1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:02,140 All right . Well , good afternoon , 2 00:00:02,140 --> 00:00:04,196 everyone . Thanks very much for your 3 00:00:04,196 --> 00:00:06,251 patience . Today , I do have quite a 4 00:00:06,251 --> 00:00:08,251 bit to read out at the top and then 5 00:00:08,251 --> 00:00:10,251 we'll get right to your questions . 6 00:00:10,251 --> 00:00:12,473 Earlier today , Secretary Austin hosted 7 00:00:12,473 --> 00:00:14,584 Israeli Minister of Defense YV Galant 8 00:00:14,584 --> 00:00:16,807 here at the Pentagon to discuss efforts 9 00:00:16,807 --> 00:00:18,696 to de escalate tensions along the 10 00:00:18,696 --> 00:00:20,989 Israel Lebanon border to surge more 11 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,719 humanitarian aid into Gaza and to stand 12 00:00:23,729 --> 00:00:25,969 together against Iranian and Iranian 13 00:00:25,979 --> 00:00:28,035 supported attacks against Israel and 14 00:00:28,035 --> 00:00:30,257 destabilizing activities throughout the 15 00:00:30,257 --> 00:00:32,369 Middle East . Secretary Austin 16 00:00:32,380 --> 00:00:34,810 underscored the ironclad us commitment 17 00:00:34,819 --> 00:00:37,229 to Israel as evidenced in part by the 18 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:39,580 extraordinary defense of Israel against 19 00:00:39,590 --> 00:00:41,610 an unprecedented Iranian attack on 20 00:00:41,619 --> 00:00:44,770 April 13 and by the more than $14 21 00:00:44,779 --> 00:00:46,890 billion in assistance in the national 22 00:00:46,890 --> 00:00:48,880 security supplemental . During the 23 00:00:48,889 --> 00:00:51,069 discussion , Secretary Austin stressed 24 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:53,419 that Lebanese Hezbollah's provocations 25 00:00:53,430 --> 00:00:55,374 threatened to drag the Israeli and 26 00:00:55,374 --> 00:00:57,599 Lebanese people into a war that neither 27 00:00:57,610 --> 00:00:59,939 of them wants and that such a war would 28 00:00:59,950 --> 00:01:01,919 be catastrophic for Lebanon and it 29 00:01:01,930 --> 00:01:03,819 would be devastating for innocent 30 00:01:03,819 --> 00:01:05,652 Israeli and Lebanese civilians . 31 00:01:06,150 --> 00:01:08,319 Secretary Austin also reiterated the 32 00:01:08,330 --> 00:01:10,274 high priority of securing the safe 33 00:01:10,274 --> 00:01:12,497 release of all hostages held captive by 34 00:01:12,497 --> 00:01:15,419 Hamas including American citizens . He 35 00:01:15,430 --> 00:01:17,486 commended Minister Ghan for Israel's 36 00:01:17,486 --> 00:01:19,708 support for the comprehensive ceasefire 37 00:01:19,709 --> 00:01:21,931 and hostage release proposal that it is 38 00:01:21,931 --> 00:01:23,820 offered which President Biden has 39 00:01:23,820 --> 00:01:26,042 outlined in the United Nations Security 40 00:01:26,042 --> 00:01:28,209 Council has endorsed . They agree that 41 00:01:28,209 --> 00:01:30,209 the onus is on Hamas to accept this 42 00:01:30,209 --> 00:01:32,769 deal . Secretary Austin stressed that 43 00:01:32,779 --> 00:01:34,980 principal diplomacy is the only way to 44 00:01:34,989 --> 00:01:36,878 prevent any further escalation of 45 00:01:36,878 --> 00:01:39,100 tensions in the region . Additionally , 46 00:01:39,100 --> 00:01:41,322 Secretary Austin urged Minister Gallant 47 00:01:41,322 --> 00:01:43,378 to double down on efforts to protect 48 00:01:43,378 --> 00:01:45,545 Palestinian civilians and humanitarian 49 00:01:45,545 --> 00:01:47,767 aid workers in Gaza . The Secretary and 50 00:01:47,767 --> 00:01:49,933 minister discussed ways to improve the 51 00:01:49,933 --> 00:01:51,933 distribution of humanitarian aid to 52 00:01:51,933 --> 00:01:54,156 Palestinian civilians and dire need and 53 00:01:54,156 --> 00:01:55,933 to strengthen the deconfliction 54 00:01:55,933 --> 00:01:58,510 mechanisms for humanitarian workers . A 55 00:01:58,519 --> 00:02:00,686 full readout will be posted to the DOD 56 00:02:00,686 --> 00:02:03,699 website later today . Separately , 57 00:02:03,709 --> 00:02:06,089 Secretary Austin also spoke by phone 58 00:02:06,099 --> 00:02:08,266 today with Russian Minister of Defense 59 00:02:08,266 --> 00:02:10,339 Andrei Belus . During the call , the 60 00:02:10,350 --> 00:02:12,517 secretary emphasized the importance of 61 00:02:12,517 --> 00:02:14,739 maintaining lines of communication amid 62 00:02:14,739 --> 00:02:16,906 Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine . 63 00:02:17,270 --> 00:02:19,492 The last time Secretary Austin spoke to 64 00:02:19,492 --> 00:02:21,659 his Russian counterpart . Then Russian 65 00:02:21,659 --> 00:02:23,770 Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu was 66 00:02:23,770 --> 00:02:26,339 on march 15th 2023 . A brief readout 67 00:02:26,350 --> 00:02:29,979 will be posted to defense.gov . In 68 00:02:29,990 --> 00:02:31,879 other news today , the department 69 00:02:31,879 --> 00:02:34,101 released its new Information Technology 70 00:02:34,101 --> 00:02:37,300 Advancement strategy titled Fulcrum . 71 00:02:37,710 --> 00:02:39,766 The Fulcrum strategy provides a road 72 00:02:39,766 --> 00:02:41,830 map for better aligning dod SI T 73 00:02:41,839 --> 00:02:43,669 capabilities and resources to 74 00:02:43,679 --> 00:02:45,235 accelerate the department's 75 00:02:45,235 --> 00:02:47,290 modernization efforts and expand our 76 00:02:47,290 --> 00:02:49,512 military strategic advantage across the 77 00:02:49,512 --> 00:02:51,869 it landscape . Fulcrum will assist the 78 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:53,491 department in continuing the 79 00:02:53,491 --> 00:02:55,269 transformative change occurring 80 00:02:55,269 --> 00:02:57,369 throughout dod SI T enterprise while 81 00:02:57,380 --> 00:02:59,269 empowering dod leaders to deliver 82 00:02:59,269 --> 00:03:01,324 advanced it capabilities for our war 83 00:03:01,324 --> 00:03:03,639 fighters . Of note , Fulcrum will also 84 00:03:03,649 --> 00:03:05,705 assist the department in our ongoing 85 00:03:05,705 --> 00:03:08,429 efforts to recruit , develop uh and 86 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:10,551 develop the best digital talent . The 87 00:03:10,551 --> 00:03:12,607 country has to offer a press release 88 00:03:12,607 --> 00:03:14,718 with further details on Fulcrum along 89 00:03:14,718 --> 00:03:16,940 with a link to the to the full strategy 90 00:03:16,940 --> 00:03:19,107 is available on the DOD website . Also 91 00:03:19,107 --> 00:03:21,218 last Friday marked one year since the 92 00:03:21,218 --> 00:03:23,429 launch of the India Us Defense 93 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:26,929 acceleration ecosystem or Indus X indus 94 00:03:27,039 --> 00:03:29,150 X is one of the ways dod continues to 95 00:03:29,150 --> 00:03:31,372 help advance the initiative on critical 96 00:03:31,372 --> 00:03:33,595 and emerging technology between our two 97 00:03:33,595 --> 00:03:35,539 countries together with the Indian 98 00:03:35,539 --> 00:03:37,095 Ministry of Defense . We're 99 00:03:37,095 --> 00:03:39,317 facilitating dynamic partnerships among 100 00:03:39,317 --> 00:03:41,039 defense technology companies , 101 00:03:41,039 --> 00:03:42,928 investors and researchers . We've 102 00:03:42,928 --> 00:03:45,095 already convened two indus E summits , 103 00:03:45,095 --> 00:03:47,206 one here in Washington and another in 104 00:03:47,206 --> 00:03:49,150 New Delhi and the White House just 105 00:03:49,150 --> 00:03:51,261 announced that a third indus X summer 106 00:03:51,261 --> 00:03:53,372 summit will take place this September 107 00:03:53,372 --> 00:03:55,595 in Silicon Valley . We're very proud of 108 00:03:55,595 --> 00:03:57,650 what this initiative has achieved in 109 00:03:57,650 --> 00:03:59,650 just one year and we're excited for 110 00:03:59,650 --> 00:04:01,872 what's ahead , a detailed fact sheet on 111 00:04:01,872 --> 00:04:04,206 indus X is available on the DOD website . 112 00:04:04,206 --> 00:04:06,428 And finally , as you may have seen , we 113 00:04:06,428 --> 00:04:08,317 posted a statement from Secretary 114 00:04:08,317 --> 00:04:10,483 Austin yesterday announcing that Derek 115 00:04:10,483 --> 00:04:12,317 Cholet will start in July as the 116 00:04:12,317 --> 00:04:14,483 secretary's chief of staff . Mr Cholet 117 00:04:14,483 --> 00:04:16,539 has served in senior policy roles at 118 00:04:16,539 --> 00:04:18,706 the White House , the Pentagon and the 119 00:04:18,706 --> 00:04:18,320 Department of State , including his 120 00:04:18,329 --> 00:04:20,162 current role as counselor of the 121 00:04:20,162 --> 00:04:22,440 Department of State . In his statement , 122 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:24,162 Secretary Austin expressed his 123 00:04:24,162 --> 00:04:26,329 gratitude to Mr Cet for taking on this 124 00:04:26,329 --> 00:04:28,329 key assignment at such an important 125 00:04:28,329 --> 00:04:30,496 moment . And as previously announced , 126 00:04:30,496 --> 00:04:32,607 Kelly Magsamen , the current chief of 127 00:04:32,607 --> 00:04:34,718 staff will depart this week after 3.5 128 00:04:34,718 --> 00:04:36,773 years in the position since the very 129 00:04:36,773 --> 00:04:38,885 first day of this administration . As 130 00:04:38,885 --> 00:04:40,998 Secretary Austin said in his June 5 131 00:04:41,009 --> 00:04:43,065 statement , he's deeply grateful for 132 00:04:43,065 --> 00:04:45,287 her tremendous service over 3.5 pivotal 133 00:04:45,287 --> 00:04:47,398 years to him , the department and the 134 00:04:47,398 --> 00:04:49,509 country as the chief of staff . So on 135 00:04:49,509 --> 00:04:51,676 behalf of the secretary and the entire 136 00:04:51,676 --> 00:04:53,898 office of the Secretary of Defense , we 137 00:04:53,898 --> 00:04:56,120 all wish her the very best as she takes 138 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:55,929 some time off before pursuing other 139 00:04:55,940 --> 00:04:57,996 opportunities . And with that , I'll 140 00:04:57,996 --> 00:05:00,218 take your questions , Tara , that was a 141 00:05:00,218 --> 00:05:02,540 lot . Um I wanted to ask about the 142 00:05:02,549 --> 00:05:05,260 humanitarian assistance for Gaza . Is 143 00:05:05,269 --> 00:05:08,260 there a role for dod particularly with 144 00:05:08,269 --> 00:05:10,690 the Coordinations Cell ? You have um 145 00:05:10,700 --> 00:05:12,756 some warnings today from the UN that 146 00:05:12,756 --> 00:05:14,660 they , we'll just pull out of 147 00:05:14,670 --> 00:05:16,980 distributing aid if more is not done to 148 00:05:16,989 --> 00:05:19,267 protect those that are distributing it . 149 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:22,382 Yeah . So , um you know , there , there 150 00:05:22,382 --> 00:05:24,529 is a role uh when it comes to getting 151 00:05:24,540 --> 00:05:26,540 aid into Gaza for the Department of 152 00:05:26,540 --> 00:05:28,540 Defense and it's exactly what we're 153 00:05:28,540 --> 00:05:32,100 doing . Uh we are working with uh the 154 00:05:32,109 --> 00:05:34,850 US Interagency as well as uh other 155 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:37,670 international agencies and partners to 156 00:05:37,679 --> 00:05:40,709 facilitate the flow of aid into Gaza . 157 00:05:40,989 --> 00:05:42,711 Uh Certainly , you know , as I 158 00:05:42,711 --> 00:05:44,767 highlighted uh during the discussion 159 00:05:44,767 --> 00:05:47,089 today with Minister Gla uh that was on 160 00:05:47,100 --> 00:05:49,970 the agenda was to discuss ways to , to 161 00:05:49,980 --> 00:05:52,091 ensure that aid can get to the people 162 00:05:52,091 --> 00:05:54,147 who need it most . Uh But you know , 163 00:05:54,147 --> 00:05:56,489 from a dod standpoint uh to get to the 164 00:05:56,500 --> 00:05:58,611 crux of your question , uh There's no 165 00:05:58,611 --> 00:06:00,778 plans for example , to put us military 166 00:06:00,778 --> 00:06:02,859 forces on the ground in , in Gaza . 167 00:06:02,869 --> 00:06:04,925 We're going to continue to work with 168 00:06:04,925 --> 00:06:07,480 humanitarian organizations via USA ID 169 00:06:07,779 --> 00:06:10,739 uh and other regional partners to 170 00:06:10,750 --> 00:06:12,972 ensure that , that we can find a way to 171 00:06:12,972 --> 00:06:15,139 get that aid to the people who need it 172 00:06:15,139 --> 00:06:17,194 most ? But is there more potentially 173 00:06:17,194 --> 00:06:16,369 that could be done through the 174 00:06:16,380 --> 00:06:18,436 coordinations cell ? Because some of 175 00:06:18,436 --> 00:06:20,769 the concerns or complaints is that they , 176 00:06:20,769 --> 00:06:22,436 they don't have enough direct 177 00:06:22,436 --> 00:06:24,602 communication with ID F Well , again , 178 00:06:24,602 --> 00:06:26,824 you know , as I , as I mentioned here , 179 00:06:26,824 --> 00:06:29,047 you know , that that's one aspect of it 180 00:06:29,047 --> 00:06:31,269 is , is looking at those mechanisms . I 181 00:06:31,269 --> 00:06:31,170 think probably the most important 182 00:06:31,179 --> 00:06:33,619 aspect though would be uh the other 183 00:06:33,630 --> 00:06:35,797 thing that I mentioned , which is uh a 184 00:06:35,797 --> 00:06:37,908 cease fire and the onus is on Hamas . 185 00:06:37,908 --> 00:06:39,963 So if a cease fire could be put into 186 00:06:39,963 --> 00:06:42,019 place right now , that would greatly 187 00:06:42,019 --> 00:06:44,519 facilitate uh the security and uh 188 00:06:45,140 --> 00:06:47,140 safety considerations on the ground 189 00:06:47,140 --> 00:06:49,362 which would further facilitate the flow 190 00:06:49,362 --> 00:06:52,350 of aid to you along these lines . Could 191 00:06:52,359 --> 00:06:54,526 you give us an update on the pier ? Is 192 00:06:54,526 --> 00:06:57,109 it still moving aid ? If so how much ? 193 00:06:57,250 --> 00:06:59,929 And also again , if the UN decides to 194 00:06:59,940 --> 00:07:03,179 stop delivering aid . What is that for 195 00:07:03,190 --> 00:07:05,190 the operation of the pier where you 196 00:07:05,190 --> 00:07:07,301 curtail the amount of aid you sending 197 00:07:07,301 --> 00:07:09,412 to the marshal area ? Will you stop ? 198 00:07:09,412 --> 00:07:11,246 Does that have an effect on your 199 00:07:11,246 --> 00:07:13,357 operations ? Yeah , so a few things . 200 00:07:13,357 --> 00:07:15,579 So first of all , yes , the the pier is 201 00:07:15,579 --> 00:07:18,399 operational , resumed operations again 202 00:07:18,410 --> 00:07:20,632 today as you know , yesterday they took 203 00:07:20,632 --> 00:07:23,149 a day to do some scheduled maintenance 204 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:25,271 on the pier But , but the bottom line 205 00:07:25,271 --> 00:07:27,216 is , yes , it's operational aid is 206 00:07:27,216 --> 00:07:29,049 flowing across the causeway . Um 207 00:07:29,049 --> 00:07:31,216 Centcom , you know , per standard will 208 00:07:31,216 --> 00:07:33,382 be issuing updates in terms of the the 209 00:07:33,382 --> 00:07:35,493 amounts I can tell you . Uh Right now 210 00:07:35,493 --> 00:07:37,327 to date since May 17th , they've 211 00:07:37,327 --> 00:07:40,429 delivered more than 6800 metric tons or 212 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:43,570 £15 million of humanitarian aid ashore 213 00:07:43,579 --> 00:07:46,190 for onward delivery . Now your question 214 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:48,829 about uh the amount of aid again , back 215 00:07:48,839 --> 00:07:51,470 to my earlier comment , you know , the 216 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:54,179 the dod is working with uh the 217 00:07:54,190 --> 00:07:56,959 Interagency and International NGO S to 218 00:07:56,970 --> 00:07:59,192 facilitate the delivery of aid . And so 219 00:07:59,192 --> 00:08:01,799 that's our role in this is to help get 220 00:08:01,809 --> 00:08:03,865 the aid there , whether it's via the 221 00:08:03,865 --> 00:08:06,087 Maritime Corridor , whether it's via uh 222 00:08:06,087 --> 00:08:08,720 air or , you know , preferably land 223 00:08:08,730 --> 00:08:11,008 routes . Uh And so again , we're gonna , 224 00:08:11,008 --> 00:08:13,230 we're gonna continue to work with those 225 00:08:13,230 --> 00:08:15,397 agencies who are the ones that are out 226 00:08:15,397 --> 00:08:17,619 there that are doing the hard work to , 227 00:08:17,619 --> 00:08:19,730 to facil facilitate those donations . 228 00:08:19,730 --> 00:08:21,952 Um But bottom line is we'll be standing 229 00:08:21,952 --> 00:08:24,008 ready uh to help get the aid there . 230 00:08:24,008 --> 00:08:26,230 Now , last thing I'll say on that is uh 231 00:08:26,230 --> 00:08:28,230 again to underscore , you know , uh 232 00:08:28,230 --> 00:08:31,109 this is a temporary peer . So this is a 233 00:08:31,260 --> 00:08:33,950 uh temporary solution to help rush aid 234 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:36,390 into the zone . Uh Again , recognizing 235 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:38,622 the the dire security situation there . 236 00:08:38,739 --> 00:08:40,906 Um But again , we're going to continue 237 00:08:40,906 --> 00:08:42,906 to look at all ways to get aid into 238 00:08:42,906 --> 00:08:45,340 Gaza . If the UN stops delivering food , 239 00:08:46,010 --> 00:08:48,070 will you just continue moving 240 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,080 humanitarian aid to that marshaling 241 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:52,247 area ? Or you basically say if they're 242 00:08:52,247 --> 00:08:54,358 not delivering aid , we're gonna have 243 00:08:54,358 --> 00:08:56,358 to at some point stop . Um I mean , 244 00:08:56,358 --> 00:08:58,469 certainly , uh we've got to take into 245 00:08:58,469 --> 00:09:00,630 account uh the the capacity of the 246 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:02,862 marshaling area . We're not quite there 247 00:09:02,862 --> 00:09:05,029 yet . Um So , you know , again , we're 248 00:09:05,029 --> 00:09:07,140 gonna continue to be in communication 249 00:09:07,140 --> 00:09:09,084 with the UN uh with the World Food 250 00:09:09,084 --> 00:09:10,973 Program , us ID and look at those 251 00:09:10,973 --> 00:09:13,029 things . Ultimately , I think we all 252 00:09:13,029 --> 00:09:15,251 want uh the same thing which is to make 253 00:09:15,251 --> 00:09:17,473 sure aid can get to the people who need 254 00:09:17,473 --> 00:09:19,765 it in Gaza . You mentioned civilian 255 00:09:19,775 --> 00:09:21,608 casualties was an issue that was 256 00:09:21,608 --> 00:09:23,719 discussed this morning between Austin 257 00:09:23,719 --> 00:09:25,942 and Galland . Did the secretary receive 258 00:09:25,942 --> 00:09:28,053 any commitment or assurances from the 259 00:09:28,053 --> 00:09:29,997 Israeli Defense Minister to reduce 260 00:09:29,997 --> 00:09:32,219 civilian casualties ? Um You know , I'm 261 00:09:32,219 --> 00:09:34,275 not going to be able to go into more 262 00:09:34,275 --> 00:09:36,275 details and what I provided in , in 263 00:09:36,275 --> 00:09:38,275 that read out there , Idris , other 264 00:09:38,275 --> 00:09:38,090 than to say again , you know , and , 265 00:09:38,099 --> 00:09:40,266 and I don't want to speak for Minister 266 00:09:40,266 --> 00:09:42,266 Glat . Um other than to say again , 267 00:09:42,266 --> 00:09:44,210 that , that this is a priority for 268 00:09:44,210 --> 00:09:46,432 Secretary Austin in terms of protecting 269 00:09:46,432 --> 00:09:48,599 civilians . And that is something that 270 00:09:48,599 --> 00:09:50,155 has come up in every single 271 00:09:50,155 --> 00:09:52,377 conversation that they have . That it's 272 00:09:52,377 --> 00:09:54,488 a priority for the Israelis as well . 273 00:09:54,488 --> 00:09:56,321 Uh I'm not going to , again , uh 274 00:09:56,321 --> 00:09:59,830 characterize Minister Glo's words . I 275 00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:03,229 think the secretary uh recognizes that 276 00:10:03,239 --> 00:10:05,890 his message is being received uh loud 277 00:10:05,900 --> 00:10:08,067 and clear . Uh And again , we're going 278 00:10:08,067 --> 00:10:10,229 to continue to uh highlight how 279 00:10:10,239 --> 00:10:12,461 important it is . I mean , you heard it 280 00:10:12,461 --> 00:10:14,739 in his opening comments , right ? It's , 281 00:10:14,739 --> 00:10:16,961 it's both a uh a moral obligation and a 282 00:10:16,961 --> 00:10:19,960 strategic imperative . So who initiated 283 00:10:19,969 --> 00:10:23,599 the call ? Uh the secretary did ? Yeah , 284 00:10:23,609 --> 00:10:25,720 let me get you , sir . Rashid Jaar Al 285 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:28,599 Ghai Egypt . The secretary has 286 00:10:28,609 --> 00:10:30,849 indicated that diplomacy is the best 287 00:10:30,859 --> 00:10:34,450 way to prevent the recent tensions 288 00:10:34,460 --> 00:10:37,419 between Lebanon and between Hezbollah 289 00:10:37,429 --> 00:10:40,179 and Israel from escalating into a full 290 00:10:40,190 --> 00:10:43,940 blown war . What has been discussed in 291 00:10:43,950 --> 00:10:46,172 the talks between the secretary and his 292 00:10:46,172 --> 00:10:48,172 Israeli counterpart on this issue ? 293 00:10:48,309 --> 00:10:50,420 Well , again , as I highlighted it at 294 00:10:50,420 --> 00:10:54,010 the top , um you know , we think uh 295 00:10:54,020 --> 00:10:57,250 that uh no one wins if there's a 296 00:10:57,260 --> 00:11:00,609 broader regional conflict . Uh And so 297 00:11:00,619 --> 00:11:02,841 that's something that the Department of 298 00:11:02,841 --> 00:11:04,952 Defense in the United States has been 299 00:11:04,952 --> 00:11:07,175 working very hard at ever since Hamas's 300 00:11:07,175 --> 00:11:09,341 attack on October 7th . Uh And so , uh 301 00:11:09,341 --> 00:11:11,239 the secretary has been clear both 302 00:11:11,250 --> 00:11:14,169 publicly and privately that uh we 303 00:11:14,179 --> 00:11:16,489 firmly believe that a diplomatic 304 00:11:16,500 --> 00:11:18,556 resolution to the tensions along the 305 00:11:18,556 --> 00:11:22,010 Israel Lebanon border . Uh are are the 306 00:11:22,020 --> 00:11:25,559 way to go and to prevent a potential , 307 00:11:25,570 --> 00:11:27,880 a potential escalation . Uh And 308 00:11:27,890 --> 00:11:30,070 especially in this type of situation 309 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:32,690 where there's a risk of miscalculation 310 00:11:32,950 --> 00:11:35,172 uh that , that no one wants to see . So 311 00:11:35,172 --> 00:11:37,450 let me go to the phone here real quick . 312 00:11:37,450 --> 00:11:41,200 Uh Lara Seligman Politico . Hi , Pat . 313 00:11:41,210 --> 00:11:43,479 Thanks for doing this . Can you tell me 314 00:11:43,489 --> 00:11:45,539 what was the impetus for Secretary 315 00:11:45,549 --> 00:11:47,716 Austin's call with the Russian Defense 316 00:11:47,716 --> 00:11:50,159 Minister ? Thanks Laura . Uh I'm not 317 00:11:50,169 --> 00:11:52,058 gonna have anything to provide uh 318 00:11:52,058 --> 00:11:54,058 beyond what I read out at the top . 319 00:11:54,058 --> 00:11:56,169 Other than again , uh , the secretary 320 00:11:56,169 --> 00:11:58,169 believes that uh , keeping lines of 321 00:11:58,169 --> 00:12:01,020 communication open are important . All 322 00:12:01,030 --> 00:12:03,086 right , let me go to , uh Jeff Shole 323 00:12:03,086 --> 00:12:05,580 task and purpose . Uh , thank you . Uh , 324 00:12:05,590 --> 00:12:07,830 former President Trump has criticized 325 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:09,729 the military for going for moving 326 00:12:09,729 --> 00:12:12,390 toward electric tanks . Uh , as far as 327 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:14,400 you know , is there , are there any 328 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,739 plans for electric tanks ? Yeah . 329 00:12:16,750 --> 00:12:18,972 Thanks , Jeff . Um , seeing those press 330 00:12:18,972 --> 00:12:21,139 reports , I'm , I'm not aware of any , 331 00:12:21,139 --> 00:12:23,289 uh , electric tanks . Certainly refer 332 00:12:23,299 --> 00:12:25,521 you to the army for any questions about 333 00:12:25,521 --> 00:12:29,090 their acquisitions programs . Um Just 334 00:12:29,099 --> 00:12:32,559 leave it there . Thank you , General . 335 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:36,580 I have two questions on the North Korea , 336 00:12:36,590 --> 00:12:40,330 Russia and Ukraine first question . 337 00:12:40,340 --> 00:12:43,710 Russian President Putin recognized the 338 00:12:43,719 --> 00:12:47,140 North Korea as a nuclear state and the 339 00:12:47,150 --> 00:12:50,724 US Congress is also talking about the 340 00:12:50,734 --> 00:12:54,145 arming South Korea with the nuclear 341 00:12:54,155 --> 00:12:57,445 weapons in response to North Korea's 342 00:12:57,455 --> 00:12:59,965 nuclear weapons . What is the 343 00:12:59,974 --> 00:13:03,054 Pentagon's view on the South Korea 344 00:13:03,114 --> 00:13:05,625 should arm is set with the nuclear 345 00:13:05,635 --> 00:13:07,619 weapons . Yeah , look , our , our 346 00:13:07,630 --> 00:13:10,750 policy hasn't changed uh as it relates 347 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:13,849 to the uh denuclearization of the 348 00:13:13,859 --> 00:13:16,390 Korean Peninsula . Uh You know , again , 349 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:18,622 we'll continue to work closely with our 350 00:13:18,622 --> 00:13:22,059 Rok uh Japanese uh allies and others in 351 00:13:22,070 --> 00:13:24,530 the region to ensure security and 352 00:13:24,539 --> 00:13:26,761 stability throughout the Indo Pacific . 353 00:13:26,761 --> 00:13:28,928 And I'll just leave it there for North 354 00:13:29,299 --> 00:13:31,400 Korea to send to the military 355 00:13:31,580 --> 00:13:35,229 Commission announced that North Korea 356 00:13:35,239 --> 00:13:38,630 would join forces with the Russian 357 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:42,260 military . And as part of the North 358 00:13:42,270 --> 00:13:46,039 Korea and Russia military alliance , 359 00:13:46,049 --> 00:13:48,590 the North Korean army , Engineer Union 360 00:13:48,599 --> 00:13:51,890 would be dispatched to Donetsk , 361 00:13:51,979 --> 00:13:55,510 Ukraine , which means occupied 362 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:59,140 by Russia . Uh It will be 363 00:13:59,150 --> 00:14:02,500 dispatched as early as next month . 364 00:14:03,219 --> 00:14:06,789 How do you assess about the rapid 365 00:14:06,799 --> 00:14:09,690 situation in which North Korea and 366 00:14:09,700 --> 00:14:12,559 Russia are moving toward 367 00:14:13,109 --> 00:14:15,849 Ukraine ? So , just to clarify , you're 368 00:14:15,859 --> 00:14:18,599 asking , what do I think about 369 00:14:18,820 --> 00:14:22,359 Russia assigning North Korean forces to 370 00:14:22,369 --> 00:14:25,619 the battlefield in Ukraine ? I mean 371 00:14:25,630 --> 00:14:27,000 North Korean army ? 372 00:14:29,559 --> 00:14:31,392 Yeah , I mean , that's certainly 373 00:14:31,392 --> 00:14:33,710 something to uh to keep an eye on . Um 374 00:14:33,719 --> 00:14:36,890 I think that um if , if I , you know , 375 00:14:36,900 --> 00:14:38,840 if I were North Korean military 376 00:14:38,849 --> 00:14:40,738 personnel management , I would be 377 00:14:40,738 --> 00:14:42,960 questioning my choices on uh sending my 378 00:14:42,960 --> 00:14:45,590 forces to be cannon fodder uh in an 379 00:14:45,599 --> 00:14:49,270 illegal war against Ukraine and we've 380 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:51,169 seen the kinds of casualties that 381 00:14:51,169 --> 00:14:54,580 Russian forces . Um So , um but again , 382 00:14:54,590 --> 00:14:56,868 uh something that we'll keep an eye on , 383 00:14:57,559 --> 00:15:00,270 let me move on Janie . Yes , sir . Um , 384 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:02,391 regarding to the uh escalation of the 385 00:15:02,391 --> 00:15:04,558 border between Libanon and Israel , do 386 00:15:04,559 --> 00:15:07,869 you still believe that the diplomatic 387 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:11,390 resolution is still possible ? And 388 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,799 today , after the meeting between 389 00:15:13,809 --> 00:15:15,642 Secretary Austin and his Israeli 390 00:15:15,642 --> 00:15:18,679 counterpart , uh , did you see that the 391 00:15:18,690 --> 00:15:22,090 Israeli agree to go with , uh , with 392 00:15:22,099 --> 00:15:24,289 the Secretary Austin assessment about 393 00:15:24,299 --> 00:15:27,099 the this solution as a diplomatic ? Do 394 00:15:27,109 --> 00:15:30,309 they agree with that ? But , and even 395 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:32,431 though did they agree with the , what 396 00:15:32,431 --> 00:15:34,487 the Secretary Austin says about that 397 00:15:34,487 --> 00:15:36,598 any another war between Hezbollah and 398 00:15:36,598 --> 00:15:39,059 Israel could easily become a regional 399 00:15:39,070 --> 00:15:41,239 war ? Yeah . Again , I'm I'm not gonna 400 00:15:41,250 --> 00:15:43,150 speak for Minister Gla uh or the 401 00:15:43,159 --> 00:15:45,326 Israeli delegation . I'll , I'll allow 402 00:15:45,326 --> 00:15:47,548 them to do that . Uh But to answer your 403 00:15:47,548 --> 00:15:49,548 question , yes , we do think uh the 404 00:15:49,548 --> 00:15:51,715 diplomatic resolution is possible . Uh 405 00:15:51,715 --> 00:15:53,937 And that's something that will continue 406 00:15:53,937 --> 00:15:56,159 to work with all parties involved uh on 407 00:15:56,159 --> 00:15:58,326 to , to achieve for the reasons that I 408 00:15:58,326 --> 00:16:00,437 spelled out . Yes , sir . Thank you . 409 00:16:00,437 --> 00:16:02,603 Thank you . My name is Musk Al Fazal . 410 00:16:02,739 --> 00:16:04,400 I'm representing South Asia 411 00:16:04,409 --> 00:16:07,210 perspectives . May I know how the 412 00:16:07,219 --> 00:16:09,809 Pentagon navigating its military and 413 00:16:09,820 --> 00:16:12,099 security partnership with Bangladesh ? 414 00:16:12,109 --> 00:16:14,940 Given the US public designation of 415 00:16:14,950 --> 00:16:17,320 immediate past army Chief of Bangladesh 416 00:16:17,330 --> 00:16:20,359 General Aziz . Due to his involvement 417 00:16:20,369 --> 00:16:22,599 in significant corruption , the country 418 00:16:22,609 --> 00:16:24,960 is moving in the wrong direction with 419 00:16:24,969 --> 00:16:27,510 extreme violation of human rights and 420 00:16:27,520 --> 00:16:30,780 democratic rights . Top police and rab 421 00:16:30,789 --> 00:16:32,900 personnel have been sanctioned by the 422 00:16:32,900 --> 00:16:35,150 US and the current regime is using the 423 00:16:35,159 --> 00:16:37,280 security forces to keep the power by 424 00:16:37,289 --> 00:16:39,289 any means . Yeah , thanks for the 425 00:16:39,299 --> 00:16:41,270 question and welcome to the to the 426 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,502 briefing room here as you're aware . Uh 427 00:16:43,502 --> 00:16:45,447 and as you highlighted , the state 428 00:16:45,447 --> 00:16:48,150 department has designated General Ahmed 429 00:16:48,159 --> 00:16:50,299 for significant corruption . They did 430 00:16:50,309 --> 00:16:53,000 this back in May . Uh that designation 431 00:16:53,010 --> 00:16:55,719 reaffirms the US commitment to 432 00:16:55,729 --> 00:16:58,099 strengthening democratic institutions 433 00:16:58,109 --> 00:17:00,331 and the rule of law in Bangladesh . And 434 00:17:00,331 --> 00:17:02,165 the department supports the anti 435 00:17:02,165 --> 00:17:04,387 corruption efforts that are being taken 436 00:17:04,387 --> 00:17:06,498 there . And I would just , you know , 437 00:17:06,498 --> 00:17:08,498 conclude by saying that the US does 438 00:17:08,498 --> 00:17:10,220 have a close bilateral defense 439 00:17:10,220 --> 00:17:12,442 relationship with Bangladesh in support 440 00:17:12,442 --> 00:17:14,609 of shared values and interests such as 441 00:17:14,609 --> 00:17:16,831 a shared free and open Indo Pacific and 442 00:17:16,838 --> 00:17:18,909 maritime and regional security . So 443 00:17:18,918 --> 00:17:20,974 just leave it there , Liz , thanks . 444 00:17:20,974 --> 00:17:22,974 There's a report out that the Biden 445 00:17:22,974 --> 00:17:25,140 administration is considering allowing 446 00:17:25,140 --> 00:17:27,251 us military contractors in Ukraine to 447 00:17:27,251 --> 00:17:29,251 help maintain us , provided weapons 448 00:17:29,251 --> 00:17:31,474 systems in Ukraine without getting into 449 00:17:31,474 --> 00:17:33,751 hypotheticals of what could be decided . 450 00:17:33,751 --> 00:17:36,410 Um What's the difference between doing 451 00:17:36,420 --> 00:17:39,130 this and having us military boots on 452 00:17:39,140 --> 00:17:41,084 the ground ? Yeah , thanks for the 453 00:17:41,084 --> 00:17:43,307 question , Liz . What I'd say right now 454 00:17:43,307 --> 00:17:45,251 is I'm not going to comment on any 455 00:17:45,251 --> 00:17:47,196 reports of internal discussions or 456 00:17:47,196 --> 00:17:49,362 proposals that may or may not be under 457 00:17:49,362 --> 00:17:51,473 consideration . You know , the bottom 458 00:17:51,473 --> 00:17:53,696 line is the president and the secretary 459 00:17:53,696 --> 00:17:55,918 have been clear that we're not going to 460 00:17:55,918 --> 00:17:58,084 send us troops to fight in Ukraine and 461 00:17:58,084 --> 00:18:00,251 that won't change . So I'll just leave 462 00:18:00,251 --> 00:18:02,770 it there . Ok . Sure . Um Regarding the 463 00:18:02,780 --> 00:18:05,260 dod uh Inspector General report on 464 00:18:05,270 --> 00:18:07,326 tracking funds to China for pathogen 465 00:18:07,326 --> 00:18:09,548 research . Uh The report mentions there 466 00:18:09,548 --> 00:18:11,548 are quote significant restraints in 467 00:18:11,548 --> 00:18:13,659 order to track those those funds . So 468 00:18:13,659 --> 00:18:15,881 will there be any revisions made in the 469 00:18:15,881 --> 00:18:17,992 future to accurately track those ? Um 470 00:18:17,992 --> 00:18:19,937 Let me take that question . I just 471 00:18:19,937 --> 00:18:19,849 don't have that information in front of 472 00:18:19,859 --> 00:18:21,970 me , so we'll get back to you on it , 473 00:18:21,970 --> 00:18:24,137 buddy . Thank you General . So , uh Mr 474 00:18:24,137 --> 00:18:26,081 Gallant said today that the US and 475 00:18:26,081 --> 00:18:27,915 Israel are working to achieve an 476 00:18:27,915 --> 00:18:30,750 agreement uh about the tension on the 477 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:32,816 borders between Israel and Lebanon . 478 00:18:32,816 --> 00:18:35,920 But he added , we must uh also discuss 479 00:18:35,939 --> 00:18:39,609 readiness for every possible scenario . 480 00:18:39,910 --> 00:18:42,849 Did the secretary um discuss such 481 00:18:42,859 --> 00:18:46,650 scenarios with uh Mr Galant ? I think 482 00:18:46,660 --> 00:18:50,010 he was alluding to uh war maybe ? Well 483 00:18:50,020 --> 00:18:52,689 again , I as you can appreciate , I'm 484 00:18:52,699 --> 00:18:55,619 not gonna speak for uh Minister Galant 485 00:18:55,630 --> 00:18:58,520 or his comments . I will say again , uh 486 00:18:58,530 --> 00:19:00,699 that they did have a discussion about 487 00:19:00,709 --> 00:19:03,199 the tensions along the Israel Lebanon 488 00:19:03,209 --> 00:19:06,060 border . Uh The secretary uh again , 489 00:19:06,069 --> 00:19:09,130 highlighted the importance of finding a 490 00:19:09,140 --> 00:19:12,140 diplomatic resolution to those tensions . 491 00:19:12,469 --> 00:19:14,410 Uh You know , it was a very frank 492 00:19:14,420 --> 00:19:18,400 candid professional conversation uh and 493 00:19:18,410 --> 00:19:21,140 uh and robust . Uh so uh lots of 494 00:19:21,150 --> 00:19:23,369 discussion on the the situation as it 495 00:19:23,380 --> 00:19:25,819 relates to Lebanon , but I'll just 496 00:19:25,829 --> 00:19:27,900 leave it there . And the secretary 497 00:19:27,910 --> 00:19:31,060 thanked Mr Galland for his efforts to 498 00:19:31,069 --> 00:19:33,994 increase the flow of human aid to Gaza . 499 00:19:34,005 --> 00:19:36,116 However , today , the integrated food 500 00:19:36,116 --> 00:19:38,834 security face plus said that 21.5 501 00:19:38,844 --> 00:19:41,435 million Palestinians in Gaza 502 00:19:41,574 --> 00:19:45,415 face high levels of 503 00:19:45,425 --> 00:19:48,084 acute food insecurity and half a 504 00:19:48,094 --> 00:19:51,915 million are facing starvation . Was the 505 00:19:51,925 --> 00:19:53,925 secretary aware of these statistics 506 00:19:54,005 --> 00:19:56,061 before making his comments . And can 507 00:19:56,061 --> 00:19:59,234 you point to any specific efforts that 508 00:19:59,244 --> 00:20:02,739 he was talking about on the uh 509 00:20:02,750 --> 00:20:05,989 from Mr Gant to uh make sure food is 510 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:08,167 actually and it is actually getting to 511 00:20:08,167 --> 00:20:10,389 the people of Gaza and again , with the 512 00:20:10,389 --> 00:20:12,829 caveat that I'm not Israel Mod 513 00:20:12,839 --> 00:20:14,950 spokesperson and and I'm not going to 514 00:20:14,950 --> 00:20:16,895 stand up here and be Minister Gant 515 00:20:16,895 --> 00:20:19,006 spokesperson . What the secretary was 516 00:20:19,006 --> 00:20:21,228 alluding to is the fact that you know , 517 00:20:21,228 --> 00:20:23,117 first of all , uh Israel is not a 518 00:20:23,117 --> 00:20:25,283 monolith . And Minister Gallant has uh 519 00:20:25,283 --> 00:20:27,450 from the secretary's perspective , has 520 00:20:27,450 --> 00:20:30,750 worked hard to enable the mechanisms by 521 00:20:30,760 --> 00:20:33,020 which uh humanitarian assistance can 522 00:20:33,030 --> 00:20:35,609 get into Gaza . Uh for example , uh 523 00:20:35,619 --> 00:20:39,469 working to ensure that aid can uh get 524 00:20:39,479 --> 00:20:41,646 past protesters , for example , on the 525 00:20:41,646 --> 00:20:44,800 Israeli side into Gaza , working to get 526 00:20:44,810 --> 00:20:46,921 the gates open , supporting J lots in 527 00:20:46,921 --> 00:20:49,089 terms of providing security so that J 528 00:20:49,130 --> 00:20:51,186 lots can be anchored to the pier and 529 00:20:51,186 --> 00:20:53,352 then of course , uh supporting the the 530 00:20:53,352 --> 00:20:55,670 Coordinations Cell that exists . So 531 00:20:55,744 --> 00:20:57,855 from Secretary Austin's perspective , 532 00:20:57,855 --> 00:21:00,022 Minister Gallant has been a partner we 533 00:21:00,022 --> 00:21:02,133 can work with in terms of identifying 534 00:21:02,133 --> 00:21:04,515 ways to get aid into Gaza . Recognizing 535 00:21:04,525 --> 00:21:06,747 the challenges that still exist there , 536 00:21:06,747 --> 00:21:08,858 recognizing the fact that much , much 537 00:21:08,858 --> 00:21:11,081 more aid needs to get in . So this will 538 00:21:11,081 --> 00:21:13,303 be something that they continue to talk 539 00:21:13,303 --> 00:21:15,209 about . Thank you , General Prime 540 00:21:15,219 --> 00:21:17,386 Minister Netanyahu said that Israel is 541 00:21:17,386 --> 00:21:19,949 ready to fight two wars on two fronts . 542 00:21:19,959 --> 00:21:21,849 And today , the Israeli Defense 543 00:21:21,859 --> 00:21:24,859 Minister said in the room that they're 544 00:21:24,869 --> 00:21:27,839 determined to actually establish 545 00:21:27,849 --> 00:21:29,905 security in the North and change the 546 00:21:29,905 --> 00:21:32,127 reality on the ground . So if that were 547 00:21:32,127 --> 00:21:33,910 to happen with seeing from the 548 00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:36,087 secretary that it's not a hypothetical 549 00:21:36,087 --> 00:21:38,087 anymore , but a calculation in this 550 00:21:38,087 --> 00:21:40,142 department that it could turn into a 551 00:21:40,142 --> 00:21:42,198 full blown war in the region if that 552 00:21:42,198 --> 00:21:44,364 were to happen . Uh can Israel rely on 553 00:21:44,364 --> 00:21:46,420 the United States militarily because 554 00:21:46,420 --> 00:21:48,420 we've seen play out before that you 555 00:21:48,420 --> 00:21:50,531 said one thing is rather than other , 556 00:21:50,531 --> 00:21:52,864 but you were still behind on militarily . 557 00:21:52,864 --> 00:21:54,920 So can that still be the case ? So I 558 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:56,864 appreciate the question and I will 559 00:21:56,864 --> 00:21:58,976 respectfully disagree that it's not a 560 00:21:58,976 --> 00:22:01,198 hypothetical . It is a hypothetical . I 561 00:22:01,198 --> 00:22:03,198 mean , certainly that is a scenario 562 00:22:03,198 --> 00:22:03,180 that could happen , but it hasn't yet . 563 00:22:03,189 --> 00:22:06,229 And so our focus right now is on 564 00:22:06,239 --> 00:22:08,349 finding a diplomatic solution to the 565 00:22:08,359 --> 00:22:10,420 tensions that are along the border 566 00:22:10,430 --> 00:22:14,380 there . Um And you know , um as I 567 00:22:14,390 --> 00:22:17,640 highlighted at the top , uh our support 568 00:22:17,650 --> 00:22:19,650 for Israel's inherent right to self 569 00:22:19,650 --> 00:22:21,969 defense is ironclad . It will remain 570 00:22:22,150 --> 00:22:24,206 that way . We'll continue to support 571 00:22:24,206 --> 00:22:26,150 Israel and their ability to defend 572 00:22:26,150 --> 00:22:28,261 themselves . But when it comes to the 573 00:22:28,261 --> 00:22:30,261 tensions along the border , when it 574 00:22:30,261 --> 00:22:32,428 comes to the broader region , we don't 575 00:22:32,428 --> 00:22:34,761 want to see a broader regional conflict . 576 00:22:34,761 --> 00:22:36,650 And so that will continue to be a 577 00:22:36,650 --> 00:22:38,706 primary focus of this department and 578 00:22:38,706 --> 00:22:38,310 this government . Thank you . Take a 579 00:22:38,339 --> 00:22:40,561 few more . Yes , sir . Thank you . Um I 580 00:22:40,561 --> 00:22:42,783 have a question on a different topic uh 581 00:22:42,783 --> 00:22:44,672 about the launches of the Russian 582 00:22:44,672 --> 00:22:47,359 satellite to space the cosmo satellite 583 00:22:47,369 --> 00:22:51,219 2576 . Um There are 584 00:22:51,229 --> 00:22:53,489 supposed to be nuclear and um the 585 00:22:53,500 --> 00:22:55,709 question is where the Pentagon is 586 00:22:55,719 --> 00:22:57,989 standing with the nuclear anti 587 00:22:58,069 --> 00:23:01,300 satellite program . And uh if the 588 00:23:01,310 --> 00:23:03,588 Pentagon is also looking on a new Cold , 589 00:23:03,588 --> 00:23:05,810 I mean , not looking , but , you know , 590 00:23:05,810 --> 00:23:07,977 it's aware there might be on the verge 591 00:23:07,977 --> 00:23:10,060 of a new Cold War in space against 592 00:23:10,069 --> 00:23:12,869 Russia and China . Well , yeah , I mean , 593 00:23:13,170 --> 00:23:15,170 there's a , there's a lot to unpack 594 00:23:15,170 --> 00:23:17,170 there . Um You know , so the bottom 595 00:23:17,170 --> 00:23:20,819 line is uh we recognize uh that space 596 00:23:20,829 --> 00:23:23,719 is now congested and contested , right ? 597 00:23:23,729 --> 00:23:25,451 You know , it's not the benign 598 00:23:25,451 --> 00:23:27,673 environment that it used to be . Uh and 599 00:23:27,673 --> 00:23:30,500 there are actors uh that are looking to 600 00:23:30,510 --> 00:23:32,579 uh you know , create conditions in 601 00:23:32,589 --> 00:23:35,430 space that threaten uh not only us 602 00:23:35,439 --> 00:23:37,550 national security interests but , but 603 00:23:37,550 --> 00:23:39,772 other countries as well . Uh And so our 604 00:23:39,780 --> 00:23:42,489 focus is on uh protecting our 605 00:23:42,500 --> 00:23:44,979 capabilities uh but also ensuring that 606 00:23:44,989 --> 00:23:48,339 space uh doesn't become uh the kind of 607 00:23:48,349 --> 00:23:50,516 battleground that , that you suggest . 608 00:23:50,516 --> 00:23:52,460 Uh So is there a cold war in space 609 00:23:52,460 --> 00:23:54,989 right now ? No . Um but it's certainly 610 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:57,222 something that we will need to continue 611 00:23:57,222 --> 00:23:59,389 to stay very focused on , which is why 612 00:23:59,389 --> 00:24:01,500 you saw in our case , the US military 613 00:24:01,500 --> 00:24:03,611 create a US Space force several years 614 00:24:03,611 --> 00:24:05,800 ago so that you have uh space force 615 00:24:05,810 --> 00:24:08,032 guardians who come to work every single 616 00:24:08,032 --> 00:24:10,199 day with the primary job of keeping an 617 00:24:10,199 --> 00:24:12,199 eye on the space domain to not only 618 00:24:12,209 --> 00:24:14,376 ensure we understand what's in space , 619 00:24:14,376 --> 00:24:17,479 but also protect our interests and 620 00:24:17,489 --> 00:24:19,600 importantly , working with our allies 621 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:21,822 and partners around the world to do the 622 00:24:21,822 --> 00:24:24,100 same . Thank you very much . Yes , sir . 623 00:24:24,100 --> 00:24:25,322 Thank you very much . 624 00:24:28,619 --> 00:24:30,841 So , government of Pakistan announced a 625 00:24:30,841 --> 00:24:32,959 new military operation against the 626 00:24:32,969 --> 00:24:35,349 Pakistani Taliban and allied groups , 627 00:24:35,380 --> 00:24:38,079 some of them believed are also wanted 628 00:24:38,089 --> 00:24:40,050 for China , for example , East 629 00:24:40,109 --> 00:24:43,170 Turkistan Islamic moment . So uh United 630 00:24:43,180 --> 00:24:45,459 States before and after the Doha 631 00:24:45,469 --> 00:24:48,619 agreement um showed its commitment to 632 00:24:48,630 --> 00:24:51,239 go after I SI S and linked group like 633 00:24:51,250 --> 00:24:54,119 Iskp who is actively working with 634 00:24:54,130 --> 00:24:55,908 Pakistani Taliban and attacking 635 00:24:55,930 --> 00:24:58,290 civilians of Pakistan . And uh also 636 00:24:58,300 --> 00:25:00,467 there are concerns from Chinese side . 637 00:25:00,467 --> 00:25:03,810 So do you think so ? Um still uh 638 00:25:03,819 --> 00:25:07,680 there is like United States , uh 639 00:25:07,900 --> 00:25:10,170 United States have something with 640 00:25:10,180 --> 00:25:12,402 Pakistani building on this operation of 641 00:25:12,402 --> 00:25:14,624 the United States is aware about this . 642 00:25:14,624 --> 00:25:16,989 Pentagon is aware about this . Yeah , 643 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:19,569 1st , 1st of all , welcome . Um what I 644 00:25:19,579 --> 00:25:21,523 would tell you is I , you know , I 645 00:25:21,523 --> 00:25:23,690 don't have any specifics as it relates 646 00:25:23,690 --> 00:25:25,969 to particular Pakistani operations , 647 00:25:25,979 --> 00:25:28,146 counterterror operations . I would say 648 00:25:28,146 --> 00:25:30,312 broadly speaking , uh you know , we we 649 00:25:30,312 --> 00:25:32,035 fully appreciate and recognize 650 00:25:32,035 --> 00:25:34,310 Pakistan's important role as a uh 651 00:25:34,329 --> 00:25:35,829 partner . When it comes to 652 00:25:35,829 --> 00:25:37,718 counterterrorism . We have a long 653 00:25:37,718 --> 00:25:39,607 history of of working together on 654 00:25:39,607 --> 00:25:41,662 counterterrorism uh efforts . Uh And 655 00:25:41,662 --> 00:25:45,060 when it comes to uh regional terrorist 656 00:25:45,069 --> 00:25:47,291 threats , it's certainly something that 657 00:25:47,291 --> 00:25:49,236 we continue to keep an eye on . Uh 658 00:25:49,236 --> 00:25:51,236 especially , you know , for obvious 659 00:25:51,236 --> 00:25:53,402 reasons as it relates to protecting us 660 00:25:53,402 --> 00:25:55,180 national security interests and 661 00:25:55,180 --> 00:25:57,236 protecting the homeland . Um But the 662 00:25:57,236 --> 00:25:59,458 way that we do that is , uh we don't do 663 00:25:59,458 --> 00:26:01,513 that alone . We work with allies and 664 00:26:01,513 --> 00:26:03,736 partners throughout the world to assess 665 00:26:03,736 --> 00:26:03,560 those threats and take appropriate 666 00:26:03,569 --> 00:26:05,625 action . So again , I don't have any 667 00:26:05,625 --> 00:26:07,847 specifics on the operations that you're 668 00:26:07,847 --> 00:26:09,902 talking about . Uh But I'm confident 669 00:26:09,902 --> 00:26:11,847 that at multiple levels , we're in 670 00:26:11,847 --> 00:26:13,958 contact with the Pakistani government 671 00:26:13,958 --> 00:26:16,180 as well as other partners in the region 672 00:26:16,180 --> 00:26:18,458 to address potential terrorist threats . 673 00:26:18,458 --> 00:26:21,150 Thank you , Senior General in Okinawa , 674 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:23,400 Japan . Local authorities said that 675 00:26:23,410 --> 00:26:25,949 prosecutors charged a US servicemen at 676 00:26:25,959 --> 00:26:28,839 the Air Force in Okinawa for allegedly 677 00:26:28,849 --> 00:26:31,560 sexually assaulting a girl under 16 678 00:26:31,569 --> 00:26:33,880 years old in March . And it was 679 00:26:33,890 --> 00:26:36,060 revealed yesterday . Could you give us 680 00:26:36,069 --> 00:26:38,290 comment on this case ? And what do you 681 00:26:38,300 --> 00:26:40,522 think about the potential impact on the 682 00:26:40,522 --> 00:26:42,522 US Japan ? Yeah . Unfortunately , I 683 00:26:42,522 --> 00:26:44,856 just , I don't have any details on that . 684 00:26:44,856 --> 00:26:47,078 I'd have to refer you to uh you said it 685 00:26:47,078 --> 00:26:49,022 was Air Force . Yeah , I'd have to 686 00:26:49,022 --> 00:26:51,078 refer you to the Air Force for , for 687 00:26:51,078 --> 00:26:53,411 any questions on that . Thank you . Yes , 688 00:26:53,411 --> 00:26:55,633 ma'am . Hi , Kimberly Underwood from FC 689 00:26:55,633 --> 00:26:55,520 Signal Magazine . I wanted to ask about 690 00:26:55,530 --> 00:26:58,839 the strategy as Dod con continues to 691 00:26:58,849 --> 00:27:00,793 advance strategies and the digital 692 00:27:00,793 --> 00:27:02,960 workforce through the strategies . Are 693 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:04,738 there any broad areas that this 694 00:27:04,814 --> 00:27:07,114 secretary will need to iron A as far as 695 00:27:07,125 --> 00:27:10,305 it , or C four technologies um you know , 696 00:27:10,314 --> 00:27:12,594 to take dod into the future ? And then 697 00:27:12,604 --> 00:27:14,826 I had a quick indus uh three question . 698 00:27:15,185 --> 00:27:17,364 Sure . Um I'm gonna take your question 699 00:27:17,375 --> 00:27:19,915 because I wanna get you uh uh a proper 700 00:27:19,925 --> 00:27:22,147 answer on that , but uh appreciate it . 701 00:27:22,175 --> 00:27:24,397 And for indus three , do you have any , 702 00:27:24,397 --> 00:27:26,564 uh would the secretary have any advice 703 00:27:26,564 --> 00:27:28,453 to Silicon Valley companies about 704 00:27:28,453 --> 00:27:30,964 participating in the event or companies 705 00:27:30,974 --> 00:27:33,196 that may be interested in understanding 706 00:27:33,196 --> 00:27:35,640 um the indus partnership ? Yeah . Well , 707 00:27:35,650 --> 00:27:37,869 you know , just broadly speaking , um 708 00:27:39,420 --> 00:27:41,198 especially when you look at the 709 00:27:41,198 --> 00:27:43,087 challenges that the department is 710 00:27:43,087 --> 00:27:45,087 facing around the world today as we 711 00:27:45,087 --> 00:27:47,420 implement the national defense strategy . 712 00:27:47,420 --> 00:27:49,587 I mean , it , it's clear that that the 713 00:27:49,587 --> 00:27:51,698 partnership between the Department of 714 00:27:51,698 --> 00:27:53,920 Defense and Industry is vital and , and 715 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:56,087 you see this on , on multiple levels . 716 00:27:56,087 --> 00:27:58,198 Uh and for example , through programs 717 00:27:58,198 --> 00:28:00,760 like Diu or Indus X or , you know , 718 00:28:00,770 --> 00:28:04,209 many , many others . Um it's critical 719 00:28:04,219 --> 00:28:06,380 that we be able to , to work together 720 00:28:06,390 --> 00:28:08,723 to understand each other's requirements . 721 00:28:08,723 --> 00:28:10,723 Uh And so , you know , that's gonna 722 00:28:10,723 --> 00:28:12,668 continue to be a priority for this 723 00:28:12,668 --> 00:28:14,890 department . So thank you very much . I 724 00:28:14,890 --> 00:28:17,112 take two more . Yes , sir . Yeah , hi . 725 00:28:17,112 --> 00:28:19,439 So as uh you guys celebrate a year of 726 00:28:19,449 --> 00:28:22,349 indus X . Um It is also a year 727 00:28:22,359 --> 00:28:24,839 anniversary of my colleague , Vve Rag 728 00:28:24,849 --> 00:28:27,280 um being detained by Indian authorities 729 00:28:27,290 --> 00:28:30,729 for the crime of journalism . Um So as 730 00:28:30,739 --> 00:28:32,739 you all celebrate , you know , this 731 00:28:32,739 --> 00:28:34,406 partnership with India , what 732 00:28:34,406 --> 00:28:36,461 conversations are certain assurances 733 00:28:36,461 --> 00:28:39,280 has the Pentagon pursued um from India 734 00:28:39,290 --> 00:28:41,439 on press freedom and human rights in 735 00:28:41,449 --> 00:28:43,727 exchange for all of these partnerships ? 736 00:28:43,727 --> 00:28:46,005 Yeah . Well , certainly , I , you know , 737 00:28:46,005 --> 00:28:48,060 I know that our State Department has 738 00:28:48,060 --> 00:28:50,060 spoken to this , you know , broadly 739 00:28:50,060 --> 00:28:52,171 speaking , uh again from a department 740 00:28:52,171 --> 00:28:54,393 of defense standpoint , we certainly uh 741 00:28:54,393 --> 00:28:56,439 support uh and will defend a open , 742 00:28:56,449 --> 00:28:58,671 free and independent press . That's our 743 00:28:58,671 --> 00:29:00,671 position . Um So I'll just leave it 744 00:29:00,671 --> 00:29:03,339 there . No last question . A couple of 745 00:29:03,349 --> 00:29:05,571 short ones on the call with the Russian 746 00:29:05,571 --> 00:29:07,793 Defense Minister today . Could you tell 747 00:29:07,793 --> 00:29:09,960 us about how long it lasted ? And then 748 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:12,016 secondarily , since the focus was in 749 00:29:12,016 --> 00:29:14,071 large part , you said on maintaining 750 00:29:14,071 --> 00:29:16,182 lines of communication , uh How would 751 00:29:16,182 --> 00:29:15,530 you characterize those lines of 752 00:29:15,540 --> 00:29:17,873 communication right now ? Yeah , thanks . 753 00:29:17,873 --> 00:29:20,096 No , I , I do appreciate the question . 754 00:29:20,096 --> 00:29:20,040 I'm just not going to have any more 755 00:29:20,050 --> 00:29:22,161 details to provide than , than what I 756 00:29:22,161 --> 00:29:24,217 provided to you . All right . Thanks 757 00:29:24,217 --> 00:29:24,400 very much . Everybody . Appreciate it .