1 00:00:02,559 --> 00:00:04,559 All right . Well , good afternoon , 2 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:06,909 everyone . Just a few things pass along 3 00:00:06,920 --> 00:00:09,142 and we'll get right to your questions . 4 00:00:13,369 --> 00:00:16,229 Uh So , uh first Secretary Austin , the 5 00:00:16,239 --> 00:00:18,350 chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff 6 00:00:18,350 --> 00:00:20,072 and under secretary of Defense 7 00:00:20,072 --> 00:00:22,183 Controller testified before the house 8 00:00:22,183 --> 00:00:24,295 appropriations subcomittee on defense 9 00:00:24,295 --> 00:00:26,461 yesterday to underscore the importance 10 00:00:26,461 --> 00:00:28,461 of passing the defense department's 11 00:00:28,461 --> 00:00:30,350 fiscal year 2025 budget request . 12 00:00:30,659 --> 00:00:32,603 During the hearing , the secretary 13 00:00:32,603 --> 00:00:34,880 emphasized the urgent need for approval 14 00:00:34,889 --> 00:00:36,722 of the department's supplemental 15 00:00:36,722 --> 00:00:38,556 request . Highlighting the dod s 16 00:00:38,556 --> 00:00:40,778 critical role in demonstrating American 17 00:00:40,778 --> 00:00:42,889 resolve to protect our nation and our 18 00:00:42,889 --> 00:00:44,556 national security interests , 19 00:00:44,556 --> 00:00:46,333 supporting America's allies and 20 00:00:46,333 --> 00:00:48,445 partners and investing in our defense 21 00:00:48,450 --> 00:00:50,639 industrial base . If approved , the 22 00:00:50,650 --> 00:00:52,817 funding request will provide essential 23 00:00:52,817 --> 00:00:55,039 aid to our partners in Ukraine , Israel 24 00:00:55,039 --> 00:00:57,261 and the Indo Pacific , it would provide 25 00:00:57,261 --> 00:00:59,372 nearly $60 billion for the Department 26 00:00:59,372 --> 00:01:01,372 of Defense with about 50 billion of 27 00:01:01,372 --> 00:01:03,483 that sum flowing through the nation's 28 00:01:03,483 --> 00:01:05,372 defense industrial base . In turn 29 00:01:05,372 --> 00:01:07,261 creating American jobs in over 30 30 00:01:07,261 --> 00:01:09,261 states . As the department actively 31 00:01:09,261 --> 00:01:11,428 works to address today's most pressing 32 00:01:11,428 --> 00:01:13,150 national security challenges , 33 00:01:13,150 --> 00:01:15,094 confronting our nation . Immediate 34 00:01:15,094 --> 00:01:17,317 passage of the supplemental remains the 35 00:01:17,317 --> 00:01:19,483 most important thing Congress could do 36 00:01:19,483 --> 00:01:21,706 to assist our war fighters in defending 37 00:01:21,706 --> 00:01:23,928 our country and enabling dod to support 38 00:01:23,928 --> 00:01:26,150 our allies and partners like Israel and 39 00:01:26,150 --> 00:01:27,928 Ukraine . Speaking of Ukraine , 40 00:01:27,928 --> 00:01:29,761 tomorrow , Secretary Austin will 41 00:01:29,761 --> 00:01:31,872 participate in a virtual NATO Ukraine 42 00:01:31,872 --> 00:01:33,706 Council meeting with fellow NATO 43 00:01:33,706 --> 00:01:35,817 defense ministers . The secretary and 44 00:01:35,817 --> 00:01:37,706 his fellow defense ministers will 45 00:01:37,706 --> 00:01:39,706 discuss the international effort to 46 00:01:39,706 --> 00:01:41,872 meet Ukraine's urgent needs to include 47 00:01:41,872 --> 00:01:43,428 air defense and artillery . 48 00:01:43,428 --> 00:01:45,428 Additionally , Secretary Austin and 49 00:01:45,428 --> 00:01:47,539 chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 50 00:01:47,539 --> 00:01:49,428 General CQ Brown Jr will host the 51 00:01:49,428 --> 00:01:51,650 Ukraine Defense Contact Group virtually 52 00:01:51,650 --> 00:01:53,872 next week on April 26th , both meetings 53 00:01:53,872 --> 00:01:56,094 underscore the unwavering commitment of 54 00:01:56,094 --> 00:01:58,317 the United States and the international 55 00:01:58,317 --> 00:02:00,261 community to support the people of 56 00:02:00,261 --> 00:02:02,372 Ukraine as they continue to fight for 57 00:02:02,372 --> 00:02:02,349 freedom and protect their sovereignty 58 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:04,416 from Russian aggression . We'll have 59 00:02:04,416 --> 00:02:06,638 more information to provide on the U DC 60 00:02:06,638 --> 00:02:08,500 G next week . Shifting gears . 61 00:02:08,509 --> 00:02:10,729 Secretary Austin also hosted the 62 00:02:10,740 --> 00:02:12,962 Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Allard 63 00:02:12,962 --> 00:02:15,073 Graham here in the Pentagon . Today . 64 00:02:15,073 --> 00:02:17,073 The two leaders discussed long term 65 00:02:17,073 --> 00:02:18,907 plans for supporting Ukraine and 66 00:02:18,907 --> 00:02:20,629 Secretary Austin expressed his 67 00:02:20,629 --> 00:02:22,296 gratitude from Norway's swift 68 00:02:22,296 --> 00:02:24,509 assistance to the Ukrainian people . A 69 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:26,742 read out of this meeting will be posted 70 00:02:26,742 --> 00:02:29,320 to defense.gov . Moving to the Indo 71 00:02:29,339 --> 00:02:31,399 Pacific region on Monday . More than 72 00:02:31,410 --> 00:02:34,279 16,000 service members of the armed 73 00:02:34,289 --> 00:02:36,178 forces of the Philippines and the 74 00:02:36,178 --> 00:02:38,233 United States will commence exercise 75 00:02:38,233 --> 00:02:41,779 Bakan 24 . Our largest annual exercise 76 00:02:41,789 --> 00:02:44,029 with the Philippines this year will be 77 00:02:44,039 --> 00:02:46,679 the most complex ban to date including 78 00:02:46,690 --> 00:02:49,130 combined joint all domain operations 79 00:02:49,309 --> 00:02:51,770 such as maritime security , air and 80 00:02:51,779 --> 00:02:54,169 missile defense dynamic missile strikes 81 00:02:54,179 --> 00:02:56,229 and cyber defense training in the 82 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:58,407 spirit of working shoulder to shoulder 83 00:02:58,407 --> 00:03:00,462 16 other nations will participate or 84 00:03:00,462 --> 00:03:02,684 observe to include France for the first 85 00:03:02,684 --> 00:03:04,740 time . For more information , please 86 00:03:04,740 --> 00:03:06,684 reach out to us indo paycom public 87 00:03:06,684 --> 00:03:08,684 affairs . And finally , I'd like to 88 00:03:08,684 --> 00:03:10,796 take a moment to recognize one of our 89 00:03:10,796 --> 00:03:12,962 OS D public affairs teammates who will 90 00:03:12,962 --> 00:03:15,073 be departing the pattern and retiring 91 00:03:15,073 --> 00:03:17,129 from the air force after 22 years in 92 00:03:17,129 --> 00:03:19,184 uniform . Colonel Brooke Brander has 93 00:03:19,184 --> 00:03:21,351 served in assignments around the globe 94 00:03:21,351 --> 00:03:23,462 during her career , but most recently 95 00:03:23,462 --> 00:03:25,684 as the Os D Public Affairs Director for 96 00:03:25,684 --> 00:03:27,796 strategy plans and assessment for the 97 00:03:27,796 --> 00:03:29,962 last two years and has done an amazing 98 00:03:29,962 --> 00:03:32,018 job . Her exceptional leadership and 99 00:03:32,018 --> 00:03:34,240 contributions have been instrumental in 100 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:36,184 enabling the department to develop 101 00:03:36,184 --> 00:03:38,351 effective communication strategies and 102 00:03:38,351 --> 00:03:40,351 keep us and international audiences 103 00:03:40,351 --> 00:03:42,240 informed about the role of dod in 104 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:44,351 defending our nation on behalf of the 105 00:03:44,351 --> 00:03:46,573 entire Os D Public Affairs team and Air 106 00:03:46,573 --> 00:03:48,573 Force public Affairs community . We 107 00:03:48,573 --> 00:03:50,684 wanna congratulate Colonel Brander on 108 00:03:50,684 --> 00:03:52,740 her retirement and thank her for her 109 00:03:52,740 --> 00:03:54,962 superb leadership and dedicated service 110 00:03:54,962 --> 00:03:56,851 to our nation , the Department of 111 00:03:56,851 --> 00:03:58,907 Defense and the US Air Force . We're 112 00:03:58,907 --> 00:04:00,518 all grateful to have had the 113 00:04:00,518 --> 00:04:02,518 opportunity to serve a lot uh serve 114 00:04:02,518 --> 00:04:04,740 alongside her and wish her all the best 115 00:04:04,740 --> 00:04:06,796 as she embarks on her next chapter . 116 00:04:06,796 --> 00:04:08,573 And with that , we'll take your 117 00:04:08,573 --> 00:04:08,380 questions . We'll go to Associated 118 00:04:08,389 --> 00:04:12,279 Press Tara . Welcome back . Um 119 00:04:12,419 --> 00:04:14,720 I wanted to ask about Ukraine if the 120 00:04:14,729 --> 00:04:17,160 bill is passed by the House and Senate 121 00:04:17,170 --> 00:04:19,337 and signed into law . Just how quickly 122 00:04:19,337 --> 00:04:21,226 can the Department of Defense get 123 00:04:21,226 --> 00:04:23,489 weapons moving to Ukraine ? And have 124 00:04:23,500 --> 00:04:25,920 you done anything to speed that along 125 00:04:25,929 --> 00:04:27,873 such as preposition some things in 126 00:04:27,873 --> 00:04:30,140 Europe ? Sure . Um Well , obviously , 127 00:04:30,149 --> 00:04:32,093 as I'm sure you can appreciate , I 128 00:04:32,093 --> 00:04:34,049 can't get into any specifics on uh 129 00:04:34,059 --> 00:04:36,260 timelines as it relates to pending 130 00:04:36,269 --> 00:04:38,491 legislative proposals . Um We obviously 131 00:04:38,491 --> 00:04:40,213 do look forward to an upcoming 132 00:04:40,213 --> 00:04:42,102 supplemental vote . Um But in the 133 00:04:42,102 --> 00:04:44,325 meantime , uh we're the supplemental to 134 00:04:44,325 --> 00:04:46,519 get past . We are poised to respond 135 00:04:46,529 --> 00:04:48,910 quickly uh with a security assistance 136 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:51,690 package via our uh presidential draw 137 00:04:51,700 --> 00:04:54,760 down authority . Uh As you know , we 138 00:04:54,769 --> 00:04:58,040 have a very robust uh logistics network 139 00:04:58,329 --> 00:05:00,929 uh that enables us to move material 140 00:05:00,940 --> 00:05:03,209 very quickly . Uh as we've done in the 141 00:05:03,220 --> 00:05:05,970 past , we can move within days . Um 142 00:05:06,019 --> 00:05:08,297 Again , for operation security reasons , 143 00:05:08,297 --> 00:05:10,408 I'm not gonna be able to get into the 144 00:05:10,408 --> 00:05:12,186 specifics of what that security 145 00:05:12,186 --> 00:05:14,408 assistance package could look like . Uh 146 00:05:14,408 --> 00:05:16,575 Other than to say , it would of course 147 00:05:16,575 --> 00:05:18,839 include uh likely important things like 148 00:05:18,850 --> 00:05:20,961 air defense and artillery , artillery 149 00:05:20,961 --> 00:05:22,961 capabilities . Uh But again , we'll 150 00:05:22,961 --> 00:05:25,183 have much more to follow and we'll keep 151 00:05:25,183 --> 00:05:27,350 our fingers crossed . Can you describe 152 00:05:27,350 --> 00:05:29,406 in general terms like so it moves to 153 00:05:29,406 --> 00:05:31,760 the Ukrainian border at that point ? Do 154 00:05:31,769 --> 00:05:33,825 the Ukrainians take custody and then 155 00:05:33,825 --> 00:05:36,359 move it in via rail or how , how will 156 00:05:36,369 --> 00:05:39,350 that flow work again for operation 157 00:05:39,359 --> 00:05:41,829 security reasons ? Uh Force protection 158 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:44,061 reasons ? I'm just not going to be able 159 00:05:44,061 --> 00:05:46,228 to go into those details . But I think 160 00:05:46,228 --> 00:05:48,283 we've demonstrated over the last two 161 00:05:48,283 --> 00:05:50,506 years that we do have a , a very robust 162 00:05:50,506 --> 00:05:52,617 system in place uh which is effective 163 00:05:52,649 --> 00:05:54,649 in ensuring that we can get Ukraine 164 00:05:54,649 --> 00:05:56,538 what it needs , not only from the 165 00:05:56,538 --> 00:05:58,482 United States but from the broader 166 00:05:58,482 --> 00:06:00,593 international community . Thank you , 167 00:06:00,593 --> 00:06:02,649 Matt . First , I have a follow up on 168 00:06:02,649 --> 00:06:04,705 that . Um Can you say whether or not 169 00:06:04,705 --> 00:06:06,871 the department is considering um maybe 170 00:06:06,871 --> 00:06:08,927 a larger drawdown than we've seen in 171 00:06:08,927 --> 00:06:11,540 past uh in packages since it's been 172 00:06:11,549 --> 00:06:13,779 some time and that Israel is in such 173 00:06:13,790 --> 00:06:16,012 great need of things like artillery and 174 00:06:16,012 --> 00:06:18,290 air defense . Yeah , thanks , Matt . I , 175 00:06:18,290 --> 00:06:20,401 I really can't at this stage . Uh get 176 00:06:20,401 --> 00:06:22,568 ahead of the process other than to say 177 00:06:22,568 --> 00:06:25,100 again . Uh We certainly understand and 178 00:06:25,109 --> 00:06:27,549 appreciate the urgency uh and are 179 00:06:27,559 --> 00:06:29,750 poised to move quickly uh if the 180 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,290 supplemental is passed ? Ok . Secondly , 181 00:06:32,299 --> 00:06:34,410 um we've heard from an Israeli source 182 00:06:34,410 --> 00:06:36,632 that the Israelis have made significant 183 00:06:36,632 --> 00:06:38,688 progress in preparations to evacuate 184 00:06:38,850 --> 00:06:40,906 roughly a million people out of Rafa 185 00:06:40,906 --> 00:06:43,670 ahead of any possible operations there . 186 00:06:43,679 --> 00:06:45,568 And that the US is aware of these 187 00:06:45,568 --> 00:06:47,679 efforts which include preparing areas 188 00:06:47,679 --> 00:06:49,735 to the north with uh repairing pipes 189 00:06:49,735 --> 00:06:51,957 and setting up tents . Can you speak to 190 00:06:51,957 --> 00:06:54,179 those efforts ? And does the relocation 191 00:06:54,179 --> 00:06:56,290 of these people meet with um the sort 192 00:06:56,290 --> 00:06:58,457 of recommendations the US is making to 193 00:06:58,457 --> 00:07:00,512 the Israelis as they proceed ? I , I 194 00:07:00,512 --> 00:07:02,401 really can't uh that's a question 195 00:07:02,401 --> 00:07:04,735 that's best addressed . By the Israelis . 196 00:07:04,735 --> 00:07:06,901 Uh as you're probably aware , uh the , 197 00:07:06,901 --> 00:07:09,019 the White House was hosting uh a 198 00:07:09,029 --> 00:07:12,160 session today with senior uh Israeli uh 199 00:07:12,170 --> 00:07:15,859 representatives to discuss uh the Rafa 200 00:07:16,239 --> 00:07:18,540 uh situation . So , you know , I'd 201 00:07:18,549 --> 00:07:20,771 refer you to , to that read out once it 202 00:07:20,771 --> 00:07:23,339 comes out . Um Again , our position has 203 00:07:23,350 --> 00:07:25,517 not changed in terms of the importance 204 00:07:25,517 --> 00:07:27,183 of ensuring that humanitarian 205 00:07:27,183 --> 00:07:30,269 assistance . Uh and , and um civilian 206 00:07:30,279 --> 00:07:32,549 safety are taken into account . Uh As 207 00:07:32,559 --> 00:07:34,730 Israel conducts its operations against 208 00:07:34,739 --> 00:07:36,559 Hamas , can you say who was 209 00:07:36,570 --> 00:07:38,459 representing Dod on them in those 210 00:07:38,459 --> 00:07:41,269 meetings today ? Again ? Um As I 211 00:07:41,279 --> 00:07:42,668 understand it , uh three 212 00:07:42,668 --> 00:07:44,835 representatives , we had uh performing 213 00:07:44,835 --> 00:07:47,059 the duties of Deputy under Secretary of 214 00:07:47,070 --> 00:07:49,519 Defense for Policy , Melissa Dalton , 215 00:07:49,970 --> 00:07:52,260 uh the Deputy Assistant Secretary of 216 00:07:52,269 --> 00:07:54,899 Defense for Middle East Policy , uh Dan 217 00:07:54,910 --> 00:07:58,049 Shapiro , uh and then also General 218 00:07:58,059 --> 00:08:00,220 Major General Joseph mcgee , uh the 219 00:08:00,230 --> 00:08:02,008 joint staff , Vice Director for 220 00:08:02,008 --> 00:08:05,329 Strategy Plans and Policy on this . 221 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:08,049 Thank you , General . Um So as you said , 222 00:08:08,079 --> 00:08:10,190 we're gonna wait for the readout from 223 00:08:10,190 --> 00:08:12,190 the White House . But as far as you 224 00:08:12,190 --> 00:08:14,246 know , have you been presented by uh 225 00:08:14,246 --> 00:08:16,523 Israeli plan for an operation in Rafah , 226 00:08:16,523 --> 00:08:18,801 whether limited or a major uh invasion ? 227 00:08:19,149 --> 00:08:21,429 Um Again , I'd , I'd refer you to the 228 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:23,730 readout as I understand it FDI at this 229 00:08:23,739 --> 00:08:25,890 point . Uh There's been discussions , 230 00:08:25,899 --> 00:08:27,510 you know , ongoing technical 231 00:08:27,510 --> 00:08:30,440 discussions in terms of um you know , 232 00:08:30,470 --> 00:08:33,059 uh enabling uh the Israelis to 233 00:08:33,070 --> 00:08:35,126 understand the , the key points that 234 00:08:35,126 --> 00:08:37,849 we're making . Uh And in incorporating 235 00:08:37,859 --> 00:08:41,499 those into any plans . Um And you know , 236 00:08:41,508 --> 00:08:44,598 beyond a broad concept , um is what I'm 237 00:08:44,609 --> 00:08:46,609 tracking right now . But uh again , 238 00:08:46,609 --> 00:08:48,720 we'll see what comes out of the , the 239 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:50,942 meeting . Are you able to , to say like 240 00:08:50,942 --> 00:08:53,220 previously , the , the answer has been , 241 00:08:53,220 --> 00:08:55,442 we haven't received any , any plan . Do 242 00:08:55,442 --> 00:08:57,665 you ? Is your sense , there's been some 243 00:08:57,665 --> 00:08:59,831 progress on , on the issue of Rafa and 244 00:08:59,831 --> 00:09:01,609 discussions between you and the 245 00:09:01,609 --> 00:09:03,720 Israelis . Um I think the discussions 246 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:05,498 continue uh in terms of again , 247 00:09:05,498 --> 00:09:07,498 enabling the United States to share 248 00:09:07,498 --> 00:09:09,609 with Israel what our concerns are and 249 00:09:09,609 --> 00:09:11,776 to provide lessons learned that , that 250 00:09:11,776 --> 00:09:13,760 we've uh gleaned over the years in 251 00:09:13,770 --> 00:09:15,992 conducting these type of operations and 252 00:09:15,992 --> 00:09:18,159 I think we'll have those conversations 253 00:09:18,159 --> 00:09:20,326 going forward again . Our position has 254 00:09:20,326 --> 00:09:22,460 been pretty clear . Uh We understand 255 00:09:22,469 --> 00:09:24,799 the need for Israel to go after Hamas 256 00:09:24,809 --> 00:09:27,140 and to eliminate or defeat Hamas as a 257 00:09:27,150 --> 00:09:29,510 threat . Uh And so we believe there's a 258 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:31,631 way to do that while also taking into 259 00:09:31,631 --> 00:09:33,687 account civilian safety and ensuring 260 00:09:33,687 --> 00:09:35,798 humanitarian assistance . Thank you , 261 00:09:35,798 --> 00:09:38,590 Laura . Um Thanks Pat . So , uh CIA 262 00:09:38,599 --> 00:09:40,840 Director Bill Byrne said in testimony 263 00:09:40,849 --> 00:09:42,849 today that without additional aid , 264 00:09:42,849 --> 00:09:45,330 Ukraine could lose by the end of 2024 . 265 00:09:45,340 --> 00:09:48,270 Does dod share that assessment . Uh You 266 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,447 know , I'm not gonna speak for the CIA 267 00:09:50,447 --> 00:09:52,447 I know from a dod standpoint , what 268 00:09:52,447 --> 00:09:54,613 we're focused on right now is ensuring 269 00:09:54,669 --> 00:09:57,570 that we can get Ukraine the assistance 270 00:09:57,580 --> 00:10:00,140 that it needs . Uh We're focused on 271 00:10:00,150 --> 00:10:02,261 working with international allies and 272 00:10:02,261 --> 00:10:04,869 partners to ensure that Ukraine gets 273 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:06,936 what it needs , not only in the near 274 00:10:06,936 --> 00:10:09,047 term but also for the long term . And 275 00:10:09,047 --> 00:10:11,047 this is through mechanisms like the 276 00:10:11,047 --> 00:10:12,936 capability coalitions , which are 277 00:10:12,936 --> 00:10:14,936 looking at the long term defense of 278 00:10:14,936 --> 00:10:16,936 Ukraine so that it can deter future 279 00:10:16,936 --> 00:10:19,469 aggression from Russia . You know , the 280 00:10:19,479 --> 00:10:21,423 Ukrainians have demonstrated their 281 00:10:21,423 --> 00:10:23,757 resilience and their courage under fire . 282 00:10:23,757 --> 00:10:25,923 We have no reason to think that that's 283 00:10:25,923 --> 00:10:27,590 going to change , but we also 284 00:10:27,590 --> 00:10:29,590 understand the dire situation there 285 00:10:29,590 --> 00:10:31,701 right now , which is why again , uh , 286 00:10:31,701 --> 00:10:33,646 we would like very much to see the 287 00:10:33,646 --> 00:10:33,590 supplemental past and we would like , 288 00:10:33,599 --> 00:10:35,821 would like very much to be able to , to 289 00:10:35,821 --> 00:10:38,059 rush uh the security assistance in the 290 00:10:38,070 --> 00:10:40,349 volumes that we think they need to be 291 00:10:40,359 --> 00:10:42,830 successful . And then as a follow up to , 292 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:44,824 um , you said there would be a , a 293 00:10:44,824 --> 00:10:46,880 meeting , um , coming up , uh , uh , 294 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:49,090 with NATO , is NATO , is it possible 295 00:10:49,099 --> 00:10:51,210 that NATO is going to take control of 296 00:10:51,210 --> 00:10:53,377 the Ukraine Defense contact group ? Is 297 00:10:53,377 --> 00:10:55,432 that something that's , um , is that 298 00:10:55,432 --> 00:10:57,599 plan one that's moving along now ? You 299 00:10:57,599 --> 00:10:59,432 know . Right , right . Now , the 300 00:10:59,432 --> 00:11:01,655 Ukraine Defense contact group continues 301 00:11:01,655 --> 00:11:03,821 to be hosted by , uh , the secretary . 302 00:11:03,821 --> 00:11:05,488 Uh , that's the plan into the 303 00:11:05,488 --> 00:11:07,543 foreseeable future . So I don't have 304 00:11:07,543 --> 00:11:07,450 anything to announce in terms of any 305 00:11:07,460 --> 00:11:11,049 potential changes . Thanks . Thanks , 306 00:11:11,380 --> 00:11:13,989 be on beat . Um Are there any concerns 307 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,340 that the US S boxer which is , I 308 00:11:16,349 --> 00:11:18,238 believe by all accounts slated to 309 00:11:18,238 --> 00:11:20,405 participate in the exercise but had to 310 00:11:20,405 --> 00:11:22,293 turn around last week and cut his 311 00:11:22,293 --> 00:11:24,293 deployment short , won't be able to 312 00:11:24,293 --> 00:11:26,349 make it . It's important . Are there 313 00:11:26,349 --> 00:11:28,571 any concerns over that ? Um , I'll have 314 00:11:28,571 --> 00:11:30,793 to refer you to the , the Navy and Indo 315 00:11:30,793 --> 00:11:32,849 paycom to talk about that . Thanks . 316 00:11:32,849 --> 00:11:32,400 All right , let me go to the phone here 317 00:11:32,409 --> 00:11:34,520 real quick . Uh , Iris from Reuters . 318 00:11:38,020 --> 00:11:40,020 Do you have any updates on when the 319 00:11:40,020 --> 00:11:41,964 secretary last spoke with Minister 320 00:11:41,964 --> 00:11:44,242 Galant ? And , uh , um , you know what , 321 00:11:44,242 --> 00:11:46,520 what , what the conversation was about ? 322 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:48,409 And do you have any update on the 323 00:11:48,409 --> 00:11:50,409 findings of the strike , uh Israeli 324 00:11:50,409 --> 00:11:52,242 strike against the World Central 325 00:11:52,242 --> 00:11:54,464 Kitchen ? Um Have you gone through it ? 326 00:11:54,464 --> 00:11:56,687 Do you have an understanding of whether 327 00:11:56,687 --> 00:11:58,609 um that Israeli uh initial 328 00:11:58,619 --> 00:12:00,730 investigation was something you agree 329 00:12:00,730 --> 00:12:02,786 with ? Yeah , thanks , Idris . Uh So 330 00:12:02,786 --> 00:12:04,730 the , the last phone call that the 331 00:12:04,730 --> 00:12:06,952 secretary had with Minister Gallant was 332 00:12:06,952 --> 00:12:09,349 on Tuesday , uh which I believe we read 333 00:12:09,359 --> 00:12:13,219 out and uh uh so no phone calls since 334 00:12:13,229 --> 00:12:15,979 then . Um And then uh in terms of the , 335 00:12:15,989 --> 00:12:18,156 the World Central Kitchen , uh I don't 336 00:12:18,156 --> 00:12:20,378 have any updates provided as you know , 337 00:12:20,378 --> 00:12:22,549 uh NSC was , was reviewing that and so 338 00:12:22,559 --> 00:12:24,670 I'd refer you to them for any updates 339 00:12:24,670 --> 00:12:26,892 on their review . Thank you . Come back 340 00:12:26,892 --> 00:12:29,059 into the room here . Yes , sir . Thank 341 00:12:29,059 --> 00:12:31,115 you . And the proposed House Bill on 342 00:12:31,115 --> 00:12:33,059 Ukraine , there is a non-biting uh 343 00:12:33,059 --> 00:12:35,281 requirement to provide Ukraine with the 344 00:12:35,281 --> 00:12:37,003 longer range attacks . Is this 345 00:12:37,003 --> 00:12:36,580 something that the Bennigan might be 346 00:12:36,590 --> 00:12:38,812 looking into ? Um I don't have anything 347 00:12:38,812 --> 00:12:40,812 to announce , um , you know , we've 348 00:12:40,812 --> 00:12:43,489 provided readouts in terms of uh the 349 00:12:43,500 --> 00:12:45,570 capabilities uh that have been 350 00:12:45,580 --> 00:12:47,890 associated with the PDAs , of course , 351 00:12:47,900 --> 00:12:49,956 as you know , um , we've always said 352 00:12:49,956 --> 00:12:52,067 nothing's off the table , but I don't 353 00:12:52,067 --> 00:12:54,178 have anything to announce today . And 354 00:12:54,178 --> 00:12:54,039 one more . Do you have an update on the 355 00:12:54,049 --> 00:12:56,271 training and the MS bays of the green ? 356 00:12:56,271 --> 00:12:58,438 Well , it's , um , what stage are they 357 00:12:58,438 --> 00:13:00,549 now ? Can we approximate ? Talk about 358 00:13:00,549 --> 00:13:02,771 the graduation time frame here ? Um I , 359 00:13:02,780 --> 00:13:05,058 I'd refer you to the Air Force for the , 360 00:13:05,058 --> 00:13:07,690 for the specifics um in terms of uh the 361 00:13:07,700 --> 00:13:09,756 status , as I understand it , things 362 00:13:09,756 --> 00:13:11,922 are progressing . Well , um they are , 363 00:13:11,922 --> 00:13:13,978 you know , in the advanced stages of 364 00:13:13,978 --> 00:13:16,070 their training , uh don't have a 365 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:18,191 specific date to , to highlight other 366 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:20,256 than everything seems to be on track 367 00:13:20,256 --> 00:13:22,367 and , and on schedule on that front . 368 00:13:22,367 --> 00:13:24,367 And of course , certainly as we get 369 00:13:24,367 --> 00:13:23,650 closer to that , we'll have much more 370 00:13:23,659 --> 00:13:26,309 to provide . Thank you very much , Tony , 371 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:28,542 a couple of questions , one , you , you 372 00:13:28,542 --> 00:13:30,376 talked about the 30 states would 373 00:13:30,376 --> 00:13:32,542 benefit from the uh supplemental . Can 374 00:13:32,542 --> 00:13:34,709 you get a chart that lays out that the 375 00:13:34,709 --> 00:13:36,820 what states and roughly the dollars ? 376 00:13:36,820 --> 00:13:38,709 This is a repeated claim from the 377 00:13:38,709 --> 00:13:40,709 Pentagon . It'd be useful to have a 378 00:13:40,709 --> 00:13:42,987 chart that shows the states that would , 379 00:13:42,987 --> 00:13:45,098 yeah , we actually have one posted to 380 00:13:45,098 --> 00:13:47,153 defense.gov right now so we , we can 381 00:13:47,153 --> 00:13:49,320 get you that link . This is the on the 382 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,542 supplemental . This isn't like past aid 383 00:13:51,542 --> 00:13:53,653 that's going to the States , I , I'll 384 00:13:53,653 --> 00:13:55,653 double check . Um But on Iran , the 385 00:13:55,653 --> 00:13:57,820 world's fixated on a potential Israeli 386 00:13:57,820 --> 00:14:00,840 retaliation . Do you have any sense of 387 00:14:00,849 --> 00:14:03,229 the state of Iran's air defense system 388 00:14:03,239 --> 00:14:05,520 in terms of how well integrated it is ? 389 00:14:05,820 --> 00:14:08,119 Uh dia a couple of about four years ago 390 00:14:08,130 --> 00:14:11,030 had a report that came out and they had 391 00:14:11,039 --> 00:14:12,869 the S3 100 they're fairly well 392 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:15,047 integrated . But fo for a fast forward 393 00:14:15,047 --> 00:14:16,991 four years later , do you have any 394 00:14:16,991 --> 00:14:19,659 thumbnail assessment of uh how well 395 00:14:19,669 --> 00:14:21,725 their in their air defense system is 396 00:14:21,725 --> 00:14:24,630 integrated radar , human observation 397 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:28,049 posts and missiles . Yes , you say that 398 00:14:29,530 --> 00:14:33,359 person , you know , uh for 399 00:14:33,369 --> 00:14:35,425 understandable reasons . I can't get 400 00:14:35,425 --> 00:14:37,591 into specific intelligence . Clearly , 401 00:14:37,591 --> 00:14:39,536 Iran has an integrated air defense 402 00:14:39,536 --> 00:14:42,289 system as you highlight . Um but um I , 403 00:14:42,299 --> 00:14:44,132 I'm just not able to go into the 404 00:14:44,132 --> 00:14:46,049 specifics of , of what advanced 405 00:14:46,059 --> 00:14:48,669 capabilities they may have . Uh And I'm 406 00:14:48,679 --> 00:14:51,012 not prepared to do that from the podium . 407 00:14:51,012 --> 00:14:53,346 Can you at least do they have the S 400 ? 408 00:14:53,346 --> 00:14:55,401 There's always been rumors that they 409 00:14:55,401 --> 00:14:55,229 may or may not get it , you know , 410 00:14:55,250 --> 00:14:57,583 that's pretty sophisticated as a system . 411 00:14:57,583 --> 00:14:59,750 Can you address whether they had the S 412 00:14:59,750 --> 00:15:02,349 400 ? I I really can't . Thanks Tony . 413 00:15:02,359 --> 00:15:04,359 Of course . Thanks Pat . If I could 414 00:15:04,359 --> 00:15:06,526 just follow up on the uh F-16 question 415 00:15:06,526 --> 00:15:08,859 is the uh training timeline affected uh 416 00:15:08,869 --> 00:15:11,419 by the lack of supplemental at all . 417 00:15:12,070 --> 00:15:14,969 Not to my knowledge . Do you have 418 00:15:14,979 --> 00:15:17,201 funding ? Would you need a supplemental 419 00:15:17,201 --> 00:15:19,489 but continue funding that going forward 420 00:15:19,500 --> 00:15:22,210 for say the next cadre , is it ? So the , 421 00:15:22,219 --> 00:15:24,330 so the funding , as I understand it , 422 00:15:24,330 --> 00:15:26,441 Chris in a lot of ways , what this is 423 00:15:26,441 --> 00:15:29,900 about is uh enabling us to replenish 424 00:15:29,909 --> 00:15:32,330 our own stocks , which then enables us 425 00:15:32,340 --> 00:15:36,260 to draw down from uh our own inventory 426 00:15:36,270 --> 00:15:38,039 to be able to provide security 427 00:15:38,049 --> 00:15:39,993 assistance to Ukraine . Right ? So 428 00:15:39,993 --> 00:15:41,938 that's one piece of it . The other 429 00:15:41,938 --> 00:15:44,429 piece of course is the USA I piece in 430 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:46,662 terms of being able to let contracts to 431 00:15:46,662 --> 00:15:48,884 work with industry to provide them with 432 00:15:48,884 --> 00:15:50,940 capabilities . Uh So , you know , on 433 00:15:50,950 --> 00:15:53,340 the training front , um while , while 434 00:15:53,349 --> 00:15:55,799 certainly there's a a budget aspect to 435 00:15:55,809 --> 00:15:57,809 that , uh really what we're talking 436 00:15:57,809 --> 00:16:00,031 about here is , you know , working with 437 00:16:00,031 --> 00:16:02,253 the Ukrainians , working with the , the 438 00:16:02,253 --> 00:16:04,960 Air Coalition capability coalition uh 439 00:16:04,969 --> 00:16:07,489 in order to identify the pilots to 440 00:16:07,500 --> 00:16:09,556 identify which partners are going to 441 00:16:09,556 --> 00:16:11,950 contribute aircraft munitions , those 442 00:16:11,960 --> 00:16:14,099 kinds of things . Uh So the 443 00:16:14,109 --> 00:16:16,276 supplemental of course , is incredibly 444 00:16:16,276 --> 00:16:18,498 important . Um But as I understand it , 445 00:16:18,498 --> 00:16:20,387 we're able to continue to do some 446 00:16:20,387 --> 00:16:22,387 things when it comes to training of 447 00:16:22,387 --> 00:16:24,720 pilots . Uh with , of course , you know , 448 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:24,580 one of the long poles in the tent being 449 00:16:24,590 --> 00:16:26,640 working with Ukraine to identify uh 450 00:16:26,739 --> 00:16:28,929 those individuals who they , they want 451 00:16:28,940 --> 00:16:31,218 to nominate for that training . Uh And , 452 00:16:31,218 --> 00:16:33,329 and again , because you have multiple 453 00:16:33,329 --> 00:16:35,107 nations involved , the training 454 00:16:35,107 --> 00:16:37,349 pipeline has some flexibility built 455 00:16:37,359 --> 00:16:39,539 into it in terms of uh being able to 456 00:16:39,549 --> 00:16:41,549 absorb those pilots and train , you 457 00:16:41,549 --> 00:16:43,716 know , the numbers that , that Ukraine 458 00:16:43,716 --> 00:16:45,929 has you mentioned , uh , looking at 459 00:16:46,090 --> 00:16:48,679 munitions , uh , among the uh , 460 00:16:48,690 --> 00:16:51,280 coalition . Um , uh , has there been 461 00:16:51,289 --> 00:16:53,511 any progress on that ? Yeah , I don't , 462 00:16:53,511 --> 00:16:55,789 I don't have any updates on that front , 463 00:16:55,789 --> 00:16:57,900 but again , you know , as , as we get 464 00:16:57,900 --> 00:16:59,956 further down the road , uh , and you 465 00:16:59,956 --> 00:17:02,067 know , again , for operation security 466 00:17:02,067 --> 00:17:04,233 reasons at this point , I , I can't go 467 00:17:04,233 --> 00:17:03,369 into the specifics , but we'll 468 00:17:03,380 --> 00:17:05,849 certainly keep you informed . Thanks . 469 00:17:06,619 --> 00:17:09,349 Yes , sir . Thank you , General . So on 470 00:17:09,359 --> 00:17:11,526 Tuesday , the House of Representatives 471 00:17:11,526 --> 00:17:13,581 passed a resolution that deeming the 472 00:17:13,581 --> 00:17:15,526 slogan from the river to the sea . 473 00:17:15,526 --> 00:17:17,692 Palestine will be free is anti Semitic 474 00:17:17,692 --> 00:17:19,859 and its use should be condemned . Does 475 00:17:19,859 --> 00:17:21,970 the Pentagon have a statement on this 476 00:17:21,970 --> 00:17:23,970 passing um or that slogan and , and 477 00:17:23,970 --> 00:17:26,081 whether it's problematic or not ? I I 478 00:17:26,081 --> 00:17:28,680 don't . Thanks , sir . The topic use in 479 00:17:28,689 --> 00:17:30,689 China . So why was the discussion 480 00:17:30,699 --> 00:17:32,819 between the secretary and the Chinese 481 00:17:32,849 --> 00:17:35,660 Defense Minister don held by BDF terror 482 00:17:35,670 --> 00:17:37,726 conference instead that we just call 483 00:17:37,726 --> 00:17:39,892 ring . So which side may offer to like 484 00:17:39,892 --> 00:17:42,114 a video style ? Sure . Um You know , on 485 00:17:42,114 --> 00:17:44,003 your latter question , we've been 486 00:17:44,003 --> 00:17:45,892 working uh at the staff level for 487 00:17:45,892 --> 00:17:47,800 months . Uh Ever since the , the 488 00:17:47,810 --> 00:17:50,699 president , uh President Biden uh held 489 00:17:50,709 --> 00:17:53,589 his meeting with Xi Jinping uh to , to 490 00:17:53,599 --> 00:17:56,729 arrange a call . Uh and so often times , 491 00:17:56,739 --> 00:17:58,628 uh you know , in terms of whether 492 00:17:58,628 --> 00:18:00,683 that's a phone call , whether it's a 493 00:18:00,683 --> 00:18:00,650 video teleconference , uh that's 494 00:18:00,660 --> 00:18:02,993 coordinate between the , the two staffs . 495 00:18:02,993 --> 00:18:05,160 The key point here though is that they 496 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:07,530 had the opportunity to communicate . Uh 497 00:18:07,540 --> 00:18:09,651 And so again , we'll continue to look 498 00:18:09,651 --> 00:18:11,339 for opportunities to continue 499 00:18:11,349 --> 00:18:13,571 communicating in the future . Thank you 500 00:18:13,571 --> 00:18:15,627 very much . Yes , sir . Thank you so 501 00:18:15,627 --> 00:18:17,627 much . Um Regarding to uh Rafa . Uh 502 00:18:17,627 --> 00:18:19,793 when do you expect to have any updates 503 00:18:19,793 --> 00:18:22,016 from the Israeli sides about their plan 504 00:18:22,016 --> 00:18:24,270 if they wanna do an operation , a 505 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:26,719 military operations in Rafah ? Well , 506 00:18:26,729 --> 00:18:28,673 again , when it , when it comes to 507 00:18:28,673 --> 00:18:30,896 timelines , uh that's really a question 508 00:18:30,896 --> 00:18:33,118 for the Israelis to address , as I as I 509 00:18:33,118 --> 00:18:35,285 mentioned earlier , uh our discussions 510 00:18:35,285 --> 00:18:37,062 continue to be ongoing with the 511 00:18:37,062 --> 00:18:38,840 Israelis in terms of what their 512 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:40,785 thoughts are as it relates to Rafa 513 00:18:40,785 --> 00:18:42,396 again , and it affords us an 514 00:18:42,396 --> 00:18:44,507 opportunity to highlight our concerns 515 00:18:44,507 --> 00:18:46,619 and our key points which are that we 516 00:18:46,630 --> 00:18:49,969 want to see uh humanitarian assistance 517 00:18:49,979 --> 00:18:52,250 and civilian safety taken into account 518 00:18:52,489 --> 00:18:55,719 uh in going after Hamas . Can I ask 519 00:18:55,810 --> 00:18:58,329 another question another top regarding 520 00:18:58,339 --> 00:19:00,849 to the nature , does there any change 521 00:19:00,910 --> 00:19:03,188 to the US military footprint in nature ? 522 00:19:03,188 --> 00:19:05,729 And have you seen the reports that the 523 00:19:05,739 --> 00:19:08,380 Russian uh send some troops to the 524 00:19:08,390 --> 00:19:11,310 region there ? Um So we do give you an 525 00:19:11,319 --> 00:19:14,349 update about that . Thank you . Um So 526 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:17,310 our footprint in has not changed uh at , 527 00:19:17,319 --> 00:19:20,819 at this time . Um And as it relates to 528 00:19:20,829 --> 00:19:23,209 uh you know , media reports of , of 529 00:19:23,219 --> 00:19:26,939 Russian forces uh going into , uh 530 00:19:26,959 --> 00:19:29,126 certainly aware of those reports , but 531 00:19:29,126 --> 00:19:31,237 I don't have any comment to provide . 532 00:19:31,237 --> 00:19:33,292 We go here and then I'll come back . 533 00:19:33,292 --> 00:19:35,237 Thanks so much . Um The US Seventh 534 00:19:35,237 --> 00:19:37,530 Street announced the aircraft transit 535 00:19:37,540 --> 00:19:39,762 through the Taiwan Strait one day after 536 00:19:39,762 --> 00:19:41,762 the secretary's phone call with the 537 00:19:41,762 --> 00:19:43,818 Chinese Defense Minister . And China 538 00:19:43,818 --> 00:19:45,818 criticized this transit through the 539 00:19:45,818 --> 00:19:48,479 Taiwan Strait as provocative . Um So do 540 00:19:48,489 --> 00:19:50,979 you have any response to China and what 541 00:19:50,989 --> 00:19:53,045 was the US message by conducting the 542 00:19:53,045 --> 00:19:55,119 transit just after the secretary's 543 00:19:55,130 --> 00:19:57,463 phone call with his Chinese counterpart ? 544 00:19:57,463 --> 00:19:59,463 I will look at the transit was long 545 00:19:59,463 --> 00:20:01,800 scheduled . Uh And as we've made clear 546 00:20:01,810 --> 00:20:04,040 on on multiple occasions , uh the 547 00:20:04,050 --> 00:20:06,829 United States is going to sail , fly 548 00:20:06,839 --> 00:20:09,199 and operate wherever international law 549 00:20:09,209 --> 00:20:11,098 allows and we're going to do that 550 00:20:11,098 --> 00:20:13,153 safely and responsibly . Thank you . 551 00:20:13,410 --> 00:20:15,299 Yes , sir . Thank you . General . 552 00:20:15,299 --> 00:20:18,170 According to some reports , us force 553 00:20:18,180 --> 00:20:20,291 have deployed a soft security defense 554 00:20:20,291 --> 00:20:22,180 system in Syria and the Kurdistan 555 00:20:22,180 --> 00:20:24,849 region of Iraq and the defense is some 556 00:20:24,859 --> 00:20:27,290 intercept of Iranian missiles and 557 00:20:27,859 --> 00:20:31,310 drones in the last attack . What do you 558 00:20:31,319 --> 00:20:33,486 have on this ? I just let me make sure 559 00:20:33,486 --> 00:20:35,486 I understand you're asking if we've 560 00:20:35,486 --> 00:20:38,989 deployed defense as some capability in 561 00:20:39,619 --> 00:20:43,180 Syria and Iraq . So , so what I would 562 00:20:43,189 --> 00:20:45,133 tell you is , I , I don't have any 563 00:20:45,133 --> 00:20:47,022 specifics to provide , you know , 564 00:20:47,022 --> 00:20:49,189 broadly speaking throughout the Middle 565 00:20:49,189 --> 00:20:51,300 East region . Uh We have deployed air 566 00:20:51,300 --> 00:20:53,522 defense capabilities and is part of our 567 00:20:53,522 --> 00:20:55,633 uh efforts to ensure force protection 568 00:20:55,633 --> 00:20:58,239 uh as well as to defend our interests 569 00:20:58,250 --> 00:21:00,417 and our allies and partners throughout 570 00:21:00,417 --> 00:21:02,139 the region as I'm sure you can 571 00:21:02,139 --> 00:21:04,361 appreciate . I'm , I'm not gonna get in 572 00:21:04,361 --> 00:21:06,417 any specifics for operation security 573 00:21:06,417 --> 00:21:08,306 reasons in terms of uh particular 574 00:21:08,306 --> 00:21:10,528 locations , other than to say that that 575 00:21:10,528 --> 00:21:12,750 is a capability that we maintain in the 576 00:21:12,750 --> 00:21:14,861 Middle East . Uh One more question if 577 00:21:14,861 --> 00:21:14,569 you don't mind , did the Iraqis in 578 00:21:14,579 --> 00:21:16,579 their meeting with Secretary Austin 579 00:21:16,579 --> 00:21:18,910 last Monday discuss withdrawing us 580 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:21,239 forces in Iraq ? Uh They , they were 581 00:21:21,250 --> 00:21:23,250 able to have a discussion about the 582 00:21:23,250 --> 00:21:25,250 transition from the coalition , the 583 00:21:25,250 --> 00:21:27,194 International Coalition mission to 584 00:21:27,194 --> 00:21:31,050 defeat ISIS to the uh to the um 585 00:21:31,060 --> 00:21:33,170 enduring bilateral security 586 00:21:33,180 --> 00:21:35,770 relationship between the United States , 587 00:21:35,780 --> 00:21:38,109 Iraq and other coalition partners . So 588 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:40,341 I don't have anything to announce today 589 00:21:40,341 --> 00:21:42,508 uh in that regard , but , but that was 590 00:21:42,508 --> 00:21:44,563 part of the discussion . Thank you . 591 00:21:44,563 --> 00:21:46,675 Yes , sir . Uh Thank you . Um Can you 592 00:21:46,675 --> 00:21:48,675 tell us whether Israel has actually 593 00:21:48,675 --> 00:21:52,609 decided to respond uh to Iran ? Uh I 594 00:21:52,619 --> 00:21:54,730 mean , at the end of the day , that's 595 00:21:54,730 --> 00:21:56,841 really a question for , for Israel to 596 00:21:56,841 --> 00:21:59,010 answer , right ? Um So , you know , 597 00:21:59,020 --> 00:22:01,187 you've seen publicly that they've said 598 00:22:01,187 --> 00:22:03,242 they're gonna do something . I don't 599 00:22:03,242 --> 00:22:05,464 know what that could be or , or what it 600 00:22:05,464 --> 00:22:07,576 could look like . Uh Certainly we are 601 00:22:07,576 --> 00:22:09,631 maintaining close communication with 602 00:22:09,631 --> 00:22:11,687 our Israeli partners . Um You know , 603 00:22:11,687 --> 00:22:13,798 and , and as I mentioned earlier this 604 00:22:13,798 --> 00:22:15,576 week , uh we do not want to see 605 00:22:15,576 --> 00:22:17,742 escalation in the Middle East region . 606 00:22:17,742 --> 00:22:19,829 Um But we won't hesitate to defend 607 00:22:19,839 --> 00:22:21,890 Israel or our forces if they're 608 00:22:21,900 --> 00:22:24,290 threatened . What kind of conversations 609 00:22:24,300 --> 00:22:26,244 are you having with , with Israeli 610 00:22:26,244 --> 00:22:28,411 officials about this ? And do you have 611 00:22:28,411 --> 00:22:30,578 a sense that they're listening to your 612 00:22:30,578 --> 00:22:32,522 advice ? Uh Well , you've seen the 613 00:22:32,522 --> 00:22:34,744 readouts that we put out from Secretary 614 00:22:34,744 --> 00:22:36,967 Austin as it relates to his discussions 615 00:22:36,967 --> 00:22:39,189 with Minister Gallant . Importantly , I 616 00:22:39,189 --> 00:22:41,300 would highlight that he's also spoken 617 00:22:41,300 --> 00:22:43,356 to many other leaders throughout the 618 00:22:43,356 --> 00:22:45,411 Middle East uh to get their sense of 619 00:22:45,411 --> 00:22:47,522 the situation . And you know , if you 620 00:22:47,522 --> 00:22:50,040 again take a step back , uh ever since 621 00:22:50,420 --> 00:22:52,531 October 7th , we've been working very 622 00:22:52,531 --> 00:22:55,319 diligently to prevent a wider regional 623 00:22:55,329 --> 00:22:57,440 conflict . And that continues to be a 624 00:22:57,440 --> 00:22:59,496 priority for this department and for 625 00:22:59,496 --> 00:23:01,551 the US government . Uh we don't seek 626 00:23:01,551 --> 00:23:03,718 conflict with Iran . Um We're going to 627 00:23:03,718 --> 00:23:05,607 continue to work with partners to 628 00:23:05,607 --> 00:23:07,773 deescalated the situation . But at the 629 00:23:07,773 --> 00:23:09,662 same time , just to be clear , if 630 00:23:09,662 --> 00:23:11,930 Israel is attacked , we will defend 631 00:23:11,939 --> 00:23:14,161 Israel and we will defend our forces if 632 00:23:14,161 --> 00:23:16,439 they're threatened . So leave it there . 633 00:23:16,439 --> 00:23:18,161 All right . Thanks very much . 634 00:23:18,161 --> 00:23:18,130 Everybody . Appreciate it .