00:03:13,186 --> 00:03:15,241 crew five successfully launched into 90 00:03:15,241 --> 00:03:17,352 space from Kennedy space center bound 91 00:03:17,352 --> 00:03:19,352 for the international space station 92 00:03:19,352 --> 00:03:21,574 with Colonel man serving as the mission 93 00:03:21,574 --> 00:03:23,630 commander , semper fi and bravo zulu 94 00:03:23,630 --> 00:03:25,741 colonel man we heard and the crew the 95 00:03:25,741 --> 00:03:27,797 best for successful mission and with 96 00:03:27,797 --> 00:03:30,019 that I will take your questions . We'll 97 00:03:30,019 --> 00:03:33,450 go to the first . The 98 00:03:34,100 --> 00:03:36,690 North Koreans have also flown fighter 99 00:03:36,690 --> 00:03:39,440 jets and bombers near the border which 100 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:41,496 prompted another response from South 101 00:03:41,496 --> 00:03:45,110 Korea . Um today they flew like another 102 00:03:45,110 --> 00:03:48,760 30 aircraft in response . Um 103 00:03:48,770 --> 00:03:50,937 what does the department think of this 104 00:03:50,937 --> 00:03:53,610 sort of ratcheting up of tensions in 105 00:03:53,610 --> 00:03:56,750 the area ? Does this suggest um 106 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:58,982 tensions are higher than they have been 107 00:03:58,982 --> 00:04:01,700 in quite some time . Does this sort of 108 00:04:01,700 --> 00:04:03,922 suggests that there could be an I . C . 109 00:04:03,922 --> 00:04:05,978 B . M . Test or some sort of nuclear 110 00:04:05,978 --> 00:04:08,089 test from North Korea . Coming ? What 111 00:04:08,089 --> 00:04:10,033 is the U . S . Assessment of these 112 00:04:10,033 --> 00:04:11,867 actions ? Well , sure . I mean , 113 00:04:11,867 --> 00:04:14,030 overall , as as I've mentioned , we 114 00:04:14,030 --> 00:04:16,830 consider this behavior destabilizing 115 00:04:16,910 --> 00:04:20,610 unhelpful and irresponsible and again 116 00:04:20,610 --> 00:04:23,400 we call on the Dprk to cease these 117 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,610 types of actions . Um as I mentioned in 118 00:04:26,620 --> 00:04:28,342 my opening remarks , our focus 119 00:04:28,342 --> 00:04:30,690 continues to be on consulting closely 120 00:04:30,700 --> 00:04:32,610 with our allies in the region to 121 00:04:32,610 --> 00:04:35,540 include South Korea and Japan on how to 122 00:04:35,540 --> 00:04:38,250 best and most appropriately respond to 123 00:04:38,250 --> 00:04:40,417 this . These types of actions . And so 124 00:04:40,417 --> 00:04:42,528 in the days ahead will continue to do 125 00:04:42,528 --> 00:04:44,700 that . You does the U . S . C . Moving 126 00:04:44,700 --> 00:04:47,600 the ships into that region as further 127 00:04:47,610 --> 00:04:49,940 provoking north Korea to do something 128 00:04:49,940 --> 00:04:52,400 more really . I don't wanna speak for 129 00:04:52,410 --> 00:04:54,632 North Korea in terms of what may or may 130 00:04:54,632 --> 00:04:57,210 not be causing them to respond this way . 131 00:04:57,210 --> 00:04:59,370 I am aware of their public statements 132 00:04:59,370 --> 00:05:01,960 on the matter regardless our focus in 133 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:05,030 the region . These are actions that we 134 00:05:05,030 --> 00:05:07,470 announced in advance . Their actions 135 00:05:07,470 --> 00:05:10,690 that we uh have implemented as part of 136 00:05:10,690 --> 00:05:13,470 a defense uh in support of our our 137 00:05:13,470 --> 00:05:16,670 allies in the region . Uh And so again 138 00:05:16,670 --> 00:05:19,490 we'll continue to focus on those areas 139 00:05:19,780 --> 00:05:22,990 uh and would hope that North Korea 140 00:05:22,990 --> 00:05:25,101 would also have the best interests of 141 00:05:25,101 --> 00:05:27,212 the region and peace and stability as 142 00:05:27,212 --> 00:05:29,680 well . Thank you . Since I know this is 143 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:31,736 on your mind , you want to ask about 144 00:05:31,736 --> 00:05:34,600 Ukraine today ? Thank you . North Korea . 145 00:05:35,420 --> 00:05:38,920 North Korea fired two different kinds 146 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:42,610 of missiles and new locations and 147 00:05:42,610 --> 00:05:45,410 North Korea is firing 148 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:49,650 missiles at a different place at 149 00:05:49,660 --> 00:05:53,540 different times . How do you see this ? 150 00:05:53,550 --> 00:05:56,680 Sure . Well , you know , I know we've 151 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:59,860 said it from here and and others within 152 00:05:59,870 --> 00:06:03,260 the U . S . Government that clearly uh 153 00:06:03,270 --> 00:06:05,600 North Korea is testing its missile 154 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:09,290 program . Uh It's looking to adapt . Uh 155 00:06:09,290 --> 00:06:12,830 and uh the issue here though is that 156 00:06:12,840 --> 00:06:15,480 these actions are provocative . Uh 157 00:06:15,490 --> 00:06:18,550 they're dangerous . And as you well 158 00:06:18,550 --> 00:06:20,772 know , North Korea has not committed to 159 00:06:20,772 --> 00:06:22,883 any type of constructive or strategic 160 00:06:22,883 --> 00:06:25,630 dialogue on these issues . Uh And so in 161 00:06:25,630 --> 00:06:27,463 so much as they're testing these 162 00:06:27,463 --> 00:06:29,686 missiles and the way that they're doing 163 00:06:29,686 --> 00:06:32,430 it , it has the great potential for um 164 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:34,440 destabilizing the region . So again 165 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:36,662 we're going to continue to work closely 166 00:06:36,662 --> 00:06:38,773 with our allies uh to demonstrate our 167 00:06:38,773 --> 00:06:40,860 commitment to the defense of one 168 00:06:40,860 --> 00:06:43,840 another's interests and nations . And 169 00:06:43,840 --> 00:06:45,951 so in the days ahead will continue to 170 00:06:45,951 --> 00:06:47,760 consult closely in the event of 171 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:50,093 potential future tests or other actions . 172 00:06:50,093 --> 00:06:52,204 I would hope that doesn't occur . But 173 00:06:52,204 --> 00:06:54,260 if it does , we'll be prepared . You 174 00:06:54,260 --> 00:06:57,040 think it's time for the military 175 00:06:57,050 --> 00:07:00,760 actions against North Korea . United 176 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:03,840 States prepared for that ? No , I think 177 00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:05,896 that we're going to continue to work 178 00:07:05,896 --> 00:07:08,240 closely with Japan and with South Korea . 179 00:07:08,250 --> 00:07:11,370 Again , our focus is on preserving a 180 00:07:11,370 --> 00:07:13,481 free and open indo , pacific and indo 181 00:07:13,481 --> 00:07:15,537 pacific that's peaceful and stable . 182 00:07:15,537 --> 00:07:17,770 And again , we call on North Korea to 183 00:07:17,770 --> 00:07:19,548 look to work towards those same 184 00:07:19,548 --> 00:07:21,770 interests . Let me go ahead and move on 185 00:07:21,770 --> 00:07:25,390 here , laura , first of all to evolve 186 00:07:25,390 --> 00:07:27,557 on North Korea . Can you talk a little 187 00:07:27,557 --> 00:07:29,779 bit about the ballistic missile defense 188 00:07:29,779 --> 00:07:32,001 exercises that the Ronald Reagan strike 189 00:07:32,001 --> 00:07:34,112 group participated in ? What do these 190 00:07:34,112 --> 00:07:36,168 involved exactly ? Are they shooting 191 00:07:36,168 --> 00:07:38,223 interceptors or are they doing other 192 00:07:38,223 --> 00:07:40,420 types of activities ? Yeah . So what I 193 00:07:40,420 --> 00:07:42,253 can provide you is just a little 194 00:07:42,253 --> 00:07:44,031 insight into the ships that are 195 00:07:44,031 --> 00:07:46,310 participating . I'd refer you to end up 196 00:07:46,310 --> 00:07:48,540 a comic and provide you with some 197 00:07:48,540 --> 00:07:50,762 additional details on the specifics but 198 00:07:50,990 --> 00:07:54,090 we've got the USs Chancellorsville from 199 00:07:54,090 --> 00:07:56,034 the strike group which is a guided 200 00:07:56,034 --> 00:07:58,257 missile cruiser uh and then the U . S . 201 00:07:58,257 --> 00:08:00,423 S . Ben fold which is a guided missile 202 00:08:00,423 --> 00:08:02,770 destroyer . That also is a part of the 203 00:08:02,770 --> 00:08:04,659 carrier strike group . Uh they're 204 00:08:04,659 --> 00:08:06,770 conducting these exercises in the sea 205 00:08:06,770 --> 00:08:10,740 of Japan alongside uh a Japanese 206 00:08:10,750 --> 00:08:13,010 maritime self defense force destroyer 207 00:08:13,020 --> 00:08:16,880 uh and a Republic uh two destroyers 208 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:19,440 actually in the Republic of korean Navy 209 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:21,940 destroyer . Um And so again I would 210 00:08:21,940 --> 00:08:24,107 refer you to them for the specifics in 211 00:08:24,107 --> 00:08:26,320 terms of the operational level details 212 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:28,487 of the exercise to follow up on that . 213 00:08:28,487 --> 00:08:31,320 Some experts have noted that North 214 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:33,980 Korea fired the missiles on Tuesday 215 00:08:33,980 --> 00:08:36,330 after the U . S . And South Korea began 216 00:08:36,340 --> 00:08:38,850 these joint military exercises that we 217 00:08:38,850 --> 00:08:41,270 haven't done in five years . What what 218 00:08:41,270 --> 00:08:43,381 would you what would your response be 219 00:08:43,381 --> 00:08:45,540 to that claim ? That you know , we 220 00:08:45,540 --> 00:08:48,900 started it . Um Well clearly again 221 00:08:48,910 --> 00:08:51,950 us participating in exercises in the 222 00:08:51,950 --> 00:08:55,420 region or um engaging in bilateral or 223 00:08:55,420 --> 00:08:57,531 trilateral exercises is not something 224 00:08:57,531 --> 00:09:00,630 new . We have a long standing defense 225 00:09:00,630 --> 00:09:03,620 relationships uh relationship with both 226 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:07,220 both both South Korea and with Japan . 227 00:09:07,230 --> 00:09:10,430 And um these are defensive 228 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:13,260 exercises that are focused on how we 229 00:09:13,260 --> 00:09:15,482 would defend ourselves and how we would 230 00:09:15,482 --> 00:09:17,820 deter and they are not a threat at all 231 00:09:17,820 --> 00:09:19,987 to the region . Unlike the provocative 232 00:09:19,987 --> 00:09:22,680 activities coming from north Korea . So 233 00:09:22,690 --> 00:09:25,023 let me go ahead and move on . Yes , sir . 234 00:09:25,023 --> 00:09:27,246 Another question on the aircraft in the 235 00:09:27,246 --> 00:09:29,760 north and south . I believe the South 236 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:32,590 korean said that the northern fighters 237 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:34,650 and bombers across the special 238 00:09:34,650 --> 00:09:36,761 reconnaissance line . I was wondering 239 00:09:36,761 --> 00:09:38,928 if you could give a sense of how close 240 00:09:38,928 --> 00:09:41,150 those uh North korean aircraft actually 241 00:09:41,150 --> 00:09:43,330 got to the border . Um And secondly , 242 00:09:43,340 --> 00:09:45,451 is there any precedent for this ? I'm 243 00:09:45,451 --> 00:09:47,618 not aware of the south scrambling jets 244 00:09:47,618 --> 00:09:50,420 in response to northern aircraft coming 245 00:09:50,420 --> 00:09:52,810 close to the border if this is a new 246 00:09:52,810 --> 00:09:54,866 phenomenon . Is this a new avenue of 247 00:09:54,866 --> 00:09:56,866 destabilization ? Is that something 248 00:09:56,866 --> 00:09:59,032 you're concerned about ? Yes . So at a 249 00:09:59,032 --> 00:10:00,866 macro level I'm not aware of any 250 00:10:00,866 --> 00:10:02,866 specific , for example , unsafe for 251 00:10:02,866 --> 00:10:05,440 unprofor professional behavior by north 252 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:09,110 korean pilots uh in terms of where they 253 00:10:09,110 --> 00:10:11,332 went to in terms of the border , I have 254 00:10:11,332 --> 00:10:14,120 to refer you to South Korea . Similarly , 255 00:10:14,130 --> 00:10:17,090 any anything regarding South korean air 256 00:10:17,090 --> 00:10:19,312 forces , they'd be in the best position 257 00:10:19,312 --> 00:10:21,423 to answer your question . Thank you . 258 00:10:21,423 --> 00:10:23,590 Let me go to the phone here real quick 259 00:10:23,590 --> 00:10:25,868 steve . Benjamin from military dot com , 260 00:10:26,430 --> 00:10:28,620 appreciate it . Has there been any 261 00:10:28,630 --> 00:10:31,040 further discussions or plans when it 262 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:33,010 comes to training Ukrainians on 263 00:10:33,020 --> 00:10:36,130 american soil with using any schools , 264 00:10:36,140 --> 00:10:37,973 ranger school or any N . C . O . 265 00:10:37,973 --> 00:10:39,973 Professional development schools or 266 00:10:39,973 --> 00:10:41,973 anything along those lines ? Yeah , 267 00:10:41,973 --> 00:10:44,029 Thanks steve , I don't have anything 268 00:10:44,029 --> 00:10:46,140 specific to provide today in terms of 269 00:10:46,140 --> 00:10:48,362 Ukrainians on U . S . Soil . You know , 270 00:10:48,362 --> 00:10:51,130 certainly we we have a longstanding 271 00:10:51,140 --> 00:10:53,640 security relationship with the Ukraine 272 00:10:53,820 --> 00:10:57,290 and have had Ukrainians in the past uh 273 00:10:57,300 --> 00:10:59,522 serving in various locations in the U . 274 00:10:59,522 --> 00:11:01,650 S . For example , um from my own 275 00:11:01,650 --> 00:11:03,872 experience during my time at US Central 276 00:11:03,872 --> 00:11:05,594 Command , for example , we had 277 00:11:05,594 --> 00:11:07,650 Ukrainian forces there , but I don't 278 00:11:07,650 --> 00:11:09,706 have anything specific to provide in 279 00:11:09,706 --> 00:11:11,817 terms of training on U . S . Soil ? I 280 00:11:11,817 --> 00:11:13,928 will say in the in the days and weeks 281 00:11:13,928 --> 00:11:16,710 ahead as we continue to work with our 282 00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:19,000 international partners and our allies 283 00:11:19,010 --> 00:11:22,130 on support to Ukraine as as was 284 00:11:22,130 --> 00:11:25,080 discussed at the last contact group uh 285 00:11:25,090 --> 00:11:27,610 at Ramstein training is a significant 286 00:11:27,620 --> 00:11:29,787 aspect of that . Most of that training 287 00:11:29,787 --> 00:11:32,730 is being conducted uh in the european 288 00:11:32,740 --> 00:11:36,210 area of responsibility . Um but if and 289 00:11:36,210 --> 00:11:38,099 when we have anything to announce 290 00:11:38,099 --> 00:11:40,154 regarding training on U . S . Soil , 291 00:11:40,154 --> 00:11:42,099 we'll be sure to let you do that . 292 00:11:42,099 --> 00:11:44,210 Thank you . Let me go one more on the 293 00:11:44,210 --> 00:11:43,250 phone here and we'll come back to the 294 00:11:43,250 --> 00:11:45,450 group . J . J . Green W . T . O . P . 295 00:11:46,650 --> 00:11:48,872 General thank you for the opportunity . 296 00:11:48,872 --> 00:11:50,983 Um instability on the battlefield has 297 00:11:50,983 --> 00:11:53,340 been pretty consistent in this war in 298 00:11:53,340 --> 00:11:55,340 Ukraine that Russia is waging . But 299 00:11:55,340 --> 00:11:57,173 we're starting to see a lot more 300 00:11:57,173 --> 00:11:59,062 inconsistency and pressure on the 301 00:11:59,062 --> 00:12:00,562 administration , the Putin 302 00:12:00,562 --> 00:12:03,110 administration in Moscow . And I'm just 303 00:12:03,110 --> 00:12:06,180 curious is if this is of concern to the 304 00:12:06,180 --> 00:12:08,236 U . S . Military because of Russia's 305 00:12:08,236 --> 00:12:10,180 threats and because of some of the 306 00:12:10,180 --> 00:12:12,347 actions that Russia has taken in terms 307 00:12:12,347 --> 00:12:14,236 of the Safaris a plan . And those 308 00:12:14,236 --> 00:12:16,458 threats I'm referring to are threats of 309 00:12:16,458 --> 00:12:18,791 using possibly tactical nuclear weapons . 310 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:22,700 Okay , if I if I can I apologize , 311 00:12:22,700 --> 00:12:24,756 break down your question . So what I 312 00:12:24,756 --> 00:12:26,867 think you're asking is concerns about 313 00:12:26,867 --> 00:12:28,978 instability in the Russian government 314 00:12:28,978 --> 00:12:31,360 uh and then concerns about nuclear 315 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:34,250 threats . Was that your question J . J . 316 00:12:35,030 --> 00:12:37,940 So in regards to the Russian government , 317 00:12:37,950 --> 00:12:40,170 I'm not going to comment on that , 318 00:12:40,170 --> 00:12:42,770 that's clearly something that's in the 319 00:12:42,770 --> 00:12:45,110 purview of the Russian people our focus 320 00:12:45,110 --> 00:12:48,180 is on supporting Ukraine as they defend 321 00:12:48,180 --> 00:12:50,930 their their country . Uh in terms of 322 00:12:50,930 --> 00:12:54,450 the the nuclear threats , um you know , 323 00:12:54,450 --> 00:12:57,030 we've talked about this . Um many 324 00:12:57,040 --> 00:13:00,210 people in our government and in the 325 00:13:00,220 --> 00:13:02,164 international community to include 326 00:13:02,250 --> 00:13:04,430 Secretary Austin have have highlighted 327 00:13:04,430 --> 00:13:06,330 the fact that this nuclear saber 328 00:13:06,330 --> 00:13:09,750 rattling is reckless and irresponsible . 329 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,610 Um as I've mentioned before at this 330 00:13:12,610 --> 00:13:16,120 stage , we do not have any information 331 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,009 that would cause us to change our 332 00:13:18,009 --> 00:13:20,880 strategic deterrence posture . Uh and 333 00:13:20,890 --> 00:13:23,470 and we don't assess that um President 334 00:13:23,470 --> 00:13:26,320 Putin has made a decision to use 335 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:29,090 nuclear weapons at this time . Again , 336 00:13:29,090 --> 00:13:31,257 we're taking it very seriously . We'll 337 00:13:31,257 --> 00:13:33,257 continue to monitor . Um but in the 338 00:13:33,257 --> 00:13:35,201 meantime , again , our focus is on 339 00:13:35,201 --> 00:13:37,423 supporting Ukraine . Okay , let me come 340 00:13:37,423 --> 00:13:39,630 back to the room Tony the vessels in 341 00:13:39,630 --> 00:13:43,110 the uh east of Korea , South Korea . 342 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:45,287 Are you applying ? Are you saying that 343 00:13:45,287 --> 00:13:47,120 they are all equipped with aegis 344 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:49,287 ballistic missile defense capability ? 345 00:13:49,287 --> 00:13:51,509 Chancellorsville . And I think that the 346 00:13:51,509 --> 00:13:53,176 Bainbridge said we've got the 347 00:13:53,176 --> 00:13:56,050 Chancellor Chancellorsville and the Ben 348 00:13:56,050 --> 00:13:58,630 fold equipped with Aegis ballistic 349 00:13:58,630 --> 00:14:01,580 missile defense . I'd have to refer you 350 00:14:01,580 --> 00:14:05,240 to the Navy on that . Can you direct 351 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,540 them ? Because there's a limited number 352 00:14:08,540 --> 00:14:10,762 of those vessels on the seventh . We'll 353 00:14:10,762 --> 00:14:12,818 take the question Tony and we'll get 354 00:14:12,818 --> 00:14:15,220 you what we can provide . You talked 355 00:14:15,220 --> 00:14:17,109 about earlier . The commission to 356 00:14:17,109 --> 00:14:19,164 rename . Did they recommend that the 357 00:14:19,164 --> 00:14:21,387 USs Chancellorsville be named renamed ? 358 00:14:21,387 --> 00:14:23,387 I'd have to go back and look at the 359 00:14:23,387 --> 00:14:25,498 report and I don't have that in front 360 00:14:25,498 --> 00:14:27,387 of me . Thanks very much . Okay . 361 00:14:27,387 --> 00:14:29,553 Custom General , is there a discussion 362 00:14:29,553 --> 00:14:31,790 at the pentagon on the potential 363 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:34,760 revision of relations with Saudi Arabia 364 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,570 and United Arab Emirates after the Opec 365 00:14:37,570 --> 00:14:40,380 plus decision to slash oil production 366 00:14:40,390 --> 00:14:43,950 by two million barrels a day . Um , so 367 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:46,182 I don't have anything to provide from a 368 00:14:46,182 --> 00:14:48,390 D . O . D . Perspective . Obviously , 369 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:50,870 uh , the White House has put out a 370 00:14:50,870 --> 00:14:52,981 statement on that , but I'd refer you 371 00:14:52,981 --> 00:14:55,203 to the White House . Many congressmen , 372 00:14:55,300 --> 00:14:57,160 members of Congress has put out 373 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:59,520 statements tweets that the United 374 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:01,580 States should provide its relations 375 00:15:01,580 --> 00:15:04,470 with Saudi Arabia and also 376 00:15:04,620 --> 00:15:08,460 stop providing arms arms 377 00:15:08,460 --> 00:15:11,040 sales to Saudi Arabia is the pentagon 378 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:13,096 position on this ? Yeah . So I'm not 379 00:15:13,096 --> 00:15:15,207 going to comment on any congressional 380 00:15:15,207 --> 00:15:17,262 statements . Um , you know , again , 381 00:15:17,262 --> 00:15:19,429 our focus is on conducting our mission 382 00:15:19,429 --> 00:15:21,970 wherever that may be . Uh , and I'll 383 00:15:21,970 --> 00:15:24,370 just leave it at that . Thanks . And 384 00:15:24,370 --> 00:15:27,350 then I'll come inside defense . Um , to , 385 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:29,527 to Opec uh , it looks like the body is 386 00:15:29,527 --> 00:15:31,527 reprogrammed about $2 billion since 387 00:15:31,527 --> 00:15:34,430 july to address unbudgeted fuel costs . 388 00:15:34,430 --> 00:15:36,430 And now Opec has said they're gonna 389 00:15:36,430 --> 00:15:38,708 start cutting the global supply of oil . 390 00:15:38,708 --> 00:15:40,708 How is that going to impact how the 391 00:15:40,708 --> 00:15:42,874 department pays for fuel as it already 392 00:15:42,874 --> 00:15:44,874 seems to be a challenge because the 393 00:15:44,874 --> 00:15:47,097 cost has already been going up . Yeah . 394 00:15:47,097 --> 00:15:49,374 So I'm not gonna speak to Opec uh , in , 395 00:15:49,374 --> 00:15:51,263 in uh , you know , specifically . 396 00:15:51,263 --> 00:15:53,430 Obviously the defense logistics agency 397 00:15:53,430 --> 00:15:55,140 does a great job every day of 398 00:15:55,140 --> 00:15:57,550 determining what the department's fuel 399 00:15:57,560 --> 00:15:59,860 and energy requirements are . Uh they 400 00:15:59,860 --> 00:16:02,150 will take into account a whole variety 401 00:16:02,150 --> 00:16:04,317 of issues and factors and variables to 402 00:16:04,317 --> 00:16:06,372 ensure that our forces have the fuel 403 00:16:06,372 --> 00:16:08,539 and the energy they need regardless of 404 00:16:08,539 --> 00:16:10,706 where they're serving . So thanks very 405 00:16:10,706 --> 00:16:12,761 much . Thank you general . So I have 406 00:16:12,761 --> 00:16:14,872 two questions . The first one , we've 407 00:16:14,872 --> 00:16:17,039 seen a number of statements coming out 408 00:16:17,039 --> 00:16:19,039 of Israel uh indicating a potential 409 00:16:19,039 --> 00:16:21,150 escalation with Lebanon . Minister of 410 00:16:21,150 --> 00:16:23,800 Defense , Benny Gantz uh talked about 411 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:25,930 this and even called on his forces to 412 00:16:25,930 --> 00:16:28,020 be ready for potential escalation , 413 00:16:28,020 --> 00:16:30,190 warned Hezbollah , media reports about 414 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:32,422 the Security Council , Israeli Security 415 00:16:32,422 --> 00:16:34,644 Council , talking about preparation for 416 00:16:34,644 --> 00:16:36,811 potential escalation , is the pentagon 417 00:16:36,811 --> 00:16:39,033 monitoring the situation between Israel 418 00:16:39,033 --> 00:16:40,811 and Lebanon , Have you seen any 419 00:16:40,811 --> 00:16:43,320 indication of possibility of escalation 420 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:45,960 between these two countries ? And are 421 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:47,960 you in touch with your counterparts 422 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:50,182 both in Lebanon and Israel and I have a 423 00:16:50,182 --> 00:16:52,530 separate question . Sure . So , you 424 00:16:52,530 --> 00:16:56,360 know , in terms of the um the broader 425 00:16:56,370 --> 00:17:00,030 Middle East , um we're always keeping 426 00:17:00,030 --> 00:17:03,710 an eye on things . We clearly have 427 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:07,170 many partners in the region and 428 00:17:07,170 --> 00:17:09,114 communicate with them on a regular 429 00:17:09,114 --> 00:17:11,720 basis to include having uh 430 00:17:11,730 --> 00:17:13,786 representatives of the Department of 431 00:17:13,786 --> 00:17:17,300 Defense working in Israel uh and in 432 00:17:17,310 --> 00:17:19,310 Lebanon obviously through our , you 433 00:17:19,310 --> 00:17:21,490 know , defense attaches uh and and 434 00:17:21,490 --> 00:17:23,600 other security cooperation uh in 435 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:25,656 regards to the current situation , I 436 00:17:25,656 --> 00:17:28,430 don't have any specifics to provide or 437 00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:30,662 um you know , again , we'll continue to 438 00:17:30,662 --> 00:17:33,070 monitor the situation and on the rate 439 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:35,380 today in Northeast Syria ? Our 440 00:17:35,380 --> 00:17:37,269 understanding is it happened near 441 00:17:37,269 --> 00:17:39,590 commercially a nicest leader of course , 442 00:17:39,590 --> 00:17:42,900 by the name was 443 00:17:42,900 --> 00:17:45,850 killed . Are you able to say whether 444 00:17:45,860 --> 00:17:47,749 the operation happened in an area 445 00:17:47,749 --> 00:17:50,220 that's controlled by the Syrian regime , 446 00:17:50,230 --> 00:17:52,520 military or forces loyal to the Syrian 447 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:55,450 regime ? Um , so I can tell you that it 448 00:17:55,450 --> 00:17:58,270 happened near the village of 449 00:17:58,950 --> 00:18:01,270 uh , which is as you know , Northeast 450 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:03,480 Syria . Um , centcom is putting out a 451 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:05,480 statement on this . If you , if you 452 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,702 don't have it already , you should have 453 00:18:07,702 --> 00:18:09,924 it , but it doesn't go into that part . 454 00:18:09,924 --> 00:18:12,091 So I was wondering if you can , if you 455 00:18:12,091 --> 00:18:14,258 have additional details , I don't have 456 00:18:14,258 --> 00:18:13,620 any additional details provided . 457 00:18:13,630 --> 00:18:15,852 Thanks very much . Let me go to Rio and 458 00:18:15,852 --> 00:18:19,650 then go back out to the phone , North 459 00:18:19,650 --> 00:18:23,080 Korea . Could you give us an update on 460 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,080 the North Korea's preparation over 461 00:18:25,090 --> 00:18:27,550 nuclear test . Does the pentagon assess 462 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:29,900 North Korea is ready to conduct a 463 00:18:29,910 --> 00:18:33,740 nuclear test at any moment . Thanks Rio . 464 00:18:33,750 --> 00:18:35,972 So I , you know , I talked about this a 465 00:18:35,972 --> 00:18:38,028 little bit on Tuesday . I don't have 466 00:18:38,028 --> 00:18:39,972 any updates to provide from what I 467 00:18:39,972 --> 00:18:42,194 provided to you previously . Other than 468 00:18:42,194 --> 00:18:44,830 again , we do assess that that North 469 00:18:44,830 --> 00:18:47,430 Korea has been making preparations if 470 00:18:47,430 --> 00:18:49,920 and when they do conduct a nuclear test , 471 00:18:49,930 --> 00:18:52,250 I'm not gonna speculate . So thanks . 472 00:18:52,260 --> 00:18:54,593 All right , let me go to the phone here , 473 00:18:54,593 --> 00:18:57,090 Heather from us and I thank you so much 474 00:18:57,100 --> 00:18:58,822 besides the two ships that you 475 00:18:58,822 --> 00:19:01,100 mentioned as part of the Ronald Reagan , 476 00:19:01,100 --> 00:19:03,100 is there any plans to send any more 477 00:19:03,100 --> 00:19:05,322 ships over there to conduct exercises ? 478 00:19:05,322 --> 00:19:07,656 To make a statement ? So thanks heather . 479 00:19:07,656 --> 00:19:10,090 I'm not tracking anything in particular . 480 00:19:10,090 --> 00:19:12,257 You know , I'm not going to talk about 481 00:19:12,257 --> 00:19:14,590 future operations , but as of right now , 482 00:19:14,590 --> 00:19:16,780 um , I don't have anything beyond what 483 00:19:16,780 --> 00:19:18,940 I've already provided to you . Thank 484 00:19:18,940 --> 00:19:22,700 you . Okay , sir . Before 485 00:19:22,700 --> 00:19:25,050 my southeast question , if I may go to 486 00:19:25,060 --> 00:19:27,670 North Korea , who's helping North Korea , 487 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:31,310 China or Russia ? Or is it something to 488 00:19:31,310 --> 00:19:35,030 do with the Ukraine war ? Um , 489 00:19:35,650 --> 00:19:37,650 that is a very broad , open ended 490 00:19:37,650 --> 00:19:39,900 question . Um , and if you're if the 491 00:19:39,900 --> 00:19:43,400 question that you're asking is uh , is 492 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:46,360 China or Russia assisting North Korea 493 00:19:46,360 --> 00:19:49,440 with their missile program . Um , I'm 494 00:19:49,440 --> 00:19:51,051 not really going to get into 495 00:19:51,051 --> 00:19:53,162 intelligence , what we may or may not 496 00:19:53,162 --> 00:19:55,970 know in that regard . Clearly . Uh , 497 00:19:55,980 --> 00:19:58,720 North Korea maintains a relationship 498 00:19:58,730 --> 00:20:02,000 with China and with Russia , which says 499 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,620 a lot . Uh , and so we just leave it at 500 00:20:04,620 --> 00:20:06,842 that . Thanks very much . And then your 501 00:20:06,842 --> 00:20:10,830 South AsIA question how seriously 502 00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:12,951 Secretary of Defense or this building 503 00:20:12,951 --> 00:20:16,020 takes the remarks by Prime Minister 504 00:20:16,020 --> 00:20:19,670 Narendra modi or with President Putin , 505 00:20:21,130 --> 00:20:23,470 almost eight months old . War will be 506 00:20:23,470 --> 00:20:26,850 over . This is one of the longest wars 507 00:20:26,910 --> 00:20:29,710 in history between a superpower and a 508 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:32,570 tiny nation . So almost eight months . 509 00:20:32,580 --> 00:20:35,180 So prime Minister modi said that war 510 00:20:35,180 --> 00:20:37,650 will be over already told the President 511 00:20:37,650 --> 00:20:39,790 Putin , I'm not sure I understand . 512 00:20:39,790 --> 00:20:43,360 What's the question is 513 00:20:43,360 --> 00:20:47,180 meeting with President Putin . He 514 00:20:47,180 --> 00:20:49,410 told President Putin that war should be 515 00:20:49,410 --> 00:20:53,330 over . And how seriously you think this 516 00:20:53,330 --> 00:20:55,552 building or Secretary takes the remarks 517 00:20:55,552 --> 00:20:58,890 by . Yeah , so I don't I don't want to 518 00:20:58,890 --> 00:21:00,779 comment specifically on the Prime 519 00:21:00,779 --> 00:21:03,090 Minister's comments . Um what I will 520 00:21:03,090 --> 00:21:06,720 say uh is that as evidenced uh 521 00:21:06,730 --> 00:21:09,430 recently by some of those discussions 522 00:21:09,430 --> 00:21:11,597 and what we saw in the public in terms 523 00:21:11,597 --> 00:21:14,220 of the response by international 524 00:21:14,220 --> 00:21:17,930 leaders to include in china uh to 525 00:21:17,930 --> 00:21:20,720 President Putin is very indicative of 526 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:24,440 the fact that um Russia stands alone in 527 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:26,610 this issue and its aggression of 528 00:21:26,610 --> 00:21:29,460 Ukraine . How do you put the relation 529 00:21:29,460 --> 00:21:31,627 between military to military relations 530 00:21:31,627 --> 00:21:33,627 between the United States and India 531 00:21:33,627 --> 00:21:35,793 today ? I think we have good relations 532 00:21:35,793 --> 00:21:38,127 and I think as evidenced by secretaries , 533 00:21:38,127 --> 00:21:39,793 Austin's Secretary . Austin's 534 00:21:39,793 --> 00:21:42,500 engagements most recently with both the 535 00:21:42,500 --> 00:21:44,990 Foreign Minister and with the Minister 536 00:21:44,990 --> 00:21:47,101 of Defense . It's a relationship that 537 00:21:47,101 --> 00:21:48,934 we look forward to continuing to 538 00:21:48,934 --> 00:21:52,150 improve uh and particularly focused on 539 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:54,480 the interoperability between our two 540 00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:56,660 militaries . So , I think it's moving 541 00:21:56,660 --> 00:21:59,210 in the right direction . Okay , let me 542 00:21:59,220 --> 00:22:01,498 go ahead and ask a few other questions . 543 00:22:01,498 --> 00:22:04,310 Yes , Liz , back to the ISIS rate in 544 00:22:04,310 --> 00:22:06,720 Northeast Syria , it's been years and 545 00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:08,942 years since the US has conducted a raid 546 00:22:08,942 --> 00:22:10,998 in that part of the country . Um can 547 00:22:10,998 --> 00:22:13,120 you speak to why now and the 548 00:22:13,120 --> 00:22:15,970 significance of that ? Um so I don't I 549 00:22:15,970 --> 00:22:17,692 don't know that I can speak to 550 00:22:17,692 --> 00:22:20,280 specifically why this location other 551 00:22:20,280 --> 00:22:22,580 than the fact that clearly there was an 552 00:22:22,580 --> 00:22:26,170 ISIS terrorist . Uh and uh 553 00:22:26,180 --> 00:22:28,620 centcom deemed it necessary as part of 554 00:22:28,620 --> 00:22:30,787 our continuing defeat ISIS campaign to 555 00:22:30,787 --> 00:22:32,787 strike there . I don't know that my 556 00:22:32,787 --> 00:22:35,410 point being , location agnostic , right ? 557 00:22:35,410 --> 00:22:37,720 We're gonna go where we need to go . Uh 558 00:22:37,730 --> 00:22:39,619 If there's a threat that presents 559 00:22:39,619 --> 00:22:41,619 itself again , I would encourage to 560 00:22:41,619 --> 00:22:43,841 contact centcom and they can give you a 561 00:22:43,841 --> 00:22:47,190 much higher level of detail . The Sdf 562 00:22:47,190 --> 00:22:49,520 has conducted a series of raids in El 563 00:22:49,520 --> 00:22:53,030 Hol camp recently and their U . S . 564 00:22:53,030 --> 00:22:56,570 Backed forces is ISIS a growing threat 565 00:22:56,580 --> 00:22:58,860 in that camp . Um Well , I mean , 566 00:22:58,860 --> 00:23:02,560 you've seen uh you've seen as as I have 567 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:04,710 a lot of reporting on the challenges 568 00:23:04,710 --> 00:23:08,520 with some of these large camps where 569 00:23:08,530 --> 00:23:11,450 um you have ISIS 570 00:23:12,410 --> 00:23:15,530 and these induct the indoctrination of 571 00:23:15,540 --> 00:23:18,940 future ISIS . Um you know , potential 572 00:23:18,940 --> 00:23:22,110 future future ISIS recruits . So um I 573 00:23:22,110 --> 00:23:24,054 know that this is something that's 574 00:23:24,054 --> 00:23:26,166 being taken very seriously , not only 575 00:23:26,166 --> 00:23:29,680 by the SDF but also by the US . Uh and 576 00:23:29,690 --> 00:23:31,880 as we work as part of the defeat ISIS 577 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:35,540 campaign . Um so it , you know , in a 578 00:23:35,540 --> 00:23:38,530 lot of ways , ISIS uh clearly ISIS is 579 00:23:38,530 --> 00:23:41,060 not the threat that they were back in 580 00:23:41,060 --> 00:23:43,770 2014 . Uh and the point is , we want to 581 00:23:43,780 --> 00:23:45,502 keep it that way . And so it's 582 00:23:45,502 --> 00:23:47,724 something that we have to just continue 583 00:23:47,724 --> 00:23:49,947 to work very hard on , which is again , 584 00:23:49,947 --> 00:23:52,169 a large reason why you saw an operation 585 00:23:52,169 --> 00:23:54,280 like you did last night . Thank you . 586 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:56,502 Let me go back up to the phone and I'll 587 00:23:56,502 --> 00:23:58,613 come back in the room here . Uh Simon 588 00:23:58,613 --> 00:24:01,310 lee from Radio Free Asia ? Yes , thank 589 00:24:01,310 --> 00:24:03,532 you for protecting my question . Let me 590 00:24:03,532 --> 00:24:06,310 ask you again , North Korea . So you 591 00:24:06,310 --> 00:24:08,310 mentioned that you you're trying to 592 00:24:08,310 --> 00:24:10,366 close consultation with the japanese 593 00:24:10,366 --> 00:24:12,820 and south Korea about responding 594 00:24:12,820 --> 00:24:15,890 measure to North Korea provocations . 595 00:24:15,900 --> 00:24:18,610 So , can you tell me physically what 596 00:24:18,620 --> 00:24:20,898 measure are you considering to respond ? 597 00:24:20,898 --> 00:24:23,470 North Korea provocations ? I'm sorry , 598 00:24:23,470 --> 00:24:25,303 I had a real time . So I've been 599 00:24:25,303 --> 00:24:27,248 hearing what , hearing what you're 600 00:24:27,248 --> 00:24:29,359 saying . Can you ask that again ? Can 601 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:31,470 you tell me any specific measure come 602 00:24:31,470 --> 00:24:33,820 to respond North Korea provocation ? 603 00:24:33,820 --> 00:24:36,230 You're considering any specific 604 00:24:36,230 --> 00:24:38,560 measures ? Uh So , you know , again , I 605 00:24:38,560 --> 00:24:40,504 don't want to talk about potential 606 00:24:40,504 --> 00:24:43,180 future operations . Uh As I mentioned , 607 00:24:43,180 --> 00:24:45,710 our focus is on working with our allies 608 00:24:45,710 --> 00:24:48,130 and our partners in the region to 609 00:24:48,140 --> 00:24:50,420 preserve peace and stability , to 610 00:24:50,420 --> 00:24:53,870 demonstrate that we are um 611 00:24:54,780 --> 00:24:57,570 going to work together to deter uh 612 00:24:57,580 --> 00:25:00,600 potential future actions . Um If and 613 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:03,510 when there are uh future provocations , 614 00:25:03,520 --> 00:25:05,298 you know , we'll we'll take the 615 00:25:05,298 --> 00:25:07,187 appropriate action our role is to 616 00:25:07,187 --> 00:25:09,076 provide and the D . O . D . Is to 617 00:25:09,076 --> 00:25:11,187 provide our leadership with options . 618 00:25:11,187 --> 00:25:13,242 But I'm not going to speculate about 619 00:25:13,242 --> 00:25:15,353 what those may or may not be . Okay . 620 00:25:15,353 --> 00:25:19,190 Let me go to Phil Stewart Reuters . Hey 621 00:25:19,190 --> 00:25:23,130 there . Um so , real quick on the 622 00:25:23,130 --> 00:25:25,450 issue of the Saudis . Has the secretary 623 00:25:25,460 --> 00:25:27,571 been contacted by members of Congress 624 00:25:27,571 --> 00:25:29,880 who ? Representative Malinowski is 625 00:25:29,890 --> 00:25:32,120 calling for the withdrawal of US forces 626 00:25:32,130 --> 00:25:34,241 in the wake of these uh this decision 627 00:25:34,241 --> 00:25:37,020 by opec plus um has he been in contact 628 00:25:37,020 --> 00:25:39,350 with Saudi officials about his concerns 629 00:25:39,360 --> 00:25:42,030 potentially to U . S . Military support 630 00:25:42,030 --> 00:25:44,086 in the U . S . Military relationship 631 00:25:44,086 --> 00:25:46,660 there ? Thanks thanks Phil um in in 632 00:25:46,660 --> 00:25:49,460 regards to uh communication with 633 00:25:49,460 --> 00:25:51,730 Congress , the Secretary communicates 634 00:25:51,730 --> 00:25:53,674 with members of Congress on a wide 635 00:25:53,674 --> 00:25:55,674 variety of issues . I don't I don't 636 00:25:55,674 --> 00:25:58,300 have any specifics to provide . Um he 637 00:25:58,300 --> 00:26:02,250 did conduct a uh phone call uh as 638 00:26:02,250 --> 00:26:05,490 you know , with his Saudi counterpart 639 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:08,430 um recently and we issued a readout on 640 00:26:08,430 --> 00:26:10,152 that . So you should have that 641 00:26:10,152 --> 00:26:12,374 available on our on our website there . 642 00:26:12,374 --> 00:26:14,541 We can get it to you which details the 643 00:26:14,541 --> 00:26:16,874 nature of that conversation . Thank you . 644 00:26:17,010 --> 00:26:19,343 Let me let me get some other folks here . 645 00:26:19,343 --> 00:26:21,970 Yes , sir , General regarding to Yemen 646 00:26:21,980 --> 00:26:25,010 the parties they felt to extend the 647 00:26:25,010 --> 00:26:27,800 ceasefire agreement . So how worried 648 00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:30,600 are you about any escalation could be 649 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:33,950 happened in the next coming days ? And 650 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:36,127 my second question , are you preparing 651 00:26:36,127 --> 00:26:39,370 for any future transfer defense weapons 652 00:26:39,380 --> 00:26:43,130 to Saudi Arabia ? And um so on your 653 00:26:43,130 --> 00:26:45,352 latter question , I don't have anything 654 00:26:45,352 --> 00:26:47,519 to announce today uh in terms of Yemen 655 00:26:47,519 --> 00:26:49,860 clearly uh it's in everyone's interest 656 00:26:49,860 --> 00:26:52,750 for there not to be escalation uh as 657 00:26:52,750 --> 00:26:55,140 evidenced by what we highlighted in 658 00:26:55,140 --> 00:26:57,196 that readout . And so again we would 659 00:26:57,196 --> 00:27:00,770 hope uh that um parties continue to 660 00:27:00,770 --> 00:27:02,992 work together to try to de escalate and 661 00:27:02,992 --> 00:27:05,214 resolve the situation more peacefully . 662 00:27:05,214 --> 00:27:07,900 Thank you . Yes , ma'am back to Syria . 663 00:27:07,910 --> 00:27:10,077 I understand you don't have details on 664 00:27:10,077 --> 00:27:12,243 the location of the raid . But broadly 665 00:27:12,243 --> 00:27:14,480 speaking , can you tell us if whether 666 00:27:14,480 --> 00:27:17,720 the U . S . Forces in Syria can conduct 667 00:27:17,730 --> 00:27:21,280 operations or raids in areas under the 668 00:27:21,280 --> 00:27:23,610 regime , the Syrian regime control 669 00:27:23,620 --> 00:27:27,270 without any sort of coordination with 670 00:27:27,270 --> 00:27:31,120 the regime forces . So the short answer 671 00:27:31,120 --> 00:27:33,287 is we will conduct operations where we 672 00:27:33,287 --> 00:27:36,260 need to if there is a threat against 673 00:27:36,270 --> 00:27:39,480 us personnel , our allies , our 674 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:42,440 partners or our interests . And so um 675 00:27:42,450 --> 00:27:44,728 I'll just leave it at that . Thank you . 676 00:27:44,728 --> 00:27:47,720 Yes ma'am , thank you for the 677 00:27:47,730 --> 00:27:50,610 production of sanctions against North 678 00:27:50,610 --> 00:27:54,090 Korea failed due to china and 679 00:27:54,090 --> 00:27:57,450 Russia's veto at the U . N . Security 680 00:27:57,460 --> 00:28:00,280 Council er revolution meeting yesterday 681 00:28:00,290 --> 00:28:04,270 and also china blaming about us and 682 00:28:04,270 --> 00:28:08,040 rok joint military exercises . How 683 00:28:08,050 --> 00:28:11,280 can you comment ? I'm going to 684 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:13,502 apologize . I'm not sure I understand . 685 00:28:13,502 --> 00:28:15,502 How do I comment on China and North 686 00:28:15,502 --> 00:28:18,690 Korea's um condemnation of the china . 687 00:28:18,700 --> 00:28:22,680 So China and Russia vetoes at the U . 688 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:26,430 N . Security for sanctions against 689 00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:29,560 I would say again , our focus uh the 690 00:28:29,560 --> 00:28:31,671 United States working with our allies 691 00:28:31,671 --> 00:28:33,838 and our partners in the region are foe 692 00:28:33,838 --> 00:28:35,838 focuses on and we've said this many 693 00:28:35,838 --> 00:28:37,838 times trying to preserve a free and 694 00:28:37,838 --> 00:28:40,260 open indo pacific I think many like 695 00:28:40,260 --> 00:28:43,170 minded nations in the region agree . Uh 696 00:28:43,170 --> 00:28:45,330 and that it's all it's in all of our 697 00:28:45,330 --> 00:28:47,600 best interests to have a region that's 698 00:28:47,600 --> 00:28:49,930 peaceful and that's stable uh and that 699 00:28:49,940 --> 00:28:52,670 actions that uh the track from that 700 00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:54,847 that are provocative are not helpful . 701 00:28:54,847 --> 00:28:57,013 So , I'll leave it at that . Let me go 702 00:28:57,013 --> 00:28:58,958 back up to the phone here , Jeff . 703 00:28:58,958 --> 00:29:01,200 Seldin V o a thanks very much for doing 704 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:04,020 this quick question . Following up on 705 00:29:04,020 --> 00:29:06,131 ISIS in Syria . I know you don't have 706 00:29:06,131 --> 00:29:08,353 details of the actual rate itself , but 707 00:29:08,353 --> 00:29:10,760 taking a step back , can you describe 708 00:29:10,770 --> 00:29:13,470 or talk about generally the threat that 709 00:29:13,470 --> 00:29:16,540 ISIS poses , especially from regime 710 00:29:16,540 --> 00:29:19,250 held areas of Syria . It's something 711 00:29:19,250 --> 00:29:21,417 that's been voiced multiple times over 712 00:29:21,417 --> 00:29:23,250 the years as concerns by U . S . 713 00:29:23,250 --> 00:29:25,330 Officials . Military officials is a 714 00:29:25,330 --> 00:29:27,441 threat from ISIS in regime controlled 715 00:29:27,441 --> 00:29:30,170 Syria , growing changing . What what 716 00:29:30,170 --> 00:29:32,360 can you tell us about that ? Yeah . 717 00:29:32,370 --> 00:29:34,450 Thanks Jeff . So , again , I would I 718 00:29:34,450 --> 00:29:36,283 would refer you to centcom for a 719 00:29:36,283 --> 00:29:39,960 detailed uh explanation in terms of the 720 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:43,090 current status of ISIS and where they 721 00:29:43,090 --> 00:29:46,370 are in Syria , specifically . Again , 722 00:29:46,380 --> 00:29:49,810 IsIS in Syria is not a new thing . Uh 723 00:29:49,820 --> 00:29:52,350 They were largely neutralized of course , 724 00:29:52,360 --> 00:29:55,690 uh as you know , uh part of the counter 725 00:29:55,690 --> 00:29:57,857 ISIS campaign , but that that campaign 726 00:29:57,857 --> 00:29:59,840 still continues because the threat 727 00:29:59,850 --> 00:30:01,739 still exists , although to a much 728 00:30:01,739 --> 00:30:04,940 smaller degree . And so our focus is to 729 00:30:04,940 --> 00:30:08,900 continue to work with our partners in 730 00:30:08,900 --> 00:30:12,320 the region by with and through uh to 731 00:30:12,330 --> 00:30:15,440 uh eliminate that threat and hopefully 732 00:30:15,450 --> 00:30:18,880 prevent it from spreading further . 733 00:30:19,390 --> 00:30:22,050 Thanks . All right , let me go to Laura 734 00:30:22,060 --> 00:30:24,338 and then I'll do a couple more in here . 735 00:30:24,338 --> 00:30:26,227 I just wanted to ask you with the 736 00:30:26,227 --> 00:30:28,282 defense contact group coming up next 737 00:30:28,282 --> 00:30:30,393 week . Can you say a little bit about 738 00:30:30,393 --> 00:30:32,338 where the discussion stands and in 739 00:30:32,338 --> 00:30:34,227 terms of sending tanks to Ukraine 740 00:30:34,227 --> 00:30:36,393 modern tanks , not just the old soviet 741 00:30:36,393 --> 00:30:38,004 tanks . I understand there's 742 00:30:38,004 --> 00:30:40,116 complications with sending the Abrams 743 00:30:40,116 --> 00:30:43,650 but perhaps there's a german there 744 00:30:43,650 --> 00:30:47,180 might be discussion . So 745 00:30:47,260 --> 00:30:49,720 I don't have any specifics today to 746 00:30:49,720 --> 00:30:52,720 provide clearly . And we'll put out a 747 00:30:52,730 --> 00:30:54,960 press release on this announcing about 748 00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:56,980 next week . We will conduct a UK 749 00:30:56,990 --> 00:30:59,620 Ukraine Defense contact group session 750 00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:02,930 on the margins of the NATO defense 751 00:31:02,930 --> 00:31:06,820 ministerial uh in brussels . Uh we 752 00:31:06,820 --> 00:31:08,880 look forward to engaging with our 753 00:31:08,890 --> 00:31:11,000 allies and our partners to discuss 754 00:31:11,000 --> 00:31:13,167 support to Ukraine . I know there will 755 00:31:13,167 --> 00:31:15,390 be a variety of topics discussed uh to 756 00:31:15,390 --> 00:31:18,450 include security assistance and so um 757 00:31:19,100 --> 00:31:21,378 after that we may have more to provide . 758 00:31:21,378 --> 00:31:23,680 So thank you . All right , let me go . 759 00:31:23,690 --> 00:31:26,290 Yes sir . Question about cybersecurity 760 00:31:26,300 --> 00:31:28,970 reports that pro Russia hacking group 761 00:31:28,980 --> 00:31:30,813 Kill net compromised the U . S . 762 00:31:30,813 --> 00:31:33,050 Defense data center and also websites 763 00:31:33,050 --> 00:31:34,939 run by governments in states like 764 00:31:34,939 --> 00:31:36,939 Colorado and Connecticut . Does the 765 00:31:36,939 --> 00:31:39,480 pentagon have any assessment of what 766 00:31:39,480 --> 00:31:41,591 happened there ? Is there a statement 767 00:31:41,591 --> 00:31:43,702 you can provide ? Yeah , I don't have 768 00:31:43,702 --> 00:31:45,702 anything on that but well I'll take 769 00:31:45,702 --> 00:31:45,350 that question and we'll get back to you 770 00:31:45,800 --> 00:31:48,022 because someone go to you and I'm going 771 00:31:48,022 --> 00:31:50,133 to go to the phone to clarification . 772 00:31:50,133 --> 00:31:52,356 Question one you said you mentioned the 773 00:31:52,356 --> 00:31:54,411 phone call between him and his Saudi 774 00:31:54,411 --> 00:31:56,522 counterpart . It was before Of course 775 00:31:56,522 --> 00:32:00,130 the opec plus did he had 776 00:32:00,290 --> 00:32:02,457 up to Secretary of Defense like saying 777 00:32:02,457 --> 00:32:05,000 hey we're going to do this . Thanks . 778 00:32:05,000 --> 00:32:07,000 Yeah thanks guys I'm not gonna have 779 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:09,111 anything to provide beyond what we've 780 00:32:09,111 --> 00:32:11,160 provided the reader . Thank you the 781 00:32:11,170 --> 00:32:13,003 centcom statement . And you also 782 00:32:13,003 --> 00:32:16,450 mentioned Village of commissioner . Is 783 00:32:16,450 --> 00:32:18,394 this like we know that the city of 784 00:32:18,394 --> 00:32:20,506 commission is this something separate 785 00:32:20,506 --> 00:32:22,339 from that city ? I would contact 786 00:32:22,339 --> 00:32:24,394 centcom . They can give you the more 787 00:32:24,394 --> 00:32:26,680 specifics . Thank you . Okay let's go 788 00:32:26,680 --> 00:32:30,280 to Caitlyn new york post . Hi there . 789 00:32:30,290 --> 00:32:32,401 Um Yesterday the D . O . D . Released 790 00:32:32,401 --> 00:32:34,623 the names of chinese military companies 791 00:32:34,623 --> 00:32:36,679 working in the US . Um Just the duty 792 00:32:36,679 --> 00:32:38,623 have business dealings with any of 793 00:32:38,623 --> 00:32:40,734 these companies and if the contractor 794 00:32:40,734 --> 00:32:42,457 discloses they work with these 795 00:32:42,457 --> 00:32:44,679 companies is the department less likely 796 00:32:44,679 --> 00:32:46,734 to accept that bid ? Sorry Caitlin ? 797 00:32:46,734 --> 00:32:49,012 I'm having a hard time hearing hearing . 798 00:32:49,012 --> 00:32:51,290 You . Can you repeat that ? Sure thing . 799 00:32:51,290 --> 00:32:53,650 Um So yesterday D . O . D . Released 800 00:32:53,650 --> 00:32:55,539 the names of the chinese military 801 00:32:55,539 --> 00:32:58,430 companies working in the U . S . Does 802 00:32:58,430 --> 00:33:00,680 the D . O . D . Have business dealings 803 00:33:00,680 --> 00:33:02,736 with any of these companies And if a 804 00:33:02,736 --> 00:33:04,902 contractor says that they do work with 805 00:33:04,902 --> 00:33:07,124 these companies um Is the pentagon less 806 00:33:07,124 --> 00:33:10,140 likely to accept that bid ? Thanks for 807 00:33:10,140 --> 00:33:13,320 the question um Caitlin . We will I'll 808 00:33:13,320 --> 00:33:15,487 take that question and we'll come back 809 00:33:15,487 --> 00:33:17,653 to you on it . Thank you . Alright let 810 00:33:17,653 --> 00:33:19,960 me go to Karun from Washington post . 811 00:33:26,860 --> 00:33:30,020 Okay anyone else in the room here ? Yes 812 00:33:30,020 --> 00:33:32,980 ma'am you get the last question um on 813 00:33:32,980 --> 00:33:36,590 Taiwan . Uh do you have a sense that 814 00:33:36,600 --> 00:33:39,720 there is adequate support for from the 815 00:33:39,720 --> 00:33:42,290 U . S . For Taiwan's defense in the 816 00:33:42,290 --> 00:33:44,800 near and short term , short term and 817 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:46,880 mid term , both in defensive 818 00:33:46,890 --> 00:33:49,112 capabilities as well as in planning and 819 00:33:49,112 --> 00:33:51,580 strategy uh given the sort of 820 00:33:51,590 --> 00:33:53,710 innovative changes that are happening 821 00:33:53,710 --> 00:33:57,600 in technology in the area , I think , 822 00:33:57,880 --> 00:33:59,880 you know , we've we've talked a lot 823 00:33:59,880 --> 00:34:03,740 about our relationship with Taiwan um 824 00:34:03,740 --> 00:34:05,684 and our responsibilities under the 825 00:34:05,684 --> 00:34:08,960 Taiwan Relations Act . Um I don't have 826 00:34:08,960 --> 00:34:10,960 anything specific to provide to you 827 00:34:10,960 --> 00:34:13,410 today , but yeah . Leave it at that . 828 00:34:13,450 --> 00:34:15,617 Okay . Thank you very much . Everybody 829 00:34:15,617 --> 00:34:15,660 appreciate it .