WEBVTT 00:01.799 --> 00:03.799 All right . Well , good afternoon , 00:03.799 --> 00:05.799 everyone . I do have quite a bit to 00:05.799 --> 00:08.021 pass along at the top today . So thanks 00:08.021 --> 00:10.132 in advance for your patience and then 00:10.132 --> 00:10.060 I'll get right to your questions 00:11.109 --> 00:12.887 tomorrow . Secretary Austin and 00:12.887 --> 00:14.998 chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 00:14.998 --> 00:17.165 Air Force General CQ Brown Junior will 00:17.165 --> 00:19.387 host an observant ceremony at 9 a.m. at 00:19.387 --> 00:21.659 the national 911 Pentagon Memorial in 00:21.670 --> 00:24.569 honor of the 184 people who were killed 00:24.889 --> 00:27.200 in the 2001 terrorist attack on the 00:27.209 --> 00:29.610 Pentagon . The Pentagon observance 00:29.620 --> 00:31.620 ceremony , which is not open to the 00:31.620 --> 00:33.620 public allows the family members of 00:33.620 --> 00:35.731 those lost in the terrorist attack to 00:35.731 --> 00:37.898 observe the memory of their loved ones 00:37.898 --> 00:39.953 and for us to honor and never forget 00:39.953 --> 00:42.009 the sacrifices of those we lost that 00:42.009 --> 00:43.842 day prior to the ceremony during 00:43.842 --> 00:46.860 sunrise . At 6:46 a.m. the American 00:46.869 --> 00:49.036 flag will be unfurled down the side of 00:49.036 --> 00:51.258 the Pentagon in the same location where 00:51.258 --> 00:53.480 a flag was unfurled by firefighters and 00:53.480 --> 00:56.380 soldiers on September 12th , 2001 to 00:56.389 --> 00:58.556 demonstrate our resolve and resilience 00:58.556 --> 01:00.667 in the face of the horrific terrorist 01:00.667 --> 01:02.611 attacks on our nation . Today . It 01:02.611 --> 01:04.556 remains a symbol of the prevailing 01:04.556 --> 01:06.833 spirit of endurance , freedom and hope . 01:06.833 --> 01:08.910 Turning to the Middle East dod 01:08.919 --> 01:10.863 continues to monitor the situation 01:10.863 --> 01:13.030 across the region and remains postured 01:13.030 --> 01:15.086 to support the defense of Israel and 01:15.086 --> 01:17.086 protect us troops and assets in the 01:17.086 --> 01:19.169 region . Secretary Austin had the 01:19.180 --> 01:21.124 opportunity to touch base with his 01:21.124 --> 01:23.347 Israeli counterpart over the weekend to 01:23.347 --> 01:25.669 get an update on ID F operations and we 01:25.680 --> 01:27.370 remain intently focused on de 01:27.449 --> 01:29.616 escalating tensions in the Middle East 01:29.616 --> 01:31.393 while also remaining focused on 01:31.393 --> 01:33.282 securing a ceasefire as part of a 01:33.282 --> 01:35.116 hostage deal to bring all of the 01:35.116 --> 01:37.370 hostages home and to end the war in 01:37.379 --> 01:40.500 Gaza and staying in the Centcom A or is 01:40.510 --> 01:42.732 announced earlier today by Secretary of 01:42.732 --> 01:44.843 State Blinken . The United States has 01:44.843 --> 01:46.621 confirmed reports that Iran has 01:46.621 --> 01:48.669 transferred shipments of Fatah 360 01:48.680 --> 01:50.569 close range ballistic missiles to 01:50.569 --> 01:52.680 Russia , which we assess could employ 01:52.680 --> 01:54.569 them within weeks against Ukraine 01:54.690 --> 01:56.634 leading to the deaths of even more 01:56.634 --> 01:59.300 Ukrainian civilians to echo our State 01:59.309 --> 02:01.531 Department and White House colleagues . 02:01.531 --> 02:03.753 This is a deeply concerning development 02:03.753 --> 02:05.809 as this partnership between Iran and 02:05.809 --> 02:07.976 Russia threatens European security and 02:07.976 --> 02:10.031 illustrates how Iran's destabilizing 02:10.031 --> 02:12.031 influence reaches beyond the Middle 02:12.031 --> 02:13.587 East and around the world . 02:13.587 --> 02:15.809 Additionally , Russian support for Iran 02:15.809 --> 02:17.920 is destabilizing as well as Moscow is 02:17.920 --> 02:19.976 sharing technology that Iran needs . 02:19.976 --> 02:21.753 We'll continue to monitor these 02:21.753 --> 02:23.865 developments alongside our allies and 02:23.865 --> 02:25.976 partners across Europe and the Middle 02:25.976 --> 02:27.809 East and remain steadfast in our 02:27.809 --> 02:29.920 support to Ukraine's defense from the 02:29.920 --> 02:32.142 threat . These missile systems may pose 02:32.142 --> 02:34.309 to the people of Ukraine . Moving over 02:34.309 --> 02:36.531 to the Indo Pacific Theater yesterday , 02:36.531 --> 02:38.642 September 9th , the commander of us , 02:38.642 --> 02:40.753 Indo Pacific Command . Admiral Samuel 02:40.753 --> 02:42.920 Parro held a video teleconference with 02:42.920 --> 02:44.976 General Wu Yanyan , the commander of 02:44.976 --> 02:47.198 the plas Southern Theater Command . The 02:47.198 --> 02:48.976 call was a deliverable from the 02:48.976 --> 02:51.198 bilateral meeting held in November 2023 02:51.198 --> 02:53.509 between President Biden and Pr C 02:53.520 --> 02:55.929 President Xi Jinping . During that 02:55.940 --> 02:58.162 meeting , both leaders agreed to resume 02:58.162 --> 02:59.940 high level military to military 02:59.940 --> 03:02.162 communication between the Department of 03:02.162 --> 03:04.107 Defense and the PL A . And to hold 03:04.107 --> 03:06.419 conversations between us indo paycom 03:06.630 --> 03:09.729 and the plas theater commanders during 03:09.740 --> 03:11.962 the call . Admiral PPAR underscored the 03:11.962 --> 03:13.796 importance of sustained lines of 03:13.796 --> 03:15.907 communication between the US military 03:15.907 --> 03:17.850 and the PL A noting that such 03:17.860 --> 03:19.804 discussions between senior leaders 03:19.804 --> 03:22.449 serves to clarify intent and reduce the 03:22.460 --> 03:24.929 risk of misperception or miscalculation . 03:25.740 --> 03:27.907 Admiral Parro expressed hope that this 03:27.907 --> 03:29.962 discussion with his pl A counterpart 03:29.962 --> 03:31.740 would be the first of many such 03:31.740 --> 03:33.851 conversations and noted the necessity 03:33.851 --> 03:35.796 of continued dialogue on issues of 03:35.796 --> 03:38.250 concern with general Wu as well as 03:38.259 --> 03:40.259 counterparts and other PL A theater 03:40.259 --> 03:42.729 commands . Additionally , I'd like to 03:42.740 --> 03:45.029 address an upcoming naval exercise by 03:45.039 --> 03:47.399 the Russian Federation in mid September , 03:47.410 --> 03:49.632 Russia will conduct its schedule , ok , 03:49.869 --> 03:52.970 on 2024 exercise including naval assets 03:52.979 --> 03:55.410 from across its fleets . While Russia 03:55.419 --> 03:57.641 prefers to include foreign participants 03:57.641 --> 03:59.697 in such exercises , we believe China 03:59.697 --> 04:01.863 will be the only true participant with 04:01.863 --> 04:04.030 a few other countries . Only observing 04:04.240 --> 04:06.351 the US has been tracking this planned 04:06.351 --> 04:08.449 exercise for some time . It poses no 04:08.460 --> 04:10.571 threat to the US homeland or the NATO 04:10.571 --> 04:12.404 Alliance and we will continue to 04:12.404 --> 04:13.960 monitor and remain in close 04:13.960 --> 04:16.127 communication with our NATO allies and 04:16.127 --> 04:19.109 partners separately , the third Indus X 04:19.119 --> 04:21.175 summit between the United States and 04:21.175 --> 04:23.341 India kicked off yesterday at Stanford 04:23.341 --> 04:25.630 University in California . Indus X or 04:25.640 --> 04:27.899 the India US defense acceleration 04:27.910 --> 04:30.309 ecosystem was launched just over a year 04:30.320 --> 04:33.119 ago in June of 2023 . The initiative 04:33.130 --> 04:35.241 aims to facilitate partnerships among 04:35.241 --> 04:37.241 us and Indian defense companies and 04:37.241 --> 04:39.570 innovators of all types . On the Indian 04:39.579 --> 04:41.412 side , the Indus X initiative is 04:41.412 --> 04:43.412 supported by the Indian Ministry of 04:43.412 --> 04:45.510 Defense's Innovations for Defense 04:45.519 --> 04:48.000 Excellence and on the US side , by the 04:48.010 --> 04:50.177 Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit and 04:50.177 --> 04:52.454 the Office of the Secretary of Defense . 04:52.519 --> 04:54.686 In the words of Secretary Austin , the 04:54.686 --> 04:56.852 Indus X summit will allow American and 04:56.852 --> 04:58.963 Indian partners to co produce cutting 04:58.963 --> 05:01.019 edge military capabilities that will 05:01.019 --> 05:03.297 safeguard a free and open Indo Pacific . 05:03.297 --> 05:05.408 And with that , I'll be happy to take 05:05.408 --> 05:07.408 your questions . We'll go to A P li 05:07.408 --> 05:09.630 thanks Pep . Um Just a couple of things 05:09.630 --> 05:12.769 on the Iranian missiles . Can you give 05:12.779 --> 05:15.510 us a broad estimate of how many you 05:15.519 --> 05:17.649 think have been delivered , even if 05:17.660 --> 05:20.850 it's dozens , hundreds or whatever ? Um 05:21.089 --> 05:23.350 There has been statements that dozens 05:23.359 --> 05:25.415 of Russians have been trained . So I 05:25.415 --> 05:27.415 would assume you have at least some 05:27.415 --> 05:29.581 sort of ballpark idea . Um how much of 05:29.581 --> 05:31.637 this is getting into Russia have you 05:31.637 --> 05:35.149 seen any of them used yet or being 05:35.160 --> 05:39.010 positioned to be used ? Um , and then 05:39.019 --> 05:41.075 what do you think Iran is getting in 05:41.075 --> 05:44.940 exchange ? So , uh , I'm able to 05:44.950 --> 05:47.061 address a few of those things . So as 05:47.061 --> 05:49.283 you highlight , uh , we do believe that 05:49.283 --> 05:51.339 that dozens of , of Russian military 05:51.339 --> 05:53.561 personnel were trained in Iran to use , 05:53.561 --> 05:55.783 uh , this missile system . Uh , I'm not 05:55.783 --> 05:57.839 able to get into the intelligence in 05:57.839 --> 05:59.617 terms of the specific number of 05:59.617 --> 06:01.950 missiles . Uh Needless to say this is a , 06:01.950 --> 06:03.617 a concerning development as I 06:03.617 --> 06:05.950 highlighted . Um and the , the thing 06:05.959 --> 06:09.899 about the uh the missile is that um 06:10.250 --> 06:12.649 you know , it is a , a short range uh 06:12.660 --> 06:14.993 or close range ballistic missile system . 06:15.089 --> 06:17.200 Uh We estimate it has a maximum range 06:17.200 --> 06:19.311 of about 75 miles . So what this does 06:19.311 --> 06:21.579 is it would enable Russia uh to employ 06:21.589 --> 06:23.920 this capability uh while preserving its 06:23.929 --> 06:26.450 longer range capabilities uh for use 06:26.459 --> 06:28.515 throughout the battlefield . Uh Thus 06:28.515 --> 06:31.630 deepening uh Russia's arsenal and also , 06:31.769 --> 06:34.269 uh again , giving it the ability to , 06:34.279 --> 06:36.350 to strike the kinds of targets that 06:36.359 --> 06:38.359 we've seen then striking to include 06:38.359 --> 06:41.989 civilian targets . Um And so we have 06:42.000 --> 06:44.000 not seen them employ them yet , but 06:44.000 --> 06:46.222 obviously keeping a close eye on that . 06:46.299 --> 06:49.269 Uh And as you heard , uh the State 06:49.279 --> 06:51.279 Department say earlier in the White 06:51.279 --> 06:53.790 House , uh there are sanctions being 06:53.799 --> 06:56.709 applied uh to include sanctions uh from 06:56.720 --> 07:00.209 our European allies and what Iran is 07:00.220 --> 07:02.053 getting . What do you think Iran 07:02.053 --> 07:04.276 specifically has gotten in exchange for 07:04.276 --> 07:06.498 this specific . So , you know , again , 07:06.498 --> 07:09.299 without being go go into specifics , we 07:09.309 --> 07:11.253 see them sharing information as it 07:11.253 --> 07:14.250 relates to um nuclear programs , uh 07:14.260 --> 07:17.500 space and other technological 07:17.510 --> 07:20.559 capabilities that Russia has that 07:20.570 --> 07:24.549 countries like Iran wants . Thank you , 07:24.559 --> 07:27.010 pa uh three quick ones . Did the Houthi 07:27.019 --> 07:28.963 shoot down a US drone as they have 07:28.963 --> 07:31.529 claimed . I've seen those reports . 07:31.540 --> 07:33.651 Carl I don't have anything to provide 07:33.651 --> 07:35.762 on that right now . Obviously looking 07:35.762 --> 07:37.984 into that , but I'd refer you to , to s 07:37.984 --> 07:40.207 ok , thank you . And then are us forces 07:40.207 --> 07:42.140 pulling out from Federal Iraq by 07:42.149 --> 07:44.899 September 2025 and the Kurdistan region 07:44.910 --> 07:48.510 by September 2026 as the Iraqi Defense 07:48.519 --> 07:50.686 Minister has said , yeah , I've seen , 07:50.686 --> 07:52.797 seen a lot of press reporting on that 07:52.797 --> 07:54.852 again . Nothing new to announce from 07:54.852 --> 07:56.852 here again . When we have updates , 07:56.852 --> 07:58.963 we'll certainly provide them to you . 07:58.963 --> 08:01.309 Ok . And the last one , so the NTNCT 08:01.320 --> 08:03.679 C's Brett Holmgren said this week that 08:03.690 --> 08:06.450 Al Qaeda was kicked out of Afghanistan 08:06.579 --> 08:08.801 and they have a small footprint there . 08:08.801 --> 08:10.801 But the FD D's long word journal is 08:10.801 --> 08:13.023 saying pretty much the opposite that Al 08:13.023 --> 08:14.857 Qaeda leaders are serving in the 08:14.857 --> 08:17.023 Taliban's government and that Al Qaeda 08:17.023 --> 08:19.135 is running training camps in at least 08:19.135 --> 08:21.135 12 of the 34 provinces . What's the 08:21.135 --> 08:23.700 Pentagon's assessment of the Al Qaeda 08:23.709 --> 08:25.989 threat in Afghanistan right now ? Yeah , 08:26.000 --> 08:27.889 I don't , I don't have a detailed 08:27.889 --> 08:30.056 assessment in front of me , Carla . So 08:30.056 --> 08:32.222 you know , I'd , I'd refer you back to 08:32.222 --> 08:34.222 the NCTC for , for details on their 08:34.222 --> 08:36.278 comments . I mean , clearly Al Qaeda 08:36.278 --> 08:38.389 remains a threat at various locations 08:38.389 --> 08:40.222 throughout the world . And so we 08:40.222 --> 08:42.389 continue to stay focused on that , but 08:42.389 --> 08:41.429 I don't , I don't have a detailed 08:41.440 --> 08:43.710 assessment on Afghanistan to provide 08:43.719 --> 08:45.969 from here . Natasha . Thanks General 08:45.979 --> 08:47.757 Rider . Um , do you all have an 08:47.757 --> 08:50.020 assessment of whether this is the only 08:50.030 --> 08:52.197 shipment of ballistic missiles for now 08:52.197 --> 08:54.363 that's going to be sent or is this the 08:54.363 --> 08:56.669 first and you know , a , a bigger kind 08:56.679 --> 08:58.849 of shipment that's going to be 08:58.859 --> 09:02.289 continued ? And then secondly , um in 09:02.299 --> 09:04.521 terms of uh force posture in the Middle 09:04.521 --> 09:06.632 East , do you have an update on where 09:06.632 --> 09:08.688 the US S Georgia is at this moment ? 09:08.688 --> 09:10.989 Yeah . So on your first question , um 09:11.919 --> 09:14.141 you know , the short answer is , um I , 09:14.141 --> 09:16.252 I'm just not gonna be able to predict 09:16.252 --> 09:19.200 the future . Um I , I would say , you 09:19.210 --> 09:21.320 know , the concerning aspect of this 09:21.330 --> 09:22.997 again , is the the developing 09:22.997 --> 09:25.510 relationship between Russia and Iran . 09:25.520 --> 09:27.576 And you also see Russia developing a 09:27.576 --> 09:30.159 relationship with the D PR K uh where 09:30.169 --> 09:32.440 they become essentially a supplier of 09:32.450 --> 09:35.080 capability . So one has to assume that 09:35.090 --> 09:38.460 if Iran is providing Russia with these 09:38.469 --> 09:40.900 types of missiles , uh that it's very 09:40.909 --> 09:43.076 likely it would not be a one time good 09:43.076 --> 09:45.242 deal that this would be uh a source of 09:45.242 --> 09:47.298 capability that Russia would seek to 09:47.298 --> 09:49.631 tap in the future . And it's also again , 09:49.631 --> 09:51.750 indicative of the supply challenges 09:51.760 --> 09:53.927 that Russia is facing as it prosecutes 09:53.927 --> 09:56.038 this campaign , not , not only from , 09:56.038 --> 09:58.150 uh , you know , munitions , but also 09:58.159 --> 10:01.539 from personnel . Uh , and so , um , you 10:01.549 --> 10:03.771 know , it's , it's something that we're 10:03.771 --> 10:05.882 gonna continue to keep a close eye on 10:05.882 --> 10:07.716 as far as the Georgia . Uh , the 10:07.716 --> 10:10.049 Georgia has transited into the Sam A or , 10:10.049 --> 10:12.160 uh , and I'll just leave it at that . 10:12.570 --> 10:14.792 All right . Thanks Pat . Um , so , uh , 10:14.792 --> 10:17.014 Senator Tommy Tuberville said that he's 10:17.014 --> 10:19.181 holding up the promotion of Lieutenant 10:19.181 --> 10:21.780 General Ronald Clark uh for what he 10:21.789 --> 10:23.989 says are failings of the Pentagon to 10:24.000 --> 10:26.340 sort of hold itself accountable in the 10:26.349 --> 10:28.940 wake of uh Secretary Austin's 10:28.950 --> 10:31.570 hospitalization . Um Do you have a 10:31.580 --> 10:33.940 reaction ? Um So just a couple of 10:33.950 --> 10:36.283 things . So , uh first of all , I would , 10:36.283 --> 10:38.450 I would just say up front , you know , 10:38.450 --> 10:40.450 General Clark is a highly qualified 10:40.450 --> 10:43.289 senior officer , uh a leader . Um He 10:43.299 --> 10:45.077 was nominated for this critical 10:45.077 --> 10:48.190 position because of his expertise and 10:48.200 --> 10:51.640 his uh strategic uh level experience . 10:52.140 --> 10:54.369 Um You know , when you look at the 10:54.380 --> 10:56.436 experience that someone like General 10:56.436 --> 10:59.229 Clark has uh leading at senior commands 10:59.239 --> 11:01.572 um throughout the world at all echelons , 11:01.572 --> 11:03.795 he's exactly the kind of leader that we 11:03.795 --> 11:07.289 need in our priority theater uh leading 11:07.299 --> 11:10.729 us forces . Uh And so we would urge uh 11:10.739 --> 11:12.799 the Senate to confirm all of our 11:12.809 --> 11:14.976 qualified nominees . And as we've seen 11:14.976 --> 11:17.031 before , these kinds of holds really 11:17.031 --> 11:19.087 can undermine our military readiness 11:19.289 --> 11:21.770 just a quick follow up . Um He said to 11:21.780 --> 11:23.840 relieve General Flynn , I believe um 11:23.849 --> 11:26.071 how long can General Flynn stay in that 11:26.071 --> 11:28.071 position ? Um I , I don't wanna get 11:28.071 --> 11:30.293 into timelines , obviously , you know , 11:30.293 --> 11:32.979 uh confirmation , uh the confirmation 11:32.989 --> 11:35.045 process needs to , to work itself uh 11:35.045 --> 11:36.969 clearly , you know , we , we as a 11:36.979 --> 11:40.820 military are used to uh managing uh 11:40.950 --> 11:42.929 the leadership of our commands 11:42.940 --> 11:45.162 throughout the world . Uh But again , I 11:45.162 --> 11:47.051 just can't speak highly enough of 11:47.051 --> 11:49.273 General Clark uh and his qualifications 11:49.273 --> 11:51.384 for this position . Uh And you know , 11:51.384 --> 11:53.496 and back to your earlier comment , um 11:53.496 --> 11:55.919 you know , um about the , the concerns 11:55.929 --> 11:58.151 here that are being expressed . I would 11:58.151 --> 12:00.262 just highlight again , uh when we did 12:00.262 --> 12:02.485 our review , uh it was clear that at no 12:02.485 --> 12:04.651 time , was there a gap in the chain of 12:04.651 --> 12:07.429 command ? Uh And so , um you know , 12:07.440 --> 12:09.496 again , we would just urge the , the 12:09.496 --> 12:11.662 Senate to confirm all of our qualified 12:11.662 --> 12:13.829 nominees . Let me go to the other side 12:13.829 --> 12:15.940 of the room here , Tony , I , I , I'm 12:15.940 --> 12:17.884 more of a geopolitical question on 12:17.884 --> 12:19.940 Afghanistan . The report yesterday , 12:19.940 --> 12:22.130 the GOP report implies that the United 12:22.140 --> 12:24.084 States should actually still be in 12:24.084 --> 12:26.251 Afghanistan . It didn't directly say , 12:26.251 --> 12:27.751 but a lot it had all these 12:27.751 --> 12:30.090 ramifications of us leaving and it 12:30.099 --> 12:32.719 implied we should still be there even 12:32.729 --> 12:34.729 though president , former President 12:34.729 --> 12:37.609 Trump said in June of 2021 21 years , 12:37.669 --> 12:39.919 we think is enough , you know , 21 12:39.929 --> 12:43.840 years you painted today AAA World with 12:43.849 --> 12:46.659 a lot of conflict if the United States 12:46.669 --> 12:50.219 had retained 23,100 troops in 12:50.229 --> 12:52.396 Afghanistan and we had it today . Fast 12:52.396 --> 12:54.618 forward today . Can you give a feel for 12:54.618 --> 12:56.340 the strain on the force , both 12:56.340 --> 12:58.562 readiness wise and money wise , force , 12:58.562 --> 13:00.785 structure wise ? All all the things you 13:00.785 --> 13:03.007 laid out on top of that , we would have 13:03.007 --> 13:04.673 that troops being attacked in 13:04.673 --> 13:06.673 Afghanistan by the Taliban . Yeah . 13:06.673 --> 13:08.729 Thanks Tony . Well , I mean , as you 13:08.729 --> 13:10.951 highlight , um you know , and just as a 13:10.951 --> 13:13.809 reminder here , the February 2020 Doha 13:13.820 --> 13:17.619 agreement left only 2500 US troops 13:17.630 --> 13:19.852 on the ground in Afghanistan and called 13:19.852 --> 13:22.179 for the complete removal of all us 13:22.190 --> 13:25.789 forces by May of 2021 . So the 13:25.799 --> 13:27.919 options at the time were either to 13:27.929 --> 13:30.440 withdraw all us forces in accordance 13:30.450 --> 13:32.394 with the agreement or send in more 13:32.394 --> 13:34.394 American troops to resume the fight 13:34.394 --> 13:37.070 with the Taliban . But the reality is 13:37.080 --> 13:39.150 uh that we didn't keep forces in 13:39.159 --> 13:41.909 Afghanistan . So I'd be speculating in 13:41.919 --> 13:44.599 terms of the potential implications on 13:44.609 --> 13:47.119 force posture uh or readiness , were we 13:47.130 --> 13:50.640 to have kept forces in Afghanistan ? Um 13:50.650 --> 13:52.317 And so while that would be an 13:52.317 --> 13:54.372 interesting discussion and a thought 13:54.372 --> 13:56.539 experiment , I'm gonna stay focused on 13:56.539 --> 13:58.372 the facts in front of us and the 13:58.372 --> 13:58.270 missions that we have today . And 13:59.049 --> 14:01.271 broadly speaking , though , I would say 14:01.271 --> 14:03.105 the , the one thing that has not 14:03.105 --> 14:05.160 changed is our determination to take 14:05.160 --> 14:07.216 the necessary steps to safeguard the 14:07.216 --> 14:09.438 homeland . Uh And our national security 14:09.438 --> 14:11.660 interests . And you can see that as you 14:11.660 --> 14:13.660 highlighted , you know , around the 14:13.660 --> 14:15.605 world in terms of where forces are 14:15.605 --> 14:17.660 currently postured in our efforts to 14:17.660 --> 14:19.827 work alongside our allies and partners 14:19.827 --> 14:21.493 to address mu mutual security 14:21.493 --> 14:23.719 challenges . Chairman mccall yesterday 14:23.794 --> 14:26.016 was asked and he did say we've lost the 14:26.016 --> 14:28.224 ability to for uh over the horizon 14:28.234 --> 14:30.554 strikes in Afghanistan , we've lost a 14:30.565 --> 14:32.945 lot of intelligence capability because 14:32.955 --> 14:34.844 we pulled out , we have no way to 14:34.844 --> 14:37.375 monitor ISIS K . Uh Is that a fair 14:37.385 --> 14:39.544 assessment going , you know , three 14:39.554 --> 14:41.940 years later ? Um Well , you know , I , 14:41.950 --> 14:44.419 I won't address the senators uh 14:44.429 --> 14:46.539 comments specifically , you know , 14:46.549 --> 14:48.771 obviously , I , I'll let those stand on 14:48.771 --> 14:50.993 their own . But what I will say is that 14:50.993 --> 14:53.105 uh we do maintain robust intelligence 14:53.105 --> 14:55.105 capability around the world . Uh Of 14:55.105 --> 14:56.882 course , we can always use more 14:56.882 --> 14:59.049 wherever we're at . But as you've seen 14:59.049 --> 15:02.330 as the situation in Europe or the 15:02.340 --> 15:05.030 Middle East uh have heated up , we've 15:05.039 --> 15:07.409 been able to put the resources where we 15:07.419 --> 15:09.609 need them and we do maintain over the 15:09.619 --> 15:11.840 horizon capability when it comes to 15:11.849 --> 15:13.580 counterterrorism . And we've 15:13.590 --> 15:15.812 demonstrated that over and over again . 15:15.812 --> 15:18.409 Thank you . Good to do . I come back to 15:18.440 --> 15:20.662 you just on Gaza on the West Bank , you 15:20.669 --> 15:22.613 mentioned , secretary spoke to his 15:22.613 --> 15:24.780 Israeli counterpart over the weekend . 15:24.780 --> 15:27.109 Um One , could you tell us , did he get 15:27.119 --> 15:29.341 any updates on what uh the Israeli army 15:29.341 --> 15:31.341 was doing in the or is doing in the 15:31.341 --> 15:33.563 West bank . And then on Gaza , it seems 15:33.563 --> 15:36.030 from open source reporting that the 15:36.039 --> 15:39.020 Israeli Defense Minister is at odds 15:39.030 --> 15:41.469 with Netanyahu . Can you without 15:41.479 --> 15:43.590 getting into Israeli internal Israeli 15:43.590 --> 15:46.429 politics and dynamics is the Pentagon 15:46.630 --> 15:49.570 satisfied with how the Israeli army is 15:49.580 --> 15:52.520 carrying out its campaign in Gaza when 15:52.530 --> 15:55.390 it comes to one civilians uh and , and 15:55.400 --> 15:58.130 reducing civilian casualties and two 15:58.159 --> 16:00.650 with their , with their end game or 16:00.659 --> 16:02.969 their goal in , in the conversations 16:02.979 --> 16:05.309 that you guys have had . Yeah , thanks 16:05.320 --> 16:08.159 Joseph . Um So , uh you know , as I 16:08.169 --> 16:10.280 highlighted , the secretary did get a 16:10.280 --> 16:12.225 chance to touch base with Minister 16:12.225 --> 16:15.460 Gallant uh and uh get an update on ID F 16:15.469 --> 16:18.280 operations . Um Not gonna have any more 16:18.289 --> 16:20.510 specifics to provide on that aspect . 16:20.520 --> 16:23.260 Um But broadly speaking , as you know , 16:23.270 --> 16:25.103 uh the secretary has spoken with 16:25.103 --> 16:27.429 Minister Galant many times uh about 16:27.440 --> 16:29.607 their operations in Gaza , about their 16:29.607 --> 16:31.496 operations in West Bank . And the 16:31.500 --> 16:33.611 secretary has made clear our concerns 16:33.611 --> 16:36.010 about ensuring that civilian safety is 16:36.020 --> 16:39.239 taken into account uh and particularly 16:39.309 --> 16:42.440 uh to prevent any type of escalation or 16:42.450 --> 16:44.783 incitement of violence in the West Bank . 16:44.880 --> 16:47.739 Um As far as their operations in Gaza , 16:47.750 --> 16:49.869 go again , I think we've been very 16:49.880 --> 16:52.950 clear that that it's important that 16:52.960 --> 16:54.849 Israel have the ability to defend 16:54.849 --> 16:56.793 itself and to prevent the kinds of 16:56.793 --> 16:58.738 attacks we saw on October 7th from 16:58.738 --> 17:00.904 happening again while at the same time 17:00.904 --> 17:03.016 doing everything possible to mitigate 17:03.016 --> 17:05.520 civilian harm to get humanitarian 17:05.530 --> 17:07.540 assistance into Gaza . And as I 17:07.550 --> 17:09.717 highlighted at the top right now , the 17:09.717 --> 17:11.772 focus is on securing a cease fire so 17:11.772 --> 17:13.883 that we can get the hostages released 17:13.883 --> 17:15.939 and we can end this war in Gaza . So 17:15.939 --> 17:18.140 I'll just leave it there one more on 17:18.150 --> 17:21.569 Iraq and the US troop parole . A 17:22.349 --> 17:25.479 senior US official was on the record 17:25.489 --> 17:28.489 telling Reuters that an agreement had 17:28.500 --> 17:30.611 been reached , but you guys were just 17:30.611 --> 17:32.722 waiting to , to announce it . Can you 17:32.722 --> 17:34.833 just at least confirm if an agreement 17:34.833 --> 17:37.167 has in fact been reached ? Yeah , again , 17:37.167 --> 17:39.389 II I appreciate the the question Joseph 17:39.389 --> 17:41.167 right now . I I just don't have 17:41.167 --> 17:43.333 anything to announce . So let me go to 17:43.333 --> 17:42.619 Janie and then I'll come back to try . 17:42.849 --> 17:45.589 Thank you very much . Uh two questions 17:45.599 --> 17:48.400 on North Korea and Russia for this 17:48.609 --> 17:51.949 question , North Korea , Kim Jong Un on 17:52.364 --> 17:55.614 the new larger mobile launcher to 17:55.625 --> 17:59.574 enhance its ICBM Intercontinental 17:59.944 --> 18:02.744 missile capabilities . Do you think 18:02.755 --> 18:06.314 that this poses a threat to the United 18:06.324 --> 18:08.244 States missile defense ? 18:10.250 --> 18:12.417 Um Well , look , you know , again , we 18:12.417 --> 18:14.083 don't necessarily look at one 18:14.083 --> 18:16.910 particular system , we look at the uh 18:16.920 --> 18:19.449 entire array of capabilities and most 18:19.459 --> 18:21.515 importantly , at the intent . And so 18:21.515 --> 18:23.403 again , we'll continue to consult 18:23.403 --> 18:25.515 closely with our allies in the region 18:25.515 --> 18:27.515 to deter potential aggression , but 18:27.515 --> 18:29.737 most importantly , work towards secu uh 18:29.737 --> 18:31.949 regional security and stability . Um 18:31.969 --> 18:34.191 you know , throughout the peninsula and 18:34.191 --> 18:37.979 the broader region . Russian President 18:37.989 --> 18:41.660 Putin said he would no longer 18:41.670 --> 18:45.640 talk to Ukraine . Meanwhile , the 18:45.650 --> 18:49.000 Russian 40 ministry recently announced 18:49.010 --> 18:52.599 the revision to its nuclear doctrine 18:52.609 --> 18:56.199 that would allow for the use of 18:56.209 --> 18:59.930 nuclear weapons . Could this be a sign 18:59.939 --> 19:03.030 of possible you couldn't use ? 19:03.689 --> 19:05.911 So again , you know , this is something 19:05.911 --> 19:08.022 we keep a close eye on all the time . 19:08.022 --> 19:10.133 Right now . We have not seen anything 19:10.133 --> 19:12.022 that would cause us to change the 19:12.022 --> 19:14.078 posture of our strategic forces . So 19:14.078 --> 19:16.245 thank you Charlie , two questions with 19:16.245 --> 19:18.699 the Iranian missiles . Now the 19:18.709 --> 19:20.876 introduction of these Iranian missiles 19:20.876 --> 19:23.920 into the region , do the Ukrainians 19:23.930 --> 19:26.097 have sufficient defenses to take those 19:26.097 --> 19:28.319 on ? And is it under consideration that 19:28.319 --> 19:30.319 perhaps the United States and other 19:30.319 --> 19:32.263 allies might provide them with the 19:32.263 --> 19:35.000 weaponry to take that on ? And my 19:35.010 --> 19:37.420 second question is , I know that we're 19:37.430 --> 19:39.597 reluctant to talk about the future and 19:39.597 --> 19:41.839 force posture . But as my understanding 19:41.849 --> 19:43.960 is that Roosevelt is supposed to come 19:43.960 --> 19:46.229 to the end of its extension , I think 19:46.239 --> 19:49.550 it's tomorrow . So if that is extended 19:49.560 --> 19:51.338 or if they chop out , will that 19:51.338 --> 19:53.393 announcement be made in the next few 19:53.393 --> 19:55.616 days ? Um So on your first question , I 19:55.616 --> 19:57.727 mean , air defense has been something 19:57.727 --> 19:59.838 that we've been very focused on for a 19:59.838 --> 20:01.838 long time now , uh when it comes to 20:01.838 --> 20:04.060 Ukraine , that that has been a priority 20:04.060 --> 20:06.282 for the Ukrainians and therefore it has 20:06.282 --> 20:08.449 been a priority for us . Um You know , 20:08.449 --> 20:11.510 I'd point you back to the U DC G almost , 20:11.520 --> 20:13.687 you know , a year and a half ago where 20:13.687 --> 20:15.569 Secretary Austin highlighted how 20:15.579 --> 20:17.989 critical this was , and , and from the 20:18.000 --> 20:20.167 very beginning , we've been working to 20:20.167 --> 20:22.000 get them a variety of systems to 20:22.000 --> 20:25.209 address uh both um you know , 20:25.650 --> 20:29.260 uh near term uh missile threats , as 20:29.270 --> 20:31.420 well as longer range missile threats 20:32.219 --> 20:34.386 building . That integrated air defense 20:34.386 --> 20:36.829 capability for Ukraine uh has been 20:36.839 --> 20:39.239 going on for a while now . And so we're 20:39.250 --> 20:41.361 not going to let up and , and again , 20:41.361 --> 20:43.472 there was discussion of this at the U 20:43.472 --> 20:45.528 DC G and how allies and partners can 20:45.528 --> 20:47.472 work together to make sure that we 20:47.472 --> 20:49.639 continue to , to get Ukraine , the air 20:49.639 --> 20:51.694 defense systems that it needs , uh , 20:51.694 --> 20:54.069 and the munitions associated with that . 20:54.079 --> 20:56.301 So that's not going to change and , and 20:56.301 --> 20:59.010 these missiles while they certainly are 20:59.020 --> 21:01.242 going to present a threat , we're going 21:01.250 --> 21:03.417 to work with Ukraine to ensure to your 21:03.417 --> 21:05.528 point that they have the capabilities 21:05.528 --> 21:07.750 needed to defend against these missiles 21:07.750 --> 21:09.972 and other missiles that Russia is using 21:09.972 --> 21:11.750 to include drones as far as the 21:11.750 --> 21:14.290 Roosevelt goes . Um , as I'm sure you 21:14.300 --> 21:16.522 can appreciate , you know , as a matter 21:16.522 --> 21:18.522 of policy , we're just not going to 21:18.522 --> 21:20.578 talk about deployment timelines . Uh 21:20.578 --> 21:22.744 And so if , and when we have things to 21:22.744 --> 21:22.319 announce , we'll certainly do that , 21:22.329 --> 21:24.385 but I don't have anything to provide 21:24.385 --> 21:26.496 for the podium . Can I just follow up 21:26.496 --> 21:26.000 with , with the short range missiles ? 21:26.010 --> 21:28.121 I guess what I was trying to ask is , 21:28.121 --> 21:30.177 does , does it present a more unique 21:30.177 --> 21:32.399 threat than what they have been dealing 21:32.399 --> 21:34.510 in terms of their air defenses does , 21:34.510 --> 21:36.677 does the fact that they're close range 21:36.677 --> 21:38.732 or where they're launched from , are 21:38.732 --> 21:40.566 they more difficult to intercept 21:40.566 --> 21:42.621 because they fly shorter distances ? 21:42.621 --> 21:44.621 You know , I think a combination of 21:44.621 --> 21:46.788 things here , Charlie , I mean , first 21:46.788 --> 21:48.843 of all , again is the fact that that 21:48.843 --> 21:51.459 Russia is now receiving these ballistic 21:51.469 --> 21:54.050 missiles from Iran , a 21:54.650 --> 21:58.109 supplier of uh capability , uh , 21:58.119 --> 22:00.500 that can be used against civilian 22:00.510 --> 22:02.621 targets , for example , especially as 22:02.621 --> 22:04.677 we go into winter . Um But of course 22:04.677 --> 22:06.788 they present a threat but that said , 22:06.788 --> 22:09.030 um you know , we're going to continue 22:09.040 --> 22:11.040 to work with Ukraine to try to make 22:11.040 --> 22:13.151 sure that they have what they need to 22:13.151 --> 22:15.262 protect against them volume in and of 22:15.262 --> 22:17.318 itself . Uh and the capacity and the 22:17.318 --> 22:19.484 ability to conduct sustained attacks . 22:19.484 --> 22:21.359 Uh is something that has been a 22:21.369 --> 22:23.313 challenge all along and that's why 22:23.313 --> 22:25.630 we're so focused on this . Thanks . Let 22:25.640 --> 22:27.862 me go to the phone here real quick . Uh 22:27.862 --> 22:31.170 WTO P JJ . Uh good afternoon . Thanks 22:31.180 --> 22:33.920 general for the question . Two really 22:33.930 --> 22:36.459 quick questions for you . Um In terms 22:36.469 --> 22:38.636 of the Russians that have been trained 22:38.636 --> 22:40.802 or being trained by the Iranians , can 22:40.802 --> 22:42.747 you say how long ago that training 22:42.747 --> 22:44.802 started ? And the second thing is um 22:45.010 --> 22:47.859 talking about Russia getting this extra 22:47.869 --> 22:51.479 capability . Uh how does that impact ? 22:51.489 --> 22:53.433 And I , I recognize that these are 22:53.433 --> 22:55.545 short range missiles or shorter range 22:55.545 --> 22:58.359 missiles , 75 miles and under . But II , 22:58.369 --> 23:01.540 I wonder how that impacts their request 23:01.550 --> 23:05.510 to get us and Western permission to use 23:05.520 --> 23:07.742 uh the capabilities they've gotten from 23:07.742 --> 23:09.742 you to strike deeper into Russia to 23:09.742 --> 23:13.359 stop this . Yes . So on your first 23:13.369 --> 23:15.202 question , JJ , I , I don't have 23:15.202 --> 23:17.480 anything to pass along in terms of the , 23:17.480 --> 23:20.189 the specific training timeline uh for 23:20.199 --> 23:23.530 the Russians . Um And as far as our 23:23.540 --> 23:27.020 policy as it pertains to uh the use of 23:27.030 --> 23:29.086 us provided munitions for , for long 23:29.086 --> 23:31.380 range strikes , that policy hasn't 23:31.390 --> 23:35.300 changed . Can the U 23:35.310 --> 23:38.209 can Ukraine use the current A T to go 23:38.219 --> 23:40.599 after these short range missiles ? Uh 23:40.609 --> 23:43.459 So our policy on long range strike is 23:43.469 --> 23:45.636 that they can use that that capability 23:45.636 --> 23:48.359 within sovereign Ukraine territory , 23:48.369 --> 23:51.069 right ? So , um , now 23:51.760 --> 23:53.609 again , don't , I don't want to 23:53.619 --> 23:55.786 necessarily get into a discussion here 23:55.786 --> 23:57.952 about battlefield tactics , but , um , 23:57.952 --> 24:00.930 you know , attacks are a long range 24:00.939 --> 24:03.140 capability that can be used to strike 24:03.150 --> 24:05.420 significant operational and strategic 24:05.430 --> 24:09.020 targets . Uh And , you know , again , 24:09.030 --> 24:11.252 leave it to the Ukrainians and how they 24:11.252 --> 24:13.489 employ those uh within the , you know , 24:13.500 --> 24:15.390 within their conflict and their 24:15.400 --> 24:18.949 operations under the current policy 24:18.959 --> 24:22.579 that we provided . But , um , 75 miles 24:22.589 --> 24:24.811 is well within the range of an attack . 24:26.000 --> 24:28.430 Is it feasible ? Absolutely . It's 24:28.439 --> 24:30.900 feasible . But again , you know , the 24:30.910 --> 24:33.077 question is , would you want to employ 24:33.077 --> 24:35.132 that kind of capability on something 24:35.132 --> 24:37.354 that's up to the Ukrainians to decide ? 24:37.354 --> 24:39.410 But , um , ok , let me go to you and 24:39.410 --> 24:41.577 I'll come to you . Yeah . Uh Thank you 24:41.577 --> 24:43.466 very much , General Uh Both of my 24:43.466 --> 24:45.577 questions are followed , questions to 24:45.577 --> 24:47.688 my colleague's questions earlier . Um 24:48.030 --> 24:51.579 uh the rise of Al 24:51.589 --> 24:53.645 Qaeda and their camps . My colleague 24:53.645 --> 24:55.790 earlier had asked and the confusion 24:55.800 --> 24:59.550 there is in that region to add 24:59.560 --> 25:02.390 further confusion to it . Pakistani 25:02.400 --> 25:05.089 army chief two days ago urged the 25:05.099 --> 25:07.900 Taliban regime in Afghanistan to not 25:07.910 --> 25:10.140 help the TTP guys , the terrorists , 25:10.150 --> 25:12.261 the Taliban regime in Pakistan not to 25:12.261 --> 25:15.280 help them . Uh On the other hand , we 25:15.290 --> 25:17.599 have a Deputy Prime Minister who has 25:17.609 --> 25:19.776 been accused for corruption since last 25:19.776 --> 25:22.040 two decades for dozens of charges . He 25:22.050 --> 25:25.410 says that the former I SI chief should 25:25.420 --> 25:27.531 have not been in cover the day US was 25:27.531 --> 25:29.642 doing a withdrawal from Afghanistan . 25:30.430 --> 25:33.130 Me being a journalist from Peshawar for 25:33.140 --> 25:36.189 25 years , I am totally confused as to 25:36.199 --> 25:38.619 what's going on . What's your US policy ? 25:38.630 --> 25:41.069 I'm confused about Pakistani policy and 25:41.079 --> 25:43.079 I agree with my colleague here that 25:43.079 --> 25:45.170 terrorism in that region is in 25:45.180 --> 25:47.069 different international terrorist 25:47.069 --> 25:50.040 organization are increasing in much 25:50.050 --> 25:52.920 faster pace than state department and 25:52.930 --> 25:56.270 you both are expecting or your analysis 25:56.280 --> 25:59.510 on it . Ok . You're asking me what my 25:59.520 --> 26:02.229 analysis is of it to further to my 26:02.239 --> 26:04.406 colleague's question that she's raised 26:04.406 --> 26:06.406 that there are 12 Al Qaeda camps in 26:06.406 --> 26:08.689 Afghanistan operating . I am saying 26:08.699 --> 26:11.050 that beside Al Qaeda , the local 26:11.060 --> 26:13.300 terrorist organization including 26:13.310 --> 26:15.760 Taliban , their expansionism which I 26:15.770 --> 26:17.881 have been raising in state department 26:17.881 --> 26:20.489 is at very fast scale right now . So 26:20.500 --> 26:22.500 you know , understanding that I'm I 26:22.500 --> 26:24.650 won't get into any discussion of 26:24.660 --> 26:28.430 domestic , uh , Pakistani politics . Um , 26:28.479 --> 26:31.510 writ large , you know , we've known for 26:31.829 --> 26:34.010 a long time that there are terrorist 26:34.020 --> 26:35.853 threats throughout the region to 26:35.853 --> 26:37.964 include in Afghanistan and , and that 26:37.964 --> 26:40.469 exists today . Uh And this is why for 26:40.479 --> 26:43.449 many , many years , since 911 , uh , 26:43.459 --> 26:45.237 we've been working closely with 26:45.237 --> 26:47.459 regional partners and allies throughout 26:47.459 --> 26:49.626 the world to address those threats and 26:49.626 --> 26:51.570 particularly as they pertain to uh 26:51.570 --> 26:54.410 affecting our ability to protect the 26:54.420 --> 26:56.642 United States and our national security 26:56.642 --> 26:58.809 interests around the world . And so as 26:58.809 --> 27:01.087 we've demonstrated time and time again , 27:01.087 --> 27:03.087 if those interests are threatened , 27:03.087 --> 27:05.198 we'll take appropriate action . We do 27:05.198 --> 27:05.060 have the ability to conduct over the 27:05.069 --> 27:08.650 horizon strikes uh or , or collect 27:08.660 --> 27:11.400 intelligence . Should we need to uh if 27:11.410 --> 27:14.739 threats are uh you know , uh developing . 27:15.079 --> 27:17.709 Um and I'll just leave it at that . My 27:18.099 --> 27:20.266 second question is my other colleagues 27:20.266 --> 27:22.709 related , uh Mr mccall's uh uh report 27:22.719 --> 27:24.497 that was released yesterday and 27:24.497 --> 27:26.441 yesterday I asked this question to 27:26.441 --> 27:28.680 Vedant as well . I , my 25 journalism 27:28.689 --> 27:30.800 is purely about international in that 27:30.800 --> 27:32.578 region . I don't , I'm not into 27:32.578 --> 27:34.800 Republican and Democrat . That's not my 27:34.800 --> 27:36.911 focus . My one thing that I have been 27:36.911 --> 27:39.022 raising since last two years as State 27:39.022 --> 27:41.078 Department and I want to raise it to 27:41.078 --> 27:43.078 you , sir as well . President Biden 27:43.078 --> 27:45.260 took over January 20 21st , the last 27:45.270 --> 27:48.880 ambassador , ambassador . Uh uh his 27:48.890 --> 27:51.500 name is uh bas he had left in January 27:51.510 --> 27:54.760 20 21st . Charge of the affair took 27:54.770 --> 27:57.500 over . Mr Ross was acting ambassador in 27:57.510 --> 28:01.319 Afghanistan on 28:01.329 --> 28:03.349 August 15th , the embassy was 28:03.359 --> 28:06.670 officially closed . Why 28:06.680 --> 28:10.579 was no diplomatic relations there on 28:10.589 --> 28:13.219 ground ? And us troops were left there 28:13.229 --> 28:15.579 by themselves ? Is the diplomat life 28:15.589 --> 28:18.040 more important or is it more precious 28:18.050 --> 28:20.699 than why those soldiers were left over 28:20.709 --> 28:22.820 there ? That's that . And this is the 28:22.820 --> 28:24.876 issue . I've been raising it for two 28:24.876 --> 28:26.876 years now as a journalist from that 28:26.876 --> 28:28.987 region that I don't think it's fair . 28:28.987 --> 28:28.119 And I , that's why I've been 28:28.130 --> 28:30.989 continuously asking that the last day 28:31.000 --> 28:33.167 of those 13 marines that were killed , 28:34.439 --> 28:36.439 investigations should be done about 28:36.439 --> 28:38.495 them . Yeah . So there , there was a 28:38.495 --> 28:40.661 very thorough investigation done by us 28:40.661 --> 28:42.828 Central Command and as you know , they 28:42.828 --> 28:44.717 did a supplemental review of that 28:44.717 --> 28:47.109 investigation , uh , that looked at all 28:47.119 --> 28:50.579 of that , uh , and , uh , found 28:50.739 --> 28:54.060 that , uh , there was no , uh , 28:54.069 --> 28:57.939 information , um , drawn from 28:57.949 --> 29:00.171 that that would have changed any of the 29:00.171 --> 29:02.449 findings of the original investigation . 29:02.449 --> 29:04.890 Uh , and , and to your , uh , comment , 29:04.900 --> 29:07.890 uh , do we prioritize certain , uh , 29:07.900 --> 29:10.530 aspects of our government , uh , over 29:10.540 --> 29:12.596 others ? The , the answer to that is 29:12.596 --> 29:14.318 absolutely not . You know , we 29:14.318 --> 29:16.540 obviously are going to take care of our 29:16.540 --> 29:19.089 folks , whether they're working for , 29:19.099 --> 29:21.377 uh , the diplomatic service , military . 29:21.380 --> 29:23.540 Um , I'll just leave it there . All 29:23.550 --> 29:25.772 right . Yes , sir . I promise you . I'd 29:25.772 --> 29:28.050 take your question . I'll get a review . 29:28.050 --> 29:27.510 Thank you , sir . Uh , two questions , 29:27.520 --> 29:31.390 please . One India is trying to 29:31.400 --> 29:34.150 use its influence to end the war in the 29:34.160 --> 29:36.271 Middle East . And also Prime Minister 29:36.271 --> 29:38.569 Modi was recently in Ukraine to bring 29:38.579 --> 29:42.119 the peace between Russia and Ukraine or 29:42.130 --> 29:45.550 to use his influence . And if uh 29:46.040 --> 29:48.280 uh defense Minister of India , when he 29:48.290 --> 29:50.290 was here , Mr Raj Singh , if he had 29:50.290 --> 29:52.346 discussed anything of these things . 29:52.346 --> 29:54.512 And also what do you think about Prime 29:54.512 --> 29:56.734 Minister Modi's visit to Ukraine to use 29:56.734 --> 29:58.957 his influence to bring the peace in the 29:59.119 --> 30:02.319 that region ? Yeah , on the , on the um 30:02.329 --> 30:04.607 defense Minister's visit , uh you know , 30:04.607 --> 30:06.829 it was a fantastic visit . We did issue 30:06.829 --> 30:08.885 a readout on that . So I'd I'd point 30:08.885 --> 30:10.940 you to that uh for details about the 30:10.940 --> 30:13.107 the discussion uh as for the the Prime 30:13.107 --> 30:14.940 Minister's visit to Ukraine . Uh 30:14.940 --> 30:17.119 certainly we welcome that dialogue uh 30:17.130 --> 30:19.352 and any support that can be provided to 30:19.352 --> 30:22.609 Ukraine uh to help them to uh protect 30:22.619 --> 30:24.619 their freedom and sovereignty is is 30:24.619 --> 30:26.760 always very welcome . Let me sorry . 30:27.180 --> 30:29.949 Second sir , I bring a , a tribute from 30:29.959 --> 30:32.089 my Indian American community . As for 30:32.199 --> 30:35.439 23 years of uh um 30:35.599 --> 30:39.209 911 tomorrow , hundreds of 30:39.219 --> 30:41.275 thousands of men and women from this 30:41.275 --> 30:43.689 building is protecting America and also 30:43.699 --> 30:46.239 peace around the globe . My question is 30:46.250 --> 30:48.319 that what , what must the secretary 30:48.329 --> 30:51.810 have for those who were sponsoring and 30:51.819 --> 30:54.689 financing Osama Bin Laden and his 30:54.699 --> 30:56.643 network in Afghanistan and also in 30:56.643 --> 30:59.140 Pakistan , anything have changed . And 30:59.150 --> 31:01.317 now because the United Nations General 31:01.317 --> 31:03.483 Assembly is also coming up in the next 31:03.483 --> 31:05.719 few days and next week and , uh , 31:05.729 --> 31:07.670 dozens of prime ministers and 31:07.680 --> 31:09.680 presidents including Prime Minister 31:10.020 --> 31:12.349 Modi and also President Biden will be 31:12.359 --> 31:15.449 there anything change after 23 years of 31:15.459 --> 31:18.130 this . Um , well , I'd , I'd encourage 31:18.140 --> 31:20.430 you to listen to the secretary's 31:20.439 --> 31:23.030 remarks tomorrow , uh , during the 911 31:23.040 --> 31:25.270 memorial . Uh , and of course , that 31:25.280 --> 31:27.391 will be live streamed on our , on our 31:27.391 --> 31:29.502 website . Um , and I , I think you'll 31:29.502 --> 31:31.224 find that very poignant and uh 31:31.390 --> 31:35.189 important . So let me go to Alex Expect . 31:35.199 --> 31:37.310 Uh So back to Ukrainian air defense . 31:37.310 --> 31:39.650 Um So it looks like the Ukrainians are 31:39.660 --> 31:41.604 moving the , the wrong way when it 31:41.604 --> 31:43.771 comes to the health of their defense , 31:43.771 --> 31:45.660 you know , Strech and Poltava and 31:45.660 --> 31:47.827 Kramatorsk and Kiev and elsewhere . Uh 31:47.827 --> 31:50.939 Can you give us a sense of uh what the 31:50.949 --> 31:53.005 US is doing in terms of , you know , 31:53.005 --> 31:55.079 future pdas to help in that ? Um And 31:55.089 --> 31:57.310 when it comes to central command post 31:57.319 --> 32:00.670 October 7th , um what is the pressure 32:00.689 --> 32:03.630 on increased air defense in the Middle 32:03.640 --> 32:06.089 East have on your ability to , to give 32:06.099 --> 32:08.599 both systems and munitions for air 32:08.609 --> 32:11.550 defense to Ukraine ? So a few things on 32:11.560 --> 32:14.189 that . So first of all , as I mentioned 32:14.199 --> 32:17.569 to Charlie , air defense has been a 32:17.579 --> 32:19.780 priority for the Ukraine defense 32:19.790 --> 32:22.012 contact group and for the United States 32:22.012 --> 32:24.068 when it comes to Ukraine for , for a 32:24.068 --> 32:26.068 long time now . And I , I don't see 32:26.068 --> 32:28.699 that changing . And in addition to the 32:28.709 --> 32:31.699 short term requirements as far as you 32:31.709 --> 32:33.900 know , rushing munitions uh getting 32:33.910 --> 32:36.180 additional systems . Uh for example , 32:36.189 --> 32:38.245 you know , what was announced during 32:38.245 --> 32:40.356 the NATO summit , we've also stood up 32:40.356 --> 32:43.680 these eight capability coalitions , 32:43.979 --> 32:46.520 um which look at the long term 32:46.530 --> 32:48.910 requirements for Ukraine and their 32:48.920 --> 32:52.060 future defense needs . And so what you 32:52.069 --> 32:54.236 have is that combination of supporting 32:54.236 --> 32:56.880 both short term urgent requirements and 32:56.890 --> 32:58.680 building the capabilities and 32:58.689 --> 33:00.633 importantly the ability to sustain 33:00.633 --> 33:02.522 those capabilities to include air 33:02.522 --> 33:05.619 defense in the long term key to all of 33:05.630 --> 33:07.790 that is working very closely with 33:07.800 --> 33:09.689 industry , not only in the United 33:09.689 --> 33:11.856 States but around the world to look at 33:11.856 --> 33:14.540 how we can partner uh from , you know , 33:14.599 --> 33:16.655 in terms of our defense , industrial 33:16.655 --> 33:19.260 bases to be able to ensure uh that 33:19.599 --> 33:22.050 Ukraine has what it needs uh in terms 33:22.060 --> 33:24.300 of air defense , but also other very 33:24.310 --> 33:27.430 important capabilities , armor uh 33:27.650 --> 33:30.650 information technology , drones , all 33:30.660 --> 33:32.549 those kinds of things . Uh And of 33:32.549 --> 33:34.438 course , the Air Force capability 33:34.438 --> 33:37.579 coalition . So going forward that will 33:37.589 --> 33:39.589 continue to be the focus . But as I 33:39.589 --> 33:41.478 highlighted as well , when you're 33:41.478 --> 33:43.367 dealing with air defense , you're 33:43.367 --> 33:45.589 talking about an integrated air defense 33:45.589 --> 33:47.756 that can look , you know , not only at 33:47.756 --> 33:49.978 protecting uh close in , but you've got 33:49.978 --> 33:52.145 those broader threat rings in terms of 33:52.145 --> 33:54.311 medium and long range . Um you're also 33:54.311 --> 33:56.645 protecting strategic centers of gravity . 33:56.645 --> 33:58.756 Uh And I won't go over those from the 33:58.756 --> 34:00.922 podium here , but , you know , broadly 34:00.922 --> 34:02.867 speaking , uh population centers , 34:02.867 --> 34:04.811 energy infrastructure , uh defense 34:04.811 --> 34:07.033 capabilities and things like that . All 34:07.033 --> 34:09.200 of that's being looked at holistically 34:09.200 --> 34:11.200 uh with our allies and partners and 34:11.200 --> 34:13.422 Ukraine to help them as we go forward , 34:13.422 --> 34:15.645 you talk about how that's a variable to 34:15.645 --> 34:17.756 uh your decisions on what to . Yeah , 34:17.756 --> 34:19.811 so , you know , um as far as Centcom 34:19.811 --> 34:21.922 goes and , and I wouldn't necessarily 34:21.922 --> 34:24.200 say it's just Centcom , but , you know , 34:24.200 --> 34:26.367 that is obviously a very important and 34:26.367 --> 34:28.478 critical theater . But , but we , the 34:28.478 --> 34:30.700 Department of Defense look holistically 34:30.700 --> 34:32.367 when it comes to requirements 34:32.367 --> 34:34.367 throughout the world . Uh and , you 34:34.367 --> 34:37.919 know , particularly uh from a global 34:37.929 --> 34:39.985 integration standpoint of looking at 34:39.985 --> 34:42.639 how um what we're doing in one theater 34:42.649 --> 34:45.120 affects another theater and what those 34:45.129 --> 34:47.296 requirements are gonna be . And that , 34:47.296 --> 34:49.129 of course , all goes into uh the 34:49.129 --> 34:51.500 National defense strategy and budgeting 34:51.610 --> 34:53.277 and ensuring that we have the 34:53.277 --> 34:55.499 capabilities where we need them when we 34:55.499 --> 34:57.832 need them to support those requirements . 34:57.832 --> 34:59.943 And so air defense within the S COM A 34:59.943 --> 35:01.943 or is no different . We do have the 35:01.943 --> 35:04.110 ability to surge capabilities , should 35:04.110 --> 35:06.332 we need to do that ? Um But again , you 35:06.332 --> 35:08.554 know , we're always going to be looking 35:08.554 --> 35:10.721 at how we prioritize resources and how 35:10.721 --> 35:12.888 we make sure we have what we need when 35:12.888 --> 35:14.888 we need it . So we're glad the West 35:14.888 --> 35:17.054 Bank um Secretary Lincoln um said that 35:17.054 --> 35:19.110 uh the Id F's um rules of engagement 35:19.110 --> 35:21.610 must change after they likely killed uh 35:21.620 --> 35:24.530 an American who was protesting um the 35:24.580 --> 35:26.747 State Department is not the experts of 35:26.747 --> 35:28.858 rules of engagement you guys are . So 35:28.858 --> 35:31.024 what uh assessments and what uh advice 35:31.024 --> 35:33.080 recommendations are you providing to 35:33.080 --> 35:34.858 the State Department for that ? 35:34.858 --> 35:36.636 Guidance ? And two , is this an 35:36.636 --> 35:38.858 opportunity for you guys to put meat on 35:38.858 --> 35:41.191 the bone on um actions and consequences ? 35:41.191 --> 35:43.191 Uh When it comes to what aid you're 35:43.191 --> 35:45.358 providing , is this an opportunity for 35:45.358 --> 35:47.580 you to be a little bit more um emphatic 35:47.580 --> 35:49.802 and forceful with the Israelis about uh 35:49.802 --> 35:51.969 what they receive and how they conduct 35:51.969 --> 35:53.913 themselves . Yeah . Well , in , in 35:53.913 --> 35:55.913 terms of uh the Israelis , I mean , 35:55.913 --> 35:58.247 from the very early days , I mean , I'd , 35:58.247 --> 36:00.024 I'd point you back to Secretary 36:00.024 --> 36:02.320 Austin's comments in Tel Aviv shortly 36:02.550 --> 36:04.659 after October 7th . Uh he has 36:04.669 --> 36:06.725 highlighted the importance of taking 36:06.725 --> 36:09.510 care of uh civilian harm mitigation , 36:09.520 --> 36:11.464 making sure that that's a critical 36:11.464 --> 36:13.790 element in planning and operations . 36:14.010 --> 36:15.788 And he's continued to have that 36:15.788 --> 36:17.454 conversation with his Israeli 36:17.454 --> 36:19.621 counterpart uh going forward as far as 36:19.621 --> 36:21.788 the West Bank . Again , as I mentioned 36:21.788 --> 36:23.899 earlier , the secretary has spoken to 36:23.899 --> 36:26.066 Minister Galan about the importance of 36:26.066 --> 36:28.232 taking civilian safety into account as 36:28.232 --> 36:30.889 well as uh making sure that actions 36:30.899 --> 36:33.340 being taken don't inflame tensions uh 36:33.350 --> 36:35.739 and result in a wider conflict . And so 36:35.750 --> 36:37.861 again , they'll , they'll continue to 36:37.861 --> 36:39.972 stay focused on that . Um I would , I 36:39.972 --> 36:42.179 would , you know , gently , uh push 36:42.189 --> 36:44.078 back a little bit . I think State 36:44.078 --> 36:46.189 Department does have an understanding 36:46.189 --> 36:48.300 of uh international humanitarian law 36:48.310 --> 36:51.929 and rules of engagement , writ large Um 36:51.939 --> 36:54.219 And as you know , they're , they assess 36:54.229 --> 36:58.060 uh accusations of violations of 36:58.070 --> 37:00.126 international humanitarian law and I 37:00.126 --> 37:02.348 know those assessments are ongoing . In 37:02.348 --> 37:04.570 the meantime , we are going to continue 37:04.570 --> 37:06.792 to encourage our and expect our Israeli 37:06.792 --> 37:08.848 counterparts to take civilian safety 37:08.848 --> 37:11.070 into account . Ok . Got time for just a 37:11.070 --> 37:12.903 few more . Yes , ma'am . Can you 37:12.903 --> 37:14.959 clarify the call between a no paycom 37:14.959 --> 37:16.903 commander and the Southern Theater 37:16.903 --> 37:18.959 commander ? Was this part of the new 37:18.959 --> 37:20.979 framework or is it one of the three 37:20.989 --> 37:23.045 that two of them have been resumed ? 37:23.045 --> 37:25.500 And one has not , is it a new framework 37:25.510 --> 37:28.149 or can you just clarify that ? Um Not 37:28.159 --> 37:30.270 sure I understand what you mean , but 37:30.270 --> 37:32.100 it , it was a result of as I 37:32.110 --> 37:33.943 highlighted , you know , the the 37:33.943 --> 37:36.110 discussion between President Biden and 37:36.110 --> 37:39.340 President Xi in terms of reinitiating 37:39.350 --> 37:42.149 those those contacts . Um One of which 37:42.159 --> 37:44.679 was between the Chinese theater 37:44.689 --> 37:46.800 commanders , pr C theater commanders 37:46.810 --> 37:49.020 and the commander of Indo paycom . As 37:49.030 --> 37:51.086 you know , Secretary Austin has also 37:51.086 --> 37:53.620 engaged with his counterpart and we 37:53.629 --> 37:55.407 hope to see those conversations 37:55.407 --> 37:58.169 continue . Thank you , I'll go , you , 37:58.179 --> 38:00.235 you and then we'll close it out with 38:00.235 --> 38:02.290 Heather . Ok , thank you . General . 38:02.290 --> 38:04.512 Two quick questions on Middle East . Do 38:04.520 --> 38:06.409 you have an update on the current 38:06.409 --> 38:09.879 discussion with Iraqi partners ? The 38:09.889 --> 38:12.169 negotiations that are discussed by the 38:12.179 --> 38:14.370 High Military Commission again ? No , 38:14.379 --> 38:16.601 no announcements to make , we will keep 38:16.601 --> 38:19.070 you updated . You know , the US has 38:19.080 --> 38:22.040 military presence in Syria . Will their 38:22.050 --> 38:25.290 role continue as long as ISIS remains 38:25.300 --> 38:29.300 as a threat or that depends on the 38:29.310 --> 38:32.260 presence of Russians in Syria . Well as 38:32.270 --> 38:34.330 it , as it pertains to the global 38:34.340 --> 38:36.719 coalition and operation inherent 38:36.729 --> 38:38.507 resolve again , that that's the 38:38.507 --> 38:40.729 discussions that have been happening in 38:40.729 --> 38:42.618 terms of the transition from that 38:42.618 --> 38:46.129 global coalition to a US Iraq bilateral 38:46.139 --> 38:49.250 security cooperations . So certainly as 38:49.260 --> 38:51.371 it pertains , you know , because it's 38:51.371 --> 38:53.427 part of the defeat ISIS mission . Uh 38:53.427 --> 38:55.649 Syria would certainly be a part of that 38:55.649 --> 38:57.593 discussion . Uh But again , I just 38:57.593 --> 38:59.704 don't have anything to announce right 38:59.704 --> 39:02.570 now . Jared all these Iranian Srb , MS 39:02.580 --> 39:05.010 to Russia um beyond the threat to 39:05.020 --> 39:07.353 Ukraine , I believe , Secretary Blinken , 39:07.353 --> 39:09.409 I think you alluded to it earlier as 39:09.409 --> 39:11.520 well said that this poses a threat to 39:11.520 --> 39:13.520 quote all of Europe because it , uh 39:13.520 --> 39:15.298 this provision allows Russia to 39:15.298 --> 39:17.298 dedicate longer range B MS to other 39:17.298 --> 39:19.464 targets . I'm wondering , I mean , the 39:19.464 --> 39:19.330 US has known for months that Iran's 39:19.340 --> 39:21.673 government is considering sending these , 39:21.673 --> 39:23.784 um I wonder if you could elaborate on 39:23.784 --> 39:25.840 any steps the dod has taken with its 39:25.840 --> 39:27.840 allies to sort of shore up European 39:27.840 --> 39:30.007 defense in case this has happened . Uh 39:30.007 --> 39:32.118 Well , I mean , as a member of NATO , 39:32.118 --> 39:34.173 um I mean , we , you know , where to 39:34.173 --> 39:36.284 start , but we've done lots of things 39:36.284 --> 39:38.451 in terms of , um you know , relocating 39:38.451 --> 39:40.673 or deploying additional forces into the 39:40.673 --> 39:42.562 European A or we conduct multiple 39:42.562 --> 39:45.399 exercises uh with our NATO partners and , 39:45.479 --> 39:47.790 you know , uh the secretary is uh 39:47.800 --> 39:50.429 regularly engaging with NATO Defense 39:50.439 --> 39:52.606 Ministers to talk about what we can do 39:52.606 --> 39:55.550 to work together to uh uh ensure our 39:55.560 --> 39:57.449 collective security as it , as it 39:57.449 --> 39:59.949 relates to Europe . Um Never mind the 39:59.959 --> 40:02.330 fact that the U DC G also provides a 40:02.340 --> 40:04.540 forum where they can talk about these 40:04.550 --> 40:06.661 kinds of things . And if I could just 40:06.661 --> 40:08.494 follow up , um you mentioned the 40:08.494 --> 40:10.606 Russian government sharing technology 40:10.606 --> 40:12.717 with regards to nuclear programs with 40:12.717 --> 40:14.939 Iran . Is this technology that could 40:14.949 --> 40:16.449 potentially be involved in 40:16.449 --> 40:18.449 weaponization initiatives ? Does it 40:18.459 --> 40:19.959 potentially shorten Iran's 40:19.959 --> 40:22.237 weaponization breakout time ? Yeah , I , 40:22.237 --> 40:24.459 I just don't , I'm not gonna be able to 40:24.459 --> 40:24.360 provide any more details than that . 40:24.370 --> 40:26.426 Thanks . All right , last question , 40:26.426 --> 40:28.592 we'll go to heather us and I thanks so 40:28.592 --> 40:30.648 much . Uh Two questions . Uh First , 40:30.648 --> 40:32.759 can you give an update on the tankers 40:32.759 --> 40:34.703 that the houthis hit ? Uh And then 40:34.703 --> 40:37.060 second , during um Admiral Pharo's 40:37.070 --> 40:39.014 discussions , did anything come up 40:39.014 --> 40:41.469 about the uh recent actions between the 40:41.479 --> 40:43.701 Chinese Coast Guard and the Philippines 40:43.701 --> 40:46.820 over Sena ? Yeah , thanks Heather . Um 40:46.830 --> 40:48.997 I I'm assuming you're referring to the 40:48.997 --> 40:51.939 Delta , so Union , um to my knowledge 40:51.949 --> 40:55.899 still on fire , um it appears that the 40:55.909 --> 40:59.300 uh internal oil tanks uh so far are 40:59.310 --> 41:01.143 secure . I think I had mentioned 41:01.143 --> 41:03.254 earlier that we had indications of uh 41:03.254 --> 41:05.560 oil leak . Uh So it would appear that 41:05.570 --> 41:08.419 that was uh probably from like the 41:08.429 --> 41:10.262 engine room or , or some type of 41:10.262 --> 41:13.739 chemical leak . Um But clearly that 41:13.750 --> 41:16.290 presents a uh the potential for a 41:16.300 --> 41:18.879 significant environmental disaster . Uh 41:18.889 --> 41:21.000 And I know that there's third parties 41:21.000 --> 41:23.239 that are looking at uh how to salvage 41:23.250 --> 41:26.129 that and , and get the , the oil tanker 41:26.139 --> 41:28.083 out of there . But again , just an 41:28.083 --> 41:30.879 indication of the , the kinds of uh 41:30.889 --> 41:33.056 malign activity that we're seeing from 41:33.056 --> 41:35.360 the Iranian backed Houthis . And then 41:35.370 --> 41:37.314 I'm sorry , your last question was 41:37.629 --> 41:39.462 during Admiral Paar's call . Did 41:39.462 --> 41:41.573 anything come up about the uh Chinese 41:41.573 --> 41:43.685 coast Guard in the Philippines ? Over 41:43.685 --> 41:45.851 to the initial ? Yeah , I'm , I'm just 41:45.851 --> 41:48.073 not gonna have anything more to provide 41:48.073 --> 41:50.240 beyond what I had in uh in my topper . 41:50.240 --> 41:52.351 And I'd , I'd refer you to the uh the 41:52.351 --> 41:54.518 readout from Indo paycom . All right . 41:54.518 --> 41:56.240 Thanks very much . Everybody . 41:56.240 --> 41:55.820 Appreciate it .