1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:04,159 Right ? Ok , good afternoon . 2 00:00:05,090 --> 00:00:07,312 I have a few things at the top and then 3 00:00:07,312 --> 00:00:09,312 happy to dive into your questions . 4 00:00:09,390 --> 00:00:12,579 Sorry . Earlier this week , the Senate 5 00:00:12,590 --> 00:00:14,479 announced a bipartisan critically 6 00:00:14,479 --> 00:00:16,034 important national security 7 00:00:16,034 --> 00:00:17,979 supplemental . A supplemental will 8 00:00:17,979 --> 00:00:20,034 provide military aid to help Ukraine 9 00:00:20,034 --> 00:00:21,701 defend itself against Russian 10 00:00:21,701 --> 00:00:23,868 aggression , which means an investment 11 00:00:23,868 --> 00:00:25,923 in our defense , industrial base and 12 00:00:25,923 --> 00:00:27,923 supporting American jobs to produce 13 00:00:27,923 --> 00:00:30,034 weapons and equipment that the US can 14 00:00:30,034 --> 00:00:32,090 send to Ukraine . It is important to 15 00:00:32,090 --> 00:00:34,090 note that the United States has not 16 00:00:34,090 --> 00:00:33,830 provided a presidential drawdown 17 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:36,173 package for Ukraine since December 27th . 18 00:00:36,939 --> 00:00:39,050 Now , I don't have to tell you what's 19 00:00:39,050 --> 00:00:41,106 at stake in Ukraine , but it's worth 20 00:00:41,106 --> 00:00:42,995 restating its very existence as a 21 00:00:42,995 --> 00:00:45,106 democratic nation and a free people . 22 00:00:45,106 --> 00:00:47,328 And Ukraine's fight for its sovereignty 23 00:00:47,328 --> 00:00:49,161 sends a message to authoritarian 24 00:00:49,161 --> 00:00:51,383 regimes around the world that violating 25 00:00:51,383 --> 00:00:53,383 the international rules based order 26 00:00:53,383 --> 00:00:55,606 comes at a high cost . But faltering in 27 00:00:55,606 --> 00:00:57,606 America's support for Ukraine would 28 00:00:57,606 --> 00:00:57,229 send a different message and a 29 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:59,790 dangerous message . If the US stops 30 00:00:59,799 --> 00:01:02,021 support to Ukraine , we should be clear 31 00:01:02,021 --> 00:01:04,243 eyed about the repercussions . Putin is 32 00:01:04,243 --> 00:01:06,188 not going to stop in his quest for 33 00:01:06,188 --> 00:01:08,132 power and control beyond Ukraine's 34 00:01:08,132 --> 00:01:10,299 borders toward NATO . If Putin attacks 35 00:01:10,299 --> 00:01:12,521 a NATO ally . We will find ourselves in 36 00:01:12,521 --> 00:01:14,688 direct conflict as we are committed to 37 00:01:14,688 --> 00:01:16,910 defending every inch of NATO . So let's 38 00:01:16,910 --> 00:01:18,966 be clear , we can do the responsible 39 00:01:18,966 --> 00:01:22,040 thing and pay now to help Ukraine or we 40 00:01:22,050 --> 00:01:24,161 can pay much more later to counteract 41 00:01:24,161 --> 00:01:26,106 the gains . We would hand Vladimir 42 00:01:26,106 --> 00:01:28,500 Putin and an embolden Russia and make 43 00:01:28,510 --> 00:01:30,566 no mistake . Our adversaries and our 44 00:01:30,566 --> 00:01:32,379 friends are watching . China is 45 00:01:32,389 --> 00:01:34,556 watching how we support Ukraine in the 46 00:01:34,556 --> 00:01:36,722 face of Russia's overt aggression . If 47 00:01:36,722 --> 00:01:38,945 we falter , the pr C will be emboldened 48 00:01:38,945 --> 00:01:41,056 as well to take even more provocative 49 00:01:41,056 --> 00:01:42,945 actions in the Indo Pacific . Our 50 00:01:42,945 --> 00:01:45,167 support for Ukraine is not jeopardizing 51 00:01:45,167 --> 00:01:47,278 the schedule and the cost of domestic 52 00:01:47,278 --> 00:01:49,278 programs and our commitments to the 53 00:01:49,278 --> 00:01:51,445 Indo Pacific Israel and other critical 54 00:01:51,445 --> 00:01:53,667 priorities . And while we are welcome , 55 00:01:53,667 --> 00:01:55,667 the introduction of this bipartisan 56 00:01:55,667 --> 00:01:57,889 supplemental , the department continues 57 00:01:57,889 --> 00:01:57,709 to urge Congress to pass our base 58 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:01,019 budget . We still do not have an fy 24 59 00:02:01,029 --> 00:02:02,862 budget as you all know , and the 60 00:02:02,862 --> 00:02:04,862 department will be getting ready to 61 00:02:04,862 --> 00:02:06,839 submit our fy 25 budget . As the 62 00:02:06,849 --> 00:02:08,960 secretary has said , the one thing we 63 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:10,905 cannot buy back is time and we are 64 00:02:10,910 --> 00:02:13,520 losing critical time under AC R that we 65 00:02:13,529 --> 00:02:15,529 need to be spending modernizing our 66 00:02:15,529 --> 00:02:17,751 military to meet the pacing challenge , 67 00:02:17,751 --> 00:02:19,973 continually living under AC R is asking 68 00:02:19,973 --> 00:02:22,140 us to try and fight with one hand tied 69 00:02:22,140 --> 00:02:24,362 behind our back . And as you know , our 70 00:02:24,362 --> 00:02:26,585 adversaries don't have to live under AC 71 00:02:26,585 --> 00:02:28,696 R , we are already in our fifth month 72 00:02:28,696 --> 00:02:30,751 of this fiscal year . And the dod is 73 00:02:30,751 --> 00:02:32,751 still currently operating under our 74 00:02:32,751 --> 00:02:34,862 third continuing resolution that puts 75 00:02:34,862 --> 00:02:36,751 at risk our national security and 76 00:02:36,751 --> 00:02:38,362 prevents the department from 77 00:02:38,362 --> 00:02:40,529 modernizing as , as we are constrained 78 00:02:40,529 --> 00:02:42,529 to existing funding levels . We ask 79 00:02:42,529 --> 00:02:44,751 that Congress immediately pass our base 80 00:02:44,751 --> 00:02:47,039 budget and supplemental request . And 81 00:02:47,050 --> 00:02:49,161 last , the department is hopeful that 82 00:02:49,161 --> 00:02:51,161 the Senate Armed Services Committee 83 00:02:51,161 --> 00:02:53,106 will move forward in advancing six 84 00:02:53,106 --> 00:02:55,217 nominations for critical senior roles 85 00:02:55,217 --> 00:02:57,106 in our civilian leadership to the 86 00:02:57,106 --> 00:02:59,217 Senate floor . Right now , these jobs 87 00:02:59,217 --> 00:03:01,217 are being performed by very capable 88 00:03:01,217 --> 00:03:01,089 acting officials , but we need the 89 00:03:01,100 --> 00:03:03,440 leaders very for , we need the leaders 90 00:03:03,449 --> 00:03:05,671 we formally nominated to be approved by 91 00:03:05,671 --> 00:03:07,893 the Senate so that they can support the 92 00:03:07,893 --> 00:03:10,005 department , our capabilities and our 93 00:03:10,005 --> 00:03:12,171 men and women in uniform as we work to 94 00:03:12,171 --> 00:03:13,893 support Ukraine surge military 95 00:03:13,893 --> 00:03:15,893 capabilities to the Middle East and 96 00:03:15,893 --> 00:03:18,060 address the pacing challenge of the PR 97 00:03:18,060 --> 00:03:19,949 C . It's vital that we have these 98 00:03:19,949 --> 00:03:19,820 senior leadership roles filled with 99 00:03:19,830 --> 00:03:21,941 Senate confirmed officials . And with 100 00:03:21,941 --> 00:03:23,719 that , if you have to take your 101 00:03:23,719 --> 00:03:25,663 questions , I will go to the phone 102 00:03:25,663 --> 00:03:27,719 first where we have Lida Baldo A P . 103 00:03:27,719 --> 00:03:29,663 Thank you , Sabrina . Two things , 104 00:03:29,663 --> 00:03:31,663 please . One , do you have any more 105 00:03:31,663 --> 00:03:35,039 updated , precise casualty estimates 106 00:03:35,050 --> 00:03:37,240 and other battle damage from the Iraq 107 00:03:37,250 --> 00:03:40,119 and Syria strikes uh over the weekend , 108 00:03:40,619 --> 00:03:43,350 specifically any number of enemy killed . 109 00:03:43,729 --> 00:03:46,350 And secondly , on the uh talks between 110 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:49,160 the United States and Iraq , have they 111 00:03:49,169 --> 00:03:52,250 now restarted at all or do you have an 112 00:03:52,259 --> 00:03:54,869 estimate when that might happen ? And 113 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:56,824 do you by any chance know how many 114 00:03:56,824 --> 00:03:58,880 sessions did they have ? Was it just 115 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:00,880 sort of the one introductory one or 116 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:02,880 more than that ? Thank you . Yeah . 117 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:04,936 Thanks Lida for your question . I'll 118 00:04:04,936 --> 00:04:06,936 take the last one first . So on , I 119 00:04:06,936 --> 00:04:06,699 think what you're referring to is the 120 00:04:06,710 --> 00:04:08,821 higher military commission . Um Those 121 00:04:08,821 --> 00:04:10,821 talks began a few weeks ago . Those 122 00:04:10,821 --> 00:04:12,988 were the initial sessions I don't have 123 00:04:12,988 --> 00:04:14,932 how many meetings there were , but 124 00:04:14,932 --> 00:04:16,488 those were just the initial 125 00:04:16,488 --> 00:04:18,654 conversations . Um We remain committed 126 00:04:18,654 --> 00:04:20,821 to the H MC . Um We're committed to uh 127 00:04:20,821 --> 00:04:23,899 what we outlined in August of 2023 last 128 00:04:23,910 --> 00:04:26,149 year um and working with the Iraqi 129 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:28,382 government and so I'll just leave it at 130 00:04:28,382 --> 00:04:30,899 that . Um in terms of updated casualty 131 00:04:30,910 --> 00:04:33,260 numbers , um I know General Ryder spoke 132 00:04:33,269 --> 00:04:35,325 to this a bit yesterday . Uh When it 133 00:04:35,325 --> 00:04:37,158 comes to Iraq and Syria , that's 134 00:04:37,158 --> 00:04:39,102 something that we're continuing to 135 00:04:39,102 --> 00:04:41,158 assess . I don't have more specifics 136 00:04:41,158 --> 00:04:43,380 for you today . I know that's something 137 00:04:43,380 --> 00:04:45,602 of great interest to folks here in this 138 00:04:45,602 --> 00:04:47,658 room . Um When we have more definite 139 00:04:47,658 --> 00:04:49,713 numbers , uh we will read that out , 140 00:04:49,713 --> 00:04:49,700 but today , I just don't have more for 141 00:04:49,709 --> 00:04:51,931 you on that . We come to the room , Jen 142 00:04:52,250 --> 00:04:54,250 Sabrina , the Washington Post has a 143 00:04:54,250 --> 00:04:57,619 story out suggesting that tower 22 the 144 00:04:57,630 --> 00:04:59,741 reason that the drone was able to get 145 00:04:59,741 --> 00:05:02,660 into tower 22 and evade um defensive 146 00:05:02,670 --> 00:05:04,503 systems is that there was no air 147 00:05:04,510 --> 00:05:06,399 defense system on site capable of 148 00:05:06,399 --> 00:05:08,288 shooting it down , that they were 149 00:05:08,288 --> 00:05:10,232 relying on electronic warfare that 150 00:05:10,232 --> 00:05:13,220 didn't work and that the drone fired by 151 00:05:13,230 --> 00:05:16,230 the Iranian proxy , uh , was flying low 152 00:05:16,239 --> 00:05:18,279 enough that it evaded , uh , that 153 00:05:18,290 --> 00:05:21,029 measure . But why didn't it ha why 154 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:23,859 didn't tower 22 as a base not have an 155 00:05:23,869 --> 00:05:26,559 air defense system system capable of 156 00:05:26,570 --> 00:05:28,839 stopping this drone ? Yes , thanks Jen 157 00:05:28,850 --> 00:05:31,017 for the question . So , um , Centcom , 158 00:05:31,017 --> 00:05:33,350 as you know , is still doing its review , 159 00:05:33,350 --> 00:05:35,572 um , we're still assessing exactly what 160 00:05:35,572 --> 00:05:37,794 happened in that attack and of course , 161 00:05:37,794 --> 00:05:39,517 Centcom and the secretary will 162 00:05:39,517 --> 00:05:41,628 determine um if there's any change or 163 00:05:41,628 --> 00:05:43,850 needs to be any change to our defensive 164 00:05:43,850 --> 00:05:45,961 posture at tower 22 or any other base 165 00:05:45,961 --> 00:05:45,799 in the region . Um , but I just don't 166 00:05:45,809 --> 00:05:47,753 have more for you on that specific 167 00:05:47,753 --> 00:05:49,753 attack when I do definitely let you 168 00:05:49,753 --> 00:05:51,753 know , let me back up there because 169 00:05:51,753 --> 00:05:53,970 take the investigation aside because 170 00:05:53,980 --> 00:05:56,036 that's often a stalling mechanism to 171 00:05:56,036 --> 00:05:58,959 not get bad news out . Um How many 172 00:05:58,970 --> 00:06:01,192 bases where us troops are in the Middle 173 00:06:01,192 --> 00:06:03,248 East do not have air defense systems 174 00:06:03,248 --> 00:06:05,581 that can shoot down these drones . Well , 175 00:06:05,581 --> 00:06:07,637 as you can probably appreciate , I'm 176 00:06:07,637 --> 00:06:09,637 not gonna detail from here from the 177 00:06:09,637 --> 00:06:11,581 podium . Uh Our , our air defenses 178 00:06:11,581 --> 00:06:13,526 where they're located and how many 179 00:06:13,526 --> 00:06:15,581 bases have what um I think that just 180 00:06:15,581 --> 00:06:17,192 wouldn't be good for our own 181 00:06:17,192 --> 00:06:19,137 operational security and our force 182 00:06:19,137 --> 00:06:21,303 protection . Um , promise not stalling 183 00:06:21,303 --> 00:06:23,470 here . Uh Just is this Washington post 184 00:06:23,470 --> 00:06:25,637 story again , I'm not going to comment 185 00:06:25,637 --> 00:06:27,692 or respond to a , um , an unnamed US 186 00:06:27,692 --> 00:06:30,970 official who spoke about an ongoing 187 00:06:30,980 --> 00:06:33,429 review . I can commit to you that once 188 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:35,551 Centcom is done doing its review , uh 189 00:06:35,551 --> 00:06:38,040 we will share the results of that and , 190 00:06:38,049 --> 00:06:39,993 and read out what we can from that 191 00:06:39,993 --> 00:06:42,160 assessment barring the fact that there 192 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:44,382 is classified information . Yeah , over 193 00:06:44,382 --> 00:06:46,549 here . Yeah . Uh could I , do you have 194 00:06:46,549 --> 00:06:48,549 any updates on the , I think it was 195 00:06:48,549 --> 00:06:50,605 eight troops that were injured , the 196 00:06:50,605 --> 00:06:50,510 eight troops that were evacuated among 197 00:06:50,519 --> 00:06:52,852 the dozens wounded in the Jordan attack . 198 00:06:52,852 --> 00:06:56,679 So I think , um uh I believe for the 199 00:06:56,690 --> 00:06:58,746 there were three that were medically 200 00:06:58,746 --> 00:07:02,399 evacuated . Two did go to , um , 201 00:07:02,890 --> 00:07:05,500 sorry , three went to lands . Um , and 202 00:07:05,510 --> 00:07:07,510 I believe one remains there and two 203 00:07:07,510 --> 00:07:09,454 have come back , Kis to the United 204 00:07:09,454 --> 00:07:11,677 States . Um And then the remaining five 205 00:07:11,677 --> 00:07:13,732 have returned to duty . I don't have 206 00:07:13,732 --> 00:07:15,954 more specifics on their condition , but 207 00:07:15,954 --> 00:07:18,010 I believe at the time , um that they 208 00:07:18,010 --> 00:07:20,177 went to , that they arrived in lands , 209 00:07:20,177 --> 00:07:22,343 they were stable . A second one . It's 210 00:07:22,343 --> 00:07:22,230 coming up on almost three years that 211 00:07:22,239 --> 00:07:24,406 this administration , one of the first 212 00:07:24,406 --> 00:07:26,295 foreign policy moves was freezing 213 00:07:26,295 --> 00:07:29,024 offensive arms sales to longtime allies , 214 00:07:29,084 --> 00:07:31,251 including some that they've had long . 215 00:07:31,251 --> 00:07:33,251 The US has had longer uh diplomatic 216 00:07:33,251 --> 00:07:35,195 ties with in Israel and they cited 217 00:07:35,195 --> 00:07:37,251 human rights as , as one of the main 218 00:07:37,251 --> 00:07:39,725 reasons we've seen tens of thousands of 219 00:07:39,734 --> 00:07:41,765 Palestinian civilians killed . Uh , 220 00:07:41,774 --> 00:07:43,552 some of them , you know , women 221 00:07:43,552 --> 00:07:46,209 Children and non Hamas fighters or 222 00:07:46,220 --> 00:07:49,250 militants . Um , so why hasn't the 223 00:07:49,260 --> 00:07:51,440 department recommended or taken the 224 00:07:51,450 --> 00:07:53,672 same approach to Israel in order to try 225 00:07:53,672 --> 00:07:55,450 to scale back on these civilian 226 00:07:55,450 --> 00:07:57,783 casualties because verbal warnings , uh , 227 00:07:57,783 --> 00:07:59,959 might , may not have done , you know , 228 00:07:59,970 --> 00:08:02,081 what , what the department is looking 229 00:08:02,081 --> 00:08:04,359 for in terms of reducing deaths . Well , 230 00:08:04,359 --> 00:08:06,581 I think what you've seen is a change in 231 00:08:06,581 --> 00:08:08,637 how Israel is approaching its war in 232 00:08:08,637 --> 00:08:10,581 Gaza . They've pulled back certain 233 00:08:10,581 --> 00:08:12,414 brigades , they are doing a more 234 00:08:12,414 --> 00:08:14,359 targeted operation there from this 235 00:08:14,359 --> 00:08:16,581 podium and across this administration . 236 00:08:16,581 --> 00:08:18,692 Uh I mean , I'm speaking on behalf of 237 00:08:18,692 --> 00:08:20,637 the secretary , but he's been very 238 00:08:20,637 --> 00:08:22,526 clear in his conversations with M 239 00:08:22,526 --> 00:08:22,489 Minister Galan and of course , when he 240 00:08:22,500 --> 00:08:25,170 was in the region in December about the 241 00:08:25,179 --> 00:08:27,235 need to protect innocent civilians , 242 00:08:27,235 --> 00:08:29,346 the need to allow humanitarian aid to 243 00:08:29,346 --> 00:08:31,512 flow into the region into Gaza . Um to 244 00:08:31,512 --> 00:08:33,623 make sure that uh civilians , whether 245 00:08:33,623 --> 00:08:36,219 they be um in humanitarian 246 00:08:37,068 --> 00:08:39,239 areas and hospitals get the care that 247 00:08:39,249 --> 00:08:41,305 they need . So we've been very clear 248 00:08:41,305 --> 00:08:43,416 both publicly and privately about our 249 00:08:43,416 --> 00:08:45,582 position and about the need for Israel 250 00:08:45,582 --> 00:08:48,088 um to do everything possible to protect 251 00:08:48,098 --> 00:08:51,119 innocent civilians . Thank you . Uh 252 00:08:51,130 --> 00:08:54,359 back to the tower 22 issue . Um It , 253 00:08:54,940 --> 00:08:57,107 it would appear that the United States 254 00:08:57,107 --> 00:08:59,329 has more bases than it has air defenses 255 00:08:59,329 --> 00:09:01,218 in the Middle East right now . Uh 256 00:09:01,218 --> 00:09:03,384 Despite there being 100 and 60 100 and 257 00:09:03,384 --> 00:09:05,919 65 100 and 68 attacks . Uh and a 258 00:09:05,929 --> 00:09:08,169 growing number really by the day . Um 259 00:09:08,179 --> 00:09:10,179 Is this a failure of imagination at 260 00:09:10,179 --> 00:09:12,290 this point ? Why would there not be , 261 00:09:12,290 --> 00:09:14,401 uh , I guess this sort of thing taken 262 00:09:14,401 --> 00:09:16,290 into account , why would they not 263 00:09:16,290 --> 00:09:18,290 reconcentrate , pull back the fewer 264 00:09:18,299 --> 00:09:20,466 bases where you do have air defenses , 265 00:09:20,466 --> 00:09:22,243 some , some measure of actually 266 00:09:22,243 --> 00:09:24,410 protecting these troops seriously . So 267 00:09:24,410 --> 00:09:26,188 two things on that one , as you 268 00:09:26,188 --> 00:09:29,070 mentioned , 100 150 100 and 60 165 269 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:32,349 attacks for a majority , those attacks 270 00:09:32,359 --> 00:09:34,470 have been unsuccessful . We've seen a 271 00:09:34,470 --> 00:09:36,526 majority of those attacks have minor 272 00:09:36,526 --> 00:09:38,692 damage to infrastructure , incur minor 273 00:09:38,692 --> 00:09:40,581 um , uh casualties to our service 274 00:09:40,581 --> 00:09:42,526 members . Not saying we don't take 275 00:09:42,526 --> 00:09:44,581 those seriously . We absolutely do . 276 00:09:44,581 --> 00:09:46,637 But the impact of those on our bases 277 00:09:46,637 --> 00:09:48,748 have , has not been significant until 278 00:09:48,748 --> 00:09:50,803 what happened at tower 22 . And that 279 00:09:50,803 --> 00:09:53,070 was tragic , absolutely tragic that we 280 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:55,247 lost three service members and over 40 281 00:09:55,247 --> 00:09:58,349 were wounded . Um So that is exactly 282 00:09:58,359 --> 00:10:00,581 why Centcom is doing the assessment and 283 00:10:00,581 --> 00:10:02,303 review that it is right now to 284 00:10:02,303 --> 00:10:04,581 determine what else we need to do . Um , 285 00:10:04,581 --> 00:10:06,359 what happened , why this attack 286 00:10:06,359 --> 00:10:08,470 happened , how this drone was able to 287 00:10:08,470 --> 00:10:10,581 get through , um , how it was able to 288 00:10:10,581 --> 00:10:12,692 evade air defenses . Um , but for the 289 00:10:12,692 --> 00:10:15,599 most part , our , um , air defenses 290 00:10:15,700 --> 00:10:18,150 have been able to catch or been able to 291 00:10:18,159 --> 00:10:20,900 destroy any impact or any incoming from 292 00:10:20,909 --> 00:10:22,853 whether it be rockets or drones at 293 00:10:22,853 --> 00:10:26,419 bases . And as you mentioned , I think 294 00:10:26,429 --> 00:10:28,596 your , your question was why don't you 295 00:10:28,596 --> 00:10:30,762 move troops into different areas where 296 00:10:30,762 --> 00:10:32,818 there are more robust air defenses , 297 00:10:32,818 --> 00:10:34,818 let's say across Iraq and Syria and 298 00:10:34,818 --> 00:10:36,929 Jordan , the mission of these service 299 00:10:36,929 --> 00:10:39,151 members is the defeat ISIS mission . So 300 00:10:39,151 --> 00:10:41,040 moving our troops and our service 301 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:43,369 members into different areas , um takes 302 00:10:43,380 --> 00:10:45,491 away from their mission . That's what 303 00:10:45,491 --> 00:10:47,713 they're there for . That's what they're 304 00:10:47,713 --> 00:10:47,320 there to do . Um They're there to 305 00:10:47,330 --> 00:10:50,059 execute on and ensure the enduring 306 00:10:50,070 --> 00:10:51,903 defeat of ISIS and work with the 307 00:10:51,903 --> 00:10:54,070 partners , whether it's the SDF or the 308 00:10:54,070 --> 00:10:56,150 Iraqi security forces to ensure the 309 00:10:56,159 --> 00:10:58,215 enduring defeat of ISIS . And that's 310 00:10:58,215 --> 00:11:00,048 exactly what they continue to do 311 00:11:00,048 --> 00:11:02,048 despite the fact that these attacks 312 00:11:02,048 --> 00:11:03,826 happen , you know , when they , 313 00:11:06,500 --> 00:11:08,722 at the , at the top , you read out a uh 314 00:11:08,722 --> 00:11:10,539 raised some alarm about the 315 00:11:10,549 --> 00:11:13,580 supplemental and uh the situation with 316 00:11:13,590 --> 00:11:15,701 Ukraine and , and the PDAs and all of 317 00:11:15,701 --> 00:11:18,090 that . Um , can we expect in the coming 318 00:11:18,099 --> 00:11:20,210 days ? Uh The Pentagon , particularly 319 00:11:20,210 --> 00:11:22,043 the administration side that the 320 00:11:22,043 --> 00:11:24,155 political side uh to ramp up pressure 321 00:11:24,155 --> 00:11:26,330 on Congress as this seems to remain 322 00:11:26,340 --> 00:11:28,770 very much caught in limbo , caught in 323 00:11:28,820 --> 00:11:30,979 neutral . No real resolution here . 324 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:33,191 Well , I mean , I don't think we ever 325 00:11:33,191 --> 00:11:35,191 stopped ramping up our pressure . I 326 00:11:35,191 --> 00:11:37,136 don't , I think we've had a pretty 327 00:11:37,136 --> 00:11:39,358 consistent drumbeat . I can't , I can't 328 00:11:39,358 --> 00:11:39,280 at this moment go back to every single 329 00:11:39,289 --> 00:11:41,400 time we've talked about the budget or 330 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:43,400 the supplemental . But , uh , we've 331 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:45,456 certainly been very public here from 332 00:11:45,456 --> 00:11:47,739 this podium about the need to pass a 333 00:11:47,750 --> 00:11:50,028 supplemental to pass an on time budget . 334 00:11:50,028 --> 00:11:52,139 We are way past that deadline at this 335 00:11:52,139 --> 00:11:54,330 point . Um I think back in December 336 00:11:54,340 --> 00:11:56,507 when we passed our uh when we sent out 337 00:11:56,507 --> 00:11:58,507 our last Ukraine package , we spoke 338 00:11:58,507 --> 00:12:00,673 like around that time about we have no 339 00:12:00,673 --> 00:12:02,840 more money . We have no more authority 340 00:12:02,840 --> 00:12:05,130 to continue to give PDAs to Ukraine 341 00:12:05,140 --> 00:12:07,029 because we can't backfill our own 342 00:12:07,029 --> 00:12:09,130 stocks . So I say that there's um a 343 00:12:09,140 --> 00:12:11,362 renewed urgency , that urgency has been 344 00:12:11,362 --> 00:12:13,529 consistent . We've been saying it from 345 00:12:13,529 --> 00:12:15,751 the beginning , we've been sounding the 346 00:12:15,751 --> 00:12:17,751 alarm bells . Um All we can ask and 347 00:12:17,751 --> 00:12:19,807 continue to implore is that Congress 348 00:12:19,807 --> 00:12:21,973 passed a budget pass a supplemental so 349 00:12:21,973 --> 00:12:23,862 we can continue to provide aid to 350 00:12:23,862 --> 00:12:26,090 Ukraine . Dave . Uh Forgive me if you 351 00:12:26,099 --> 00:12:29,500 said this at the top , but is any 352 00:12:29,510 --> 00:12:33,090 USA still going to Ukraine , the PGA S 353 00:12:33,099 --> 00:12:36,169 are run out ? But what about USA I 354 00:12:36,669 --> 00:12:38,836 there are certain contracts from USA I 355 00:12:38,836 --> 00:12:40,891 that are ongoing that have long term 356 00:12:40,891 --> 00:12:43,113 contracts . I don't have that full list 357 00:12:43,113 --> 00:12:42,760 in front of me , but some of the 358 00:12:42,770 --> 00:12:45,830 contracts are years out . Um So yes , 359 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:48,979 there are still some um capabilities 360 00:12:48,989 --> 00:12:51,140 that will flow to Ukraine as those 361 00:12:51,150 --> 00:12:54,940 contracts close . We can , we can 362 00:12:54,950 --> 00:12:57,172 work to get you to get you something or 363 00:12:57,172 --> 00:12:59,172 at least provide you some update of 364 00:12:59,172 --> 00:13:01,394 maybe some items that are still pending 365 00:13:02,010 --> 00:13:04,299 stuff that's going . Yeah , we can , 366 00:13:04,309 --> 00:13:06,479 we'll , we'll work with you to um 367 00:13:06,489 --> 00:13:10,109 provide what we can to , to um update 368 00:13:10,119 --> 00:13:12,429 you on aid that continues to flow from 369 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:14,789 USA I contracts . F Thank you , Serena . 370 00:13:15,270 --> 00:13:18,109 So the defense Intelligence agency 371 00:13:18,119 --> 00:13:21,989 released a report uh confirming um uh 372 00:13:22,039 --> 00:13:24,150 report that confirmed the Houthis use 373 00:13:24,150 --> 00:13:26,340 of Iranian missiles and , and U A BS . 374 00:13:26,559 --> 00:13:29,210 Are you able to um talk a little bit 375 00:13:29,219 --> 00:13:31,890 about the key findings in the report , 376 00:13:32,630 --> 00:13:35,130 the report from the podium ? Thanks . I 377 00:13:35,140 --> 00:13:37,196 honestly have not seen the report or 378 00:13:37,196 --> 00:13:39,251 read the report yet , so I , I can't 379 00:13:39,251 --> 00:13:41,418 discuss the findings , but of course , 380 00:13:41,418 --> 00:13:43,473 we've been very clear that Iran does 381 00:13:43,473 --> 00:13:45,473 supply um , the Houthis other I RGC 382 00:13:45,473 --> 00:13:47,309 backed militias with weapons and 383 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:49,542 different capabilities including UAVS . 384 00:13:49,542 --> 00:13:51,542 So , um that's something we've been 385 00:13:51,542 --> 00:13:53,709 consistent about . But in terms of the 386 00:13:53,709 --> 00:13:55,931 more specifics on the report itself , I 387 00:13:55,931 --> 00:13:55,895 I unfortunately have to direct you to 388 00:13:55,906 --> 00:13:58,426 the report since the strikes in Syria 389 00:13:58,435 --> 00:14:00,806 and Iraq on Friday . I believe there's 390 00:14:00,815 --> 00:14:04,036 been only two attacks on us forces and , 391 00:14:04,046 --> 00:14:06,385 and both happened in Syria . Do you ? 392 00:14:06,395 --> 00:14:08,506 Um , even though it's , it's , it's a 393 00:14:08,506 --> 00:14:11,995 short period of time , do you attribute 394 00:14:12,005 --> 00:14:15,166 this uh decrease in number of attacks 395 00:14:15,306 --> 00:14:18,325 to the effectiveness of the strikes and 396 00:14:18,335 --> 00:14:20,002 the message that the Pentagon 397 00:14:20,002 --> 00:14:21,891 administration sent to the region 398 00:14:21,891 --> 00:14:24,231 specifically to the groups aligned with 399 00:14:24,262 --> 00:14:26,262 Iran ? I can't speak for the groups 400 00:14:26,262 --> 00:14:28,484 that continue to launch these attacks . 401 00:14:28,484 --> 00:14:30,706 All I can say is that I think we sent a 402 00:14:30,706 --> 00:14:32,540 very clear message , a very loud 403 00:14:32,540 --> 00:14:34,706 message in both Iraq and in Syria that 404 00:14:34,706 --> 00:14:36,762 these attacks must stop . But , um , 405 00:14:36,762 --> 00:14:38,984 you know , I can't predict the future . 406 00:14:38,984 --> 00:14:41,206 I can't predict that , you know , there 407 00:14:41,206 --> 00:14:40,742 won't be an attack tomorrow , but all I 408 00:14:40,752 --> 00:14:43,541 can tell you is that um we've laid out 409 00:14:43,552 --> 00:14:45,385 that this will be a multi tiered 410 00:14:45,385 --> 00:14:47,219 response and we will continue to 411 00:14:47,219 --> 00:14:49,460 respond if we need to . Yeah , Carla , 412 00:14:50,859 --> 00:14:53,081 thanks Serena . Uh Can you just provide 413 00:14:53,081 --> 00:14:55,248 some more details on the latest houthi 414 00:14:55,248 --> 00:14:57,303 attacks today ? I think I'm tracking 415 00:14:57,303 --> 00:14:59,248 six missiles at this point today . 416 00:14:59,248 --> 00:15:01,359 Fired there were additional attacks I 417 00:15:01,359 --> 00:15:03,359 believe launched in the Red Sea . I 418 00:15:03,359 --> 00:15:05,359 don't have all the specifics . Um I 419 00:15:05,359 --> 00:15:07,581 know that the we are working to get you 420 00:15:07,581 --> 00:15:07,030 some of those details and when we have 421 00:15:07,039 --> 00:15:09,206 more , we'll provide them then just to 422 00:15:09,206 --> 00:15:11,929 follow on Iraq and Syria , any new , no 423 00:15:11,940 --> 00:15:14,051 new attacks just to follow up on Fadi 424 00:15:14,059 --> 00:15:16,609 no new attacks today on US forces in 425 00:15:16,619 --> 00:15:18,952 Iraq . I'm not tracking any new attacks . 426 00:15:18,952 --> 00:15:21,099 Yeah , Laura . Um first of all , I 427 00:15:21,109 --> 00:15:23,270 really like your shoes that needed to 428 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:25,979 be said , sorry , I am excited that 429 00:15:25,989 --> 00:15:28,267 this will be in the transcript as well . 430 00:15:28,267 --> 00:15:30,869 Thank you . And um on a totally 431 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:34,229 different topic , uh there were reports 432 00:15:34,239 --> 00:15:36,469 today that the US is providing military 433 00:15:36,479 --> 00:15:38,757 aid to Guyana and I'm wondering if you , 434 00:15:38,757 --> 00:15:40,979 you can elaborate on that . What are we 435 00:15:40,979 --> 00:15:43,090 providing , how much money and are we 436 00:15:43,090 --> 00:15:45,257 actually sending weapons or is it just 437 00:15:45,257 --> 00:15:47,325 aid ? Um That's a great question . I 438 00:15:47,335 --> 00:15:49,391 don't have more for you on that . So 439 00:15:49,391 --> 00:15:51,391 I'm happy to take it . Yeah . Great 440 00:15:51,391 --> 00:15:53,391 Megan . Can we get an update on the 441 00:15:53,391 --> 00:15:55,446 attacks ? The total number , um , in 442 00:15:55,446 --> 00:15:57,391 Iraq and Syria and the Red Sea and 443 00:15:57,391 --> 00:15:59,613 injuries . So , total number of attacks 444 00:15:59,613 --> 00:16:01,779 in Iraq and Syria , I'm tracking as of 445 00:16:01,779 --> 00:16:05,700 today . 100 and 6867 in Iraq , 100 446 00:16:05,710 --> 00:16:07,766 in Syria . And of course , the , the 447 00:16:07,766 --> 00:16:10,969 one in Jordan . Um , and I'm sorry , in 448 00:16:10,979 --> 00:16:14,950 the Red Sea , let me just see here . Um , 449 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:21,059 as of February 2nd , so a few days ago , 450 00:16:21,070 --> 00:16:23,126 but as of February 2nd , I have that 451 00:16:23,126 --> 00:16:25,348 the Houthis have attacked or threatened 452 00:16:25,348 --> 00:16:27,700 commercial vessels 41 times since 453 00:16:27,710 --> 00:16:30,900 November 19th . Um I don't have the 454 00:16:30,909 --> 00:16:33,020 latest updates from , of course , the 455 00:16:33,020 --> 00:16:35,940 weekend and uh earlier today . But , um , 456 00:16:36,159 --> 00:16:38,326 as I mentioned , we're , we're , we'll 457 00:16:38,326 --> 00:16:40,381 work on getting those numbers out to 458 00:16:40,381 --> 00:16:43,010 you . Injuries from Iraq , Syria and 459 00:16:43,020 --> 00:16:45,950 Jordan . Um , injuries I believe . I 460 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:47,793 said at the top that we're still 461 00:16:47,793 --> 00:16:49,738 tracking that , um , there were 40 462 00:16:49,738 --> 00:16:51,904 injured in the Jordan . Are you asking 463 00:16:51,904 --> 00:16:54,016 more about TB ? Is there , there were 464 00:16:54,016 --> 00:16:56,071 like roughly 80 last week , has that 465 00:16:56,071 --> 00:16:58,299 number gone up since I'm happy to take 466 00:16:58,309 --> 00:17:00,253 that question ? I don't have those 467 00:17:00,253 --> 00:17:02,420 numbers in front of me to follow up on 468 00:17:02,420 --> 00:17:04,642 the question about if you don't want to 469 00:17:04,642 --> 00:17:06,865 necessarily move troops around to bases 470 00:17:06,865 --> 00:17:08,809 that have better air defenses . Is 471 00:17:08,809 --> 00:17:10,920 there any discussion about beefing up 472 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:12,809 air defenses in the region before 473 00:17:12,809 --> 00:17:14,976 Centcom finishes its review ? Yeah , I 474 00:17:14,976 --> 00:17:17,087 think the commander and the secretary 475 00:17:17,087 --> 00:17:18,865 and the chairman have of course 476 00:17:18,865 --> 00:17:20,698 discussed what else is needed to 477 00:17:20,698 --> 00:17:22,809 protect our forces in the region . Um 478 00:17:22,809 --> 00:17:24,531 I'm not going to go into those 479 00:17:24,531 --> 00:17:26,531 conversations or , or what , um you 480 00:17:26,531 --> 00:17:28,809 know , changing our posture looks like , 481 00:17:28,809 --> 00:17:31,031 but that's absolutely something that is 482 00:17:31,031 --> 00:17:33,031 being discussed . Um And again , in 483 00:17:33,031 --> 00:17:36,189 terms of moving our troops around , the 484 00:17:36,199 --> 00:17:38,366 priority of the secretary is of course 485 00:17:38,366 --> 00:17:40,532 making sure that our forces are safe , 486 00:17:40,532 --> 00:17:42,755 but also is the mission and the mission 487 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:44,816 there is the enduring defeat of ISIS 488 00:17:44,816 --> 00:17:46,982 and making sure that our troops can do 489 00:17:46,982 --> 00:17:48,982 the job that they're there to do um 490 00:17:48,982 --> 00:17:50,982 without these attacks happening and 491 00:17:50,982 --> 00:17:53,109 being protected . So , um again , 492 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:55,230 Centcom is doing the review , they're 493 00:17:55,230 --> 00:17:57,286 going to continue to assess how this 494 00:17:57,286 --> 00:17:59,286 drone evaded our air defenses . And 495 00:17:59,286 --> 00:18:01,397 when we have more to share , uh we'll 496 00:18:01,397 --> 00:18:03,750 certainly share it with you , Tom Tom . 497 00:18:03,859 --> 00:18:06,420 Thanks Sabrina two questions . One on 498 00:18:06,430 --> 00:18:08,729 Ukraine , one on the Middle East . So 499 00:18:08,739 --> 00:18:10,850 on Ukraine , you sounded the alarm at 500 00:18:10,850 --> 00:18:12,906 the top about the just to be clear , 501 00:18:12,906 --> 00:18:14,683 we've been sounding the alarm . 502 00:18:19,579 --> 00:18:21,801 Tucker Carlson is about to interview um 503 00:18:21,801 --> 00:18:24,040 Vladimir Putin in Moscow . The pro 504 00:18:24,239 --> 00:18:26,406 Putin narrative is gaining traction in 505 00:18:26,406 --> 00:18:28,628 the US . And Republicans see continuing 506 00:18:28,628 --> 00:18:30,683 to block um Ukraine aid as a winning 507 00:18:30,683 --> 00:18:32,880 political strategy is the Pentagon 508 00:18:33,449 --> 00:18:35,338 planning for the eventuality that 509 00:18:35,338 --> 00:18:37,449 Ukraine will never get any more money 510 00:18:37,449 --> 00:18:39,880 from the US . I don't think we're 511 00:18:39,890 --> 00:18:42,280 planning for the eventuality that the 512 00:18:42,290 --> 00:18:44,760 US will never be able to provide or get 513 00:18:44,770 --> 00:18:46,881 money from , from Congress . I mean , 514 00:18:46,881 --> 00:18:48,992 you saw a bipartisan agreement , uh , 515 00:18:48,992 --> 00:18:51,619 or a bipartisan piece of legislation 516 00:18:51,630 --> 00:18:54,569 introduced in the Senate . We , well , 517 00:18:54,579 --> 00:18:56,523 I mean , look , the Senate and the 518 00:18:56,523 --> 00:18:58,690 House are going to work through this . 519 00:18:58,690 --> 00:19:00,959 Uh There are , there is a handful of 520 00:19:00,969 --> 00:19:04,390 folks in both chambers that , um , do 521 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:06,567 not want to see a , to go to Ukraine . 522 00:19:06,567 --> 00:19:08,989 But on the flip side of that , we know 523 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:11,056 that there are many in Congress that 524 00:19:11,056 --> 00:19:13,930 support and understand the urgent need 525 00:19:13,939 --> 00:19:16,140 to get Ukraine what it needs to defend 526 00:19:16,150 --> 00:19:18,839 itself . So we do have support . Um I 527 00:19:18,849 --> 00:19:22,310 know that the II I know that Congress 528 00:19:22,319 --> 00:19:24,541 will work through this and work through 529 00:19:24,541 --> 00:19:26,670 uh finding a way to not only pass a 530 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:29,079 budget um but finding a way to pass the 531 00:19:29,089 --> 00:19:31,311 supplemental so that we can continue to 532 00:19:31,390 --> 00:19:33,650 um support Ukraine . Also keep our eye 533 00:19:33,660 --> 00:19:36,040 on the Indo Pacific continue to support 534 00:19:36,050 --> 00:19:38,328 our efforts in the Middle East as well . 535 00:19:38,328 --> 00:19:41,015 Then I'm going to be optimistic . And 536 00:19:41,025 --> 00:19:43,665 then on the second one , obviously , 537 00:19:43,675 --> 00:19:45,897 the strikes on Friday in Iraq and Syria 538 00:19:45,897 --> 00:19:48,505 and then Saturday in Yemen , was there 539 00:19:48,515 --> 00:19:50,854 any reason why we didn't see , you know , 540 00:19:50,864 --> 00:19:53,574 we're expecting a second wave of um of 541 00:19:53,584 --> 00:19:55,806 retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria , 542 00:19:55,806 --> 00:19:57,917 does the Pentagon have the capability 543 00:19:57,917 --> 00:20:00,084 to , to um you know , operate in those 544 00:20:00,084 --> 00:20:02,195 three countries simultaneously or was 545 00:20:02,195 --> 00:20:04,306 it , was there a decision to , to hit 546 00:20:04,306 --> 00:20:06,920 Yemen , you know , in distinction from 547 00:20:07,089 --> 00:20:09,200 Iraq and Syria , I think we've proven 548 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:10,978 the fact that we can operate in 549 00:20:10,978 --> 00:20:12,811 multiple countries all at once , 550 00:20:12,811 --> 00:20:14,867 whether it be in the Indo Pacific uh 551 00:20:14,867 --> 00:20:18,780 Uaor or in Central command , we 552 00:20:19,390 --> 00:20:21,501 made the decision that we did because 553 00:20:21,501 --> 00:20:23,334 we felt it was the right time to 554 00:20:23,334 --> 00:20:25,557 conduct strikes in Iraq and Syria . And 555 00:20:25,557 --> 00:20:27,390 then the following day in Houthi 556 00:20:27,390 --> 00:20:29,446 controlled areas of Ye in Yemen , we 557 00:20:29,446 --> 00:20:31,668 always reserved the right at a time and 558 00:20:31,668 --> 00:20:33,834 place of our choosing to conduct these 559 00:20:33,834 --> 00:20:35,946 strikes . Um And when we decide to do 560 00:20:35,946 --> 00:20:38,112 them , I'm not going to telegraph when 561 00:20:38,112 --> 00:20:40,057 we are going to continue follow on 562 00:20:40,057 --> 00:20:39,650 efforts . But as you've heard , the 563 00:20:39,660 --> 00:20:41,827 president say , the secretary say , um 564 00:20:41,827 --> 00:20:44,890 this is a multi tiered uh effort and 565 00:20:44,989 --> 00:20:46,933 I'll just leave it at that . Tom . 566 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:49,060 Thank you , Sabrina . Uh Follow up 567 00:20:49,069 --> 00:20:51,349 question on funding yesterday , Doug 568 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:53,910 Bush was speaking at S AC SI S and he 569 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:56,031 was talking about how we've ramped up 570 00:20:56,031 --> 00:20:58,031 production of 100 and 55 millimeter 571 00:20:58,031 --> 00:21:00,160 shells at the new plant in Texas . He 572 00:21:00,170 --> 00:21:02,281 was projecting if things go according 573 00:21:02,281 --> 00:21:04,114 to and we could be up to 100,000 574 00:21:04,114 --> 00:21:06,170 shelves . You know , the goal by the 575 00:21:06,170 --> 00:21:08,281 end of this year is that being funded 576 00:21:08,281 --> 00:21:10,392 by something separately other than uh 577 00:21:10,392 --> 00:21:12,281 the money that we don't have like 578 00:21:12,281 --> 00:21:14,337 referred to Dave or how's that being 579 00:21:14,337 --> 00:21:16,559 funded or is that gonna be impacted ? I 580 00:21:16,559 --> 00:21:18,503 have two questions , but that's my 581 00:21:18,503 --> 00:21:20,392 first one . Um I mean , these are 582 00:21:20,392 --> 00:21:22,614 probably existing contracts that we had 583 00:21:22,614 --> 00:21:24,837 with the defense industry . I mean , we 584 00:21:24,837 --> 00:21:27,114 were very um clear at the beginning of , 585 00:21:27,114 --> 00:21:29,170 um I want to say it was early summer 586 00:21:29,170 --> 00:21:30,837 that we have um are trying to 587 00:21:30,837 --> 00:21:33,003 invigorate the defense industrial base 588 00:21:33,003 --> 00:21:35,114 to continue to provide 155 millimeter 589 00:21:35,114 --> 00:21:35,079 rounds . It's something that Ukraine 590 00:21:35,089 --> 00:21:37,256 continues to need on the battlefield . 591 00:21:37,256 --> 00:21:39,256 Um So I would direct you to army to 592 00:21:39,256 --> 00:21:41,256 speak more to those contracts . The 593 00:21:41,256 --> 00:21:43,422 second one is , are you tracking or is 594 00:21:43,422 --> 00:21:45,533 the P are you , I mean , the Pentagon 595 00:21:45,533 --> 00:21:47,589 tracking uh reports coming out of uh 596 00:21:48,089 --> 00:21:51,530 KSB uh about the GPS man uh 597 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:53,969 affecting GPS and maneuverings of 598 00:21:53,979 --> 00:21:56,589 aircraft and ships of NATO nations on 599 00:21:56,599 --> 00:21:58,766 the eastern flank . If you're tracking 600 00:21:58,766 --> 00:22:00,766 it , what updates can you provide , 601 00:22:00,766 --> 00:22:02,877 please ? I don't have any updates for 602 00:22:02,877 --> 00:22:02,829 you on that . I'm happy to take that 603 00:22:02,949 --> 00:22:05,005 question . Yeah , happy to take it . 604 00:22:05,310 --> 00:22:07,520 Yes . And then Rio seven days ago , 605 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:09,902 Kata Hezbollah put a statement and they 606 00:22:09,902 --> 00:22:12,013 say that we are suspending attacks on 607 00:22:12,013 --> 00:22:14,069 the US forces . Has they stopped the 608 00:22:14,069 --> 00:22:16,984 attacks on the US forces ? Well , 609 00:22:16,994 --> 00:22:18,994 you've seen attacks on US forces in 610 00:22:18,994 --> 00:22:21,194 Syria . You know , there were two , 611 00:22:22,954 --> 00:22:25,364 we know that groups like Kh and Han are 612 00:22:25,375 --> 00:22:27,375 behind some of these attacks on our 613 00:22:27,375 --> 00:22:29,597 forces . I'm not going to get into more 614 00:22:29,597 --> 00:22:31,708 details on each specific one . But um 615 00:22:31,708 --> 00:22:34,185 again , we know that groups like this , 616 00:22:34,194 --> 00:22:36,295 um particularly when it came to the 617 00:22:36,305 --> 00:22:38,675 attack on Jordan had the fingerprints 618 00:22:38,685 --> 00:22:41,295 of Kh behind them and we are going to 619 00:22:41,594 --> 00:22:44,160 hold those responsible ? Ok . R yeah , 620 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:46,567 thank you , Sabrina . Uh Please let me 621 00:22:46,567 --> 00:22:48,789 ask you two questions about in the past 622 00:22:48,789 --> 00:22:50,780 week , the first , last week , the 623 00:22:50,790 --> 00:22:53,489 Papua New Guinea said it is in talks 624 00:22:53,500 --> 00:22:56,400 with China over a new security deal . 625 00:22:56,619 --> 00:22:58,952 So , is that a concern for the Pentagon ? 626 00:22:58,959 --> 00:23:01,650 Would you be considered existing US ? 627 00:23:01,660 --> 00:23:03,689 Papua New Guinea defense Cooper 628 00:23:03,839 --> 00:23:05,689 agreement if Papua New Guinea 629 00:23:05,699 --> 00:23:08,239 establishes similar arrangement with 630 00:23:08,250 --> 00:23:10,361 China ? Well , we don't ask countries 631 00:23:10,361 --> 00:23:13,250 to choose between the US and the PR C . 632 00:23:13,290 --> 00:23:15,670 Um every country has to make its own 633 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:18,380 sovereign decision um with respect to 634 00:23:18,390 --> 00:23:20,510 its security . But our defense 635 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:22,687 co-operation Agreement uh reflects our 636 00:23:22,687 --> 00:23:25,060 partnership and our shared values with 637 00:23:25,069 --> 00:23:27,291 Pacific countries . And of course , the 638 00:23:27,291 --> 00:23:29,513 importance of ensuring the security and 639 00:23:29,513 --> 00:23:31,680 prosperity of the region to our shared 640 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:35,069 commitment to the Indo Pacific . The US 641 00:23:35,079 --> 00:23:37,569 Congress has not approved a new 642 00:23:37,579 --> 00:23:40,800 founding program uh for uh Para 643 00:23:41,869 --> 00:23:44,699 Marshall Island and the Micro Nan who 644 00:23:44,709 --> 00:23:46,760 are a member of the Compact Free 645 00:23:46,770 --> 00:23:49,829 Association . So uh how concerned is 646 00:23:49,839 --> 00:23:52,640 the pattern that the way in funding 647 00:23:52,650 --> 00:23:55,359 could create an opening that China 648 00:23:55,369 --> 00:23:57,313 could take advantage of ? Yeah , I 649 00:23:57,313 --> 00:23:59,591 think you heard what I said at the top . 650 00:23:59,591 --> 00:24:01,813 We're very concerned that we don't have 651 00:24:01,813 --> 00:24:01,630 a budget . Uh We don't have a 652 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:04,250 supplemental which means uh you know , 653 00:24:04,290 --> 00:24:06,939 key areas of focus like the Indo 654 00:24:07,099 --> 00:24:09,020 Pacific , like meeting our pacing 655 00:24:09,030 --> 00:24:11,520 challenge of the PR C . Um We are 656 00:24:11,530 --> 00:24:14,060 concerned that a continued delay um 657 00:24:14,069 --> 00:24:16,180 could leave these partners vulnerable 658 00:24:16,180 --> 00:24:18,402 to influence and coercion . So , yeah , 659 00:24:18,402 --> 00:24:20,513 we are absolutely concerned . Great , 660 00:24:20,513 --> 00:24:24,209 Jared . Hi , Sabrina . Um , the ID F is , 661 00:24:24,219 --> 00:24:26,441 uh , investigating potential violations 662 00:24:26,441 --> 00:24:28,849 of law of war . Hartz is reporting 663 00:24:28,859 --> 00:24:30,890 dozens of incidents that are being 664 00:24:30,900 --> 00:24:33,011 looked at by the ID F . Uh , does the 665 00:24:33,011 --> 00:24:35,067 US support this investigation , uh , 666 00:24:35,067 --> 00:24:37,122 that , that the ID F and investigate 667 00:24:37,122 --> 00:24:38,789 itself ? I'm not aware of the 668 00:24:38,789 --> 00:24:40,956 investigation but certainly any , uh , 669 00:24:40,956 --> 00:24:43,067 reports . If there's , um , something 670 00:24:43,067 --> 00:24:45,122 that the ID F feels the need to look 671 00:24:45,122 --> 00:24:47,233 into , uh , whether it's , uh , I , I 672 00:24:47,233 --> 00:24:49,344 can't remember exactly what , how you 673 00:24:49,344 --> 00:24:49,209 phrased it , but we would support the 674 00:24:49,219 --> 00:24:51,930 ID F looking into any , um , deaths of 675 00:24:51,939 --> 00:24:54,359 innocent civilians . How confident is 676 00:24:54,369 --> 00:24:56,369 the department in the , uh , Id F's 677 00:24:56,369 --> 00:24:58,480 ability to investigate itself for its 678 00:24:58,480 --> 00:25:00,536 conduct in Gaza ? Well , we hold our 679 00:25:00,536 --> 00:25:02,647 partners to a high standard . Uh , we 680 00:25:02,647 --> 00:25:04,869 have investigations of ourselves . Um , 681 00:25:04,869 --> 00:25:07,147 we do reviews of uh , different events . 682 00:25:07,147 --> 00:25:09,258 So we would hold the ID F to the same 683 00:25:09,258 --> 00:25:11,369 standards that we hold ourselves to . 684 00:25:11,369 --> 00:25:13,536 I'm just gonna go to the phones really 685 00:25:13,536 --> 00:25:12,859 quickly because before I forget and 686 00:25:12,869 --> 00:25:15,202 then I'm happy to come back in the room . 687 00:25:15,202 --> 00:25:18,069 Uh , Idris Reuters , Sabrina . Uh two 688 00:25:18,079 --> 00:25:20,246 quick questions . Firstly , I , I know 689 00:25:20,246 --> 00:25:22,357 you can't get into details about um , 690 00:25:22,357 --> 00:25:24,246 casualties from , from , from the 691 00:25:24,246 --> 00:25:25,968 Friday strikes . But the Iraqi 692 00:25:25,968 --> 00:25:28,135 government said civilians were amongst 693 00:25:28,135 --> 00:25:30,246 those killed . Can you say whether or 694 00:25:30,246 --> 00:25:32,357 not you believe at this point whether 695 00:25:32,357 --> 00:25:32,119 civilians were killed or not ? And 696 00:25:32,130 --> 00:25:34,430 secondly , um you guys were flying uh 697 00:25:34,439 --> 00:25:36,459 ISR missions over Gaza um in the 698 00:25:36,469 --> 00:25:39,109 assistance of hostage rescue efforts . 699 00:25:39,140 --> 00:25:41,251 Are those still flying ? And will you 700 00:25:41,251 --> 00:25:43,196 continue flying them until all the 701 00:25:43,196 --> 00:25:45,362 hostages are back or ? So , is there a 702 00:25:45,362 --> 00:25:47,584 timeline for that ? Thanks Tori . Um So 703 00:25:47,584 --> 00:25:49,807 in terms of ISR over Gaza , I mean , we 704 00:25:49,807 --> 00:25:53,739 are assisting in um trying to recover 705 00:25:53,750 --> 00:25:55,917 hostages and rescue hostages . I don't 706 00:25:55,917 --> 00:25:58,083 have more to share on on ISR only that 707 00:25:58,083 --> 00:26:00,359 we do continue to assist the Israeli 708 00:26:00,369 --> 00:26:02,189 government in bringing home um 709 00:26:02,199 --> 00:26:04,339 Americans who are still held captive 710 00:26:04,349 --> 00:26:06,640 and um others from , from different 711 00:26:06,650 --> 00:26:09,660 nations . Um in terms of reports on 712 00:26:09,670 --> 00:26:11,781 civilian casualties , I've seen those 713 00:26:11,781 --> 00:26:14,930 reports . We take um any um 714 00:26:15,949 --> 00:26:18,116 any report of civilian casualties very 715 00:26:18,116 --> 00:26:21,040 seriously . Uh As I mentioned , I don't 716 00:26:21,050 --> 00:26:23,217 have a battle damage assessment uh for 717 00:26:23,217 --> 00:26:25,217 you right now . It's something that 718 00:26:25,217 --> 00:26:27,550 Centcom is reviewing . Um And should we , 719 00:26:27,550 --> 00:26:29,883 you know , when I have more information , 720 00:26:29,883 --> 00:26:29,250 I'd be happy to provide it , but of 721 00:26:29,260 --> 00:26:31,093 course , uh when it comes to any 722 00:26:31,093 --> 00:26:33,149 civilian um casualty , we would take 723 00:26:33,149 --> 00:26:36,050 that very seriously . Uh One or two 724 00:26:36,060 --> 00:26:38,282 more out on the phones . Heather us and 725 00:26:38,282 --> 00:26:40,109 I thank you so much . Um I was 726 00:26:40,119 --> 00:26:42,209 wondering if the , the dod seen the 727 00:26:42,219 --> 00:26:44,050 reporting from the Guardian um 728 00:26:44,060 --> 00:26:46,227 suggesting that the Houthis may target 729 00:26:46,227 --> 00:26:48,338 internet cables in the Red Sea and if 730 00:26:48,338 --> 00:26:50,560 there's any concern by the dod that the 731 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:52,504 Houthis might try to disrupt these 732 00:26:52,504 --> 00:26:54,727 submarine cables . Thanks , Heather . I 733 00:26:54,727 --> 00:26:56,893 haven't seen the Guardian Report , but 734 00:26:56,893 --> 00:27:00,290 of course , any um disruption to uh 735 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:03,410 ships being able to transit our own 736 00:27:03,420 --> 00:27:05,709 forces in the Red Sea . Um Anything 737 00:27:05,719 --> 00:27:08,229 that could disrupt that ? Um Of course , 738 00:27:08,239 --> 00:27:10,183 we take very seriously , but I , I 739 00:27:10,183 --> 00:27:12,406 haven't seen the report so I just can't 740 00:27:12,406 --> 00:27:14,517 really comment beyond that . And last 741 00:27:14,517 --> 00:27:16,628 question on the phone , Jeff Task and 742 00:27:16,628 --> 00:27:18,628 purpose . Thank you . Uh I know you 743 00:27:18,628 --> 00:27:20,795 said you're hopeful that Congress will 744 00:27:20,795 --> 00:27:22,850 pass a budget . But I remember March 745 00:27:22,850 --> 00:27:24,961 2013 and sequestration very well . So 746 00:27:24,961 --> 00:27:27,183 would it be possible for dod to provide 747 00:27:27,183 --> 00:27:29,350 a list of what it would not be able to 748 00:27:29,350 --> 00:27:31,439 do if Congress passed a year long 749 00:27:31,449 --> 00:27:33,819 continuing resolution ? I understand if 750 00:27:33,829 --> 00:27:36,130 it needs to be taken , but just uh an 751 00:27:36,140 --> 00:27:38,689 outline of , you know , how many planes 752 00:27:38,699 --> 00:27:40,977 can't be bought , ships can't be built , 753 00:27:40,977 --> 00:27:43,310 missiles can't be purchased , et cetera . 754 00:27:43,510 --> 00:27:46,449 Jeff . I too remember March 2013 as I 755 00:27:46,459 --> 00:27:48,459 was in the house when sequestration 756 00:27:48,459 --> 00:27:50,459 happened . Um So very familiar with 757 00:27:50,459 --> 00:27:52,739 that . Um Look , Jeff , I'm not going 758 00:27:52,750 --> 00:27:54,972 to get into the hypotheticals . Uh just 759 00:27:54,972 --> 00:27:56,917 yet . Uh This legislation was just 760 00:27:56,917 --> 00:27:59,139 introduced . Um We still have a pending 761 00:27:59,139 --> 00:28:01,194 budget that the House and the Senate 762 00:28:01,194 --> 00:28:03,194 are gonna work through . Um Again , 763 00:28:03,194 --> 00:28:05,489 we've been very clear on um the fact 764 00:28:05,500 --> 00:28:07,167 that we are operating under a 765 00:28:07,167 --> 00:28:10,130 continuing resolution which is um uh 766 00:28:10,140 --> 00:28:11,973 significant risk to our national 767 00:28:11,973 --> 00:28:14,250 security as our adversaries are able to 768 00:28:14,260 --> 00:28:16,204 continue to modernize while we are 769 00:28:16,204 --> 00:28:19,109 handicapped at being able to um invest 770 00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:20,897 in new technologies , start new 771 00:28:20,897 --> 00:28:23,119 programs . Um But I'm just not gonna go 772 00:28:23,119 --> 00:28:25,341 into hypotheticals just yet . Um But uh 773 00:28:25,341 --> 00:28:27,619 I appreciate the question time for yes , 774 00:28:27,619 --> 00:28:29,699 one more over here . Go ahead . Ok . 775 00:28:29,829 --> 00:28:31,979 Thank you . S uh what do you have for 776 00:28:31,989 --> 00:28:35,430 Russia and Iran , as they said 777 00:28:35,439 --> 00:28:37,469 yesterday at the Unite uh United 778 00:28:37,479 --> 00:28:40,099 Nations Security Council that uh 779 00:28:40,209 --> 00:28:41,987 Washington is not looking for a 780 00:28:41,987 --> 00:28:44,030 solution in the Middle East and its 781 00:28:44,040 --> 00:28:47,660 strikes in Iraq and Syria is just uh 782 00:28:47,670 --> 00:28:51,650 escalating the conflict . I would say 783 00:28:51,660 --> 00:28:54,150 that attacks on us forces over 100 and 784 00:28:54,160 --> 00:28:57,890 60 times is uh escalating the um 785 00:28:58,109 --> 00:29:00,276 escalating tensions in the region . Uh 786 00:29:00,276 --> 00:29:02,660 We don't see conflict with Iran . We 787 00:29:02,670 --> 00:29:04,892 don't seek a wider regional conflict um 788 00:29:04,892 --> 00:29:08,699 whether it be um well in the region . 789 00:29:08,949 --> 00:29:10,838 Um We have been very clear in our 790 00:29:10,838 --> 00:29:12,859 intentions in Iraq and Syria and at 791 00:29:12,869 --> 00:29:14,829 tower 22 that they are there . Our 792 00:29:14,839 --> 00:29:17,061 service members are there in support of 793 00:29:17,061 --> 00:29:19,061 the D ISIS mission . Um So we don't 794 00:29:19,061 --> 00:29:21,339 seek a larger war . Um These attacks 795 00:29:21,349 --> 00:29:23,750 started on October 17th when I RGC 796 00:29:23,760 --> 00:29:25,949 backed groups started lobbing missiles 797 00:29:25,959 --> 00:29:28,015 at our service members who are there 798 00:29:28,015 --> 00:29:30,126 again and have been there for over 10 799 00:29:30,126 --> 00:29:31,959 years as part of the defeat ISIS 800 00:29:31,959 --> 00:29:33,959 mission . So I think it's important 801 00:29:33,959 --> 00:29:35,959 that we give that comment . Um some 802 00:29:35,959 --> 00:29:37,903 context . So we one more questions 803 00:29:37,903 --> 00:29:39,959 separately . Uh bombarding the Iraqi 804 00:29:39,959 --> 00:29:42,939 Kan region borders by Turkey is a daily 805 00:29:42,949 --> 00:29:46,459 routine . Have you tried to engage with 806 00:29:46,469 --> 00:29:48,739 either Turkey and Iraq in order to 807 00:29:48,750 --> 00:29:52,089 Turkey stop it strikes on Iraq . We are 808 00:29:52,099 --> 00:29:54,321 always engaging with Turkey . Turkey is 809 00:29:54,321 --> 00:29:56,488 a critical partner , a NATO ally and , 810 00:29:56,488 --> 00:29:58,655 um , I just don't have more for you on 811 00:29:58,655 --> 00:30:00,710 that . Thanks . All right . Thanks , 812 00:30:00,710 --> 00:29:59,579 everyone .