1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:04,380 --> 00:00:06,880 All right , good afternoon , everyone . 3 00:00:06,889 --> 00:00:09,720 Happy New Year . Uh Just have a few 4 00:00:09,729 --> 00:00:11,840 things to provide at the top and then 5 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:14,007 we'll get to your questions first , on 6 00:00:14,007 --> 00:00:15,951 behalf of Secretary Austin and the 7 00:00:15,951 --> 00:00:18,007 department . Our hearts are with the 8 00:00:18,007 --> 00:00:19,951 Japanese people after their tragic 9 00:00:19,951 --> 00:00:22,007 earthquake . Earlier this week , the 10 00:00:22,007 --> 00:00:24,062 United States and Japan share a deep 11 00:00:24,062 --> 00:00:23,549 bond of friendship that unites our 12 00:00:23,559 --> 00:00:26,280 people and our Japanese ally graciously 13 00:00:26,290 --> 00:00:28,680 hosts thousands of us service personnel 14 00:00:28,690 --> 00:00:30,819 and family members . As you've heard 15 00:00:30,829 --> 00:00:32,496 from the president and the US 16 00:00:32,496 --> 00:00:34,496 ambassador , our military forces in 17 00:00:34,496 --> 00:00:36,607 Japan are ready to assist as needed . 18 00:00:36,607 --> 00:00:38,440 Second , I'd like to recap a few 19 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:40,607 significant develops developments that 20 00:00:40,607 --> 00:00:42,773 occurred over the holidays on December 21 00:00:42,773 --> 00:00:44,773 28th , the offices of special trial 22 00:00:44,773 --> 00:00:46,607 counsel reached full operational 23 00:00:46,607 --> 00:00:49,259 capability , shifting prosecutorial 24 00:00:49,270 --> 00:00:51,900 discretion for 13 serious offenses away 25 00:00:51,909 --> 00:00:54,131 from the chain of command . This is the 26 00:00:54,131 --> 00:00:56,242 most important reform to our military 27 00:00:56,242 --> 00:00:58,298 justice system since the creation of 28 00:00:58,298 --> 00:01:00,520 the uniform code of military justice in 29 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:02,909 1950 and aims to help strengthen 30 00:01:02,919 --> 00:01:05,000 accountability and increase service 31 00:01:05,010 --> 00:01:06,899 members trust in the fairness and 32 00:01:06,899 --> 00:01:08,788 integrity of the military justice 33 00:01:08,788 --> 00:01:11,220 system . This milestone follows through 34 00:01:11,230 --> 00:01:13,341 on Secretary Austin's commitment that 35 00:01:13,341 --> 00:01:15,286 we must do more as a department to 36 00:01:15,286 --> 00:01:17,174 counter sexual assault and sexual 37 00:01:17,174 --> 00:01:19,559 harassment in the military . Separately , 38 00:01:19,569 --> 00:01:21,736 on January 1st , the US Navy announced 39 00:01:21,739 --> 00:01:23,709 that the US Gerald R Ford carrier 40 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:25,720 strike group will redeploy from the 41 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:27,887 eastern Mediterranean to its home port 42 00:01:27,887 --> 00:01:29,831 as scheduled to prepare for future 43 00:01:29,831 --> 00:01:31,831 deployments . As was highlighted in 44 00:01:31,831 --> 00:01:34,053 NAVI year's press release , we continue 45 00:01:34,053 --> 00:01:35,831 to retain extensive US military 46 00:01:35,831 --> 00:01:37,887 capability both in the Mediterranean 47 00:01:37,887 --> 00:01:39,776 and across the Middle East . This 48 00:01:39,776 --> 00:01:41,942 includes the current deployment of the 49 00:01:41,942 --> 00:01:44,164 US S Dwight D Eisenhower carrier strike 50 00:01:44,164 --> 00:01:45,887 group to the Middle East . The 51 00:01:45,887 --> 00:01:47,998 deployment of additional cruisers and 52 00:01:47,998 --> 00:01:49,998 destroyers in the Mediterranean and 53 00:01:49,998 --> 00:01:52,109 Middle East and the recent arrival of 54 00:01:52,109 --> 00:01:54,220 the US S Bata and US S Carter Hall in 55 00:01:54,220 --> 00:01:56,442 the Eastern Mediterranean Sea , notably 56 00:01:56,442 --> 00:01:58,442 the US S Baton and US S Carter Hall 57 00:01:58,442 --> 00:02:00,498 joined the amphibious transport dock 58 00:02:00,498 --> 00:02:02,319 ship US S Mesa Verde and have 59 00:02:02,330 --> 00:02:04,459 consolidated as the amphibious ready 60 00:02:04,470 --> 00:02:06,414 group in the Eastern Mediterranean 61 00:02:06,414 --> 00:02:08,303 along with the embarked 26 marine 62 00:02:08,303 --> 00:02:11,289 expeditionary unit . The ARG consists 63 00:02:11,298 --> 00:02:13,465 of three ships , more than 50 aircraft 64 00:02:13,465 --> 00:02:15,409 and approximately 4000 sailors and 65 00:02:15,409 --> 00:02:17,131 marines that provide sea based 66 00:02:17,131 --> 00:02:19,608 expeditionary forces capable of 67 00:02:19,619 --> 00:02:21,828 conducting a wide range of missions in 68 00:02:21,839 --> 00:02:23,783 support of our regional deterrence 69 00:02:23,783 --> 00:02:25,958 efforts as we have done since Hamas's 70 00:02:25,968 --> 00:02:28,246 brutal terrorist attack on October 7th . 71 00:02:28,246 --> 00:02:30,135 Dod will continue to leverage its 72 00:02:30,135 --> 00:02:32,301 collective force posture in the region 73 00:02:32,301 --> 00:02:34,708 to deter any state or non state actor 74 00:02:34,729 --> 00:02:37,169 from escalating this crisis beyond Gaza . 75 00:02:38,979 --> 00:02:40,979 And finally , I can confirm that on 76 00:02:40,979 --> 00:02:43,160 January 4th , approximately 12 p.m. 77 00:02:43,169 --> 00:02:46,279 Iraq time us forces took necessary and 78 00:02:46,289 --> 00:02:48,456 proportionate action against Mushtaq . 79 00:02:48,850 --> 00:02:52,369 Jawad Qasim Al Jari A K A Abu Tawa who 80 00:02:52,380 --> 00:02:55,649 is a Harakat . Al Na Juba leader , Abu 81 00:02:55,669 --> 00:02:57,725 Tao is actively involved in planning 82 00:02:57,725 --> 00:02:59,558 and carrying out attacks against 83 00:02:59,558 --> 00:03:01,770 American personnel . The strike also 84 00:03:01,779 --> 00:03:03,919 killed another han member and it is 85 00:03:03,929 --> 00:03:06,040 important to note that the strike was 86 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:08,262 taken in self defense that no civilians 87 00:03:08,262 --> 00:03:10,429 were harmed and that no infrastructure 88 00:03:10,429 --> 00:03:12,651 or facilities were struck and that I'll 89 00:03:12,651 --> 00:03:14,873 be happy to take your questions . We'll 90 00:03:14,873 --> 00:03:17,151 start with the associated press . Tara . 91 00:03:17,151 --> 00:03:19,318 Hi , general writer , Happy New Year . 92 00:03:19,318 --> 00:03:21,649 I wanted to talk about the warning that 93 00:03:21,660 --> 00:03:23,850 the US sent yesterday with allies to 94 00:03:23,860 --> 00:03:26,279 the Houthis about not conducting a 95 00:03:26,289 --> 00:03:28,570 additional attacks on ships . And then 96 00:03:28,580 --> 00:03:30,691 you see just hours later , there's an 97 00:03:30,691 --> 00:03:32,580 attempted attack with an unmanned 98 00:03:32,580 --> 00:03:35,130 surface vehicle on ships in the Red Sea . 99 00:03:35,300 --> 00:03:37,419 Uh What are the options for the US at 100 00:03:37,429 --> 00:03:39,889 this point ? And will those options 101 00:03:39,899 --> 00:03:41,899 also include potentially addressing 102 00:03:41,899 --> 00:03:43,955 Iran's role in supplying the Houthis 103 00:03:43,955 --> 00:03:46,066 with these weapons ? Thanks Tara . Um 104 00:03:46,066 --> 00:03:50,029 So as you've heard , uh us and others 105 00:03:50,039 --> 00:03:52,550 say within the US government , uh we , 106 00:03:52,559 --> 00:03:54,839 we are approaching this um for many 107 00:03:54,850 --> 00:03:57,072 different facets to include sanctions . 108 00:03:57,072 --> 00:03:59,294 But from a dod standpoint , of course , 109 00:03:59,294 --> 00:04:01,461 working closely with the international 110 00:04:01,461 --> 00:04:03,350 community uh to establish uh a uh 111 00:04:03,350 --> 00:04:06,809 coalition to help deter houthi 112 00:04:06,820 --> 00:04:09,619 efforts uh and reassure Mariners as 113 00:04:09,630 --> 00:04:11,852 they transit this vital seaway in the , 114 00:04:11,852 --> 00:04:14,110 in the Red Sea . Um So we're gonna 115 00:04:14,119 --> 00:04:16,063 continue to work very hard at that 116 00:04:16,063 --> 00:04:18,063 deterrence in and of itself . Uh or 117 00:04:18,063 --> 00:04:20,230 excuse me , presence is a deterrent in 118 00:04:20,230 --> 00:04:23,420 and of itself . Uh And so we expect to 119 00:04:23,429 --> 00:04:25,429 continue to see the coalition , the 120 00:04:25,429 --> 00:04:27,679 international coalition grow uh in 121 00:04:27,690 --> 00:04:29,579 support of operation prosperity , 122 00:04:29,579 --> 00:04:31,634 Guardian . Uh As you heard , uh Vice 123 00:04:31,660 --> 00:04:33,827 Admiral Cooper , the NAV and commander 124 00:04:33,827 --> 00:04:35,993 say earlier today , over 20 nations so 125 00:04:35,993 --> 00:04:38,160 far have joined . Uh And , and again , 126 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:40,382 we continue to uh expect to continue to 127 00:04:40,382 --> 00:04:44,149 see that grow . Uh This is a issue that 128 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:45,993 affects the entire international 129 00:04:45,993 --> 00:04:48,250 community . Uh The economic impact , 130 00:04:48,260 --> 00:04:50,709 never mind the dangerous unlawful 131 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,179 behavior . Uh is something that we're 132 00:04:53,190 --> 00:04:55,357 all taking seriously and that requires 133 00:04:55,357 --> 00:04:57,619 collective action . But what sort of 134 00:04:57,630 --> 00:04:59,679 options would there be militarily ? 135 00:04:59,690 --> 00:05:01,857 Because obviously the statement didn't 136 00:05:01,857 --> 00:05:04,230 stop the houthis from sending an armed 137 00:05:04,239 --> 00:05:06,869 drone to ships again today . I'll let 138 00:05:06,880 --> 00:05:09,047 the statement speak for itself and I'm 139 00:05:09,047 --> 00:05:10,991 not going to speculate or get into 140 00:05:10,991 --> 00:05:13,470 hypotheticals about potential future 141 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:16,329 military operations . Jennifer , I'll 142 00:05:16,549 --> 00:05:19,049 come back to you pat . I'd just like to 143 00:05:19,059 --> 00:05:21,579 follow up on the January 4th strike 144 00:05:21,589 --> 00:05:25,380 targeting a Tawa . Um What 145 00:05:25,390 --> 00:05:27,334 kind of weapon was used ? Was it a 146 00:05:27,334 --> 00:05:30,220 hellfire missile ? Uh Why now is this 147 00:05:30,230 --> 00:05:32,174 the beginning of a new campaign to 148 00:05:32,174 --> 00:05:34,420 target the leaders and this group that 149 00:05:34,429 --> 00:05:36,596 you've targeted in terms of planning ? 150 00:05:36,596 --> 00:05:38,739 It's not Kat Hezbollah which has been 151 00:05:38,750 --> 00:05:41,040 behind a lot of the attacks ? Why not ? 152 00:05:41,339 --> 00:05:43,450 Yeah , thanks Jennifer . So I'm , I'm 153 00:05:43,450 --> 00:05:45,672 really not going to have more specifics 154 00:05:45,672 --> 00:05:47,783 to provide uh in terms of what I've , 155 00:05:47,783 --> 00:05:49,783 I've read out as I highlighted , uh 156 00:05:49,783 --> 00:05:51,895 this individual was actively involved 157 00:05:51,895 --> 00:05:53,950 in planning and carrying out attacks 158 00:05:53,950 --> 00:05:55,950 against American personnel . And as 159 00:05:55,950 --> 00:05:57,839 we've long said , we maintain the 160 00:05:57,839 --> 00:05:59,783 inherent right of self defense and 161 00:05:59,783 --> 00:06:01,950 we'll take necessary action to protect 162 00:06:01,950 --> 00:06:01,790 our personnel and who was the second 163 00:06:01,799 --> 00:06:04,559 person killed . Uh It was an associate 164 00:06:04,570 --> 00:06:08,420 of , of uh Mr Abu Tawa , but I don't 165 00:06:08,429 --> 00:06:10,651 have any further details provided . Let 166 00:06:10,651 --> 00:06:12,873 me go to jail . Thank you , General . I 167 00:06:12,873 --> 00:06:14,985 want to go back to the , to the issue 168 00:06:14,985 --> 00:06:16,985 of uh the statement that was issued 169 00:06:16,985 --> 00:06:19,207 yesterday from the US and its coalition 170 00:06:19,309 --> 00:06:22,290 about the houthis . Uh Have you seen 171 00:06:22,299 --> 00:06:25,079 any evidence that there is a serious 172 00:06:25,089 --> 00:06:28,549 escalation from the hot is over the 173 00:06:28,559 --> 00:06:32,100 last few days ? And uh given the 174 00:06:32,109 --> 00:06:35,299 situation , could you tell us if the 175 00:06:35,309 --> 00:06:39,290 option of striking the hoes is 176 00:06:39,299 --> 00:06:42,540 on the table or it's something just 177 00:06:42,549 --> 00:06:44,989 related to contingency plans ? Yeah , 178 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:47,600 again , Joe , I , I think I'll let the 179 00:06:47,609 --> 00:06:50,010 statement speak for itself uh which 180 00:06:50,019 --> 00:06:52,290 again represented many nations uh 181 00:06:52,299 --> 00:06:55,149 around the world and highlighted that 182 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:57,160 if these strikes don't stop , there 183 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:59,327 will be consequences . But again , I'm 184 00:06:59,327 --> 00:07:01,216 not gonna get into speculating uh 185 00:07:01,216 --> 00:07:03,104 forecasting or , or talking about 186 00:07:03,104 --> 00:07:05,209 hypotheticals . Um in terms of 187 00:07:05,220 --> 00:07:07,690 escalation , again , uh these are 188 00:07:07,700 --> 00:07:10,480 illegal dangerous attacks since 189 00:07:10,489 --> 00:07:13,019 November 18th . There been now 25 190 00:07:13,029 --> 00:07:14,862 attacks against merchant vessels 191 00:07:14,862 --> 00:07:17,029 transiting the Southern Red Sea and in 192 00:07:17,029 --> 00:07:20,399 the Gulf of Aden . Uh And so we have 193 00:07:20,410 --> 00:07:22,521 worked closely with the international 194 00:07:22,521 --> 00:07:24,720 community to stand up operation , 195 00:07:24,730 --> 00:07:26,508 prosperity , guardian under the 196 00:07:26,508 --> 00:07:28,799 umbrella and leadership of task force 197 00:07:28,809 --> 00:07:31,600 153 with the express purpose of 198 00:07:31,609 --> 00:07:33,831 deterring this illegal activity through 199 00:07:33,831 --> 00:07:36,720 the increased uh overall presence and 200 00:07:36,730 --> 00:07:38,563 also providing assurances to the 201 00:07:38,563 --> 00:07:40,910 maritime industry to help safeguard uh 202 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:43,142 their , their transiting of that , that 203 00:07:43,142 --> 00:07:45,399 waterway or a couple follow up 204 00:07:45,410 --> 00:07:47,521 questions on the Iraq strike . Uh You 205 00:07:47,521 --> 00:07:49,688 call this a self defense strike . What 206 00:07:49,688 --> 00:07:51,910 attacks was this group ? Harakat Al NBA 207 00:07:51,910 --> 00:07:53,966 uh responsible for ? And how many uh 208 00:07:53,966 --> 00:07:56,132 did you notify the Iraqi government in 209 00:07:56,132 --> 00:07:57,688 advance and , and given the 210 00:07:57,688 --> 00:07:59,910 condemnation of us strikes in Iraq that 211 00:07:59,910 --> 00:08:02,132 we've seen uh in the course of the past 212 00:08:02,132 --> 00:08:04,243 couple of weeks . Do you think the US 213 00:08:04,243 --> 00:08:06,299 military presence in Iraq is , is at 214 00:08:06,299 --> 00:08:08,466 risk ? Have you seen a tension there ? 215 00:08:08,489 --> 00:08:10,545 Yeah , thanks Oren . So , uh again , 216 00:08:10,545 --> 00:08:12,711 I'm not going to have any more details 217 00:08:12,711 --> 00:08:14,933 to provide as it relates to this , this 218 00:08:14,933 --> 00:08:17,980 particular strike . Uh And uh you know , 219 00:08:17,989 --> 00:08:20,829 in , in terms of the specific attacks 220 00:08:20,839 --> 00:08:24,190 uh that , that ha has conducted against 221 00:08:24,519 --> 00:08:27,149 us forces in , in Iraq and Syria , as 222 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:29,271 you well know , you've been following 223 00:08:29,271 --> 00:08:31,271 this for a while . Uh those attacks 224 00:08:31,271 --> 00:08:33,271 have continued putting us forces in 225 00:08:33,271 --> 00:08:35,382 danger . Uh And as I just highlighted 226 00:08:35,382 --> 00:08:37,382 to uh to Jennifer , we maintain the 227 00:08:37,382 --> 00:08:39,327 inherent right of self defense and 228 00:08:39,327 --> 00:08:41,160 we'll continue to take necessary 229 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:43,327 actions to protect our personnel . 120 230 00:08:43,327 --> 00:08:46,200 attacks has this Harakat Al Nut . I'm 231 00:08:46,210 --> 00:08:49,169 not gonna get into a breakdown . Um So 232 00:08:49,630 --> 00:08:52,419 as far as your other question , um you 233 00:08:52,429 --> 00:08:54,596 know , Iraq is an important and valued 234 00:08:54,596 --> 00:08:56,900 partner . Uh Our forces are there at 235 00:08:56,909 --> 00:08:58,909 the invitation of the government of 236 00:08:58,909 --> 00:09:00,798 Iraq to help train and advise and 237 00:09:00,798 --> 00:09:02,853 support of the defeat ISIS mission . 238 00:09:02,853 --> 00:09:05,131 And so as we have been doing all along , 239 00:09:05,131 --> 00:09:07,131 we will continue to consult closely 240 00:09:07,131 --> 00:09:09,131 with the Iraqi government about the 241 00:09:09,131 --> 00:09:11,242 safety and security of us forces . Uh 242 00:09:11,242 --> 00:09:11,200 In the meantime , we will continue to 243 00:09:11,210 --> 00:09:13,321 stay very focused on that defeat ISIS 244 00:09:13,321 --> 00:09:15,432 mission . Are you able to say whether 245 00:09:15,432 --> 00:09:17,377 you notify the Iraqi government in 246 00:09:17,377 --> 00:09:19,377 advance ? I'm not going to get into 247 00:09:19,377 --> 00:09:21,488 diplomatic discussions . Carl , thank 248 00:09:21,488 --> 00:09:23,821 you . Question , two questions actually , 249 00:09:23,821 --> 00:09:25,821 first on the Red Sea operation . So 250 00:09:25,821 --> 00:09:28,219 Admiral Vice Admiral Cooper and you 251 00:09:28,229 --> 00:09:30,451 have both said that this is a defensive 252 00:09:30,451 --> 00:09:32,729 operation . Why is this a defensive 253 00:09:32,739 --> 00:09:34,461 operation ? Why is this not an 254 00:09:34,461 --> 00:09:37,530 offensive operation ? Why is the US and 255 00:09:37,539 --> 00:09:39,483 the international coalition either 256 00:09:39,483 --> 00:09:41,830 unwilling or unable to target launching 257 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:45,020 areas inside of Yemen ? So the the 258 00:09:45,030 --> 00:09:46,820 express purpose of operation , 259 00:09:46,830 --> 00:09:50,419 prosperity guardian again uh under the 260 00:09:50,429 --> 00:09:52,710 uh coalition maritime forces is a 261 00:09:52,719 --> 00:09:55,179 coalition of the willing . And so this 262 00:09:55,190 --> 00:09:57,900 particular operation is a defensive 263 00:09:57,909 --> 00:10:00,340 operation focused on helping to 264 00:10:00,349 --> 00:10:04,239 reassure uh commercial uh uh 265 00:10:04,250 --> 00:10:07,159 vessels as they transit the Red Sea and 266 00:10:07,169 --> 00:10:10,429 also helping to safeguard the lives of 267 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:12,384 Mariners who are are sailing those 268 00:10:12,384 --> 00:10:15,599 ships . And so , um it's as simple as 269 00:10:15,609 --> 00:10:17,830 that , should I interpret that as some 270 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:19,951 of the coalition did not want this to 271 00:10:19,951 --> 00:10:22,609 be offensive . Is that fair to say um 272 00:10:22,619 --> 00:10:25,429 Carla . So again , you know , countries 273 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:27,250 are going to uh be willing to 274 00:10:27,260 --> 00:10:29,890 participate in various efforts um 275 00:10:29,900 --> 00:10:32,400 focused on very specific operational 276 00:10:32,409 --> 00:10:34,076 goals . And again , operation 277 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:36,169 Prosperity Guardian is a defensive 278 00:10:36,179 --> 00:10:38,929 coalition focused on safeguarding uh 279 00:10:38,940 --> 00:10:42,140 the commercial vessels transiting the , 280 00:10:42,150 --> 00:10:44,261 the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden . So 281 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:47,510 uh that's the , the mission . Now again , 282 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:49,742 I'm not gonna get into hypotheticals or 283 00:10:49,742 --> 00:10:51,520 speculate about what individual 284 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:53,409 countries may or may not do as it 285 00:10:53,409 --> 00:10:55,576 relates to their security uh or the uh 286 00:10:55,576 --> 00:10:57,687 collective security . But again , for 287 00:10:57,687 --> 00:11:01,260 OPG , this is as a defensive coalition . 288 00:11:01,479 --> 00:11:04,020 Thank you . Let me go to one of your 289 00:11:04,030 --> 00:11:07,059 colleagues and then I'm done . There's 290 00:11:07,070 --> 00:11:09,126 a Newsweek story out there that says 291 00:11:09,126 --> 00:11:10,959 that there's attack comes up for 292 00:11:10,959 --> 00:11:13,349 destruction , that expired attack U 293 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:15,710 attack . That would be a significant 294 00:11:15,719 --> 00:11:17,941 expense to American taxpayers according 295 00:11:17,941 --> 00:11:19,886 to one former advisor to Ukraine's 296 00:11:19,886 --> 00:11:22,549 league commander . Um is this true ? 297 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:24,448 Are there a bunch of attack , Gus 298 00:11:24,448 --> 00:11:26,726 expired attack Gus set to be destroyed . 299 00:11:26,726 --> 00:11:28,781 And if that is true , why would they 300 00:11:28,781 --> 00:11:30,909 not be going to Ukraine ? Yeah . So 301 00:11:30,919 --> 00:11:32,863 I've seen those press reports , we 302 00:11:32,863 --> 00:11:34,975 looked into this and it is not true . 303 00:11:34,975 --> 00:11:37,309 Those reports are false . I have two 304 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:39,487 separate topics first on the strike in 305 00:11:39,487 --> 00:11:43,270 Iraq against a Harakat Jab uh last 306 00:11:43,280 --> 00:11:46,669 week , as you said , the US forces are 307 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:48,901 inside Iraq at the request of the Iraqi 308 00:11:48,901 --> 00:11:51,123 government . However , Mr Asani , Iraqi 309 00:11:51,123 --> 00:11:53,400 Prime Minister has rejected any uh 310 00:11:53,505 --> 00:11:55,825 actions from US forces outside the 311 00:11:55,835 --> 00:11:58,734 parameters of advising and assisting 312 00:11:58,744 --> 00:12:01,224 Iraqi forces . And he said the Iraqi 313 00:12:01,234 --> 00:12:04,164 government is headed toward ending the 314 00:12:04,174 --> 00:12:07,104 presence of the international 315 00:12:07,114 --> 00:12:10,804 coalition inside Iraq . 316 00:12:12,109 --> 00:12:15,049 Has the Pentagon been notified by the 317 00:12:15,059 --> 00:12:18,260 Iraqi government of any uh steps to get 318 00:12:18,270 --> 00:12:20,437 the US forces out of Iraq ? And how do 319 00:12:20,437 --> 00:12:23,239 you respond to his comments on actions 320 00:12:23,250 --> 00:12:25,900 taken by US forces ? Thanks . So , so 321 00:12:25,909 --> 00:12:29,849 I'm not gonna comment uh on the remarks 322 00:12:29,859 --> 00:12:32,026 of others . I'm not going to speculate 323 00:12:32,026 --> 00:12:33,859 about what , what the future may 324 00:12:33,859 --> 00:12:35,970 portend or get in the hypotheticals . 325 00:12:35,970 --> 00:12:38,137 As I mentioned earlier , us forces are 326 00:12:38,137 --> 00:12:39,970 in Iraq at the invitation of the 327 00:12:39,970 --> 00:12:42,026 government in Iraq to help train and 328 00:12:42,026 --> 00:12:44,081 advise in support of the defeat ISIS 329 00:12:44,081 --> 00:12:45,970 mission . Uh And , and you know , 330 00:12:45,970 --> 00:12:48,081 you've been covering this story for a 331 00:12:48,081 --> 00:12:49,915 very long time uh in terms of us 332 00:12:49,915 --> 00:12:52,081 presence as of many of your colleagues 333 00:12:52,081 --> 00:12:54,248 here and , and you'll recall it was 10 334 00:12:54,248 --> 00:12:56,415 years ago this coming summer that ISIS 335 00:12:56,415 --> 00:12:58,637 was approximately 24 kilometers outside 336 00:12:58,637 --> 00:13:01,150 of Baghdad . Um When we kicked off the 337 00:13:01,159 --> 00:13:04,789 counter ISIS mission um after they had 338 00:13:04,799 --> 00:13:07,140 subsumed large swaths of Syria and Iraq . 339 00:13:07,150 --> 00:13:10,650 So no one wants to see a return of ISIS 340 00:13:10,859 --> 00:13:12,919 which oh by the way , just claimed 341 00:13:12,929 --> 00:13:15,169 responsibility for the attacks that 342 00:13:15,179 --> 00:13:17,349 we're seeing . Uh we saw yesterday in 343 00:13:17,359 --> 00:13:19,880 Iran . Uh So our focus is gonna 344 00:13:19,890 --> 00:13:22,159 continue to remain on the defeat ISIS 345 00:13:22,169 --> 00:13:24,336 mission Um But again , we're not gonna 346 00:13:24,336 --> 00:13:26,780 hesitate to protect our forces if 347 00:13:26,789 --> 00:13:28,789 they're threatened . Thanks . And a 348 00:13:29,210 --> 00:13:32,099 couple of days ago is senior Hamas 349 00:13:32,460 --> 00:13:35,869 leader was assassinated in a strike in 350 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:38,309 Beirut . And it's , you know , 351 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:41,104 supposedly carried out by , by Israel . 352 00:13:41,224 --> 00:13:44,015 The US has maintained a position that 353 00:13:44,025 --> 00:13:46,325 you don't want to see this . Uh the war 354 00:13:46,335 --> 00:13:48,734 in Gaza escalate uh either in Lebanon 355 00:13:48,744 --> 00:13:51,934 or in the region was the dod or the US 356 00:13:51,945 --> 00:13:54,455 government notified of this operation . 357 00:13:54,465 --> 00:13:57,934 And uh does the US 358 00:13:57,945 --> 00:14:00,112 administration or the Pentagon support 359 00:14:00,112 --> 00:14:02,965 uh such uh strikes beyond the borders ? 360 00:14:03,599 --> 00:14:05,710 Yeah , so I , I don't have anything , 361 00:14:05,710 --> 00:14:07,877 you know , obviously uh seen the , the 362 00:14:07,877 --> 00:14:09,988 reports on that strike . I just don't 363 00:14:09,988 --> 00:14:12,155 have anything to provide on that . Let 364 00:14:12,155 --> 00:14:14,377 me go to the phone here real quick . Um 365 00:14:14,377 --> 00:14:15,599 JJ Green from WTO P . 366 00:14:18,780 --> 00:14:20,947 Yeah , thanks for the uh opportunity . 367 00:14:20,950 --> 00:14:24,950 Um Can you characterize the strength of 368 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:28,599 Harakat Al Nibba , uh the threat that 369 00:14:28,609 --> 00:14:31,260 it poses to us forces and when you look 370 00:14:31,270 --> 00:14:35,239 at all the other terror organizations 371 00:14:35,250 --> 00:14:37,250 that are active in the region now , 372 00:14:37,250 --> 00:14:39,409 especially Isis and Islamic Jihad , 373 00:14:39,419 --> 00:14:41,780 Hamas Hezbollah , can you characterize 374 00:14:41,789 --> 00:14:45,239 what that looks like for us forces and 375 00:14:45,250 --> 00:14:47,940 how the Pentagon is , is approaching um 376 00:14:47,950 --> 00:14:51,520 dealing with that ? Yeah , thanks JJ . 377 00:14:51,530 --> 00:14:53,989 Um As I'm sure you can appreciate um 378 00:14:54,869 --> 00:14:57,036 you know , there , there are myriad uh 379 00:14:57,036 --> 00:14:59,036 threats throughout the region , you 380 00:14:59,036 --> 00:15:01,669 know , uh not only to the United States 381 00:15:01,679 --> 00:15:04,012 uh but to other countries as well . And , 382 00:15:04,012 --> 00:15:07,059 and so I won't go into a , a detailed 383 00:15:07,070 --> 00:15:09,250 briefing about terrorist groups across 384 00:15:09,260 --> 00:15:12,030 the , the a or other than to say , uh 385 00:15:12,039 --> 00:15:14,659 as we've highlighted in several of our 386 00:15:14,669 --> 00:15:16,669 press releases when we've conducted 387 00:15:16,679 --> 00:15:19,679 strikes in Iraq and Syria , uh they 388 00:15:19,690 --> 00:15:21,579 have been against groups that are 389 00:15:21,579 --> 00:15:23,989 sponsored by Iran , Iranian proxies to 390 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,719 include Han and Katab Hezbollah . Uh 391 00:15:26,729 --> 00:15:30,390 And so those uh those forces have 392 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:33,320 represented a threat to our forces . 393 00:15:33,340 --> 00:15:35,396 And again , we maintain the inherent 394 00:15:35,396 --> 00:15:37,451 right of self defense and we'll take 395 00:15:37,451 --> 00:15:39,784 necessary actions to protect our forces . 396 00:15:39,784 --> 00:15:42,007 Uh And that will continue to remain our 397 00:15:42,007 --> 00:15:44,118 focus uh as well as doing the mission 398 00:15:44,118 --> 00:15:46,229 which we're there to do , which is to 399 00:15:46,229 --> 00:15:48,489 help defeat . Isis . Thank you . All 400 00:15:48,500 --> 00:15:50,500 right . Let me do one more from the 401 00:15:50,500 --> 00:15:52,333 phone here , Jeff Shole task and 402 00:15:52,333 --> 00:15:54,556 purpose . Thank you . And thanks to the 403 00:15:54,556 --> 00:15:56,833 audio folks for getting my mic to work . 404 00:15:56,833 --> 00:15:58,722 I just wanted to double check the 405 00:15:58,722 --> 00:16:00,778 person killed in Baghdad . I've seen 406 00:16:00,778 --> 00:16:00,539 his name spelled differently . I've 407 00:16:00,549 --> 00:16:03,099 seen it al SA I just want to make sure 408 00:16:03,109 --> 00:16:05,276 we're talking about the same guy . And 409 00:16:05,276 --> 00:16:08,080 also uh this person was a commander in 410 00:16:08,090 --> 00:16:10,729 the popular Mobilization Forces . Was 411 00:16:10,739 --> 00:16:12,850 this also an attack on Iraqi security 412 00:16:12,850 --> 00:16:15,679 forces ? Thank you . Thanks . Uh Jeff , 413 00:16:15,690 --> 00:16:17,857 again , I'm not gonna have anything to 414 00:16:17,857 --> 00:16:20,079 provide uh beyond what I've spelled out 415 00:16:20,079 --> 00:16:22,750 for you . Um And this was a strike 416 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:25,359 against a member of , of Han uh the , 417 00:16:25,369 --> 00:16:27,202 the terrorist group that I've uh 418 00:16:27,202 --> 00:16:29,313 highlighted the Iranian proxy group . 419 00:16:29,313 --> 00:16:32,030 Thank you , Tony . So , one of the 420 00:16:32,039 --> 00:16:34,039 things you didn't highlight in your 421 00:16:34,039 --> 00:16:35,595 recap was the December 27th 422 00:16:35,595 --> 00:16:37,650 presidential drawing on authority of 423 00:16:37,650 --> 00:16:40,400 package 54 . Is that the last package 424 00:16:40,409 --> 00:16:43,380 the US can give for Ukraine until 425 00:16:43,390 --> 00:16:45,446 Congress approves the supplemental . 426 00:16:45,719 --> 00:16:47,775 Yeah , thanks Tony . As you , as you 427 00:16:47,775 --> 00:16:49,775 heard us say uh as we went into the 428 00:16:49,775 --> 00:16:51,886 holidays here , um you know , we have 429 00:16:51,886 --> 00:16:54,108 no more replenishment funds . Uh And so 430 00:16:54,108 --> 00:16:56,163 right now , I , I'm not anticipating 431 00:16:56,163 --> 00:16:58,479 any new PD A announcements in terms of , 432 00:16:58,530 --> 00:17:01,419 of new uh capabilities . Uh which is 433 00:17:01,429 --> 00:17:03,596 why , you know , we , we will continue 434 00:17:03,596 --> 00:17:05,762 to work closely with Congress and urge 435 00:17:05,762 --> 00:17:07,985 them to pass the supplemental . Uh F-16 436 00:17:07,985 --> 00:17:10,096 is the Ukraine . What's the latest in 437 00:17:10,096 --> 00:17:12,207 terms of when they would finally show 438 00:17:12,207 --> 00:17:14,207 up there ? Sure , I don't , I don't 439 00:17:14,207 --> 00:17:16,318 have any uh specific dates to provide 440 00:17:16,318 --> 00:17:18,207 that training does continue uh in 441 00:17:18,207 --> 00:17:20,429 Arizona . Um A as you know , that , you 442 00:17:20,429 --> 00:17:22,540 know , again , depending on the , the 443 00:17:22,540 --> 00:17:24,762 skill level of the pilot that can range 444 00:17:24,762 --> 00:17:26,873 from 5 to 8 months . Uh And so , um I 445 00:17:26,873 --> 00:17:28,818 would expect , you know , sometime 446 00:17:28,818 --> 00:17:30,929 later this year , we , we'll start to 447 00:17:30,929 --> 00:17:33,151 see those pilots graduate , but I don't 448 00:17:33,151 --> 00:17:32,550 have any specifics for you . One 449 00:17:33,030 --> 00:17:34,974 question , there's this talk about 450 00:17:34,974 --> 00:17:37,086 military strikes , what would they be 451 00:17:37,086 --> 00:17:39,363 striking ? What would they be striking ? 452 00:17:39,363 --> 00:17:41,750 Are these mobile missile units that the 453 00:17:41,959 --> 00:17:44,126 Houthis have or are they fixed sites ? 454 00:17:44,126 --> 00:17:46,292 The US knows about and you're deciding 455 00:17:46,292 --> 00:17:48,403 what to do ? Yeah , thanks . Tony , I 456 00:17:48,403 --> 00:17:50,515 appreciate the question , but again , 457 00:17:50,515 --> 00:17:49,829 I'm just not going to get into 458 00:17:49,839 --> 00:17:53,510 hypotheticals or speculate or forecast 459 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:55,589 any potential future operations . 460 00:17:55,599 --> 00:17:58,150 Thanks , Nancy . Um I wanna go back to 461 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:00,271 some of the comments you made earlier 462 00:18:00,271 --> 00:18:03,630 about the strike in Iraq . Um You know , 463 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:05,529 as you know , earlier today , the 464 00:18:05,529 --> 00:18:07,751 Pentagon was unwilling to talk publicly 465 00:18:07,751 --> 00:18:09,973 about the strike and now you're telling 466 00:18:09,973 --> 00:18:12,196 us , you , you can't tell us the threat 467 00:18:12,196 --> 00:18:14,307 that demanded a self defense strike . 468 00:18:14,307 --> 00:18:13,750 And I just can you help me understand 469 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:15,670 why the US can't provide basic 470 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:17,719 information about a strike that it 471 00:18:17,729 --> 00:18:19,589 conducted in an allied nations 472 00:18:19,599 --> 00:18:21,599 territory . Is this the expectation 473 00:18:21,599 --> 00:18:23,766 going forward that you'll conduct self 474 00:18:23,766 --> 00:18:25,988 defense strikes ? But we won't know why 475 00:18:25,988 --> 00:18:27,988 you're doing that . Yeah , so I , I 476 00:18:27,988 --> 00:18:27,619 appreciate the question , Nancy , I 477 00:18:27,630 --> 00:18:29,519 would take exception at the , the 478 00:18:29,519 --> 00:18:31,574 characterization . Uh First of all , 479 00:18:31,574 --> 00:18:33,519 I'm , I'm here briefing you on the 480 00:18:33,519 --> 00:18:35,686 record about the strike and , and if I 481 00:18:35,686 --> 00:18:37,852 can finish answering the question that 482 00:18:37,852 --> 00:18:40,435 you asked me that you won't tell us , 483 00:18:41,104 --> 00:18:43,160 I've provided you uh the information 484 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:45,326 that I have available to provide and I 485 00:18:45,326 --> 00:18:47,215 have answered why this was a self 486 00:18:47,215 --> 00:18:49,382 defense strike because this particular 487 00:18:49,382 --> 00:18:51,604 individual was involved in the planning 488 00:18:51,604 --> 00:18:53,437 and execution of attacks against 489 00:18:53,437 --> 00:18:55,604 American personnel in Iraq and Syria , 490 00:18:55,604 --> 00:18:57,715 which by definition is a threat which 491 00:18:57,715 --> 00:18:59,826 by definition , us taking action is a 492 00:18:59,826 --> 00:19:01,882 self defense action . I guess what I 493 00:19:01,882 --> 00:19:04,104 understand is it one strike that they , 494 00:19:04,104 --> 00:19:03,244 this person was involved in was it 495 00:19:03,255 --> 00:19:05,311 several were they deadly ? Over what 496 00:19:05,311 --> 00:19:08,459 period of time on January 4th at 12 497 00:19:08,469 --> 00:19:10,660 p.m. Iraq time we took a strike 498 00:19:10,930 --> 00:19:13,041 targeting this individual . It killed 499 00:19:13,041 --> 00:19:15,180 him and an associate . There was no 500 00:19:15,189 --> 00:19:17,599 civilian in no civilians injured , no 501 00:19:17,609 --> 00:19:21,109 infrastructure uh and no 502 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:23,175 facilities . So , I mean , that's as 503 00:19:23,175 --> 00:19:25,508 much information as I'm able to provide . 504 00:19:25,508 --> 00:19:27,730 Thanks . Yes , sir . Thanks , Matt . Um 505 00:19:27,730 --> 00:19:29,897 Going back to the Red Sea for a second 506 00:19:29,897 --> 00:19:32,063 um operation , prosperity . Guardian . 507 00:19:32,063 --> 00:19:34,175 Both you and Vice Admiral Cooper have 508 00:19:34,175 --> 00:19:36,230 described it as a defensive action . 509 00:19:36,230 --> 00:19:38,452 But um Vice Admiral Cooper earlier this 510 00:19:38,452 --> 00:19:40,675 week , I believe , gave the US S Carney 511 00:19:40,675 --> 00:19:43,000 a combat action ribbon for its actions 512 00:19:43,010 --> 00:19:45,232 or , you know , I believe in December , 513 00:19:45,500 --> 00:19:49,400 I mean , are us navy ships in combat 514 00:19:49,959 --> 00:19:52,619 in the Red Sea ? Uh I , I think that uh 515 00:19:52,630 --> 00:19:54,408 the admiral's actions speak for 516 00:19:54,408 --> 00:19:56,574 themselves in terms of recognizing the 517 00:19:56,574 --> 00:19:58,686 crew for what they've done to be able 518 00:19:58,686 --> 00:20:00,908 to protect not only themselves but also 519 00:20:00,908 --> 00:20:03,074 international commerce and Mariners as 520 00:20:03,074 --> 00:20:05,297 they , they transit . So let's leave it 521 00:20:05,297 --> 00:20:07,949 at that . Thank you , ma'am . Thank you 522 00:20:07,969 --> 00:20:10,025 Jane . And my question is about your 523 00:20:10,025 --> 00:20:12,119 opening remarks on Japan . So we 524 00:20:12,130 --> 00:20:15,579 appreciate it and hope the US post in 525 00:20:15,689 --> 00:20:18,660 Japan received any request from 526 00:20:18,670 --> 00:20:22,290 Japanese government . Sure . Um so 527 00:20:22,300 --> 00:20:24,599 as I said earlier , we remain in close 528 00:20:24,609 --> 00:20:26,665 communication with the government of 529 00:20:26,665 --> 00:20:28,776 Japan and we do stand ready to aid in 530 00:20:28,776 --> 00:20:30,887 any way that would be most helpful to 531 00:20:30,887 --> 00:20:32,776 Japan . Uh I would say this could 532 00:20:32,776 --> 00:20:35,319 include support from us forces uh who 533 00:20:35,329 --> 00:20:37,496 are stationed there , who are would be 534 00:20:37,496 --> 00:20:39,662 able to respond at a moment's notice . 535 00:20:39,662 --> 00:20:41,718 At this time , I'm not able to go in 536 00:20:41,718 --> 00:20:44,051 any specific details . Um But of course , 537 00:20:44,051 --> 00:20:46,051 we'll keep you updated on , on what 538 00:20:46,051 --> 00:20:47,885 that could look like . Should we 539 00:20:47,885 --> 00:20:49,996 receive any specific requests ? Thank 540 00:20:49,996 --> 00:20:51,829 you very much , Jane . Thank you 541 00:20:51,829 --> 00:20:53,607 General . Happy New Year . Ok . 542 00:20:53,689 --> 00:20:57,060 Recently Chinese President Xi Jinping 543 00:20:57,069 --> 00:21:00,680 declared that he would eventually 544 00:21:00,689 --> 00:21:04,239 unify Taiwan and put the 545 00:21:04,250 --> 00:21:06,439 Russian Putin . I mean , President 546 00:21:06,449 --> 00:21:09,449 Putin also uh designated 547 00:21:09,989 --> 00:21:13,000 Korean Peninsula and Taiwan as 548 00:21:13,010 --> 00:21:16,430 conflict risk areas this 549 00:21:16,439 --> 00:21:19,859 year . And also the North 550 00:21:19,869 --> 00:21:23,750 Koreas with Kim Jong Un declared that 551 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:27,310 he was ready for nuclear war against 552 00:21:27,319 --> 00:21:30,969 United States and South Korea . What is 553 00:21:30,979 --> 00:21:34,550 the Pentagon's position on this 554 00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:36,959 world crisis ? Yeah . So we're gonna 555 00:21:36,969 --> 00:21:38,802 continue to stay very focused on 556 00:21:38,802 --> 00:21:40,580 working with our allies and our 557 00:21:40,580 --> 00:21:42,691 partners in the region to ensure that 558 00:21:42,691 --> 00:21:44,580 regional security , stability and 559 00:21:44,580 --> 00:21:47,260 prosperity uh are the main focus . Um 560 00:21:47,270 --> 00:21:49,489 No one wants to see conflict in that 561 00:21:49,500 --> 00:21:51,680 region . Uh And so that will continue 562 00:21:51,689 --> 00:21:55,390 to be uh our , our focus , a nuclear 563 00:21:55,650 --> 00:21:59,280 war can be suppressed 564 00:21:59,290 --> 00:22:03,260 through us extended to uh I 565 00:22:03,270 --> 00:22:05,880 believe that uh us extended deterrence 566 00:22:05,890 --> 00:22:07,723 will continue to help contribute 567 00:22:07,723 --> 00:22:09,890 directly towards regional security and 568 00:22:09,890 --> 00:22:12,112 stability . Let me go back to the phone 569 00:22:12,112 --> 00:22:13,557 here . Uh Howard Altman , 570 00:22:19,339 --> 00:22:22,800 thanks for that question . Uh and 571 00:22:22,810 --> 00:22:24,719 Jared uh from all monitor . 572 00:22:31,089 --> 00:22:33,145 My question has also been answered . 573 00:22:33,145 --> 00:22:35,890 Thank you . Take a few more Chris uh on 574 00:22:35,900 --> 00:22:37,956 the airstrike in Iraq , I understand 575 00:22:37,956 --> 00:22:40,178 your comments on the rationale , but to 576 00:22:40,178 --> 00:22:42,689 be very direct . Did this US airstrike 577 00:22:42,699 --> 00:22:45,829 violate the agreement , US forces and 578 00:22:45,839 --> 00:22:47,699 the coalition has with the Iraqi 579 00:22:47,709 --> 00:22:50,380 government , uh The US always maintains 580 00:22:50,390 --> 00:22:52,446 an inherent right of self defense if 581 00:22:52,446 --> 00:22:54,557 our forces are threatened and again , 582 00:22:54,557 --> 00:22:56,723 we'll continue to communicate uh as we 583 00:22:56,723 --> 00:22:58,779 have been all along closely with our 584 00:22:58,779 --> 00:23:00,946 Iraqi partners uh when it comes to the 585 00:23:00,946 --> 00:23:03,001 safety and security of our forces in 586 00:23:03,001 --> 00:23:04,890 Iraq . Thank you . Uh Just uh two 587 00:23:04,890 --> 00:23:07,699 questions first up on the US response 588 00:23:07,709 --> 00:23:09,598 to the Aqua in Japan . So , is it 589 00:23:09,598 --> 00:23:13,550 accurate to say the US and Japan are 590 00:23:13,560 --> 00:23:17,260 discussing ? Uh the US is in 591 00:23:17,270 --> 00:23:19,579 discussion with the Japanese about what 592 00:23:19,589 --> 00:23:22,900 type of assistance uh uh would be 593 00:23:22,910 --> 00:23:25,099 necessary . Yeah . So as I understand 594 00:23:25,109 --> 00:23:27,670 it , uh us forces Japan uh is in 595 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:29,847 regular contact with the government of 596 00:23:29,847 --> 00:23:32,219 Japan to discuss how we might help uh 597 00:23:32,229 --> 00:23:34,349 should assistance be requested . But 598 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:36,489 I'd , I'd refer you to us FJ for any 599 00:23:36,500 --> 00:23:38,810 further details on the second question 600 00:23:38,849 --> 00:23:42,180 uh that China appointed a new defense 601 00:23:42,189 --> 00:23:45,114 minister in late December . So has the 602 00:23:45,125 --> 00:23:47,444 Pentagon requested a fast contact , a 603 00:23:47,454 --> 00:23:49,694 fast engagement between the secretary 604 00:23:49,704 --> 00:23:52,285 and the new defense minister after his 605 00:23:52,295 --> 00:23:54,462 appointment ? Yeah . So we continue to 606 00:23:54,462 --> 00:23:57,125 be in communication with the PR C at 607 00:23:57,135 --> 00:23:59,305 the working level uh about the 608 00:23:59,314 --> 00:24:01,370 sequencing of upcoming engagements . 609 00:24:01,370 --> 00:24:03,536 And certainly we'll share more uh when 610 00:24:03,536 --> 00:24:06,050 we have more to announce , we continue 611 00:24:06,060 --> 00:24:08,729 to believe that sustained communication 612 00:24:08,739 --> 00:24:10,906 between our two countries is important 613 00:24:10,906 --> 00:24:13,430 in order to uh prevent miscalculation 614 00:24:13,439 --> 00:24:15,661 and mitigate potential risk . Thank you 615 00:24:15,661 --> 00:24:17,772 very much , Tom . Thanks Pat . Um You 616 00:24:17,772 --> 00:24:19,828 know , at the end of the year , they 617 00:24:19,828 --> 00:24:21,606 cleared up all the holds on the 618 00:24:21,606 --> 00:24:23,772 military promotions . Are there any uh 619 00:24:23,772 --> 00:24:26,430 delays holds or otherwise of civilian 620 00:24:26,439 --> 00:24:28,979 nominees for key dod positions that are 621 00:24:28,989 --> 00:24:32,439 still remaining ? Uh There are uh some 622 00:24:32,449 --> 00:24:36,369 individuals that continue to be um uh 623 00:24:36,630 --> 00:24:38,680 how delayed . Uh and again , we'll 624 00:24:38,689 --> 00:24:40,989 continue to work . Uh We can get that 625 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:44,380 for you . Thanks very much . Uh I have 626 00:24:44,540 --> 00:24:47,349 two quick uh o related questions . The 627 00:24:47,359 --> 00:24:49,280 House Committee on Oversight and 628 00:24:49,290 --> 00:24:51,989 accountability . I sent a letter to 629 00:24:52,089 --> 00:24:54,920 Secretary O last month and asked to 630 00:24:54,930 --> 00:24:57,152 provide documents and information about 631 00:24:57,152 --> 00:24:58,819 the Osprey program safety and 632 00:24:58,819 --> 00:25:01,770 performance by today . Has the dod 633 00:25:01,780 --> 00:25:04,199 responded to the request and does the 634 00:25:04,209 --> 00:25:06,431 committee's investigation affect the US 635 00:25:06,431 --> 00:25:09,250 military decision on when to resume 636 00:25:09,260 --> 00:25:11,430 possible flight ? Yeah , thanks very 637 00:25:11,439 --> 00:25:13,900 much . Um So the Department of Defense 638 00:25:13,910 --> 00:25:16,021 commits to working cooperatively with 639 00:25:16,021 --> 00:25:17,854 the committee to accommodate its 640 00:25:17,854 --> 00:25:19,910 requests and will work diligently to 641 00:25:19,910 --> 00:25:22,077 provide additional information as soon 642 00:25:22,077 --> 00:25:23,910 as possible . I I don't have any 643 00:25:23,910 --> 00:25:26,132 further details provided beyond that at 644 00:25:26,132 --> 00:25:25,760 this point . Thanks very much . You got 645 00:25:25,770 --> 00:25:27,992 time for a few more . Yes , sir . Thank 646 00:25:27,992 --> 00:25:30,599 you , General . The Iraqi Prime 647 00:25:30,609 --> 00:25:32,720 Minister's office statement says that 648 00:25:33,130 --> 00:25:35,699 Oak or these attacks was an attack on 649 00:25:35,709 --> 00:25:37,598 the Iraqi security entity that is 650 00:25:37,598 --> 00:25:40,229 operating within the powers authorized 651 00:25:40,239 --> 00:25:42,406 by the commander in chief of the armed 652 00:25:42,406 --> 00:25:44,880 forces . Does that concern you at all ? 653 00:25:44,890 --> 00:25:47,329 That there are some elements and people 654 00:25:47,390 --> 00:25:49,446 that operating under the Iraqi Prime 655 00:25:49,446 --> 00:25:51,334 Minister authorities and they are 656 00:25:51,334 --> 00:25:53,223 planning and are masterminding to 657 00:25:53,223 --> 00:25:55,400 attack the US forces in Iraq . Again . 658 00:25:55,410 --> 00:25:57,521 Look , uh Iraq is an important valued 659 00:25:57,521 --> 00:25:59,743 partner . We work very closely with the 660 00:25:59,743 --> 00:26:02,239 Iraqi security forces . Uh you know , 661 00:26:02,250 --> 00:26:06,099 uh as part of CJ TFOIR uh and have 662 00:26:06,109 --> 00:26:07,998 had a relationship with the Iraqi 663 00:26:07,998 --> 00:26:09,720 security forces for many years 664 00:26:09,720 --> 00:26:11,887 supporting training and advising their 665 00:26:11,887 --> 00:26:14,053 counterterrorism efforts . And so , uh 666 00:26:14,053 --> 00:26:16,165 we will continue to work closely with 667 00:26:16,165 --> 00:26:18,387 our Iraqi partners . Uh We do know that 668 00:26:18,387 --> 00:26:20,109 the Iraqi security forces have 669 00:26:20,109 --> 00:26:22,220 continued to assist in identifying in 670 00:26:22,220 --> 00:26:24,390 some cases uh where these Iranian 671 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:26,920 proxies have conducted attacks against 672 00:26:26,930 --> 00:26:29,097 us forces and we are very appreciative 673 00:26:29,097 --> 00:26:31,374 of that support . Uh And so , you know , 674 00:26:31,374 --> 00:26:33,650 this is an important part partner to us 675 00:26:33,660 --> 00:26:35,716 and we'll continue to , to lean into 676 00:26:35,716 --> 00:26:37,827 that relationship . He also said that 677 00:26:37,827 --> 00:26:39,771 this will undermine the previously 678 00:26:39,771 --> 00:26:41,882 established understanding between the 679 00:26:41,882 --> 00:26:44,104 Iraqi armed forces and the coalition uh 680 00:26:44,209 --> 00:26:46,320 forces . Do you have the same concern 681 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:48,320 again ? I think I responded to that 682 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:50,376 question earlier . I'm I'm not gonna 683 00:26:50,376 --> 00:26:52,320 comment on the remarks of others . 684 00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:54,542 Thanks very much time for just a couple 685 00:26:54,542 --> 00:26:54,030 more . We'll go here and then here , 686 00:26:56,189 --> 00:26:58,078 the recent attacks by the militia 687 00:26:58,078 --> 00:27:01,910 groups in Iraq uh on us forces seem to 688 00:27:01,920 --> 00:27:04,253 be more accurate than before , you know , 689 00:27:04,253 --> 00:27:06,420 the recent target . The us base in , I 690 00:27:07,300 --> 00:27:10,949 injured uh three US service members and 691 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:13,609 when we attacking Kurdish , uh Kurdish 692 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:15,900 Peshmerga forces . So , aren't you 693 00:27:15,910 --> 00:27:17,910 concerned that these militia groups 694 00:27:17,910 --> 00:27:21,300 have now more sophisticated weapons 695 00:27:21,310 --> 00:27:23,619 that can target us forces ? So , to 696 00:27:23,630 --> 00:27:25,852 date , uh , we continue to see uh the , 697 00:27:25,852 --> 00:27:27,800 the one way attack drones , uh and 698 00:27:27,810 --> 00:27:31,290 rockets . Um , again over the course of 699 00:27:31,300 --> 00:27:33,359 these , uh you know , largely 700 00:27:33,369 --> 00:27:35,536 ineffectual , but to your point , they 701 00:27:35,536 --> 00:27:37,536 continue to remain very dangerous , 702 00:27:37,536 --> 00:27:39,313 which is why uh we will respond 703 00:27:39,313 --> 00:27:41,202 seriously uh to any threat of our 704 00:27:41,202 --> 00:27:43,650 forces . We do not seek any broader 705 00:27:43,660 --> 00:27:45,716 conflict with , with Iran . We don't 706 00:27:45,716 --> 00:27:47,939 seek conflict uh with , with these 707 00:27:47,949 --> 00:27:50,489 groups , but we're not going to stand 708 00:27:50,500 --> 00:27:52,719 aside and allow our forces to be uh 709 00:27:52,729 --> 00:27:55,310 threatened without ensuring that we're 710 00:27:55,319 --> 00:27:57,839 properly protecting them . Yeah , sure . 711 00:27:58,199 --> 00:28:00,255 You mentioned replenishment money is 712 00:28:00,255 --> 00:28:02,532 out how much is left in PD for Ukraine . 713 00:28:03,349 --> 00:28:07,250 Uh Right now , we've got 714 00:28:07,260 --> 00:28:09,989 roughly 4.2 billion in restored PD A 715 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:11,722 authority . Uh But again , the 716 00:28:11,722 --> 00:28:13,889 replenishment funds are , are expended 717 00:28:14,260 --> 00:28:17,479 Jennifer . Just to be clear , Harakat 718 00:28:17,530 --> 00:28:20,680 Al Nusra , is it considered to receive 719 00:28:20,689 --> 00:28:22,856 funding and support from Iran or is it 720 00:28:22,856 --> 00:28:26,520 simply an Iraqi based Shia militia ? Um 721 00:28:26,530 --> 00:28:29,800 Th this is an Iranian proxy group . Uh 722 00:28:29,810 --> 00:28:32,540 Let me just leave it at that Tara two . 723 00:28:32,729 --> 00:28:35,800 Just one off of Jennifer's . Um Is this 724 00:28:35,810 --> 00:28:39,670 group part of the PM F ? Um Look , 725 00:28:39,680 --> 00:28:42,739 the Han group uh is a Iranian proxy 726 00:28:42,750 --> 00:28:45,079 group that has been targeting uh us 727 00:28:45,089 --> 00:28:46,920 forces . And so again , we took 728 00:28:46,930 --> 00:28:49,119 appropriate and proportionate action . 729 00:28:49,439 --> 00:28:53,239 Thank you PM F Forces . I don't have an 730 00:28:53,250 --> 00:28:55,417 answer that question . The other one I 731 00:28:55,417 --> 00:28:57,869 was gonna ask is Ukraine with the 4.2 732 00:28:57,880 --> 00:28:59,640 billion because there's no 733 00:28:59,650 --> 00:29:01,706 replenishment money . Does that mean 734 00:29:01,706 --> 00:29:03,928 that money is essentially untouchable ? 735 00:29:03,928 --> 00:29:06,039 Like you can't dip into the , what is 736 00:29:06,039 --> 00:29:08,199 the authority to spend funds again 737 00:29:08,209 --> 00:29:10,420 without having the , the replenishment 738 00:29:10,430 --> 00:29:13,890 funds in order to actually replenish 739 00:29:13,910 --> 00:29:16,021 our own funds . It's the authority to 740 00:29:16,021 --> 00:29:18,021 spend but not necessarily the funds 741 00:29:18,021 --> 00:29:19,743 available . Thus , we need the 742 00:29:19,743 --> 00:29:21,799 supplemental from Congress . OK . So 743 00:29:21,799 --> 00:29:24,077 you don't actually have 4.2 billion in . 744 00:29:24,077 --> 00:29:26,243 We have the authority to spend that uh 745 00:29:26,243 --> 00:29:28,410 from available funds but wouldn't have 746 00:29:28,410 --> 00:29:30,849 the ability to replenish the stocks by 747 00:29:30,859 --> 00:29:33,780 taking money out or taking uh stuff out 748 00:29:33,790 --> 00:29:35,901 of our inventory in practical terms . 749 00:29:35,901 --> 00:29:38,012 That means that's not what we want to 750 00:29:38,012 --> 00:29:40,520 use . Last question , I just want to 751 00:29:40,540 --> 00:29:42,707 revisit the Iraq . I mean , on the one 752 00:29:42,707 --> 00:29:44,429 hand , you say that Iraq is an 753 00:29:44,429 --> 00:29:46,869 important ally . You talk about how the 754 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:49,459 US presence is at the request of the 755 00:29:49,469 --> 00:29:51,247 Iraqi government when the Iraqi 756 00:29:51,247 --> 00:29:53,719 government is saying no , you cannot 757 00:29:53,729 --> 00:29:56,020 take military actions inside Iraq 758 00:29:56,310 --> 00:29:58,088 because this is a breach of the 759 00:29:58,088 --> 00:30:00,569 agreement about advising and supporting 760 00:30:00,579 --> 00:30:03,670 the security forces . You refuse to 761 00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:05,949 comment . Is there a disagreement 762 00:30:05,969 --> 00:30:07,979 between the Pentagon and the Iraqi 763 00:30:07,989 --> 00:30:10,045 government about the situation , the 764 00:30:10,045 --> 00:30:12,719 Iraq vis a vis us forces . Look again , 765 00:30:12,729 --> 00:30:15,130 I I'll be very clear us , forces are in 766 00:30:15,140 --> 00:30:16,920 Iraq at the invitation of the 767 00:30:16,930 --> 00:30:18,986 government of Iraq and they're there 768 00:30:18,986 --> 00:30:21,152 for one reason which is to support the 769 00:30:21,152 --> 00:30:23,374 defeat ISIS mission . We'll continue to 770 00:30:23,374 --> 00:30:25,208 work very closely with our Iraqi 771 00:30:25,208 --> 00:30:27,263 partners when it comes to the safety 772 00:30:27,263 --> 00:30:29,486 and security of our forces , when those 773 00:30:29,486 --> 00:30:31,708 forces are , are threatened , just like 774 00:30:31,708 --> 00:30:33,819 we would anywhere else in the world , 775 00:30:33,819 --> 00:30:35,986 we will maintain the inherent right of 776 00:30:35,986 --> 00:30:38,041 self defense to protect our forces . 777 00:30:38,041 --> 00:30:40,208 And so again , uh this was a necessary 778 00:30:40,208 --> 00:30:42,319 and proportionate action against this 779 00:30:42,319 --> 00:30:43,986 particular individual who was 780 00:30:43,986 --> 00:30:46,208 personally involved in the planning and 781 00:30:46,208 --> 00:30:48,319 execution of attacks against American 782 00:30:48,319 --> 00:30:47,760 personnel . Thank you very much , 783 00:30:47,770 --> 00:30:48,719 everybody , appreciate it .