1 00:00:03,420 --> 00:00:06,519 All right , good afternoon , everyone . 2 00:00:06,530 --> 00:00:08,697 Just a few things to pass along at the 3 00:00:08,697 --> 00:00:10,697 top and then I'll get right to your 4 00:00:10,697 --> 00:00:12,530 questions . Secretary Austin was 5 00:00:12,530 --> 00:00:14,474 honored to host President Zelensky 6 00:00:14,474 --> 00:00:16,363 yesterday at the National Defense 7 00:00:16,363 --> 00:00:18,363 University and provide introductory 8 00:00:18,363 --> 00:00:20,308 remarks . As Secretary Austin said 9 00:00:20,308 --> 00:00:22,252 America's commitment to supporting 10 00:00:22,252 --> 00:00:24,363 Ukraine against Russian aggression is 11 00:00:24,363 --> 00:00:26,610 unshakeable . He also said that quote , 12 00:00:26,620 --> 00:00:28,870 Ukraine matters profoundly to America's 13 00:00:28,879 --> 00:00:31,079 security and to the trajectory of 14 00:00:31,090 --> 00:00:33,270 global security in the 21st century . 15 00:00:33,750 --> 00:00:35,583 That's why the United States has 16 00:00:35,583 --> 00:00:37,528 committed more than $44 billion in 17 00:00:37,528 --> 00:00:39,770 security assistance to Ukraine's brave 18 00:00:39,779 --> 00:00:42,259 defenders . End quote , the Department 19 00:00:42,270 --> 00:00:44,103 of Defense will continue to work 20 00:00:44,103 --> 00:00:46,159 closely with our allies and partners 21 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:48,103 worldwide to support Ukraine as it 22 00:00:48,103 --> 00:00:50,048 fights for freedom and to meet the 23 00:00:50,048 --> 00:00:52,103 clear objective set out by President 24 00:00:52,103 --> 00:00:54,159 Biden , a free and sovereign Ukraine 25 00:00:54,159 --> 00:00:56,326 that can defend itself today and deter 26 00:00:56,326 --> 00:00:58,548 more Russian aggression in the future . 27 00:00:58,548 --> 00:01:00,659 The department also continues to stay 28 00:01:00,659 --> 00:01:02,603 actively engaged in our objectives 29 00:01:02,603 --> 00:01:04,826 related to the current situation in the 30 00:01:04,826 --> 00:01:07,048 Middle East region which are protect us 31 00:01:07,048 --> 00:01:09,214 forces and citizens support . Israel's 32 00:01:09,214 --> 00:01:11,381 inherent right to defend itself , work 33 00:01:11,381 --> 00:01:13,548 closely with Israel to help secure the 34 00:01:13,548 --> 00:01:15,492 release of hostages from Hamas and 35 00:01:15,492 --> 00:01:17,714 ensure the crisis doesn't escalate into 36 00:01:17,714 --> 00:01:19,949 a broader regional conflict in support 37 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:22,126 of these objectives . Secretary Austin 38 00:01:22,126 --> 00:01:24,237 will travel to the Middle East region 39 00:01:24,237 --> 00:01:26,126 next week to meet with leaders in 40 00:01:26,126 --> 00:01:28,237 Bahrain , Qatar and Israel . You also 41 00:01:28,237 --> 00:01:30,348 have an opportunity to meet with some 42 00:01:30,348 --> 00:01:32,570 of our forces deployed to the region to 43 00:01:32,570 --> 00:01:34,626 thank them for their service and for 44 00:01:34,626 --> 00:01:34,129 all that they and their loved ones do 45 00:01:34,139 --> 00:01:35,972 for our nation . We'll have more 46 00:01:35,972 --> 00:01:37,861 details to announce regarding the 47 00:01:37,861 --> 00:01:39,972 Secretary's trip in the near future . 48 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:42,191 Shifting to the Indo Pacific region . 49 00:01:42,191 --> 00:01:44,191 Secretary Austin spoke this morning 50 00:01:44,191 --> 00:01:45,969 with his Japanese counterpart , 51 00:01:45,969 --> 00:01:48,080 Minister of Defense Kihara to express 52 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:50,136 his thanks and gratitude for Japan's 53 00:01:50,136 --> 00:01:51,969 support with search and recovery 54 00:01:51,969 --> 00:01:54,136 operations following the recent tragic 55 00:01:54,136 --> 00:01:56,349 CV 22 mishap . The two leaders also 56 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,769 applauded progress on accelerating us 57 00:01:58,779 --> 00:02:00,980 Japan Republic of Korea trilateral 58 00:02:00,989 --> 00:02:03,379 security co-operation and exchanged 59 00:02:03,389 --> 00:02:05,278 views on maritime security in the 60 00:02:05,278 --> 00:02:06,945 Middle East . Read out of the 61 00:02:06,945 --> 00:02:09,056 discussion has been posted to the dod 62 00:02:09,056 --> 00:02:11,056 website . And finally , I'd like to 63 00:02:11,056 --> 00:02:13,278 take a quick moment to recognize one of 64 00:02:13,278 --> 00:02:15,278 the department's senior leaders who 65 00:02:15,278 --> 00:02:14,940 will be departing next week after three 66 00:02:14,949 --> 00:02:16,949 years here in the Pentagon . Doctor 67 00:02:16,949 --> 00:02:18,893 Mara Carlin has served in multiple 68 00:02:18,893 --> 00:02:20,727 critical roles to include acting 69 00:02:20,727 --> 00:02:22,671 Assistant Secretary of Defense for 70 00:02:22,671 --> 00:02:24,838 International Security Affairs , later 71 00:02:24,838 --> 00:02:26,949 as Assistant Secretary of Defense for 72 00:02:26,949 --> 00:02:28,949 strategy plans and capabilities and 73 00:02:28,949 --> 00:02:31,116 most recently as performing the duties 74 00:02:31,116 --> 00:02:33,171 of Deputy under Secretary of Defense 75 00:02:33,171 --> 00:02:35,393 for policy . During her tenure , Doctor 76 00:02:35,393 --> 00:02:37,338 Carlin has managed the writing and 77 00:02:37,338 --> 00:02:39,505 ongoing implementation of the national 78 00:02:39,505 --> 00:02:41,616 defense strategy . A pivotal document 79 00:02:41,616 --> 00:02:43,782 in guiding the department particularly 80 00:02:43,782 --> 00:02:45,893 in linking strategy to resources even 81 00:02:45,893 --> 00:02:47,949 amid evolving global crises . As she 82 00:02:47,949 --> 00:02:50,171 embarks on her next chapter , on behalf 83 00:02:50,171 --> 00:02:52,338 of Secretary Austin and all of us here 84 00:02:52,338 --> 00:02:54,505 at dod , we wish her the very best and 85 00:02:54,505 --> 00:02:56,338 are confident that her impact on 86 00:02:56,338 --> 00:02:58,282 national security will continue to 87 00:02:58,282 --> 00:03:00,282 resonate for years to come . Well , 88 00:03:00,282 --> 00:02:59,880 that I'm happy to take your questions . 89 00:02:59,889 --> 00:03:02,056 We'll start with associated press . We 90 00:03:02,259 --> 00:03:05,699 thank you um on the this new 91 00:03:05,710 --> 00:03:09,020 maritime task force effort . Can you 92 00:03:09,029 --> 00:03:11,929 give us an update on where that stands 93 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:15,119 uh in terms of gathering more countries 94 00:03:15,130 --> 00:03:17,241 to participate ? How many do you have 95 00:03:17,241 --> 00:03:20,850 at this point ? Will this include sort 96 00:03:20,860 --> 00:03:24,220 of a formal escorting of trips of ships 97 00:03:24,229 --> 00:03:26,451 rather through the b do you think ? And 98 00:03:26,451 --> 00:03:28,860 is the US already starting to do that 99 00:03:28,869 --> 00:03:31,147 particularly in light of what happened ? 100 00:03:31,710 --> 00:03:34,043 Yeah , thanks Leo . Well , first of all , 101 00:03:34,043 --> 00:03:36,529 we are continuing to take the situation 102 00:03:36,539 --> 00:03:38,660 in the Red Sea extremely seriously . 103 00:03:38,669 --> 00:03:40,780 There should be no doubt about that . 104 00:03:40,780 --> 00:03:42,836 Uh The , the actions that we've seen 105 00:03:42,836 --> 00:03:44,470 from these Houthi forces are 106 00:03:44,479 --> 00:03:46,830 destabilizing , they're dangerous and 107 00:03:46,839 --> 00:03:49,649 clearly of a flagrant violation of 108 00:03:49,660 --> 00:03:52,100 international law . And so this is an 109 00:03:52,110 --> 00:03:54,277 international problem that requires an 110 00:03:54,277 --> 00:03:56,166 international solution . Uh We do 111 00:03:56,166 --> 00:03:58,221 continue to consult closely with our 112 00:03:58,221 --> 00:04:00,277 international allies and partners on 113 00:04:00,277 --> 00:04:02,499 implementing a maritime task force . Uh 114 00:04:02,499 --> 00:04:04,721 I don't have any specific announcements 115 00:04:04,721 --> 00:04:06,777 to make today and , and we will have 116 00:04:06,777 --> 00:04:08,999 more to provide in the near future . Uh 117 00:04:08,999 --> 00:04:11,110 But as you highlight , we do continue 118 00:04:11,110 --> 00:04:13,221 to patrol the International Waterways 119 00:04:13,221 --> 00:04:15,221 throughout the region uh to support 120 00:04:15,221 --> 00:04:17,277 freedom of navigation and efforts to 121 00:04:17,277 --> 00:04:19,054 ensure uh safety , security and 122 00:04:19,054 --> 00:04:21,277 stability . Uh The only other thing I'd 123 00:04:21,277 --> 00:04:23,499 say on that uh as we've demonstrated in 124 00:04:23,499 --> 00:04:25,666 the past is that our military will not 125 00:04:25,666 --> 00:04:27,777 hesitate to take action where we deem 126 00:04:27,777 --> 00:04:29,943 it necessary and appropriate including 127 00:04:29,943 --> 00:04:29,890 to protect against actions in the 128 00:04:29,899 --> 00:04:32,121 maritime domain that could threaten our 129 00:04:32,121 --> 00:04:35,459 forces . Just as a follow up is the US 130 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:37,890 providing ships as escorts at this 131 00:04:37,899 --> 00:04:40,010 point ? Are companies requesting that 132 00:04:40,470 --> 00:04:42,303 uh I'm not aware of any specific 133 00:04:42,303 --> 00:04:44,581 companies requesting , but as you know , 134 00:04:44,581 --> 00:04:47,119 uh as evidence last night , uh our our 135 00:04:47,130 --> 00:04:50,049 ships will respond to distress calls uh 136 00:04:50,500 --> 00:04:52,556 and , and certainly will continue to 137 00:04:52,556 --> 00:04:54,611 work with our allies and partners in 138 00:04:54,611 --> 00:04:56,778 the region uh to again support freedom 139 00:04:56,778 --> 00:04:58,500 of navigation and security and 140 00:04:58,500 --> 00:05:00,833 stability in the region . Ok , Jennifer . 141 00:05:00,890 --> 00:05:03,299 Um can you give us more details of what 142 00:05:03,309 --> 00:05:06,070 the US did to help the Norwegian ship ? 143 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:09,989 Um And what was done by the US military 144 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:12,619 and the French military ? Uh Sure . Uh 145 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:14,869 just in terms of background as I 146 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:18,209 understand it uh yesterday uh around 147 00:05:18,220 --> 00:05:20,164 four pm eastern time or midnight , 148 00:05:20,164 --> 00:05:22,250 Yemen time . Uh the motor vessel STR 149 00:05:23,019 --> 00:05:25,241 which is a Norwegian flagged vessel was 150 00:05:25,241 --> 00:05:27,408 attacked while passing through the Bob 151 00:05:27,890 --> 00:05:30,380 Monde uh by what appears to be an anti 152 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:32,720 ship cruise missile launched from a 153 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:34,776 Houthi controlled area of Yemen . Uh 154 00:05:34,776 --> 00:05:36,829 They reported a fire on board . Uh 155 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:39,540 We're not aware of any casualties . Uh 156 00:05:39,549 --> 00:05:42,309 At the time of the , of the uh attack , 157 00:05:42,320 --> 00:05:44,598 there were no US ships in the vicinity . 158 00:05:44,598 --> 00:05:47,130 Uh But the US S Mason did respond to 159 00:05:47,140 --> 00:05:49,380 Strens Mayday call . Uh , at the time 160 00:05:49,390 --> 00:05:51,557 it was approximately 90 nautical miles 161 00:05:51,557 --> 00:05:53,723 away , uh , when the attack occurred . 162 00:05:53,730 --> 00:05:55,841 Uh , the mason was prepared to render 163 00:05:55,841 --> 00:05:58,008 assistance . Uh Ultimately , though it 164 00:05:58,008 --> 00:06:00,341 was determined that it was not required , 165 00:06:00,341 --> 00:06:02,286 uh but the mason did remain in the 166 00:06:02,286 --> 00:06:04,341 vicinity of the ship and the area to 167 00:06:04,341 --> 00:06:06,508 provide presence in order to deter any 168 00:06:06,508 --> 00:06:08,230 further aggression from Houthi 169 00:06:08,230 --> 00:06:10,341 territory . And what about the French 170 00:06:10,341 --> 00:06:12,452 ship ? How close was it to ? I'd have 171 00:06:12,452 --> 00:06:14,452 to refer you to the French . I just 172 00:06:14,452 --> 00:06:17,209 don't have those today . Um The renewal 173 00:06:17,220 --> 00:06:20,149 of the 702 , FISA 174 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,149 legislation hit a snag on Capitol Hill . 175 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,104 What would be the impact on the US 176 00:06:25,104 --> 00:06:27,271 military and intelligence gathering if 177 00:06:27,271 --> 00:06:29,271 702 does not pass by the end of the 178 00:06:29,271 --> 00:06:31,899 year ? Yeah , thanks Jennifer . Um Well , 179 00:06:31,910 --> 00:06:34,021 you know , just for context , I think 180 00:06:34,021 --> 00:06:36,188 that um under Secretary of Defense for 181 00:06:36,188 --> 00:06:38,243 Intelligence and Security , uh , Ron 182 00:06:38,243 --> 00:06:40,243 Moultrie really said it best in his 183 00:06:40,243 --> 00:06:42,299 recent op ed on this topic and , and 184 00:06:42,309 --> 00:06:44,980 that is intelligence , save saves lives . 185 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:47,750 Uh Section 702 of the Foreign 186 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:50,059 Intelligence Surveillance Act or FISA 187 00:06:50,119 --> 00:06:52,559 uh allows us to collect vital 188 00:06:52,570 --> 00:06:54,681 intelligence , uh importantly , under 189 00:06:54,681 --> 00:06:58,019 Federal Court supervision uh of non us 190 00:06:58,029 --> 00:07:00,540 persons who are located abroad , who us , 191 00:07:00,549 --> 00:07:03,130 who use us communication services and 192 00:07:03,140 --> 00:07:05,790 whose communications are assessed by 193 00:07:05,799 --> 00:07:07,743 our intelligence community to have 194 00:07:07,743 --> 00:07:10,100 foreign intelligence value every single 195 00:07:10,109 --> 00:07:13,839 day . Uh The that capability that 196 00:07:13,850 --> 00:07:15,794 authorization enables intelligence 197 00:07:15,794 --> 00:07:17,839 reports uh which contributes to 198 00:07:17,850 --> 00:07:20,040 protecting us service members uh and 199 00:07:20,049 --> 00:07:22,779 enabling mission success . If that were 200 00:07:22,790 --> 00:07:26,100 to lapse , if section 702 were to lapse , 201 00:07:26,109 --> 00:07:27,980 uh it would really undermine our 202 00:07:27,989 --> 00:07:30,359 ability to address complex challenges , 203 00:07:30,459 --> 00:07:33,200 managing competition while avoiding and 204 00:07:33,209 --> 00:07:35,739 preventing comple uh conflict . Our 205 00:07:35,750 --> 00:07:37,619 ability to work with allies and 206 00:07:37,630 --> 00:07:39,797 partners , for example , uh to support 207 00:07:39,797 --> 00:07:42,260 Ukraine's defense would be downgraded . 208 00:07:42,519 --> 00:07:44,463 Uh Our service members would be at 209 00:07:44,463 --> 00:07:46,630 greater risk . Uh And our country will 210 00:07:46,630 --> 00:07:48,686 be more vulnerable of our due to our 211 00:07:48,686 --> 00:07:50,589 inability to determine or assess 212 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:53,359 emerging threats . Uh So this is why we 213 00:07:53,369 --> 00:07:55,149 really need Congress to swiftly 214 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:57,739 reauthorize a vital intelligence 215 00:07:57,750 --> 00:07:59,306 collection law , this vital 216 00:07:59,306 --> 00:08:01,417 intelligence collection law before it 217 00:08:01,417 --> 00:08:03,417 expires this month . Thank you very 218 00:08:03,417 --> 00:08:05,583 much , Megan . Uh Can we get an update 219 00:08:05,583 --> 00:08:07,694 on the attacks on us , troops in Iraq 220 00:08:07,694 --> 00:08:09,750 and Syria and the injuries that have 221 00:08:09,750 --> 00:08:11,861 come from those ? Uh I'm not aware of 222 00:08:11,861 --> 00:08:13,972 any uh new injuries at this time . Uh 223 00:08:13,972 --> 00:08:17,950 Right now , um I am tracking a total 224 00:08:17,959 --> 00:08:21,350 of , let's see here . 225 00:08:23,500 --> 00:08:25,611 We're tracking uh approximately eight 226 00:08:25,611 --> 00:08:28,440 and 89 attacks at this time . Uh Again , 227 00:08:28,450 --> 00:08:30,339 you know , we'll , we'll keep you 228 00:08:30,339 --> 00:08:32,506 updated on that . Um , again , just to 229 00:08:32,506 --> 00:08:34,672 underscore uh and not to , to mitigate 230 00:08:34,672 --> 00:08:37,330 the dangers at , at , by any stretch 231 00:08:37,340 --> 00:08:39,673 here . These are dangerous attacks . Um , 232 00:08:39,673 --> 00:08:42,007 but they have largely been unsuccessful . 233 00:08:42,219 --> 00:08:44,330 Uh , and again , I'm not going to get 234 00:08:44,330 --> 00:08:46,441 into telegraphing or , or speculating 235 00:08:46,441 --> 00:08:48,552 on any response . Um , but again , we 236 00:08:48,552 --> 00:08:50,663 will do what we need to do to protect 237 00:08:50,663 --> 00:08:52,830 our forces was the most recent today . 238 00:08:52,830 --> 00:08:54,886 And how many , uh , we'd have to get 239 00:08:54,886 --> 00:08:57,163 back to you on that . Thanks very much . 240 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:00,489 What's that ? You let me go here first , 241 00:09:00,500 --> 00:09:02,570 I'll come back to you . I had a 242 00:09:02,580 --> 00:09:04,747 journalist embedded with some soldiers 243 00:09:04,747 --> 00:09:06,747 in Syria . They went on their first 244 00:09:06,747 --> 00:09:08,691 patrol , uh , yesterday , uh , the 245 00:09:08,691 --> 00:09:10,858 first patrol since October 7th , since 246 00:09:10,858 --> 00:09:13,024 these attacks started . Could you talk 247 00:09:13,024 --> 00:09:15,460 about how these Iranian backed attacks 248 00:09:15,469 --> 00:09:18,549 have hindered the counter ISIS mission 249 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:21,640 in Iraq and Syria since October ? Well , 250 00:09:21,650 --> 00:09:23,872 as you know , I mean , Centcom just put 251 00:09:23,872 --> 00:09:26,429 out a release highlighting , um , their , 252 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:29,119 their latest statistics on the defeat 253 00:09:29,130 --> 00:09:30,852 ISIS mission . So that mission 254 00:09:30,852 --> 00:09:33,359 continues and that's why we have forces 255 00:09:33,369 --> 00:09:35,480 in Iraq and Syria right now and we'll 256 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:37,489 continue to stay focused on that 257 00:09:37,500 --> 00:09:41,210 mission . Uh , so , uh , despite these 258 00:09:41,219 --> 00:09:43,330 attacks , which as we've talked about 259 00:09:43,330 --> 00:09:45,330 before are not , it's not the first 260 00:09:45,330 --> 00:09:47,497 time . Uh , these Iranian proxies have 261 00:09:47,497 --> 00:09:49,497 done these types of activities , we 262 00:09:49,497 --> 00:09:51,330 continue to stay focused on that 263 00:09:51,330 --> 00:09:53,750 mission . Certainly , if our forces are 264 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:56,059 put into danger , we will take 265 00:09:56,070 --> 00:09:58,126 appropriate action to protect them , 266 00:09:58,126 --> 00:10:00,126 but it's not going to deter us from 267 00:10:00,126 --> 00:10:02,237 doing what we're there to do . In the 268 00:10:02,237 --> 00:10:04,403 first place , which is ensure that the 269 00:10:04,403 --> 00:10:06,348 lasting defeat of Isis . And can I 270 00:10:06,348 --> 00:10:08,403 follow up on something separate ? So 271 00:10:08,403 --> 00:10:10,459 Pakistan's army chief , uh their new 272 00:10:10,459 --> 00:10:12,459 army chief is gonna be visiting the 273 00:10:12,459 --> 00:10:14,626 Pentagon tomorrow for the first time . 274 00:10:14,626 --> 00:10:16,848 Can you tell us a little bit about what 275 00:10:16,848 --> 00:10:19,014 Secretary Austin is looking for during 276 00:10:19,014 --> 00:10:18,679 this meeting ? Will they be talking 277 00:10:18,690 --> 00:10:20,801 about the deportation of Afghans from 278 00:10:20,801 --> 00:10:24,010 Pakistan or potentially um buying 279 00:10:24,020 --> 00:10:26,494 munitions to go to u just any details 280 00:10:26,505 --> 00:10:28,505 you could provide ? Yeah , thanks , 281 00:10:28,505 --> 00:10:30,505 Carl . I don't have any meetings to 282 00:10:30,505 --> 00:10:32,838 read out from the podium . Uh Certainly , 283 00:10:32,838 --> 00:10:35,005 as you know , uh when the secretary uh 284 00:10:35,005 --> 00:10:37,005 meets with foreign counterparts and 285 00:10:37,005 --> 00:10:39,172 leaders , uh we provide a readout . So 286 00:10:39,172 --> 00:10:38,695 uh if we have a read out to put out , 287 00:10:38,705 --> 00:10:40,872 we'll certainly do that . Let me go to 288 00:10:40,872 --> 00:10:42,983 the other side of the room here . How 289 00:10:42,983 --> 00:10:45,094 would you assess us Pakistan military 290 00:10:45,094 --> 00:10:47,205 relations at this point ? Uh Pakistan 291 00:10:47,205 --> 00:10:49,427 continues to be an important partner in 292 00:10:49,427 --> 00:10:51,649 the region . And so obviously , through 293 00:10:51,649 --> 00:10:53,816 Centcom , we continue to stay in close 294 00:10:53,816 --> 00:10:55,927 contact with them , particularly when 295 00:10:55,927 --> 00:10:55,109 it comes to issues like 296 00:10:55,119 --> 00:10:57,286 counterterrorism . Thank you , Nancy . 297 00:10:57,286 --> 00:10:59,341 Thanks . Um I have two questions for 298 00:10:59,341 --> 00:11:01,469 you . Um Last week we asked for the 299 00:11:01,479 --> 00:11:04,349 number of sorties that on average the 300 00:11:04,359 --> 00:11:07,369 Ford and I have conducted since they've 301 00:11:07,380 --> 00:11:09,450 gone to the Israeli border . And on 302 00:11:09,460 --> 00:11:11,682 average , it was , I think it was about 303 00:11:11,682 --> 00:11:13,793 sort of a day which is pretty regular 304 00:11:13,793 --> 00:11:15,904 for um an aircraft carrier . So given 305 00:11:15,904 --> 00:11:17,793 that there doesn't seem to be any 306 00:11:17,793 --> 00:11:19,960 indication that they're sort of having 307 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:22,071 to do , uh , an notable amount , more 308 00:11:22,071 --> 00:11:24,293 of sorties . Ca can you give us a sense 309 00:11:24,293 --> 00:11:26,516 of why there continues to be a need for 310 00:11:26,516 --> 00:11:28,516 two carriers ? And if we'll get any 311 00:11:28,516 --> 00:11:31,125 sense of or any timeline for when , um , 312 00:11:31,135 --> 00:11:33,135 we'll hear whether the Ford will be 313 00:11:33,135 --> 00:11:35,357 extended again or not . Yeah , thanks , 314 00:11:35,357 --> 00:11:37,468 Nancy . So I , I'm not gonna get into 315 00:11:37,468 --> 00:11:39,246 um deployment timelines or , or 316 00:11:39,246 --> 00:11:41,357 potential future ops and , and things 317 00:11:41,357 --> 00:11:43,789 like that . Um in terms of why those 318 00:11:43,799 --> 00:11:46,400 carriers are there uh a as you know , 319 00:11:46,409 --> 00:11:49,020 as I highlighted in my opener , uh part 320 00:11:49,030 --> 00:11:52,840 of this is uh working to deter the 321 00:11:52,849 --> 00:11:55,520 spread of a potential regional conflict . 322 00:11:55,729 --> 00:11:57,951 Uh in , in other words , supporting our 323 00:11:57,951 --> 00:12:00,118 deterrence efforts in the region . And 324 00:12:00,118 --> 00:12:02,118 so , in addition to the two carrier 325 00:12:02,118 --> 00:12:04,340 strike groups , we also sent additional 326 00:12:04,340 --> 00:12:06,562 aircraft into the region as well as air 327 00:12:06,562 --> 00:12:08,785 defense capabilities , all of which are 328 00:12:08,785 --> 00:12:10,840 intended to one protect our forces . 329 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:13,840 But two provide us with uh options . 330 00:12:13,849 --> 00:12:15,849 Should we need to respond to a wide 331 00:12:15,849 --> 00:12:18,039 variety of contingencies ? And so 332 00:12:18,049 --> 00:12:20,359 certainly air power uh being uh an 333 00:12:20,369 --> 00:12:23,250 incredibly flexible uh capability 334 00:12:23,349 --> 00:12:26,479 provides you with the kinds of assets 335 00:12:26,489 --> 00:12:28,656 you might need to respond to , again , 336 00:12:28,656 --> 00:12:30,878 a full spectrum of , of contingencies . 337 00:12:31,159 --> 00:12:33,559 Um But again , right now , those those 338 00:12:33,570 --> 00:12:35,681 forces are there to support our , our 339 00:12:35,681 --> 00:12:37,848 regional deterrence efforts and send a 340 00:12:37,848 --> 00:12:39,903 clear message that we do not want to 341 00:12:39,903 --> 00:12:42,181 see this brought into a wider conflict . 342 00:12:42,181 --> 00:12:44,459 And then on a separate topic on Monday , 343 00:12:44,459 --> 00:12:46,681 the French Minister of the armed forces 344 00:12:46,681 --> 00:12:48,848 said a fri it came under direct attack 345 00:12:48,848 --> 00:12:50,959 from two drones launched from Yemen . 346 00:12:50,959 --> 00:12:52,903 Um The US has interdicted way more 347 00:12:52,903 --> 00:12:54,848 drones since that but has made the 348 00:12:54,848 --> 00:12:56,959 assessment that US ships aren't being 349 00:12:56,959 --> 00:12:59,070 targeted . Can you help me understand 350 00:12:59,070 --> 00:13:01,181 how the US has made the determination 351 00:13:01,181 --> 00:13:03,403 and why ? It seems that the French have 352 00:13:03,403 --> 00:13:05,626 been more assertive and seeing these as 353 00:13:05,626 --> 00:13:07,792 a direct attack where the US has not . 354 00:13:07,792 --> 00:13:10,014 Well , I think again , part of this has 355 00:13:10,014 --> 00:13:13,005 to do with um the situation and , and 356 00:13:13,015 --> 00:13:15,015 why you're responding . And so if a 357 00:13:15,015 --> 00:13:16,959 drone , for example , you know , I 358 00:13:16,959 --> 00:13:19,809 think it was a week or two ago , um you 359 00:13:19,820 --> 00:13:21,849 had the , the situation where three 360 00:13:21,859 --> 00:13:24,026 commercial vessels were under attack . 361 00:13:24,026 --> 00:13:27,330 Uh and the uh US had sent a ship to 362 00:13:27,340 --> 00:13:29,618 respond , I believe it was the Kearney . 363 00:13:29,618 --> 00:13:32,570 Uh And so as those drones are heading 364 00:13:32,580 --> 00:13:34,690 towards the Kearney , it's not clear 365 00:13:34,700 --> 00:13:36,367 whether it's heading toward a 366 00:13:36,367 --> 00:13:38,533 commercial ship , whether it's heading 367 00:13:38,533 --> 00:13:40,589 towards the Kearney , but the bottom 368 00:13:40,589 --> 00:13:42,533 line , it's within the threat ring 369 00:13:42,533 --> 00:13:42,150 where that commander has to make a 370 00:13:42,159 --> 00:13:44,250 determination so that drone will be 371 00:13:44,260 --> 00:13:47,150 taken down in self defense . Um What 372 00:13:47,159 --> 00:13:49,326 you don't want to do is let it hit you 373 00:13:49,326 --> 00:13:51,381 and then say , oh yes , I guess they 374 00:13:51,381 --> 00:13:53,326 were trying to attack us . So , uh 375 00:13:53,326 --> 00:13:55,437 again , we're going to be circumspect 376 00:13:55,437 --> 00:13:57,659 in that when we say we don't know if it 377 00:13:57,659 --> 00:13:59,659 was the intended target , but we do 378 00:13:59,659 --> 00:13:59,320 know that it presented a potential 379 00:13:59,330 --> 00:14:01,052 threat and we're going to take 380 00:14:01,052 --> 00:14:03,052 appropriate action . I guess what I 381 00:14:03,052 --> 00:14:05,108 don't understand is earlier , the US 382 00:14:05,108 --> 00:14:04,820 assessment was that you didn't believe 383 00:14:04,830 --> 00:14:08,409 that the military vessels were being 384 00:14:08,419 --> 00:14:10,750 targeted . So , I guess that's why I'm 385 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:12,816 a little confused because the French 386 00:14:12,816 --> 00:14:15,149 seem to be quite certain that they were , 387 00:14:15,149 --> 00:14:17,371 I mean , I can't speak for the French . 388 00:14:17,371 --> 00:14:19,482 And again , I'm relaying to you the , 389 00:14:19,482 --> 00:14:21,704 the information that I'm just trying to 390 00:14:21,704 --> 00:14:21,590 clarify , is it the US belief that 391 00:14:21,599 --> 00:14:24,340 those drones are potentially targeting 392 00:14:24,349 --> 00:14:28,049 um us uh uh destroyers of the 393 00:14:28,090 --> 00:14:30,090 Carney and others or is it that you 394 00:14:30,090 --> 00:14:32,049 don't know ? Well , they clearly 395 00:14:32,059 --> 00:14:34,170 present a threat and we're gonna take 396 00:14:34,170 --> 00:14:36,226 appropriate action in self defense . 397 00:14:36,226 --> 00:14:38,503 The only other thing I'd offer is uh I , 398 00:14:38,503 --> 00:14:40,559 if you see the , the comments coming 399 00:14:40,559 --> 00:14:42,539 out of , um you know , Houthi 400 00:14:42,549 --> 00:14:44,609 spokespeople themselves saying what 401 00:14:44,619 --> 00:14:46,786 they're attempting to target here . Uh 402 00:14:46,789 --> 00:14:49,429 And so again , the targeting of any 403 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:51,770 commercial vessels in the region is a 404 00:14:51,780 --> 00:14:53,989 violation of international law . And 405 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:55,556 again , we'll work with the 406 00:14:55,556 --> 00:14:57,500 international community to address 407 00:14:57,500 --> 00:14:59,556 these threats going forward . Let me 408 00:14:59,556 --> 00:14:59,229 give you some of your colleagues this 409 00:14:59,239 --> 00:15:01,295 year . Thank you so much . I will go 410 00:15:01,295 --> 00:15:03,350 back to the Secretary Austin's phone 411 00:15:03,350 --> 00:15:05,350 call with the Iraqi Minister in the 412 00:15:05,350 --> 00:15:07,295 phone call . He point out to Iraqi 413 00:15:07,295 --> 00:15:09,494 militia groups that backed by Iran 414 00:15:09,554 --> 00:15:11,610 Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat and Jad 415 00:15:11,610 --> 00:15:13,776 that they are responsible for the most 416 00:15:13,776 --> 00:15:15,887 of the attacks . How did you get that 417 00:15:15,887 --> 00:15:17,776 to that conclusion that these two 418 00:15:17,776 --> 00:15:19,943 groups are responsible for the most of 419 00:15:19,943 --> 00:15:22,294 the attacks ? Section 702 . I'm kidding . 420 00:15:23,580 --> 00:15:26,429 I , I'm not gonna get into intelligence . 421 00:15:26,489 --> 00:15:28,767 Um , but the bottom line is , you know , 422 00:15:28,767 --> 00:15:30,878 what we put out , speaks for itself . 423 00:15:30,878 --> 00:15:33,080 Do you expect the Iraqi government to 424 00:15:33,330 --> 00:15:35,386 put accountability to these groups ? 425 00:15:35,386 --> 00:15:37,650 And does the United States gives any 426 00:15:37,659 --> 00:15:39,659 support to the Iraqi Prime Minister 427 00:15:39,659 --> 00:15:43,419 Sudan to address these threats ? Well , 428 00:15:43,429 --> 00:15:45,485 I'm , I'm not going to go beyond the 429 00:15:45,485 --> 00:15:47,318 readout that we provided , which 430 00:15:47,318 --> 00:15:49,485 clearly uh highlighted the secretary's 431 00:15:49,485 --> 00:15:51,707 conversation with the Prime Minister as 432 00:15:51,707 --> 00:15:53,707 it relates to uh the , the inherent 433 00:15:53,707 --> 00:15:56,280 right to protect us forces and , and 434 00:15:56,289 --> 00:15:59,039 look , uh Iraq is an important partner 435 00:15:59,049 --> 00:16:00,859 to the United States . Uh We're 436 00:16:00,869 --> 00:16:02,960 obviously there . Uh We have a force 437 00:16:02,969 --> 00:16:05,429 presence in Iraq at the invitation of 438 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:07,640 the government of Iraq to help their 439 00:16:07,650 --> 00:16:09,872 forces as they continue to work for the 440 00:16:09,872 --> 00:16:12,700 lasting defeat of ISIS . And so again , 441 00:16:12,710 --> 00:16:14,766 that will continue to be our focus . 442 00:16:14,766 --> 00:16:17,840 But um we do very much appreciate the 443 00:16:17,849 --> 00:16:19,516 Iraqi security forces and the 444 00:16:19,516 --> 00:16:21,738 assistance that they have provided when 445 00:16:21,738 --> 00:16:24,179 it comes to addressing uh these threats 446 00:16:24,190 --> 00:16:26,134 and will continue to stay in close 447 00:16:26,134 --> 00:16:28,190 coordinations and communication with 448 00:16:28,190 --> 00:16:30,301 the Iraqi government . But at the end 449 00:16:30,301 --> 00:16:32,023 of the day , if our forces are 450 00:16:32,023 --> 00:16:34,079 threatened , we will not hesitate to 451 00:16:34,079 --> 00:16:36,246 take action to ensure that they remain 452 00:16:36,246 --> 00:16:38,023 safe . Do you believe are multi 453 00:16:38,023 --> 00:16:40,190 question . Last question , I promise . 454 00:16:40,349 --> 00:16:42,016 Do you believe that the Iraqi 455 00:16:42,016 --> 00:16:43,960 government could do that ? Because 456 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:45,849 since the very beginning of these 457 00:16:45,849 --> 00:16:45,710 attacks , you are requesting the Iraqi 458 00:16:45,719 --> 00:16:47,886 government to stop these attacks , but 459 00:16:47,890 --> 00:16:50,520 it hasn't happened . Uh Again , I'm not 460 00:16:50,530 --> 00:16:52,697 going to go beyond what we highlighted 461 00:16:52,697 --> 00:16:54,752 in , in our read out . Uh You know , 462 00:16:54,752 --> 00:16:56,752 that we've conducted strikes within 463 00:16:56,752 --> 00:16:58,919 Iraq when our forces were threatened . 464 00:16:58,919 --> 00:17:01,086 Uh And , and look , our focus there is 465 00:17:01,086 --> 00:17:03,086 on the defeat ISIS mission . Uh You 466 00:17:03,086 --> 00:17:05,197 have these groups that are attempting 467 00:17:05,197 --> 00:17:07,520 to exploit the situation uh in , in uh 468 00:17:07,530 --> 00:17:10,609 the Middle East right now to uh work 469 00:17:10,619 --> 00:17:12,841 towards their broader strategic goal of 470 00:17:12,841 --> 00:17:14,952 expelling the United States from Iraq 471 00:17:14,952 --> 00:17:17,008 and Syria . Uh but we do not want to 472 00:17:17,008 --> 00:17:19,230 see a return of ISIS and we'll continue 473 00:17:19,230 --> 00:17:20,952 to work closely with the Iraqi 474 00:17:20,952 --> 00:17:23,008 government and others to ensure that 475 00:17:23,008 --> 00:17:25,063 doesn't happen . Let me go to Joseph 476 00:17:25,063 --> 00:17:27,008 here in a moment just on , on that 477 00:17:27,008 --> 00:17:28,952 similar topic in March . I believe 478 00:17:28,952 --> 00:17:31,063 General Carillo was testifying on the 479 00:17:31,063 --> 00:17:33,175 hill and he said there had been seven 480 00:17:33,175 --> 00:17:35,397 around 78 attacks on us troops since uh 481 00:17:35,397 --> 00:17:37,688 I think it was January of 2021 until 482 00:17:37,938 --> 00:17:40,010 January of this year . That's , you 483 00:17:40,020 --> 00:17:42,242 know , that's two years . And then just 484 00:17:42,242 --> 00:17:44,464 from October 17th until today , we have 485 00:17:44,464 --> 00:17:46,631 somewhere around 90 attacks . You guys 486 00:17:46,631 --> 00:17:48,631 have previously , more or less said 487 00:17:48,631 --> 00:17:50,687 that these attacks are not linked to 488 00:17:50,687 --> 00:17:52,909 what's going on in Gaza . You've also , 489 00:17:52,909 --> 00:17:52,479 you also said at the top the US is 490 00:17:52,489 --> 00:17:54,600 trying to contain , you know , this , 491 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:56,822 this conflict to Gaza . Is it still the 492 00:17:56,822 --> 00:17:58,989 department's assessment that what's 493 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:00,944 happening in Gaza is not linked to 494 00:18:00,944 --> 00:18:02,849 these attacks on us troops ? And 495 00:18:02,859 --> 00:18:04,526 secondly , I mean , is it the 496 00:18:04,526 --> 00:18:06,748 department's assessment that deterrence 497 00:18:06,748 --> 00:18:08,915 is working ? And we've seen the number 498 00:18:08,915 --> 00:18:11,081 of attacks in , I guess , two months , 499 00:18:11,081 --> 00:18:13,415 more than what we had seen in two years . 500 00:18:13,415 --> 00:18:17,130 Yeah . Well , again , our focus as I 501 00:18:17,140 --> 00:18:19,439 outline those objectives is to prevent 502 00:18:19,449 --> 00:18:21,520 the situation , the conflict between 503 00:18:21,530 --> 00:18:24,390 Israel and Hamas from broadening into a , 504 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:27,280 a regional conflict . And so , no , we , 505 00:18:27,290 --> 00:18:29,270 we don't assess uh that that has 506 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:31,489 happened . It has been contained to 507 00:18:31,500 --> 00:18:34,380 Israel fighting Hamas in Gaza . Uh and 508 00:18:34,390 --> 00:18:36,510 that will continue to be a focus . Uh 509 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:38,464 You know , we've talked about this 510 00:18:38,464 --> 00:18:40,859 before the situation in Iraq and Syria , 511 00:18:40,869 --> 00:18:43,069 why our forces are there and the fact 512 00:18:43,079 --> 00:18:45,560 that you have Iranian proxy groups uh 513 00:18:45,569 --> 00:18:48,380 who are being encouraged by Iran to 514 00:18:48,390 --> 00:18:50,839 again exploit this situation uh to 515 00:18:50,849 --> 00:18:53,329 their , to their advantage uh in order 516 00:18:53,339 --> 00:18:55,506 to meet the strategic aim of expelling 517 00:18:55,506 --> 00:18:57,450 us forces from that region , which 518 00:18:57,450 --> 00:18:59,617 again , oh , by the way , are there at 519 00:18:59,617 --> 00:19:01,617 the invitation of the government of 520 00:19:01,617 --> 00:19:04,300 Iraq . Uh And so , you know , we're 521 00:19:04,310 --> 00:19:06,366 going to continue to stay focused on 522 00:19:06,366 --> 00:19:08,532 that mission . We're going to continue 523 00:19:08,532 --> 00:19:10,754 to do what we need to do to protect our 524 00:19:10,754 --> 00:19:12,866 forces . Uh And , and I'll just leave 525 00:19:12,866 --> 00:19:15,088 it at that second if I can follow up on 526 00:19:15,088 --> 00:19:17,199 the task force that's being discussed 527 00:19:17,199 --> 00:19:16,660 and I don't have anything to read out , 528 00:19:16,949 --> 00:19:19,171 but we , we reported earlier today that 529 00:19:19,171 --> 00:19:21,227 there's uh the US is in talk with 12 530 00:19:21,227 --> 00:19:23,579 nations about this , this task force . 531 00:19:23,589 --> 00:19:25,756 Can you confirm that ? And then also , 532 00:19:25,790 --> 00:19:27,568 can you elaborate at all on the 533 00:19:27,568 --> 00:19:30,280 secretary's uh conversations next week 534 00:19:30,290 --> 00:19:32,346 on his trip ? Does he plan to ask at 535 00:19:32,346 --> 00:19:35,060 least to , to join that ? Yeah , thanks 536 00:19:35,069 --> 00:19:37,420 Joseph . So , so right now , no , again , 537 00:19:37,430 --> 00:19:39,597 have more f uh more information in the 538 00:19:39,597 --> 00:19:41,430 near future as it relates to our 539 00:19:41,430 --> 00:19:43,650 efforts to , to work multilaterally uh 540 00:19:43,979 --> 00:19:46,949 in terms of the Red Sea region . Uh And 541 00:19:46,959 --> 00:19:49,181 as far as the trip goes , again , we'll 542 00:19:49,181 --> 00:19:51,292 have more information in the future . 543 00:19:51,292 --> 00:19:51,189 All right , let me go back over to here , 544 00:19:51,699 --> 00:19:54,479 Laura , thank you . Um Last month , the 545 00:19:54,489 --> 00:19:56,322 President Biden and President Xi 546 00:19:56,322 --> 00:19:58,100 promised that they would resume 547 00:19:58,100 --> 00:20:00,322 military communications . I'm wondering 548 00:20:00,322 --> 00:20:02,439 if um you could tell us when that's 549 00:20:02,449 --> 00:20:06,380 going to happen . Um So I don't 550 00:20:06,390 --> 00:20:08,557 have any specific calls or meetings to 551 00:20:08,557 --> 00:20:10,612 announce right now . Um We have been 552 00:20:10,612 --> 00:20:12,569 working closely with our defense 553 00:20:12,579 --> 00:20:14,920 attache office . Uh And , and our 554 00:20:14,930 --> 00:20:16,652 policy team has been in active 555 00:20:16,652 --> 00:20:19,530 coordinating with Beijing uh in order 556 00:20:19,540 --> 00:20:23,290 to uh arrange communication . Uh 557 00:20:23,300 --> 00:20:25,522 But again , nothing to announce at this 558 00:20:25,522 --> 00:20:27,989 point in time , we have underscored 559 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:30,111 many times the importance of ensuring 560 00:20:30,111 --> 00:20:32,989 that that uh senior senior leader level 561 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:35,630 communication continues to mitigate 562 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:37,630 potential risk and prevent uh 563 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:39,807 miscalculation . And so we'll continue 564 00:20:39,807 --> 00:20:41,918 to stay very focused on that . I know 565 00:20:41,918 --> 00:20:43,973 that Secretary Austin doesn't have a 566 00:20:43,973 --> 00:20:46,029 Chinese counterpart right now . Have 567 00:20:46,029 --> 00:20:48,084 they offered someone to speak in his 568 00:20:48,084 --> 00:20:50,140 place ? Uh again , right now , we're 569 00:20:50,140 --> 00:20:52,251 reaching out . Uh don't have anything 570 00:20:52,251 --> 00:20:54,362 to announce at this time . So , thank 571 00:20:54,362 --> 00:20:56,084 you very much . Thank you . Uh 572 00:20:56,084 --> 00:20:58,084 Congratulations on your promotion . 573 00:20:58,109 --> 00:21:01,969 Thank you for getting to start . The 574 00:21:01,979 --> 00:21:05,010 2024 National Defense 575 00:21:05,020 --> 00:21:08,479 Authorization Act says that the US 576 00:21:08,489 --> 00:21:12,489 troops stationed in South Korea will 577 00:21:12,500 --> 00:21:15,369 be maintained at the current level . 578 00:21:16,119 --> 00:21:19,650 Does this include the troops deployed 579 00:21:19,660 --> 00:21:23,439 for joint exercise ? Thanks 580 00:21:23,449 --> 00:21:25,782 Jamie . So , uh as you know , right now , 581 00:21:25,782 --> 00:21:29,089 uh we have approximately 28,500 US 582 00:21:29,099 --> 00:21:31,439 forces assigned in the Republic of 583 00:21:31,449 --> 00:21:35,449 Korea . Um in terms of forces 584 00:21:35,459 --> 00:21:38,020 coming in for exercises , uh that , 585 00:21:38,030 --> 00:21:40,197 that is a variable number that depends 586 00:21:40,197 --> 00:21:42,869 on the size of the exercise , the , the 587 00:21:42,880 --> 00:21:45,047 number of requirements and things like 588 00:21:45,047 --> 00:21:47,158 that so that , that won't change . So 589 00:21:47,158 --> 00:21:49,380 the bottom line is , you know , when it 590 00:21:49,380 --> 00:21:51,547 says force levels would be preserved , 591 00:21:51,547 --> 00:21:51,410 I take that at , at face value . 592 00:21:51,420 --> 00:21:53,476 Obviously , I'm not gonna talk about 593 00:21:53,476 --> 00:21:55,698 pending legislation . Um but you know , 594 00:21:55,698 --> 00:21:57,753 exercise numbers can fluctuate again 595 00:21:57,753 --> 00:22:00,229 just depending on the requirement . Uh 596 00:22:01,569 --> 00:22:03,709 Do you think uh military cooper 597 00:22:03,719 --> 00:22:06,030 operation between North Korea and 598 00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:08,640 Russia will lead Putin the war in 599 00:22:09,219 --> 00:22:13,119 Ukraine to victory ? You 600 00:22:13,130 --> 00:22:16,709 ask me , look , Janie , 601 00:22:16,719 --> 00:22:19,160 um you know what we are singularly 602 00:22:19,170 --> 00:22:20,910 focused on working with the 603 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:23,087 international community to ensure that 604 00:22:23,087 --> 00:22:24,864 Ukraine has what it needs to be 605 00:22:24,864 --> 00:22:27,087 successful on the battlefield , both in 606 00:22:27,087 --> 00:22:29,198 the short term and in the long term , 607 00:22:29,198 --> 00:22:31,390 in terms of uh deterring future 608 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:33,900 aggression from Russia . So I'll just 609 00:22:33,910 --> 00:22:36,439 leave it at that real . Ok . Thank you . 610 00:22:36,449 --> 00:22:38,729 I have two questions on the secretary's 611 00:22:38,739 --> 00:22:40,517 calls with the Japanese defense 612 00:22:40,517 --> 00:22:43,680 Minister . First on the osprey crash . 613 00:22:43,689 --> 00:22:46,640 I wonder if the secretary shared the 614 00:22:46,650 --> 00:22:49,660 progress on the investigation into the 615 00:22:49,670 --> 00:22:51,448 crash with the Japanese Defense 616 00:22:51,448 --> 00:22:53,660 Minister because Ple said the 617 00:22:53,670 --> 00:22:56,180 investigation will be transparent . 618 00:22:56,910 --> 00:22:58,799 Yeah , again , I'm not gonna have 619 00:22:58,799 --> 00:23:00,854 anything to provide beyond what's in 620 00:23:00,854 --> 00:23:02,743 the readout . Uh As you highlight 621 00:23:02,743 --> 00:23:04,966 broadly speaking , yes , the Department 622 00:23:04,966 --> 00:23:06,799 of Defense will continue to work 623 00:23:06,799 --> 00:23:09,060 closely with our Japanese allies to 624 00:23:09,069 --> 00:23:11,579 share information uh as it relates to 625 00:23:11,589 --> 00:23:13,890 the investigation , you know , and as 626 00:23:13,900 --> 00:23:17,170 appropriate , the secretary also 627 00:23:17,180 --> 00:23:19,589 discussed the maritime security in to 628 00:23:19,619 --> 00:23:23,209 see . So uh does the Pentagon hope 629 00:23:23,229 --> 00:23:25,770 that that in the Pacific countries 630 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:29,160 including Japan will join a maritime 631 00:23:29,170 --> 00:23:32,369 maritime task force in Red Sea because 632 00:23:32,380 --> 00:23:34,439 what's going on uh in this critical 633 00:23:34,449 --> 00:23:36,959 waterway matters to the economy in the 634 00:23:36,969 --> 00:23:39,136 in the Pacific region . Well , again , 635 00:23:39,136 --> 00:23:41,302 I'm not , I'm not gonna speak uh right 636 00:23:41,302 --> 00:23:43,413 now for any individual countries . Uh 637 00:23:43,413 --> 00:23:44,969 As I highlighted this is an 638 00:23:44,969 --> 00:23:47,136 international problem that requires an 639 00:23:47,136 --> 00:23:49,358 international solution solution . So we 640 00:23:49,358 --> 00:23:51,302 are engaged uh with many different 641 00:23:51,302 --> 00:23:53,660 nations uh to discuss this challenge . 642 00:23:53,739 --> 00:23:55,850 Uh And as I mentioned , may have more 643 00:23:55,850 --> 00:23:58,017 future uh in the days ahead , I better 644 00:23:58,017 --> 00:24:00,128 go to the phone or else I'm gonna get 645 00:24:00,128 --> 00:24:02,239 in trouble here . Uh Let's go to Jeff 646 00:24:02,239 --> 00:24:04,469 Scel Task and purpose . Thank you . 647 00:24:04,479 --> 00:24:06,750 What evidence does the defense 648 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:09,069 department have that if Vladimir Putin 649 00:24:09,079 --> 00:24:12,030 wins in Ukraine , that he might target 650 00:24:12,180 --> 00:24:14,839 Latvia Lithuania and Estonia , all of 651 00:24:14,849 --> 00:24:17,040 which are protected under article five 652 00:24:17,050 --> 00:24:20,390 of NATO . Yeah , thanks , Jeff . So I , 653 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:22,567 I don't want to get into hypotheticals 654 00:24:22,567 --> 00:24:25,270 but broadly speaking , um , you know , 655 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:27,349 past performance is usually an 656 00:24:27,359 --> 00:24:29,569 indicator of future performance . And 657 00:24:29,579 --> 00:24:32,339 so we've seen uh Russia uh 658 00:24:32,349 --> 00:24:36,310 conduct gray zone operations , we know 659 00:24:36,459 --> 00:24:38,750 uh that their goal which they have 660 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:41,760 failed at it was to eliminate Ukraine 661 00:24:41,770 --> 00:24:44,709 as a nation . Uh And so , uh the 662 00:24:44,719 --> 00:24:47,290 concern here is , yes , if Putin were 663 00:24:47,300 --> 00:24:50,880 allowed to win , uh there's that 664 00:24:50,890 --> 00:24:53,170 Russia won't stop . Uh they , they will 665 00:24:53,180 --> 00:24:55,579 move on to other countries uh and 666 00:24:55,589 --> 00:24:58,170 attempt to uh either invade or 667 00:24:58,180 --> 00:25:00,579 destabilize . And so uh this does put 668 00:25:00,589 --> 00:25:04,060 us in a situation where NATO uh could 669 00:25:04,069 --> 00:25:07,810 be threatened uh and uh us uh re 670 00:25:07,939 --> 00:25:10,199 requirements and commitments under 671 00:25:10,209 --> 00:25:13,280 article five would be something that we 672 00:25:13,290 --> 00:25:15,401 would obviously take very seriously . 673 00:25:15,401 --> 00:25:17,880 So , uh again , this is why Ukraine 674 00:25:17,890 --> 00:25:19,890 matters . Uh It's not just about 675 00:25:19,900 --> 00:25:22,040 Ukraine , it's about international 676 00:25:22,050 --> 00:25:24,050 security , not only in Europe , but 677 00:25:24,050 --> 00:25:27,060 also uh globally . Thank you , Migo 678 00:25:27,209 --> 00:25:28,209 Reuters , Phil . 679 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:37,939 Hey here . Um Two quick questions . Uh 680 00:25:37,949 --> 00:25:40,140 Firstly , uh Israel has said that it 681 00:25:40,150 --> 00:25:42,317 will deploy its own warship to the Red 682 00:25:42,317 --> 00:25:45,670 Sea . Um The US ships already in the 683 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:47,569 region working with them and will 684 00:25:47,569 --> 00:25:51,130 Israel be part of any maritime effort 685 00:25:51,140 --> 00:25:53,819 in the region ? And , and secondly , um 686 00:25:54,250 --> 00:25:56,472 President Biden earlier today said that 687 00:25:56,472 --> 00:25:58,583 Israel is losing support over what he 688 00:25:58,583 --> 00:26:00,417 called their indiscriminate Gaza 689 00:26:00,417 --> 00:26:02,528 bombing campaign . Does the secretary 690 00:26:02,528 --> 00:26:04,560 agree with the president that the 691 00:26:04,569 --> 00:26:06,069 bombing by Israel has been 692 00:26:06,069 --> 00:26:08,910 indiscriminate ? Thanks Idris . Uh So I 693 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:10,753 don't , I don't have anything to 694 00:26:10,753 --> 00:26:12,698 announce uh regarding Israel . I'd 695 00:26:12,698 --> 00:26:14,809 refer you to them to talk about their 696 00:26:14,809 --> 00:26:16,920 own operations uh in , in the Red Sea 697 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:19,119 region . Um And , and look , Secretary 698 00:26:19,130 --> 00:26:21,430 Austin's comments at Reagan , uh were 699 00:26:21,439 --> 00:26:24,359 very clear when it comes to two things . 700 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:28,069 Uh One that our support for Israel's 701 00:26:28,079 --> 00:26:30,023 inherent right to defend itself is 702 00:26:30,023 --> 00:26:32,910 ironclad . And number two , that we 703 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:34,809 will continue to expect Israel to 704 00:26:34,809 --> 00:26:36,864 conduct its operations in accordance 705 00:26:36,864 --> 00:26:39,198 with the law of armed conflict conflict . 706 00:26:39,198 --> 00:26:42,280 Highlighting that not only does 707 00:26:42,719 --> 00:26:44,729 Israel have a moral obligation to 708 00:26:44,739 --> 00:26:46,739 protect civilians , but it's also a 709 00:26:46,739 --> 00:26:49,000 strategic imperative . Thank you . Come 710 00:26:49,010 --> 00:26:51,177 back in the room for a few more here . 711 00:26:51,177 --> 00:26:53,300 Matt today , Reuters reported that a 712 00:26:53,310 --> 00:26:55,689 declassified us intelligence report 713 00:26:55,699 --> 00:26:58,030 determined that Russia has lost some 714 00:26:58,040 --> 00:27:01,930 315,000 uh troops either 715 00:27:01,939 --> 00:27:04,550 to injury or , or death uh total 716 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:07,229 casualties and also that its losses in 717 00:27:07,239 --> 00:27:09,183 personnel and vehicles has set its 718 00:27:09,183 --> 00:27:11,350 military modernization efforts back by 719 00:27:11,350 --> 00:27:13,572 some 18 years . Are you able to confirm 720 00:27:13,572 --> 00:27:15,795 any parts of that report or do you have 721 00:27:15,795 --> 00:27:18,017 your own estimates for , for casualties 722 00:27:18,017 --> 00:27:20,239 on either side of the conflict ? Yeah , 723 00:27:20,239 --> 00:27:22,295 Thanks Matt . I , I don't uh I don't 724 00:27:22,295 --> 00:27:24,461 have anything to provide on , on those 725 00:27:24,461 --> 00:27:26,572 reports . Uh Nor do I have numbers to 726 00:27:26,572 --> 00:27:28,795 provide on , on casualties . But I will 727 00:27:28,795 --> 00:27:30,961 take it as an opportunity to highlight 728 00:27:30,961 --> 00:27:33,829 uh the fact again , uh the strategic 729 00:27:33,839 --> 00:27:36,430 failure of Russia when it comes to the 730 00:27:36,439 --> 00:27:38,550 objectives that it had set for itself 731 00:27:39,189 --> 00:27:41,989 in Ukraine . Uh and the , and the fact 732 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:44,160 that it has cost thousands and 733 00:27:44,170 --> 00:27:46,150 thousands of lives on both sides , 734 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:48,790 needlessly , uh which is why again , we 735 00:27:48,800 --> 00:27:51,022 will continue to work very closely with 736 00:27:51,022 --> 00:27:53,133 Ukraine to ensure that they have what 737 00:27:53,133 --> 00:27:55,356 they need to defend their people uh and 738 00:27:55,356 --> 00:27:57,522 protect their sovereign territory . Uh 739 00:27:57,522 --> 00:27:59,856 So I'll just leave it there . Thank you . 740 00:27:59,856 --> 00:28:02,022 Yeah . Uh Thanks General , I wanted to 741 00:28:02,022 --> 00:28:04,569 follow up on the uh the individuals uh 742 00:28:04,579 --> 00:28:06,801 that appeared to be responsible for the 743 00:28:06,801 --> 00:28:08,912 hijacking some days ago that you said 744 00:28:08,912 --> 00:28:11,135 appeared to be Somali . Uh Can you give 745 00:28:11,135 --> 00:28:13,023 us an update on where they are if 746 00:28:13,023 --> 00:28:15,135 they're still detained under way with 747 00:28:15,135 --> 00:28:17,190 the US Navy ? Uh If you've clarified 748 00:28:17,190 --> 00:28:19,246 where they're from uh and just where 749 00:28:19,246 --> 00:28:21,135 they are now . Sure . Uh They are 750 00:28:21,135 --> 00:28:23,246 Somali . Uh they are still aboard the 751 00:28:23,246 --> 00:28:25,469 US S Mason uh while we continue to work 752 00:28:25,479 --> 00:28:27,646 with the Department of Justice on next 753 00:28:27,646 --> 00:28:29,423 steps . So as , as we have more 754 00:28:29,423 --> 00:28:31,535 information to provide , we will , we 755 00:28:31,535 --> 00:28:33,646 will do that . Do you believe them to 756 00:28:33,646 --> 00:28:35,812 be working in any kind of way with the 757 00:28:35,812 --> 00:28:37,979 Houthis or was this just a coincidence 758 00:28:37,979 --> 00:28:37,699 at a time when there's a lot of houthi 759 00:28:37,709 --> 00:28:39,765 operations . Yeah , I , I don't have 760 00:28:39,765 --> 00:28:41,987 any further information to pass along , 761 00:28:41,987 --> 00:28:44,042 Dan and as we get updates , we'll be 762 00:28:44,042 --> 00:28:46,153 sure to pass them along . All right . 763 00:28:46,300 --> 00:28:48,522 Ok . One second . Yes , sir . Thank you 764 00:28:48,522 --> 00:28:50,244 very much . You just said that 765 00:28:50,244 --> 00:28:52,467 Secretary Austin made it clear that the 766 00:28:52,467 --> 00:28:54,689 United States is expecting Israel to be 767 00:28:54,689 --> 00:28:56,911 careful in its bombing campaign in Gaza 768 00:28:56,911 --> 00:28:59,078 when it comes to civilian casualties . 769 00:28:59,078 --> 00:29:01,300 What if the Netanyahu government or the 770 00:29:01,300 --> 00:29:03,819 or the continue to indiscriminately 771 00:29:03,849 --> 00:29:06,189 attack civilians in Gaza and continue 772 00:29:06,199 --> 00:29:09,849 to use the white phosphorus like it did 773 00:29:09,859 --> 00:29:12,199 in Southern Lebanon . What steps will 774 00:29:12,209 --> 00:29:14,487 the United States government will take ? 775 00:29:14,510 --> 00:29:16,729 Again ? Look , we have been very clear 776 00:29:16,739 --> 00:29:19,719 with our Israeli partners uh that uh we 777 00:29:19,729 --> 00:29:21,729 have the expectation that they will 778 00:29:21,729 --> 00:29:23,896 conduct their operations in accordance 779 00:29:23,896 --> 00:29:26,062 with the law of armed conflict . Uh It 780 00:29:26,062 --> 00:29:29,359 is the , the importance of taking 781 00:29:29,369 --> 00:29:31,480 civilian safety into account has come 782 00:29:31,480 --> 00:29:33,536 up in every single conversation that 783 00:29:33,536 --> 00:29:35,425 Secretary Austin has had with his 784 00:29:35,425 --> 00:29:37,313 counterpart and that continues to 785 00:29:37,313 --> 00:29:39,369 happen at multiple levels . Uh And , 786 00:29:39,369 --> 00:29:42,229 and again , look , we understand that 787 00:29:42,310 --> 00:29:45,599 Israel uh is fighting to defend its 788 00:29:45,609 --> 00:29:48,609 people from a terrorist threat uh in 789 00:29:48,619 --> 00:29:50,397 the form of Hamas that brutally 790 00:29:50,397 --> 00:29:52,230 attacked the people of Israel on 791 00:29:52,230 --> 00:29:54,500 October 7th . Uh We also understand 792 00:29:54,510 --> 00:29:56,566 that they are an extremely difficult 793 00:29:56,566 --> 00:29:58,510 fight and an extremely dense urban 794 00:29:58,510 --> 00:30:01,520 terrain where the enemy has intertwined 795 00:30:01,530 --> 00:30:03,197 themselves among the civilian 796 00:30:03,197 --> 00:30:05,890 population and are using them as human 797 00:30:05,900 --> 00:30:08,170 shields . Uh So again , we , we 798 00:30:08,180 --> 00:30:10,402 understand that and we will continue to 799 00:30:10,402 --> 00:30:12,347 support Israel in their efforts to 800 00:30:12,347 --> 00:30:14,402 defend their people and defend their 801 00:30:14,402 --> 00:30:16,569 country . Um But we will also continue 802 00:30:16,569 --> 00:30:18,791 to talk to them about the importance of 803 00:30:18,791 --> 00:30:20,958 mitigating civilian casualties and the 804 00:30:20,958 --> 00:30:23,013 importance of ensuring that civilian 805 00:30:23,013 --> 00:30:26,579 aid is provided to the people of Gaza . 806 00:30:26,719 --> 00:30:28,775 Let me go back to the phone here and 807 00:30:28,775 --> 00:30:30,830 then we'll do one more in the room . 808 00:30:30,830 --> 00:30:32,886 Heather from us and I thanks so much 809 00:30:32,886 --> 00:30:35,108 just to follow up on Nancy's question . 810 00:30:35,108 --> 00:30:37,219 Um because the French are saying that 811 00:30:37,219 --> 00:30:39,497 they were attacked and their NATO ally , 812 00:30:39,497 --> 00:30:41,663 what responsibility is that put on the 813 00:30:41,663 --> 00:30:44,089 United States um to help protect French 814 00:30:44,099 --> 00:30:46,155 military ships that might be getting 815 00:30:46,155 --> 00:30:48,266 attacked or other military ships that 816 00:30:48,266 --> 00:30:50,800 may consider um the drones or missiles 817 00:30:50,810 --> 00:30:53,143 being shot in the Red Sea to be attacks . 818 00:30:53,143 --> 00:30:55,143 Yeah , thanks Heather . Um So , you 819 00:30:55,143 --> 00:30:56,921 know , my understanding is , is 820 00:30:56,921 --> 00:30:59,088 operations in the Red Sea . It's not a 821 00:30:59,088 --> 00:31:00,977 NATO operation per se . Clearly , 822 00:31:00,977 --> 00:31:03,569 France is a close ally . Uh and should 823 00:31:03,579 --> 00:31:05,746 they ask for our support or call on us 824 00:31:05,746 --> 00:31:08,000 to support them ? Um You know , we will 825 00:31:08,010 --> 00:31:10,500 obviously respond uh and , and be there 826 00:31:10,510 --> 00:31:12,732 to help , but again , it's , it's not a 827 00:31:12,732 --> 00:31:14,677 NATO mission uh as I understand it 828 00:31:14,677 --> 00:31:16,920 going on right now uh with within the 829 00:31:16,930 --> 00:31:20,400 Red Sea . Um You've got the uh combined 830 00:31:20,410 --> 00:31:24,119 uh maritime force uh that , that has 831 00:31:24,130 --> 00:31:27,020 over 39 nations . Uh that , that work 832 00:31:27,030 --> 00:31:30,380 together uh on am uh uh multiple number 833 00:31:30,390 --> 00:31:33,930 of um efforts to provide security and 834 00:31:33,939 --> 00:31:37,099 regional stability to include uh red 835 00:31:37,109 --> 00:31:40,670 Sea uh navigation . So , again , 836 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:42,847 nothing to announce on that front more 837 00:31:42,847 --> 00:31:44,958 to follow in the near future . Um But 838 00:31:44,958 --> 00:31:47,069 uh let's leave it there . All right . 839 00:31:47,069 --> 00:31:49,236 So you get the last question as far as 840 00:31:49,236 --> 00:31:51,013 us India , military to military 841 00:31:51,013 --> 00:31:53,236 relations are concerned . How would you 842 00:31:53,236 --> 00:31:57,099 highlight 2023 and also 843 00:31:57,109 --> 00:31:59,165 any major accomplishment ? And there 844 00:31:59,165 --> 00:32:01,530 was the future I like between the two 845 00:32:01,540 --> 00:32:04,050 countries and including yourself , if 846 00:32:04,060 --> 00:32:06,171 you are enjoying your job or you have 847 00:32:06,171 --> 00:32:08,329 enjoyed your job in 2023 I absolutely 848 00:32:08,339 --> 00:32:10,770 enjoyed my job in 2023 and I enjoy 849 00:32:10,780 --> 00:32:12,836 spending time with , with all of you 850 00:32:12,836 --> 00:32:15,270 here . Um But uh in terms of the 851 00:32:15,280 --> 00:32:17,920 relationship between uh the United 852 00:32:17,930 --> 00:32:20,041 States and India , uh you know , with 853 00:32:20,041 --> 00:32:21,986 obvious focus on the Department of 854 00:32:21,986 --> 00:32:24,097 Defense , uh I think it's been a very 855 00:32:24,097 --> 00:32:26,152 good year . I think we've made great 856 00:32:26,152 --> 00:32:28,374 progress in terms of further bolstering 857 00:32:28,374 --> 00:32:30,597 our relationship and our and our cooper 858 00:32:30,597 --> 00:32:32,689 operation . Um You've heard us talk 859 00:32:32,699 --> 00:32:35,540 about things like Indus X and working 860 00:32:35,550 --> 00:32:38,290 on defense cooper operation efforts uh 861 00:32:38,550 --> 00:32:40,959 to include in the industrial base as 862 00:32:40,969 --> 00:32:43,849 far as developing things like uh jet 863 00:32:43,859 --> 00:32:45,800 engines in India , working 864 00:32:45,810 --> 00:32:47,910 collaborative , collaboratively to 865 00:32:47,920 --> 00:32:51,359 produce armored vehicles in India . Um 866 00:32:52,050 --> 00:32:55,050 the ability of our ships to go to India , 867 00:32:55,060 --> 00:32:57,060 our navy ships to go to India to be 868 00:32:57,060 --> 00:32:59,030 repaired . And so all of this uh 869 00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:01,599 working toward the common vision of a 870 00:33:01,609 --> 00:33:04,040 free and open Indo Pacific region uh 871 00:33:04,050 --> 00:33:07,140 where sovereignty is respected uh And 872 00:33:07,150 --> 00:33:09,317 countries can operate in international 873 00:33:09,317 --> 00:33:11,300 airspace uh sail the international 874 00:33:11,310 --> 00:33:14,219 waterways uh freely and without 875 00:33:14,229 --> 00:33:16,396 harassment . So again , we'll continue 876 00:33:16,396 --> 00:33:18,562 to work closely with our partner India 877 00:33:18,562 --> 00:33:20,785 and we look forward to further progress 878 00:33:20,785 --> 00:33:23,880 in 2024 . Thank you very much . Thank 879 00:33:23,890 --> 00:33:24,500 you very much .