1 00:00:03,210 --> 00:00:05,210 All right . Well , good afternoon , 2 00:00:05,210 --> 00:00:07,266 everyone . Just a few things here at 3 00:00:07,266 --> 00:00:09,266 the top and then we'll get right to 4 00:00:09,266 --> 00:00:11,099 your questions . Earlier today , 5 00:00:11,099 --> 00:00:13,154 Secretary Austin spoke by phone with 6 00:00:13,154 --> 00:00:14,988 the Egyptian Minister of Defense 7 00:00:14,988 --> 00:00:16,821 General Mohammed Zaki to discuss 8 00:00:16,821 --> 00:00:18,654 regional challenges and the deep 9 00:00:18,654 --> 00:00:20,654 bilateral security cooper operation 10 00:00:20,654 --> 00:00:22,710 between our two nations . During the 11 00:00:22,710 --> 00:00:24,377 discussion , Secretary Austin 12 00:00:24,377 --> 00:00:26,543 reiterated us commitment to the Middle 13 00:00:26,543 --> 00:00:28,710 East and Egyptian security in the face 14 00:00:28,710 --> 00:00:30,932 of regional threats . A full readout of 15 00:00:30,932 --> 00:00:33,099 the call will be posted to defense.gov 16 00:00:33,099 --> 00:00:35,266 later today . Additionally , Secretary 17 00:00:35,266 --> 00:00:37,099 Austin also spoke today with his 18 00:00:37,099 --> 00:00:39,210 counterpart from Lithuania , Minister 19 00:00:39,210 --> 00:00:41,154 of National Defense Louras Kunas . 20 00:00:41,779 --> 00:00:43,723 During the call , Secretary Austin 21 00:00:43,723 --> 00:00:45,723 congratulated Minister Kunas on his 22 00:00:45,723 --> 00:00:47,890 recent appointment as Minister and the 23 00:00:47,890 --> 00:00:49,723 two leaders discussed support to 24 00:00:49,723 --> 00:00:52,069 Ukraine NATO regional plans and recent 25 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:54,189 progress with Lithuania's defense 26 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:56,729 industrial base . The Secretary lauded 27 00:00:56,740 --> 00:00:58,590 Lithuania's strong commitment to 28 00:00:58,599 --> 00:01:00,488 providing security assistance and 29 00:01:00,488 --> 00:01:02,710 training to Ukraine and their continued 30 00:01:02,710 --> 00:01:04,830 support for us force Posture in the 31 00:01:04,839 --> 00:01:06,617 Baltics . A full readout of the 32 00:01:06,617 --> 00:01:08,672 discussion will be posted to the dod 33 00:01:08,672 --> 00:01:11,139 website , switching to some exercise 34 00:01:11,150 --> 00:01:13,010 news , nearly 30 nations and 35 00:01:13,019 --> 00:01:15,069 approximately 1300 personnel are 36 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:17,349 participating in exercise flint lock 37 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:19,480 which kicked off yesterday during an 38 00:01:19,489 --> 00:01:22,339 opening ceremony in Cote d'ivoire . The 39 00:01:22,349 --> 00:01:24,839 exercise which runs through May 24 will 40 00:01:24,849 --> 00:01:26,793 be conducted at training locations 41 00:01:26,793 --> 00:01:28,793 hosted by Ghana and Cote d'ivoire . 42 00:01:28,900 --> 00:01:30,889 Exercise Flintlock is US Africa 43 00:01:30,900 --> 00:01:32,956 Command's premier and largest annual 44 00:01:32,956 --> 00:01:35,860 Special Operations Forces exercise that 45 00:01:35,870 --> 00:01:37,926 works to strengthen combined partner 46 00:01:37,926 --> 00:01:40,720 force collaboration in Africa alongside 47 00:01:40,730 --> 00:01:42,786 international and NATO International 48 00:01:42,786 --> 00:01:46,120 Special Operations Forces separately 49 00:01:46,129 --> 00:01:49,370 exercise . Gae Express sponsored by us 50 00:01:49,379 --> 00:01:51,323 Africa Command and conducted by us 51 00:01:51,323 --> 00:01:53,809 naval forces . Africa kicked off May 52 00:01:53,819 --> 00:01:56,239 6th and continues until May 17th 53 00:01:56,300 --> 00:01:58,133 throughout Africa's West Coast , 54 00:01:58,133 --> 00:02:00,411 particularly in and around host nation , 55 00:02:00,411 --> 00:02:03,309 Gabon . Though Gae Express , U uh 56 00:02:03,319 --> 00:02:05,980 excuse me through Oben Gome Express us 57 00:02:05,989 --> 00:02:07,989 forces work alongside participating 58 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,056 nations to improve combined maritime 59 00:02:10,056 --> 00:02:12,490 law enforcement capacity , promote 60 00:02:12,500 --> 00:02:14,667 national and regional security in West 61 00:02:14,667 --> 00:02:17,000 Africa and increase interoperability 62 00:02:17,009 --> 00:02:18,620 between the US . African and 63 00:02:18,620 --> 00:02:20,660 multinational partners . The US 64 00:02:20,669 --> 00:02:22,780 routinely exercises with our partners 65 00:02:22,780 --> 00:02:24,336 in Africa to build enduring 66 00:02:24,336 --> 00:02:26,502 relationships and combined capacity to 67 00:02:26,502 --> 00:02:28,613 ensure the safety and security of the 68 00:02:28,613 --> 00:02:30,613 regional maritime environment . For 69 00:02:30,613 --> 00:02:32,447 more information about these two 70 00:02:32,447 --> 00:02:34,558 exercises and the many other regional 71 00:02:34,558 --> 00:02:34,410 partnership activities throughout 72 00:02:34,419 --> 00:02:36,586 Africa , I would recommend you contact 73 00:02:36,586 --> 00:02:39,460 us Africom Public Affairs in other news . 74 00:02:39,470 --> 00:02:41,526 The department would like to welcome 75 00:02:41,526 --> 00:02:43,637 our new Deputy Assistant Secretary of 76 00:02:43,637 --> 00:02:45,748 Defense for East Asia . Mr Anka Lee , 77 00:02:45,748 --> 00:02:47,929 who has joined us from USA , Id das D 78 00:02:47,940 --> 00:02:50,107 Lee is leading the East Asia team at a 79 00:02:50,107 --> 00:02:52,384 time when our alliances with Australia , 80 00:02:52,384 --> 00:02:54,440 Japan and the Republic of Korea , as 81 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:56,329 well as our partnerships with New 82 00:02:56,329 --> 00:02:58,496 Zealand and across the Pacific Islands 83 00:02:58,496 --> 00:03:00,384 region are stronger than ever and 84 00:03:00,384 --> 00:03:02,329 shifting to the Middle East in the 85 00:03:02,329 --> 00:03:04,551 coming days , the United States is part 86 00:03:04,551 --> 00:03:06,384 of an international effort in co 87 00:03:06,384 --> 00:03:06,139 ordination with the United Nations . 88 00:03:06,149 --> 00:03:08,339 And the World Food Program will begin 89 00:03:08,350 --> 00:03:09,961 facilitating the delivery of 90 00:03:09,961 --> 00:03:12,183 humanitarian assistance to Gaza via the 91 00:03:12,183 --> 00:03:14,660 Cyprus Maritime Corridor . The US 92 00:03:14,669 --> 00:03:16,613 government and other international 93 00:03:16,613 --> 00:03:18,669 donors are providing aid commodities 94 00:03:18,669 --> 00:03:20,780 for delivery from Cyprus to the beach 95 00:03:20,780 --> 00:03:23,199 in Gaza by way of us and partner nation , 96 00:03:23,210 --> 00:03:25,360 military and civilian vessels and a 97 00:03:25,369 --> 00:03:28,020 temporary floating pier . The World 98 00:03:28,029 --> 00:03:30,251 World Food Program will take receipt of 99 00:03:30,251 --> 00:03:32,770 that aid once ashore in Gaza and 100 00:03:32,779 --> 00:03:34,723 coordinate its onward movement and 101 00:03:34,723 --> 00:03:36,779 distribution to people in need to be 102 00:03:36,779 --> 00:03:38,779 clear . This humanitarian effort is 103 00:03:38,779 --> 00:03:40,835 intended to relieve the suffering of 104 00:03:40,835 --> 00:03:42,835 the people of Gaza . We call on all 105 00:03:42,835 --> 00:03:44,723 parties not to interfere with the 106 00:03:44,723 --> 00:03:46,779 delivery of life saving assistance . 107 00:03:46,779 --> 00:03:49,112 And finally , on an administrative note , 108 00:03:49,112 --> 00:03:51,168 Secretary , Austin will go to Walter 109 00:03:51,168 --> 00:03:53,279 Reed National Military Medical Center 110 00:03:53,279 --> 00:03:55,279 later today for a scheduled routine 111 00:03:55,279 --> 00:03:57,557 follow up appointment with his doctors . 112 00:03:57,557 --> 00:03:57,399 The secretary is in good health and as 113 00:03:57,410 --> 00:03:59,577 we've highlighted previously , you can 114 00:03:59,577 --> 00:04:01,743 expect he'll be conducting these types 115 00:04:01,743 --> 00:04:03,966 of follow on checkups from time to time 116 00:04:03,966 --> 00:04:03,789 and with that , we'll take your 117 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:05,830 questions . We'll go to Associated 118 00:04:05,839 --> 00:04:09,320 Press Baldo . Thanks . Um On the aid 119 00:04:09,330 --> 00:04:11,889 distribution is the US satisfied at 120 00:04:11,899 --> 00:04:14,121 this point since this is going to start 121 00:04:14,121 --> 00:04:16,288 in the coming days is the US satisfied 122 00:04:16,288 --> 00:04:17,955 with security on the ground . 123 00:04:18,100 --> 00:04:21,279 Humanitarian aid groups are still 124 00:04:21,350 --> 00:04:23,450 voicing some concerns about their 125 00:04:23,459 --> 00:04:25,799 safety on the ground . What does the US 126 00:04:25,809 --> 00:04:28,690 think at this moment of the Israeli 127 00:04:28,700 --> 00:04:32,100 security on the ground ? And are you 128 00:04:32,109 --> 00:04:34,940 aware of any lingering concerns about 129 00:04:34,959 --> 00:04:37,899 safety for the aid groups ? Yeah , sure . 130 00:04:37,910 --> 00:04:40,390 So as you know , us central command has 131 00:04:40,399 --> 00:04:42,621 been working very closely with us , Aib 132 00:04:42,750 --> 00:04:45,440 Israelis , other partners in the region 133 00:04:45,660 --> 00:04:47,827 uh on putting together a comprehensive 134 00:04:47,827 --> 00:04:50,829 security plan for uh this temporary 135 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:52,950 peer in the aid distribution routes . 136 00:04:52,950 --> 00:04:55,061 Uh And so , uh a lot of work has gone 137 00:04:55,061 --> 00:04:57,172 into that and of course , uh as we've 138 00:04:57,172 --> 00:04:59,228 said , all along force protection is 139 00:04:59,228 --> 00:05:01,283 going to continue to be of paramount 140 00:05:01,283 --> 00:05:03,506 concern . Um All that to say , uh we do 141 00:05:03,506 --> 00:05:05,617 believe that we have the , the pieces 142 00:05:05,617 --> 00:05:07,839 and parts in place . Uh so that when we 143 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:09,779 do begin operations , um we're 144 00:05:09,790 --> 00:05:11,734 confident that that we'll have the 145 00:05:11,734 --> 00:05:14,359 security uh in place that we need um 146 00:05:14,910 --> 00:05:17,149 for any operation , any commander at 147 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:19,382 any time can make the decision based on 148 00:05:19,382 --> 00:05:21,549 the situation on the ground uh to , to 149 00:05:21,549 --> 00:05:23,716 take appropriate measures to safeguard 150 00:05:23,716 --> 00:05:26,600 forces or uh to safeguard the operation . 151 00:05:26,609 --> 00:05:28,600 And so certainly as this operation 152 00:05:28,609 --> 00:05:31,010 continues , uh that will of course , be 153 00:05:31,019 --> 00:05:33,241 something that we're constantly looking 154 00:05:33,241 --> 00:05:35,570 at uh to make sure that that at the end 155 00:05:35,579 --> 00:05:37,579 of the day , aid can be distributed 156 00:05:37,579 --> 00:05:39,649 safely and securely . And just as a 157 00:05:39,660 --> 00:05:42,609 follow up , is it your understanding at 158 00:05:42,619 --> 00:05:45,290 this moment that aid agencies are 159 00:05:45,299 --> 00:05:47,980 prepared to begin distributing the aid 160 00:05:47,989 --> 00:05:50,500 once it starts moving onto the shore . 161 00:05:51,070 --> 00:05:54,109 Um the short answer is yes . Uh you 162 00:05:54,119 --> 00:05:56,286 know , again , as I highlighted at the 163 00:05:56,286 --> 00:05:58,397 top , I'm not gonna get into specific 164 00:05:58,397 --> 00:06:00,452 dates , but in the coming days , you 165 00:06:00,452 --> 00:06:02,452 can expect uh to see uh this effort 166 00:06:02,452 --> 00:06:04,950 underway and um we are confident that 167 00:06:04,959 --> 00:06:07,390 that we will be able to working uh with 168 00:06:07,399 --> 00:06:10,019 our NGO partners , uh ensure that aid 169 00:06:10,029 --> 00:06:13,470 can be delivered . Ok , Joseph , 170 00:06:13,910 --> 00:06:17,470 thanks just on the here as well . Um We 171 00:06:17,589 --> 00:06:19,756 heard some dollar amount . Can you put 172 00:06:19,756 --> 00:06:21,867 a dollar amount ? How much it cost in 173 00:06:21,867 --> 00:06:24,200 the U how much the US has spent on this ? 174 00:06:24,489 --> 00:06:26,600 You know , again , right now , what I 175 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:28,950 would tell you is we estimate that to 176 00:06:28,959 --> 00:06:30,626 operate this period will cost 177 00:06:30,626 --> 00:06:33,410 approximately $320 million . Again , if 178 00:06:33,420 --> 00:06:35,142 we have revised estimates , we 179 00:06:35,142 --> 00:06:37,142 certainly will , but that's the the 180 00:06:37,142 --> 00:06:40,140 current estimate on that there . So 181 00:06:40,190 --> 00:06:42,246 Hamas and others have have said this 182 00:06:42,246 --> 00:06:44,190 pier will be useless by the end of 183 00:06:44,190 --> 00:06:47,140 August due to the changes in tide . Um 184 00:06:47,149 --> 00:06:49,316 I know , you know , the department has 185 00:06:49,316 --> 00:06:51,371 made it clear that this is temporary 186 00:06:51,371 --> 00:06:53,482 but does the Pentagon have an initial 187 00:06:53,482 --> 00:06:55,779 time frame for ? How long you guys want 188 00:06:55,790 --> 00:06:57,957 to be using this pier ? Yeah , I don't 189 00:06:57,957 --> 00:07:00,068 have an initial time frame to provide 190 00:07:00,068 --> 00:07:02,179 to you today , Joseph , but uh that's 191 00:07:02,179 --> 00:07:04,346 an interesting statement by Hamas . Um 192 00:07:04,346 --> 00:07:06,346 You know what I would tell you is , 193 00:07:06,346 --> 00:07:08,568 look , if you take a step back here and 194 00:07:08,568 --> 00:07:10,679 the situation on the ground in Gaza . 195 00:07:10,679 --> 00:07:10,589 Uh This is about providing another 196 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:12,600 avenue by which to get humanitarian 197 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:15,209 assistance into the people of Gaza . Uh 198 00:07:15,220 --> 00:07:17,589 Clearly land routes will be optimal . 199 00:07:17,700 --> 00:07:19,922 Um But as you know , we continue to see 200 00:07:19,922 --> 00:07:22,200 challenges in terms of getting aid in 201 00:07:22,209 --> 00:07:25,019 uh via ground , we're going to continue 202 00:07:25,029 --> 00:07:27,559 to employ this method to work with the 203 00:07:27,570 --> 00:07:29,779 international community to get aid to 204 00:07:29,790 --> 00:07:32,119 the people of Gaza . Can I just ask one 205 00:07:32,130 --> 00:07:35,100 more ? Sorry to on the Red Sea and the 206 00:07:35,109 --> 00:07:37,640 campaign against the Houthis last night ? 207 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:40,679 Sam said that the US or the US S mason 208 00:07:40,940 --> 00:07:43,559 was targeted , us forces took down the 209 00:07:43,570 --> 00:07:45,519 incoming drone . 210 00:07:47,709 --> 00:07:49,820 I mean , uh is the US in this for the 211 00:07:49,820 --> 00:07:51,876 long run because we're seeing pretty 212 00:07:51,876 --> 00:07:53,820 steady flow of Houthi attacks on a 213 00:07:53,820 --> 00:07:55,876 daily basis and they've expanded now 214 00:07:55,876 --> 00:07:58,042 from previously just being in the Gulf 215 00:07:58,042 --> 00:08:00,153 of Aden uh in the Red Sea . Now we're 216 00:08:00,153 --> 00:08:02,153 seeing some of the Indian Ocean and 217 00:08:02,153 --> 00:08:04,265 then as well in other parts of the me 218 00:08:04,265 --> 00:08:06,487 training . So , I mean , can you talk a 219 00:08:06,487 --> 00:08:05,845 little bit about the library a little 220 00:08:06,095 --> 00:08:08,262 bit ? Yeah . What I would say is , you 221 00:08:08,262 --> 00:08:10,484 know , said another way is the US in in 222 00:08:10,524 --> 00:08:12,580 it for the long run when it comes to 223 00:08:12,580 --> 00:08:14,802 freedom of navigation and vital seaways 224 00:08:14,802 --> 00:08:17,424 around the world ? Yes , we are so . Ok , 225 00:08:17,454 --> 00:08:19,510 Laura , thanks Pat , I wanted to ask 226 00:08:19,510 --> 00:08:21,510 you about Kharkiv and the situation 227 00:08:21,510 --> 00:08:23,732 there , there's reports that Ukraine is 228 00:08:23,732 --> 00:08:25,898 running low on weapons as the Russians 229 00:08:25,898 --> 00:08:27,787 advance . So , are us weapons not 230 00:08:27,787 --> 00:08:29,787 getting there fast enough or what , 231 00:08:29,787 --> 00:08:32,250 what exactly is going on ? Um , we , as 232 00:08:32,260 --> 00:08:34,316 you've heard , uh , Secretary Austin 233 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,030 and others say we are , uh , working 234 00:08:37,039 --> 00:08:40,739 very hard to rush aid into Ukraine . Uh , 235 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,710 again , it's a challenging situation on 236 00:08:43,719 --> 00:08:45,886 the battlefield right now in Ukraine . 237 00:08:45,886 --> 00:08:48,052 But all accounts are , you know , that 238 00:08:48,052 --> 00:08:49,941 they continue to take measures to 239 00:08:49,941 --> 00:08:52,108 defend their territory and we're going 240 00:08:52,108 --> 00:08:54,330 to do everything we can to get them the 241 00:08:54,330 --> 00:08:56,386 critical munitions and supplies that 242 00:08:56,386 --> 00:08:58,497 they need . Just give us a little bit 243 00:08:58,497 --> 00:09:00,552 more information about how we got to 244 00:09:00,552 --> 00:09:02,663 this point . I mean , was part of the 245 00:09:02,663 --> 00:09:02,500 problem that we weren't sending aid 246 00:09:02,510 --> 00:09:04,890 specifically in the Harkey region or 247 00:09:04,900 --> 00:09:07,067 are the Russians , are the Russians in 248 00:09:07,067 --> 00:09:09,178 a better position ? Can you just give 249 00:09:09,178 --> 00:09:11,456 us kind of a battlefield update ? Well , 250 00:09:11,456 --> 00:09:13,567 you know , I think it's a combination 251 00:09:13,567 --> 00:09:15,678 of things and certainly won't recount 252 00:09:15,678 --> 00:09:17,844 the last , uh you know , 6 to 8 months 253 00:09:17,844 --> 00:09:19,900 on the battlefield . But needless to 254 00:09:19,900 --> 00:09:22,067 say it was not helpful uh to , to have 255 00:09:22,067 --> 00:09:24,380 this pause in security assistance . Uh 256 00:09:24,390 --> 00:09:26,501 Clearly , you know , you've got other 257 00:09:26,501 --> 00:09:28,446 partners around the world that are 258 00:09:28,446 --> 00:09:30,780 providing aid to Ukraine . But the 259 00:09:30,789 --> 00:09:33,400 Russians have exploited the situation 260 00:09:33,409 --> 00:09:35,520 on the battlefield and are attempting 261 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:39,010 to , to make advances um 262 00:09:39,140 --> 00:09:41,029 incremental as they may be . It's 263 00:09:41,029 --> 00:09:43,251 certainly concerning and we're going to 264 00:09:43,251 --> 00:09:45,362 continue to work closely with Ukraine 265 00:09:45,362 --> 00:09:47,196 and our international allies and 266 00:09:47,196 --> 00:09:49,084 partners to get them the security 267 00:09:49,084 --> 00:09:51,251 assistance they need . Thank you . Let 268 00:09:51,251 --> 00:09:53,359 me go to Kin , nor on the pier . Can 269 00:09:53,369 --> 00:09:56,039 you say whether any us naval vessels 270 00:09:56,049 --> 00:09:58,160 are going to be providing security to 271 00:09:58,160 --> 00:10:00,919 the operation ? They will be . Can you 272 00:10:00,929 --> 00:10:03,096 go into any detail ? And I'm not going 273 00:10:03,096 --> 00:10:05,450 to go into the specifics for opsec 274 00:10:05,460 --> 00:10:07,627 reasons . But as you know , we , we do 275 00:10:07,627 --> 00:10:10,390 have naval vessels , destroyers in the 276 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:13,140 region that can provide assistance and 277 00:10:13,150 --> 00:10:16,700 then slightly similarly , has any , any 278 00:10:16,710 --> 00:10:19,140 determination been made as to the US 279 00:10:19,150 --> 00:10:20,983 Eisenhower and whether she'll be 280 00:10:20,983 --> 00:10:23,299 extending in San ? Yeah , as I'm sure 281 00:10:23,309 --> 00:10:25,476 you can appreciate , I'm I'm not going 282 00:10:25,476 --> 00:10:27,476 to get into talking about future uh 283 00:10:27,476 --> 00:10:29,642 ship movements and , and deployments . 284 00:10:29,642 --> 00:10:31,865 So if we have updates , we'll certainly 285 00:10:31,865 --> 00:10:31,789 let you know or I was just wondering if 286 00:10:31,799 --> 00:10:34,179 you could say as we , as we prepare to 287 00:10:34,190 --> 00:10:36,134 see the humanitarian corridor from 288 00:10:36,134 --> 00:10:38,190 Cyprus to Gaza begin operating . How 289 00:10:38,190 --> 00:10:40,412 much aid is there in Cyprus right now ? 290 00:10:40,412 --> 00:10:42,301 Ready to move ? Um I don't have a 291 00:10:42,301 --> 00:10:44,357 number for you , Oren . Uh Certainly 292 00:10:44,357 --> 00:10:46,412 we'll have much more in the , in the 293 00:10:46,412 --> 00:10:48,357 days ahead . Uh As you highlight , 294 00:10:48,357 --> 00:10:50,134 we've been prepositioning aid . 295 00:10:50,134 --> 00:10:49,979 International groups have been 296 00:10:49,989 --> 00:10:52,929 prepositioning aid in Cyprus uh to be 297 00:10:52,940 --> 00:10:56,140 loaded onto vessels for trans transport 298 00:10:56,150 --> 00:10:58,960 to the floating pier . Uh And so , you 299 00:10:58,969 --> 00:11:01,136 know what , what I think you'll end up 300 00:11:01,136 --> 00:11:03,090 seeing is as this pier becomes 301 00:11:03,099 --> 00:11:05,619 operational . Uh and as it becomes the 302 00:11:05,630 --> 00:11:09,309 viable uh route uh for humanitarian 303 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:11,542 assistance to get into Gaza that you'll 304 00:11:11,542 --> 00:11:14,710 see uh other groups coming , wanting to 305 00:11:14,719 --> 00:11:17,349 participate and , and contribute aid uh 306 00:11:17,359 --> 00:11:19,415 via this mechanism . Because again , 307 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:21,607 when we take a step back here and look 308 00:11:21,607 --> 00:11:23,273 at what it is we're trying to 309 00:11:23,273 --> 00:11:25,329 accomplish here . It's trying to get 310 00:11:25,329 --> 00:11:27,440 humanitarian assistance as quickly as 311 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:27,109 possible to the people of Gaza . 312 00:11:27,119 --> 00:11:29,630 Whether that be by land , sea or air . 313 00:11:29,919 --> 00:11:31,919 Thank you . Let me go to the phones 314 00:11:31,919 --> 00:11:33,975 here real quick . Uh Heather from us 315 00:11:33,975 --> 00:11:36,400 and I , hi , thanks so much . I was 316 00:11:36,409 --> 00:11:38,840 just following up on what was happening 317 00:11:38,849 --> 00:11:42,239 in the Red Sea and with the Gaza Pier 318 00:11:42,270 --> 00:11:44,437 at this point , does the uh Department 319 00:11:44,437 --> 00:11:46,492 of Defense have confidence that they 320 00:11:46,492 --> 00:11:48,619 can both support um the safety of the 321 00:11:48,739 --> 00:11:50,517 Gaza Pier while also continuing 322 00:11:50,517 --> 00:11:52,809 prosperity . Guardian with the ships 323 00:11:52,820 --> 00:11:55,042 that are available in the Mediterranean 324 00:11:55,042 --> 00:11:57,150 and the Red Sea . Yes , I mean , and 325 00:11:57,159 --> 00:11:59,103 the other , the other important uh 326 00:11:59,103 --> 00:12:01,215 aspect here , Heather is that we're , 327 00:12:01,215 --> 00:12:03,419 we're not doing this alone right when 328 00:12:03,429 --> 00:12:05,429 it comes to operation Prosperity 329 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,820 Guardian . Uh We are part of a 330 00:12:07,849 --> 00:12:11,059 multinational coalition that's working 331 00:12:11,070 --> 00:12:13,237 to safeguard those shipping lanes . Uh 332 00:12:13,237 --> 00:12:16,260 You also have uh the the European 333 00:12:16,369 --> 00:12:19,059 effort uh that we are coordinating with 334 00:12:19,070 --> 00:12:21,070 in the region . Uh And then when it 335 00:12:21,070 --> 00:12:22,570 comes to operations in the 336 00:12:22,570 --> 00:12:25,979 Mediterranean uh and near Gaza , as I I 337 00:12:25,989 --> 00:12:28,045 mentioned , we do have naval vessels 338 00:12:28,045 --> 00:12:30,045 there but are also working with our 339 00:12:30,045 --> 00:12:31,933 Israeli partners when it comes to 340 00:12:31,933 --> 00:12:35,049 security both on land and at sea , come 341 00:12:35,059 --> 00:12:37,115 back into the room , go to Chris and 342 00:12:37,115 --> 00:12:39,337 then we'll come to you . Thanks , Pat . 343 00:12:39,337 --> 00:12:41,940 Um , participated in Flint Lock last 344 00:12:41,950 --> 00:12:44,409 year and a few years ago , um , it was 345 00:12:44,419 --> 00:12:47,010 held in , um , there have been a number 346 00:12:47,020 --> 00:12:49,900 of coups since then . So how enduring 347 00:12:49,909 --> 00:12:53,450 and effective are these exercises ? Uh , 348 00:12:53,460 --> 00:12:55,799 the , the exercises are incredibly 349 00:12:55,809 --> 00:12:57,976 important , uh , and they are enduring 350 00:12:57,976 --> 00:13:00,087 and I mean , you , you saw that , you 351 00:13:00,087 --> 00:13:02,031 know , just to kind of take a step 352 00:13:02,031 --> 00:13:04,365 outside of Africa for a second , I mean , 353 00:13:04,365 --> 00:13:06,420 you saw that play out recently uh in 354 00:13:06,420 --> 00:13:08,530 the defense of Israel when Iran 355 00:13:08,539 --> 00:13:10,799 conducted its unprecedented aerial 356 00:13:10,809 --> 00:13:12,865 attack . I mean , a lot of the , the 357 00:13:12,865 --> 00:13:14,698 coordinations and the ability to 358 00:13:14,698 --> 00:13:16,809 communicate and work together in that 359 00:13:16,809 --> 00:13:18,698 interoperability between the US , 360 00:13:18,698 --> 00:13:20,920 Israel and other partners in the region 361 00:13:20,920 --> 00:13:23,250 uh was because of exercises . And so 362 00:13:23,260 --> 00:13:25,427 certainly when it comes to things like 363 00:13:25,427 --> 00:13:27,316 counterterrorism or addressing uh 364 00:13:27,316 --> 00:13:29,750 regional uh threats or humanitarian 365 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:32,150 crises , types of situations , those 366 00:13:32,159 --> 00:13:35,570 exercises are central to enabling our 367 00:13:35,580 --> 00:13:37,809 forces to not only interoperate but to 368 00:13:37,820 --> 00:13:39,764 understand one another and to have 369 00:13:39,764 --> 00:13:41,820 those kinds of relationships that on 370 00:13:41,820 --> 00:13:44,042 that , on that day , you need them most 371 00:13:44,042 --> 00:13:46,042 uh they're , they're there . Do you 372 00:13:46,042 --> 00:13:48,849 have any concerns about um the Nigerian 373 00:13:48,859 --> 00:13:51,250 armed forces trained by the US , given 374 00:13:51,260 --> 00:13:53,760 the situation ? Now , uh you know , 375 00:13:53,770 --> 00:13:57,380 look , um when it comes to , uh you 376 00:13:57,390 --> 00:13:59,557 know , certainly we are , are proud of 377 00:13:59,557 --> 00:14:01,890 the , the long relationship that we had 378 00:14:01,900 --> 00:14:04,349 uh with . Uh and the work that we were 379 00:14:04,359 --> 00:14:06,137 able to do together in terms of 380 00:14:06,137 --> 00:14:08,026 counterterrorism , uh , and , and 381 00:14:08,026 --> 00:14:10,419 helping , uh to train Nigerian forces 382 00:14:10,429 --> 00:14:12,940 to address threats like terrorism . Um , 383 00:14:12,950 --> 00:14:14,989 but as you know , uh , we're in a 384 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:17,222 different position now , uh , and we're 385 00:14:17,222 --> 00:14:19,969 going to continue to , uh , consult 386 00:14:19,979 --> 00:14:21,923 with the Nigerians in terms of the 387 00:14:21,923 --> 00:14:24,146 orderly withdrawal of us forces . We're 388 00:14:24,146 --> 00:14:26,368 gonna continue to stay engaged with the 389 00:14:26,368 --> 00:14:28,590 partners in the region when it comes to 390 00:14:28,590 --> 00:14:30,757 terrorism and countering the terrorist 391 00:14:30,757 --> 00:14:32,923 threat . Um Because again , you know , 392 00:14:32,923 --> 00:14:34,979 I think we all collectively can work 393 00:14:34,979 --> 00:14:34,809 together to address those very real 394 00:14:34,820 --> 00:14:36,709 threats , but we also respect the 395 00:14:36,709 --> 00:14:38,820 sovereignty of countries that we work 396 00:14:38,820 --> 00:14:40,820 with . Uh And I'll just leave it at 397 00:14:40,820 --> 00:14:43,590 that to you . Thank you , General 398 00:14:44,479 --> 00:14:47,429 North Korea announced that it has 399 00:14:47,440 --> 00:14:50,619 deployed the new 244 400 00:14:50,630 --> 00:14:54,229 millimeter multiple rocket launcher 401 00:14:54,469 --> 00:14:57,820 to the People's Army and is preparing 402 00:14:57,830 --> 00:15:00,820 combat . And the Kim Jong Un declared 403 00:15:00,830 --> 00:15:04,150 that he would target the Korean 404 00:15:04,159 --> 00:15:07,429 Peninsula and the US military unit . 405 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:10,679 Can you comment on this ? Uh you know , 406 00:15:10,690 --> 00:15:13,679 look , Janie , we uh we obviously uh 407 00:15:13,690 --> 00:15:16,179 continue to work very closely with our 408 00:15:16,190 --> 00:15:18,950 Rok and Japanese allies in the region 409 00:15:19,020 --> 00:15:21,919 when it comes to regional threats uh to 410 00:15:21,929 --> 00:15:25,270 include um those that may be posed by 411 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:27,169 North Korea . We certainly aren't 412 00:15:27,169 --> 00:15:29,760 seeking conflict with North Korea . Um 413 00:15:30,159 --> 00:15:32,059 And we're going to continue to do 414 00:15:32,070 --> 00:15:34,126 everything we can to ensure regional 415 00:15:34,126 --> 00:15:36,181 security and stability in the region 416 00:15:36,181 --> 00:15:38,514 through our extended deterrence efforts . 417 00:15:38,514 --> 00:15:40,514 But also through continuing to work 418 00:15:40,514 --> 00:15:42,570 with like minded partners throughout 419 00:15:42,570 --> 00:15:44,849 the Indo Pacific region . How will the 420 00:15:44,859 --> 00:15:48,210 world in Ukraine change ? If 421 00:15:48,219 --> 00:15:51,950 this , I mean new 240 millimeters 422 00:15:53,150 --> 00:15:55,109 rocket multiple 423 00:15:56,659 --> 00:15:59,510 exported Russia , 424 00:16:00,909 --> 00:16:02,965 would it be change ? Some ? Yeah , I 425 00:16:02,965 --> 00:16:05,131 don't want to get into hypotheticals , 426 00:16:05,131 --> 00:16:07,409 but let's leave it at that . Thank you . 427 00:16:07,409 --> 00:16:09,576 I have just a clarification of the two 428 00:16:09,576 --> 00:16:11,960 questions . So on , on the cost of the 429 00:16:12,119 --> 00:16:14,520 uh the the period on the causeway , the 430 00:16:14,530 --> 00:16:17,590 320 million , what is the period you're 431 00:16:17,599 --> 00:16:19,821 talking about ? This is throughout like 432 00:16:19,821 --> 00:16:21,988 this is the just estimated for about a 433 00:16:21,988 --> 00:16:24,099 three month period . That's for three 434 00:16:24,099 --> 00:16:26,210 months . Ok . Thank you . And then on 435 00:16:26,210 --> 00:16:29,150 the situation in Rafah has with this 436 00:16:29,159 --> 00:16:31,103 Israel operation continuing we saw 437 00:16:31,103 --> 00:16:33,590 today , Israel and Egypt trading blame 438 00:16:33,599 --> 00:16:36,580 over who's closing the Rafah crossing . 439 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:39,630 Israel is saying that Egypt can prevent 440 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:42,650 humanitarian catastrophe by reopening 441 00:16:42,659 --> 00:16:45,309 the crossing . Egypt is blaming Israel 442 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:47,400 for what's happening based on the 443 00:16:47,409 --> 00:16:49,830 information available to you who's 444 00:16:49,869 --> 00:16:52,299 who's closing the crossing ? Yeah , 445 00:16:52,309 --> 00:16:54,479 thanks . B so II I don't have that in 446 00:16:54,489 --> 00:16:56,679 front of me . Uh The bottom line is we 447 00:16:56,690 --> 00:17:00,119 want to see uh the gates uh 448 00:17:00,130 --> 00:17:03,099 opened and aid delivered at an 449 00:17:03,109 --> 00:17:06,139 increased rate into Gaza . So we'll 450 00:17:06,149 --> 00:17:08,668 continue to consult with our partners 451 00:17:08,678 --> 00:17:10,678 in the region to include Israel and 452 00:17:10,678 --> 00:17:14,509 Egypt to ensure and , and work hard to 453 00:17:14,519 --> 00:17:16,741 get those gates open so that additional 454 00:17:16,741 --> 00:17:18,963 aid can be delivered over land into the 455 00:17:18,963 --> 00:17:22,568 people of Gaza who need it most don't 456 00:17:22,598 --> 00:17:24,769 know if the , with the Prime Minister 457 00:17:24,999 --> 00:17:27,379 today in the Washington Post , um , he 458 00:17:27,389 --> 00:17:29,167 addressed the situation and the 459 00:17:29,167 --> 00:17:31,409 withdrawal of US forces . He basically 460 00:17:31,418 --> 00:17:34,168 said the US tried to dictate who can 461 00:17:34,178 --> 00:17:37,889 work with , um , in relation to Russia 462 00:17:37,899 --> 00:17:41,298 and Iran and he's blaming the 463 00:17:41,308 --> 00:17:43,578 US , you know , the situation of the US 464 00:17:43,588 --> 00:17:46,188 stopping its security cooper operation 465 00:17:46,198 --> 00:17:48,798 with forces in after the , after the 466 00:17:48,808 --> 00:17:51,086 coup . Do you have any comment on that ? 467 00:17:51,086 --> 00:17:53,197 Yeah , the only thing I'd say is , is 468 00:17:53,197 --> 00:17:55,364 kind of what I relate to Chris earlier 469 00:17:55,364 --> 00:17:57,419 and that um you know , we're , we're 470 00:17:57,419 --> 00:17:59,586 proud of the work uh that we were able 471 00:17:59,586 --> 00:18:01,969 to do uh alongside . Uh you know , the 472 00:18:01,979 --> 00:18:04,201 work that we were able to do together . 473 00:18:04,201 --> 00:18:06,090 Uh But again , we respect Niger's 474 00:18:06,090 --> 00:18:08,090 sovereignty . Uh So as we've said , 475 00:18:08,090 --> 00:18:10,201 we're in discussions with them now uh 476 00:18:10,201 --> 00:18:12,146 at their request uh to discuss the 477 00:18:12,146 --> 00:18:14,257 orderly withdrawal of US forces . And 478 00:18:14,257 --> 00:18:16,368 so as we have updates on that front , 479 00:18:16,368 --> 00:18:18,590 we'll definitely provide those . Let me 480 00:18:18,590 --> 00:18:20,368 go back to the phone . Uh Rio , 481 00:18:22,780 --> 00:18:25,260 thank you so much , General . Um So 482 00:18:25,270 --> 00:18:27,500 yesterday , there was a media report 483 00:18:27,510 --> 00:18:31,400 that US and the Taiwan Nay conducted an 484 00:18:31,410 --> 00:18:34,479 unofficial joint trainings in the 485 00:18:34,489 --> 00:18:37,290 Western Pacific in April . And the 486 00:18:37,300 --> 00:18:39,849 Taiwan Navy didn't deny the report of 487 00:18:39,859 --> 00:18:42,410 this joint training . Could you give us 488 00:18:42,420 --> 00:18:44,698 the this comment on this report ? Yeah , 489 00:18:44,698 --> 00:18:46,587 thanks , Rio . I , I've seen that 490 00:18:46,587 --> 00:18:48,809 reporting . Um but don't have a comment 491 00:18:48,809 --> 00:18:51,031 on specific operations Uh as you know , 492 00:18:51,031 --> 00:18:53,630 we have a long standing one China 493 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:56,900 policy uh and consistent with the 494 00:18:56,910 --> 00:18:59,500 Taiwan Relations Act , the US makes 495 00:18:59,510 --> 00:19:01,566 available to Taiwan defense articles 496 00:19:01,566 --> 00:19:03,780 and services necessary to enable it to 497 00:19:03,790 --> 00:19:06,869 maintain a self defense capability . So 498 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:08,713 beyond that , nothing further to 499 00:19:08,713 --> 00:19:10,991 provide , we come back to Liz . Thanks . 500 00:19:10,991 --> 00:19:13,213 Um So for an update for the troops that 501 00:19:13,213 --> 00:19:15,436 were stationed in Chad that had to move 502 00:19:15,436 --> 00:19:17,602 to Germany . Um since the presidential 503 00:19:17,602 --> 00:19:19,824 election has taken place , is there any 504 00:19:19,824 --> 00:19:22,047 update on if they'll stay in Germany or 505 00:19:22,047 --> 00:19:24,102 go back ? Yeah , no updates provided 506 00:19:24,102 --> 00:19:26,269 this time . They're still in Germany . 507 00:19:26,269 --> 00:19:28,436 We still have that very small presence 508 00:19:28,436 --> 00:19:30,602 in Chad . But beyond that , no updates 509 00:19:30,602 --> 00:19:32,713 at this time . And so with Chad and , 510 00:19:32,713 --> 00:19:34,769 with the troops that will be leaving 511 00:19:34,769 --> 00:19:37,489 soon . Um What do you attribute that to 512 00:19:37,500 --> 00:19:40,439 that these US forces had to leave Chad 513 00:19:40,449 --> 00:19:42,829 and ? Yeah . Well , look , I mean , I 514 00:19:42,839 --> 00:19:45,117 think we , you know , when it comes to , 515 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:47,339 um we've been very clear that the 516 00:19:47,349 --> 00:19:49,460 Nigerians have asked us to depart and 517 00:19:49,460 --> 00:19:51,571 we're gonna work with them to discuss 518 00:19:51,571 --> 00:19:53,793 the orderly withdrawal of our forces uh 519 00:19:53,793 --> 00:19:55,949 on Chad . Uh Again , this is a 520 00:19:55,959 --> 00:19:58,250 temporary uh drawdown as they went 521 00:19:58,260 --> 00:20:00,538 through their elections . Uh And again , 522 00:20:00,538 --> 00:20:02,316 we're going to continue to have 523 00:20:02,316 --> 00:20:04,482 conversations about um you know , what 524 00:20:04,482 --> 00:20:06,649 types of support uh they require and , 525 00:20:06,649 --> 00:20:08,979 and where we can work together . Um But 526 00:20:08,989 --> 00:20:11,045 I think it's also important again to 527 00:20:11,045 --> 00:20:13,267 take a step back as I highlighted it at 528 00:20:13,267 --> 00:20:15,267 the top of this , uh the other work 529 00:20:15,267 --> 00:20:17,322 that we're doing throughout Africa . 530 00:20:17,322 --> 00:20:19,545 And so , while it's very understandable 531 00:20:19,545 --> 00:20:21,545 to focus on these two countries and 532 00:20:21,545 --> 00:20:21,160 they're , they're important countries 533 00:20:21,170 --> 00:20:23,369 in the region . Uh It's also important 534 00:20:23,380 --> 00:20:25,547 to look at at our efforts more broadly 535 00:20:25,547 --> 00:20:27,658 when it comes to counterterrorism and 536 00:20:27,658 --> 00:20:29,810 working with countries throughout 537 00:20:29,819 --> 00:20:32,310 Africa on regional security and 538 00:20:32,319 --> 00:20:34,097 stability issues . And so we'll 539 00:20:34,097 --> 00:20:36,152 continue to do that , uh , and we'll 540 00:20:36,152 --> 00:20:38,349 continue to find areas where we can 541 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:40,303 work together , uh , you know , as 542 00:20:40,303 --> 00:20:42,248 appropriate in accordance with the 543 00:20:42,248 --> 00:20:44,780 policy and law um to address areas of 544 00:20:44,790 --> 00:20:48,119 mutual concern . Thanks , Carl . Um , 545 00:20:48,130 --> 00:20:50,241 two followers . One each year , there 546 00:20:50,250 --> 00:20:52,729 was supposed to be a follow one meeting 547 00:20:52,739 --> 00:20:54,859 with Assistant Secretary Mar , uh , 548 00:20:54,869 --> 00:20:57,430 Lieutenant General Anderson . It was 549 00:20:57,439 --> 00:20:59,772 supposed to happen the week of the 29th . 550 00:20:59,772 --> 00:21:01,883 It didn't happen . It was supposed to 551 00:21:01,883 --> 00:21:04,050 happen last week as of late Thursday . 552 00:21:04,050 --> 00:21:06,217 It had not happened . Has that meeting 553 00:21:06,217 --> 00:21:08,383 started yet or is that still delayed ? 554 00:21:08,383 --> 00:21:10,495 They're actually en route right now . 555 00:21:10,495 --> 00:21:12,439 Uh , and you know , we'll keep you 556 00:21:12,439 --> 00:21:12,439 updated on the outcomes of those 557 00:21:12,449 --> 00:21:15,000 discussions . Ok . And then on the pier , 558 00:21:15,010 --> 00:21:17,689 if I may , I apologies if I missed it . 559 00:21:17,699 --> 00:21:20,229 But has the pier been attached to the 560 00:21:20,239 --> 00:21:22,295 coast yet ? I know that yesterday it 561 00:21:22,300 --> 00:21:25,000 was to , no , it's still , uh , still 562 00:21:25,010 --> 00:21:27,810 off the Port of Ashdod , uh , and has 563 00:21:27,819 --> 00:21:29,875 not been attached to the beach . But 564 00:21:29,875 --> 00:21:32,041 again , um , when that happens , we'll 565 00:21:32,041 --> 00:21:34,152 obviously make sure to let you know , 566 00:21:34,152 --> 00:21:36,263 do you know about how long , sorry if 567 00:21:36,263 --> 00:21:38,486 I'm asking for too much , but about how 568 00:21:38,486 --> 00:21:38,280 long does it take to attach it ? 569 00:21:38,290 --> 00:21:40,346 Because my understanding was the sea 570 00:21:40,346 --> 00:21:42,623 state today was pretty good . So again , 571 00:21:42,623 --> 00:21:44,846 we'll , we'll give you , we'll keep you 572 00:21:44,846 --> 00:21:44,459 updated on that front . I'm not for 573 00:21:44,469 --> 00:21:46,525 operation security reasons . I'm not 574 00:21:46,525 --> 00:21:48,580 going to go into specifics here from 575 00:21:48,580 --> 00:21:50,747 the podium , but again , in the coming 576 00:21:50,747 --> 00:21:50,310 days , I think you can expect to see it 577 00:21:50,319 --> 00:21:53,260 operational . Yeah , thanks . Uh What 578 00:21:53,270 --> 00:21:55,437 is the current risk assessment for the 579 00:21:55,437 --> 00:21:57,819 location that uh American hostages 580 00:21:57,829 --> 00:22:00,229 could be housed in case of a larger 581 00:22:00,239 --> 00:22:04,239 scale uh meter operation in Rafa . Um 582 00:22:04,250 --> 00:22:06,959 the estimate of American hostages . 583 00:22:07,719 --> 00:22:10,339 Yeah , and the risk assessment uh that 584 00:22:10,349 --> 00:22:13,670 uh places hostage could be housed to be 585 00:22:13,680 --> 00:22:16,300 bombed or to be targeted . Yeah , I 586 00:22:16,310 --> 00:22:18,588 mean , I I don't have any specifics on , 587 00:22:18,588 --> 00:22:20,829 on that . Uh Obviously , we're going to 588 00:22:20,839 --> 00:22:23,829 continue to uh stay very focused on 589 00:22:23,839 --> 00:22:27,060 hostage recovery . Uh as you know , the 590 00:22:27,069 --> 00:22:29,402 US has been working closely with Israel , 591 00:22:29,402 --> 00:22:31,569 Egypt , Qatar and others in the region 592 00:22:31,569 --> 00:22:33,736 uh to , to get the hostages released . 593 00:22:33,849 --> 00:22:35,989 Um But I I don't have any information 594 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:38,000 obviously in terms of where they're 595 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:39,778 located . Um what their current 596 00:22:39,778 --> 00:22:41,944 situation is other than this continues 597 00:22:41,944 --> 00:22:43,722 to be a top priority for the US 598 00:22:43,722 --> 00:22:45,778 government . Thank you . Yes , sir . 599 00:22:45,939 --> 00:22:47,883 Thank you . Um Chinese Coast Guard 600 00:22:47,883 --> 00:22:50,369 vessels and it prohibited waters last 601 00:22:50,380 --> 00:22:52,547 week south of Kinmen , the island that 602 00:22:52,547 --> 00:22:54,810 belongs to Taiwan . Um I was wondering 603 00:22:54,819 --> 00:22:57,050 if the dod through some of its measures 604 00:22:57,060 --> 00:22:59,227 that it's restored to communicate with 605 00:22:59,227 --> 00:23:01,449 Chinese counterparts has sent a message 606 00:23:01,449 --> 00:23:03,671 regarding that since that happened last 607 00:23:03,671 --> 00:23:03,619 week . Yeah , I don't , I don't have 608 00:23:03,630 --> 00:23:05,989 anything uh specific to pass along . 609 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,000 You know , we obviously continue to 610 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:11,560 urge uh the PR C not to use 611 00:23:11,569 --> 00:23:14,349 Taiwan's election as a pretext for 612 00:23:14,359 --> 00:23:17,660 escalation . Um As you know , we've 613 00:23:17,670 --> 00:23:19,670 seen in the past where they've used 614 00:23:19,670 --> 00:23:22,339 naval activity to increase pressure , 615 00:23:22,469 --> 00:23:24,580 we remain concerned by those types of 616 00:23:24,580 --> 00:23:26,913 activities and I'll just leave it there . 617 00:23:26,989 --> 00:23:29,211 Thank you , Laura . I wanted to ask you 618 00:23:29,211 --> 00:23:31,322 about Iraq . Also , there's been some 619 00:23:31,322 --> 00:23:33,433 reports of an ISIS resurgence in Iraq 620 00:23:33,433 --> 00:23:35,545 recently . So can you tell us if that 621 00:23:35,545 --> 00:23:37,489 is accurate and if there's been an 622 00:23:37,489 --> 00:23:39,433 uptick in the number of reports of 623 00:23:39,433 --> 00:23:41,600 attacks ? Um , you know , I think we , 624 00:23:41,600 --> 00:23:43,656 we've talked a little bit about this 625 00:23:43,656 --> 00:23:45,767 before , um , when it comes to Iraq , 626 00:23:45,767 --> 00:23:47,711 Syria , um there is an ISIS threat 627 00:23:47,711 --> 00:23:49,822 nowhere near the degree that it was , 628 00:23:49,822 --> 00:23:52,810 you know , 10 , 5 years ago . Um But 629 00:23:52,819 --> 00:23:55,041 it's something that definitely requires 630 00:23:55,041 --> 00:23:57,180 continuing to , to keep an eye on and 631 00:23:57,189 --> 00:23:59,920 addressing , uh you know , when you 632 00:23:59,930 --> 00:24:03,020 look at , um , places like , 633 00:24:03,770 --> 00:24:06,339 ah ha uh detention facility , uh that 634 00:24:06,619 --> 00:24:08,699 is a significant challenge in that . 635 00:24:08,709 --> 00:24:11,959 How do you repatriate uh ISIS prisoners 636 00:24:12,430 --> 00:24:14,780 and their family members ? And so that 637 00:24:14,790 --> 00:24:17,068 continues to be an area of main effort . 638 00:24:17,068 --> 00:24:19,410 Um But to your point , um , you know , 639 00:24:19,420 --> 00:24:21,599 I don't think we can necessarily take 640 00:24:21,609 --> 00:24:23,665 our eye off the ball here . So we'll 641 00:24:23,665 --> 00:24:25,887 continue to work with regional partners 642 00:24:25,887 --> 00:24:27,831 to address that threat through the 643 00:24:27,831 --> 00:24:29,831 international coalition . There has 644 00:24:29,831 --> 00:24:31,887 been an uptick . I said that I don't 645 00:24:31,887 --> 00:24:34,109 have numbers LA to provide . Other than 646 00:24:34,109 --> 00:24:36,276 again , we don't see the ISIS activity 647 00:24:36,276 --> 00:24:38,260 as the level , it was back at the 648 00:24:38,270 --> 00:24:40,630 height of ISIS , but ISIS does continue 649 00:24:40,640 --> 00:24:42,760 to remain a threat to take that 650 00:24:42,770 --> 00:24:45,719 question . Sure . 651 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:49,022 Yes , sir . Thank you , General . Um So 652 00:24:49,022 --> 00:24:50,967 you may have heard this uh defense 653 00:24:50,967 --> 00:24:52,911 Intelligence Officer Harrison Mann 654 00:24:52,911 --> 00:24:55,022 recently resigned from the dod citing 655 00:24:55,022 --> 00:24:57,300 his own guilt in abetting Israel's war . 656 00:24:57,300 --> 00:24:59,189 Uh He put yesterday , he posted a 657 00:24:59,189 --> 00:25:01,356 letter online uh explaining why and it 658 00:25:01,356 --> 00:25:03,578 read the policy that has never been far 659 00:25:03,578 --> 00:25:05,800 from my mind for the past six months is 660 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:07,744 nearly unqualified support for the 661 00:25:07,744 --> 00:25:09,911 government of Israel which has enabled 662 00:25:09,911 --> 00:25:09,849 and empowered the killing and 663 00:25:09,859 --> 00:25:11,949 starvation of tens of thousands of 664 00:25:11,959 --> 00:25:14,109 innocent Palestinians . Um As we re 665 00:25:14,119 --> 00:25:15,786 were recently reminded , this 666 00:25:15,786 --> 00:25:17,897 unconditional support also encourages 667 00:25:17,897 --> 00:25:19,952 reckless escalation that risks wider 668 00:25:19,952 --> 00:25:22,569 war . Uh Man said his work at the dia 669 00:25:22,579 --> 00:25:25,079 unquestionably supported the war and 670 00:25:25,089 --> 00:25:27,145 its consequences . Then he concluded 671 00:25:27,145 --> 00:25:28,978 saying at some point whether the 672 00:25:28,978 --> 00:25:31,329 justification um you're either 673 00:25:31,339 --> 00:25:33,395 advancing a policy that enables mass 674 00:25:33,395 --> 00:25:35,561 starvation of Children or you're not . 675 00:25:35,561 --> 00:25:37,672 So what does the Pentagon make of his 676 00:25:37,672 --> 00:25:39,728 reservation and his charges that the 677 00:25:39,728 --> 00:25:41,728 dod is abetting uh the slaughter of 678 00:25:41,728 --> 00:25:43,783 innocents and risking a wider war in 679 00:25:43,783 --> 00:25:45,506 the Middle East . Yeah , I , I 680 00:25:45,506 --> 00:25:47,561 appreciate the , uh , the readout of 681 00:25:47,561 --> 00:25:49,728 the report . I've seen those as well . 682 00:25:49,728 --> 00:25:48,869 I look , I don't have anything to 683 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:50,547 provide on the status of this 684 00:25:50,547 --> 00:25:53,250 individual . Uh , I'd refer you to Dia , 685 00:25:53,260 --> 00:25:56,010 or the army . Thanks his claims against 686 00:25:56,020 --> 00:25:58,109 the dod . Do you find any legitimacy 687 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:00,175 behind them ? Again ? Look , I'm not 688 00:26:00,175 --> 00:26:02,180 gonna discuss the particular , uh , 689 00:26:02,199 --> 00:26:04,479 viewpoints of an individual service 690 00:26:04,489 --> 00:26:06,545 member again , I'd refer you to that 691 00:26:06,545 --> 00:26:08,711 service for , uh , any comments on his 692 00:26:08,711 --> 00:26:10,878 status . But generally speaking , uh , 693 00:26:10,878 --> 00:26:12,878 you know , this is an all volunteer 694 00:26:12,878 --> 00:26:14,545 force . Uh , we're engaged in 695 00:26:14,545 --> 00:26:16,656 challenging and complex issues on any 696 00:26:16,656 --> 00:26:18,545 given day around the globe . It's 697 00:26:18,545 --> 00:26:20,767 always been that way . Uh There's gonna 698 00:26:20,767 --> 00:26:20,569 be times when there's members , uh , 699 00:26:20,579 --> 00:26:22,770 that , that have different views and , 700 00:26:22,780 --> 00:26:24,891 and of course , uh in this particular 701 00:26:24,891 --> 00:26:27,058 case , you certainly you're right to , 702 00:26:27,058 --> 00:26:29,169 to go ahead and get out and I'll just 703 00:26:29,169 --> 00:26:31,169 leave it at that , Chris if I could 704 00:26:31,169 --> 00:26:33,224 just , uh , follow up on , uh Lara's 705 00:26:33,224 --> 00:26:35,280 question , uh , not to press you too 706 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:37,447 much on the specifics . But is it fair 707 00:26:37,447 --> 00:26:39,613 to say that , um , the radiant aligned 708 00:26:39,613 --> 00:26:41,669 militia activities ? And before that 709 00:26:41,669 --> 00:26:43,780 the Russian activities have certainly 710 00:26:43,780 --> 00:26:45,891 not helped the ISIS fight in the last 711 00:26:45,891 --> 00:26:48,002 year ? I mean , that , that is a fair 712 00:26:48,002 --> 00:26:47,869 assessment , right ? I mean , it , it's 713 00:26:47,880 --> 00:26:51,439 a diversion from the defeat ISIS 714 00:26:51,449 --> 00:26:53,505 mission when you're focused on those 715 00:26:53,505 --> 00:26:55,727 kinds of things . And look , I , I know 716 00:26:55,727 --> 00:26:57,949 it's hard to believe . I don't have a a 717 00:26:57,949 --> 00:26:59,949 data tablet here that shows me ISIS 718 00:26:59,949 --> 00:27:02,171 activity over the last 10 years , month 719 00:27:02,171 --> 00:27:04,171 by month . Um You know , the bottom 720 00:27:04,171 --> 00:27:06,171 line is ISIS continues to present a 721 00:27:06,171 --> 00:27:08,338 threat in various parts of the world . 722 00:27:08,338 --> 00:27:10,650 Um Again , for context , I don't see it 723 00:27:10,660 --> 00:27:13,380 at the same level as we saw in 2014 . 724 00:27:13,390 --> 00:27:16,650 Again , when you had ISIS forces 24 725 00:27:16,660 --> 00:27:18,327 kilometers outside of Baghdad 726 00:27:18,327 --> 00:27:20,689 threatening to , to essentially take 727 00:27:20,699 --> 00:27:24,130 back , take control of Baghdad . Um And 728 00:27:24,140 --> 00:27:26,849 so , uh when it comes to the activities 729 00:27:26,859 --> 00:27:29,880 by Iranian proxies , uh that are 730 00:27:29,890 --> 00:27:32,010 targeting forces that are engaged in 731 00:27:32,020 --> 00:27:34,131 the defeat ISIS mission , of course , 732 00:27:34,229 --> 00:27:37,390 that has an impact . Um but you know , 733 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:39,456 our forces remain disciplined , they 734 00:27:39,456 --> 00:27:42,060 stay focused on the task . Um I'll just 735 00:27:42,069 --> 00:27:43,958 leave it there , Chris time for a 736 00:27:43,958 --> 00:27:47,410 couple more . Yes , sir . Can you tell 737 00:27:47,420 --> 00:27:50,020 us when the last attack was on , on 738 00:27:50,030 --> 00:27:52,380 coalition us or coalition troops in 739 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:54,709 Iraq or Syria ? And two ? Are there any 740 00:27:54,719 --> 00:27:56,830 updates ? Can you provide any updates 741 00:27:56,830 --> 00:27:59,390 on the bilateral talks for us ? Troop 742 00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:02,819 withdrawal from Iraq ? Um No updates on 743 00:28:02,829 --> 00:28:04,996 the higher military commission at this 744 00:28:04,996 --> 00:28:07,829 time . Um In terms of the uh the last 745 00:28:07,839 --> 00:28:10,569 two attacks , there was one attack uh 746 00:28:10,579 --> 00:28:12,939 at the uh Ramanan landing zone on April 747 00:28:12,949 --> 00:28:16,599 21 and April 22 was the other uh that 748 00:28:16,609 --> 00:28:18,720 was an attack near Al Assad airbase . 749 00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:20,831 No injury or damage to infrastructure 750 00:28:20,831 --> 00:28:24,410 prior to that uh was the uh February 751 00:28:24,420 --> 00:28:28,030 4th attack ? Ok . Yes sir . Last 752 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:30,262 question Thank you , General , you just 753 00:28:30,262 --> 00:28:32,096 touched on ISIS threats . So the 754 00:28:32,096 --> 00:28:34,262 security situation and borders between 755 00:28:34,262 --> 00:28:36,484 Iraq and Syria has become an ISIS , you 756 00:28:36,500 --> 00:28:38,770 know , to make preparations for its 757 00:28:38,780 --> 00:28:41,109 activities . So do you have any plan to 758 00:28:41,119 --> 00:28:43,560 increase your posture and engage more 759 00:28:43,569 --> 00:28:45,449 with the Iraq here and Syrian 760 00:28:45,459 --> 00:28:48,339 Democratic Forces ? Yeah . No , no , uh , 761 00:28:48,349 --> 00:28:50,571 announcements to make in terms of force 762 00:28:50,571 --> 00:28:52,738 posture . Uh , as you know , operation 763 00:28:52,738 --> 00:28:54,738 inherent resolve remains focused on 764 00:28:54,738 --> 00:28:56,738 working as part of an international 765 00:28:56,738 --> 00:28:58,960 coalition to address the threat of Isis 766 00:28:58,960 --> 00:29:00,849 and to ensure the defer the , the 767 00:29:00,849 --> 00:29:03,589 enduring defeat of Isis as it relates 768 00:29:03,599 --> 00:29:05,989 to Iraq and Syria . And so we'll 769 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:08,750 continue to stay supportive of that uh 770 00:29:08,760 --> 00:29:10,593 as well as working with regional 771 00:29:10,593 --> 00:29:13,410 partners to address the threat of ISIS . 772 00:29:13,589 --> 00:29:15,756 All right , Fadi fine . I'll take your 773 00:29:15,756 --> 00:29:18,033 question . That was a pretty deep sigh . 774 00:29:18,033 --> 00:29:21,069 I'm sure why 775 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:24,447 we visit Mike . We , because you , you 776 00:29:24,447 --> 00:29:26,770 said , I believe that you want to see 777 00:29:27,030 --> 00:29:29,141 the department wants to see the gates 778 00:29:29,141 --> 00:29:32,469 reopened . Um In reference to Rafa with 779 00:29:32,479 --> 00:29:34,770 your contacts with the Egyptian 780 00:29:34,900 --> 00:29:37,439 partners and Israeli partners , you 781 00:29:37,449 --> 00:29:40,790 must know who's closing the , the 782 00:29:40,800 --> 00:29:42,856 crossing . Is it both sides it ? One 783 00:29:42,856 --> 00:29:45,022 side ? I I just don't have in front of 784 00:29:45,022 --> 00:29:47,069 me here . What the situation at the 785 00:29:47,079 --> 00:29:49,023 gate is again right now , what I'm 786 00:29:49,023 --> 00:29:52,020 tracking is four of the five gates are 787 00:29:52,030 --> 00:29:54,670 open . Uh The Rafah Gate is not and , 788 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:57,060 and again , we'll continue to work with 789 00:29:57,069 --> 00:30:00,069 Egyptian and Israeli partners to 790 00:30:00,079 --> 00:30:02,560 address that gate and ensure that we 791 00:30:02,569 --> 00:30:05,060 can continue to see aid come into Gaza 792 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:09,229 of aid that went through Rafah . I 793 00:30:09,239 --> 00:30:11,350 don't , I don't have that in front of 794 00:30:11,350 --> 00:30:13,350 me . All right . Thanks very much . 795 00:30:13,350 --> 00:30:12,709 Everybody . Appreciate it .