1 00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:02,231 All right , good afternoon , everyone . 2 00:00:02,231 --> 00:00:04,980 Ok . Just a few things at the top and 3 00:00:04,989 --> 00:00:06,989 then happy to take your questions . 4 00:00:06,989 --> 00:00:08,767 This morning , Secretary Austin 5 00:00:08,767 --> 00:00:10,656 departed for London to attend the 6 00:00:10,656 --> 00:00:12,711 August defense ministerial meeting . 7 00:00:12,711 --> 00:00:15,270 The August DMM is the third of its kind 8 00:00:15,279 --> 00:00:17,079 marking three years of enhanced 9 00:00:17,090 --> 00:00:19,280 security partnership and provides an 10 00:00:19,290 --> 00:00:21,309 opportunity for Secretary Austin to 11 00:00:21,319 --> 00:00:23,200 meet with his UK and Australian 12 00:00:23,209 --> 00:00:25,989 counterparts to review progress and 13 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:28,167 outline steps for continued work under 14 00:00:28,167 --> 00:00:30,415 pillar one and pillar two of August . 15 00:00:30,934 --> 00:00:33,101 We'll have more to share in the coming 16 00:00:33,101 --> 00:00:35,212 days . But under pillar one , you can 17 00:00:35,212 --> 00:00:37,434 imagine or you can expect the secretary 18 00:00:37,434 --> 00:00:39,156 to reaffirm the United states' 19 00:00:39,156 --> 00:00:41,212 commitment to supporting Australia's 20 00:00:41,212 --> 00:00:43,323 acquisition of a conventionally armed 21 00:00:43,323 --> 00:00:45,378 nuclear powered submarine capability 22 00:00:45,378 --> 00:00:47,601 under pillar two , Secretary Austin and 23 00:00:47,601 --> 00:00:49,767 his counterparts will discuss plans to 24 00:00:49,767 --> 00:00:51,656 further enhance collaboration and 25 00:00:51,656 --> 00:00:53,712 harmonize acquisition processes over 26 00:00:53,712 --> 00:00:55,767 the next two years to accelerate the 27 00:00:55,767 --> 00:00:57,823 delivery of advanced capabilities to 28 00:00:57,823 --> 00:00:59,990 our defense forces . August presents a 29 00:00:59,990 --> 00:01:02,101 unique opportunity for our nations to 30 00:01:02,101 --> 00:01:03,990 collectively enhance our military 31 00:01:03,990 --> 00:01:06,212 capabilities , improve interoperability 32 00:01:06,212 --> 00:01:08,378 and advance a shared vision for a free 33 00:01:08,378 --> 00:01:10,910 and open Indo Pacific . The department 34 00:01:10,919 --> 00:01:12,919 looks forward to continuing to work 35 00:01:12,919 --> 00:01:15,086 with our UK and Australian partners to 36 00:01:15,086 --> 00:01:17,308 implement this important work . Earlier 37 00:01:17,308 --> 00:01:19,475 this week , the navy announced that US 38 00:01:19,475 --> 00:01:21,586 S Harry S Truman carrier strike group 39 00:01:21,586 --> 00:01:23,530 departed naval station , Norfolk , 40 00:01:23,530 --> 00:01:25,475 Virginia for a regularly scheduled 41 00:01:25,475 --> 00:01:27,475 deployment to the US naval forces . 42 00:01:27,475 --> 00:01:30,089 Europe and Europe , Africa . Us six 43 00:01:30,099 --> 00:01:32,500 fleet area of operations demonstrating 44 00:01:32,510 --> 00:01:34,510 the commitment and power projection 45 00:01:34,510 --> 00:01:36,510 capability of the navy's globally 46 00:01:36,519 --> 00:01:39,059 deployed force . The strike group will 47 00:01:39,069 --> 00:01:41,830 operate in the US European command area 48 00:01:41,839 --> 00:01:43,839 of responsibility in support of our 49 00:01:43,839 --> 00:01:45,839 maritime partners and NATO allies . 50 00:01:46,370 --> 00:01:48,203 Switching gears . The department 51 00:01:48,203 --> 00:01:50,203 continues to monitor tropical storm 52 00:01:50,203 --> 00:01:52,470 Helene as it is forecasted to intensify 53 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:54,730 into a hurricane as it approaches the 54 00:01:54,739 --> 00:01:56,989 northeastern Gulf coast . On Thursday , 55 00:01:57,559 --> 00:01:59,726 Florida and Georgia have both declared 56 00:01:59,726 --> 00:02:01,948 states of emergency and the governor of 57 00:02:01,948 --> 00:02:04,059 Florida has activated more than 3300 58 00:02:04,069 --> 00:02:06,889 national guardsmen and 12 rotary wing 59 00:02:06,900 --> 00:02:09,009 aviation assets in state active duty 60 00:02:09,020 --> 00:02:11,610 status . These guardsmen are 61 00:02:11,619 --> 00:02:13,508 prepositioned around the state to 62 00:02:13,508 --> 00:02:15,563 provide responsive sustained support 63 00:02:15,563 --> 00:02:17,397 including high wheeled vehicle , 64 00:02:17,397 --> 00:02:19,230 rescues , aerial support , route 65 00:02:19,230 --> 00:02:21,508 clearance and commodities distribution . 66 00:02:21,508 --> 00:02:23,529 Additionally , in the next 24 to 48 67 00:02:23,539 --> 00:02:25,761 hours , the States of Georgia , Alabama 68 00:02:25,761 --> 00:02:27,706 and North Carolina are expected to 69 00:02:27,706 --> 00:02:29,817 activate the National Guard as well . 70 00:02:29,817 --> 00:02:31,539 For more information , I would 71 00:02:31,539 --> 00:02:33,706 encourage you to reach out to National 72 00:02:33,706 --> 00:02:35,817 Guard Bureau of Public Affairs and to 73 00:02:35,817 --> 00:02:38,039 close last night , the Senate confirmed 74 00:02:38,039 --> 00:02:40,206 more than 6000 of our highly qualified 75 00:02:40,206 --> 00:02:42,261 military nominees in the Air Force , 76 00:02:42,261 --> 00:02:44,539 Army Marine Corps Navy and Space Force . 77 00:02:44,539 --> 00:02:46,706 These confirmations include Lieutenant 78 00:02:46,706 --> 00:02:48,706 General Nordhaus to be Chief of the 79 00:02:48,706 --> 00:02:50,761 National Guard Bureau , Vice Admiral 80 00:02:50,761 --> 00:02:52,872 Halsey to be Commander of us Southern 81 00:02:52,872 --> 00:02:55,095 Command . Lieutenant General Reed to be 82 00:02:55,095 --> 00:02:57,261 Commander of us Transportation Command 83 00:02:57,261 --> 00:02:59,317 and Lieutenant General Brunson to be 84 00:02:59,317 --> 00:03:01,759 commander of us forces Korea . We're 85 00:03:01,770 --> 00:03:03,992 very glad that the Senate has confirmed 86 00:03:03,992 --> 00:03:06,103 these officers for critical positions 87 00:03:06,103 --> 00:03:07,992 during this time and for national 88 00:03:07,992 --> 00:03:10,103 security and with that , I'd be happy 89 00:03:10,103 --> 00:03:12,159 to take your questions . All right , 90 00:03:12,159 --> 00:03:14,437 thanks Sabrina . Um So later this week , 91 00:03:14,437 --> 00:03:16,919 we're possibly expecting an agreement 92 00:03:16,929 --> 00:03:19,660 on the withdrawal or transition of us 93 00:03:19,669 --> 00:03:22,259 troops in Iraq . Um What still needs to 94 00:03:22,270 --> 00:03:24,326 be done in that agreement ? It seems 95 00:03:24,326 --> 00:03:26,381 from the Iraqi perspective that this 96 00:03:26,381 --> 00:03:28,548 decision has been made and the details 97 00:03:28,548 --> 00:03:30,437 are set . Uh So , thanks Tara , I 98 00:03:30,437 --> 00:03:32,492 appreciate the question . I think as 99 00:03:32,492 --> 00:03:34,548 you alluded to , we , we'll probably 100 00:03:34,548 --> 00:03:36,659 have more details to share later this 101 00:03:36,659 --> 00:03:38,603 week . Um What we've said from the 102 00:03:38,603 --> 00:03:41,119 beginning is that um we know that the 103 00:03:41,130 --> 00:03:44,470 global coalition um is , and , and that 104 00:03:44,479 --> 00:03:46,590 that international coalition is going 105 00:03:46,590 --> 00:03:48,812 to transition into a bilateral security 106 00:03:48,812 --> 00:03:51,035 co op uh relationship with the Iraqis . 107 00:03:51,035 --> 00:03:53,789 Um And this has been worked through um 108 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,470 the US Iraq Higher Military Commission 109 00:03:56,559 --> 00:03:58,610 working groups . So again , we , we 110 00:03:58,619 --> 00:04:00,675 should have more to share later this 111 00:04:00,675 --> 00:04:02,730 week . But at this time , I just , I 112 00:04:02,730 --> 00:04:04,952 don't want to get ahead of that process 113 00:04:04,952 --> 00:04:06,952 is safe to assume that this means a 114 00:04:06,952 --> 00:04:09,119 reduction in the forces that are there 115 00:04:09,119 --> 00:04:11,341 from the 2500 . I think we'll have more 116 00:04:11,341 --> 00:04:13,341 to share this week . Secondly , the 117 00:04:13,341 --> 00:04:15,286 status of the Refueler that's been 118 00:04:15,286 --> 00:04:17,508 damaged . And do you know anything else 119 00:04:17,508 --> 00:04:19,452 about what caused it to either run 120 00:04:19,452 --> 00:04:22,959 aground or run into something ? Sorry , 121 00:04:22,970 --> 00:04:25,192 I was just trying to find some more for 122 00:04:25,192 --> 00:04:27,890 you on that . Um , the , uh , the ship 123 00:04:27,899 --> 00:04:30,880 that you're referring to did , um , uh , 124 00:04:30,890 --> 00:04:33,160 was damaged when it was , um , I 125 00:04:33,170 --> 00:04:36,769 believe , um , in the fifth fleet a 126 00:04:36,779 --> 00:04:40,059 or , um , currently under investigation 127 00:04:40,070 --> 00:04:42,126 to what exactly caused that damage . 128 00:04:42,126 --> 00:04:45,040 But that um oil tanker Refueler has 129 00:04:45,049 --> 00:04:48,100 been towed to a port . And um you know , 130 00:04:48,109 --> 00:04:50,799 there was no leakage um from the ship , 131 00:04:50,809 --> 00:04:53,309 but in terms of impacts to operations , 132 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,709 no impacts there . But um for more 133 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:57,887 information , I'd have to refer you to 134 00:04:57,887 --> 00:04:59,970 the , to the navy . And so you don't 135 00:04:59,980 --> 00:05:02,147 know what caused the damage that we're 136 00:05:02,147 --> 00:05:03,924 still , we're investigating the 137 00:05:03,924 --> 00:05:05,940 incident . Great . Ok , Andre and 138 00:05:05,950 --> 00:05:08,329 welcome back . Um Israel's military 139 00:05:08,339 --> 00:05:10,450 Chief , um I think earlier today said 140 00:05:10,450 --> 00:05:12,617 that strikes in Lebanon would continue 141 00:05:12,617 --> 00:05:14,228 in order to not only destroy 142 00:05:14,228 --> 00:05:16,228 Hezbollah's infrastructure but also 143 00:05:16,228 --> 00:05:18,506 prepare for a possible ground invasion . 144 00:05:18,506 --> 00:05:20,728 Just a general comment . And do you see 145 00:05:20,728 --> 00:05:22,895 a ground invasion as likely um or even 146 00:05:22,895 --> 00:05:25,117 imminent ? So , in terms of um a ground 147 00:05:25,117 --> 00:05:27,172 incursion or a ground invasion , you 148 00:05:27,172 --> 00:05:29,283 know , that's really for the Israelis 149 00:05:29,283 --> 00:05:31,283 to speak to . Um we certainly don't 150 00:05:31,283 --> 00:05:33,506 want to see any action taken that could 151 00:05:33,506 --> 00:05:35,395 lead to further escalation in the 152 00:05:35,395 --> 00:05:37,617 region . We still believe that there is 153 00:05:37,617 --> 00:05:40,380 time and space for diplomacy we want to 154 00:05:40,390 --> 00:05:42,329 see a diplomatic resolution and a 155 00:05:42,339 --> 00:05:44,600 solution to prevent an all out war . 156 00:05:44,609 --> 00:05:46,442 But in terms of , you know , the 157 00:05:46,442 --> 00:05:48,609 Israeli operations , I'd have to refer 158 00:05:48,609 --> 00:05:50,776 to them to speak to that . And just to 159 00:05:50,776 --> 00:05:49,959 follow up last week , I think the 160 00:05:49,970 --> 00:05:52,192 secretary had near daily call . So this 161 00:05:52,192 --> 00:05:54,303 is the counterpart , he hasn't spoken 162 00:05:54,303 --> 00:05:56,526 with them since the 22nd . Is there any 163 00:05:56,526 --> 00:05:58,692 reason for that ? And should we expect 164 00:05:58,692 --> 00:06:00,859 any , any conversations um between the 165 00:06:00,859 --> 00:06:02,803 two of them in the coming days ? I 166 00:06:02,803 --> 00:06:02,765 think you can expect them to continue 167 00:06:02,774 --> 00:06:04,607 to engage . Um Just because they 168 00:06:04,607 --> 00:06:06,830 haven't spoken every day , doesn't mean 169 00:06:06,830 --> 00:06:08,830 that , you know , our teams haven't 170 00:06:08,830 --> 00:06:10,996 been in communication . Um Again , you 171 00:06:10,996 --> 00:06:13,052 know , he , he engages with Minister 172 00:06:13,052 --> 00:06:15,052 Galan on a pretty regular basis and 173 00:06:15,052 --> 00:06:17,218 when we have more to share on when the 174 00:06:17,218 --> 00:06:19,218 next call happens , we'll certainly 175 00:06:19,218 --> 00:06:21,274 read it out . But um you know , just 176 00:06:21,274 --> 00:06:23,441 because he hasn't had one every single 177 00:06:23,441 --> 00:06:22,609 day this week , doesn't mean that we're 178 00:06:22,619 --> 00:06:24,619 not engaging with the Israelis . Um 179 00:06:24,619 --> 00:06:26,563 You've seen uh maybe not from this 180 00:06:26,563 --> 00:06:29,100 building but other uh agencies part of 181 00:06:29,109 --> 00:06:31,053 this administration engaging their 182 00:06:31,053 --> 00:06:32,831 Israeli counterparts . So we're 183 00:06:32,831 --> 00:06:35,053 continuing that , that dialogue . Thank 184 00:06:35,053 --> 00:06:37,450 you , Sabrina . Um Is there any 185 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:40,959 support that the Pentagon is 186 00:06:41,649 --> 00:06:44,750 providing to the Israeli military in 187 00:06:45,250 --> 00:06:47,260 the current situation in Lebanon in 188 00:06:47,269 --> 00:06:50,489 terms of any like ground support or air 189 00:06:50,500 --> 00:06:54,450 support ? A no , no support , not 190 00:06:54,459 --> 00:06:56,709 even intelligence sharing . So , up 191 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:58,609 until I guess unless there's some 192 00:06:58,609 --> 00:07:00,769 changes you've been describing what's 193 00:07:00,779 --> 00:07:03,420 happening as defensive operations . I 194 00:07:03,429 --> 00:07:05,559 believe in the first day , almost 500 195 00:07:05,570 --> 00:07:07,792 civilians were killed , including women 196 00:07:07,792 --> 00:07:09,737 and Children in Lebanon . Civilian 197 00:07:09,737 --> 00:07:11,514 infrastructure has been damaged 198 00:07:11,514 --> 00:07:14,739 severely . Almost 1300 airstrikes 199 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:17,559 today up until three pm . Beirut time , 200 00:07:17,570 --> 00:07:20,179 more than 50,000 villages have been hit 201 00:07:20,190 --> 00:07:22,040 by Israelis . International 202 00:07:22,049 --> 00:07:23,938 organizations are describing what 203 00:07:23,938 --> 00:07:26,049 happened the first day as the highest 204 00:07:26,049 --> 00:07:28,216 death toll in Lebanon since the end of 205 00:07:28,216 --> 00:07:30,438 the civil , the Civil War . So I'm just 206 00:07:30,438 --> 00:07:32,549 curious , what criteria are you using 207 00:07:32,549 --> 00:07:34,327 to describe what's happening as 208 00:07:34,327 --> 00:07:36,382 defensive operations ? Well , Fadi I 209 00:07:36,382 --> 00:07:38,382 think I'd have to point you back to 210 00:07:38,382 --> 00:07:38,260 October 8th when Lebanese Hezbollah 211 00:07:38,269 --> 00:07:42,049 attacked Israel following the um you 212 00:07:42,059 --> 00:07:44,000 know , brutal attack that Hamas 213 00:07:44,010 --> 00:07:46,559 launched on October 7th . So these are 214 00:07:46,570 --> 00:07:49,140 still defensive operations . Um You 215 00:07:49,149 --> 00:07:51,205 know , we understand the threat that 216 00:07:51,205 --> 00:07:54,540 Israel faces . Um we are not supporting 217 00:07:54,549 --> 00:07:56,438 their operations when it comes to 218 00:07:56,438 --> 00:07:58,327 Lebanon , the support that you're 219 00:07:58,327 --> 00:08:00,382 seeing or what you're seeing when it 220 00:08:00,382 --> 00:08:02,605 comes to us forces in the region is for 221 00:08:02,605 --> 00:08:04,716 our own force protection . And should 222 00:08:04,716 --> 00:08:06,605 we need to come to the defense of 223 00:08:06,605 --> 00:08:08,827 Israel ? Like we saw um from that , you 224 00:08:08,827 --> 00:08:10,938 know , large scale attack from Iran , 225 00:08:10,938 --> 00:08:12,993 we've positioned forces to do that . 226 00:08:12,993 --> 00:08:15,105 But when it comes to Lebanon , the US 227 00:08:15,105 --> 00:08:17,327 military has no involvement in Israel's 228 00:08:17,327 --> 00:08:19,493 operation . So just wanna , you know , 229 00:08:19,493 --> 00:08:21,827 lay that flat um in terms of , you know , 230 00:08:21,827 --> 00:08:21,239 some of some of what you just 231 00:08:21,250 --> 00:08:23,649 referenced , this is exactly why we're 232 00:08:23,660 --> 00:08:25,827 pushing for a diplomatic solution . We 233 00:08:25,827 --> 00:08:28,149 don't want to see innocent civilians , 234 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:30,271 um , you know , lose their lives . We 235 00:08:30,271 --> 00:08:32,549 want to see a deescalating happen and , 236 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:34,781 and you're seeing engagement from , you 237 00:08:34,781 --> 00:08:37,115 know , all parts of this administration , 238 00:08:37,115 --> 00:08:39,059 including at Unga right now . Um , 239 00:08:39,059 --> 00:08:41,226 we're calling for a deescalated and we 240 00:08:41,226 --> 00:08:43,337 believe that a diplomatic off ramp is 241 00:08:43,337 --> 00:08:45,448 the best way , um , to resolve what's 242 00:08:45,448 --> 00:08:47,448 happening on that northern border . 243 00:08:47,448 --> 00:08:50,229 Last question , did any official in the 244 00:08:50,239 --> 00:08:53,570 in the Pentagon um communicate any 245 00:08:53,580 --> 00:08:55,524 concerns about the high death toll 246 00:08:55,524 --> 00:08:57,636 among the civilians ? I mean , I know 247 00:08:57,636 --> 00:08:59,858 and we know in Gaza that was a constant 248 00:08:59,858 --> 00:09:02,080 conversation . Has anyone raised that 249 00:09:02,090 --> 00:09:04,909 issue in relation to Lebanon without 250 00:09:04,919 --> 00:09:06,752 getting into more details of the 251 00:09:06,752 --> 00:09:08,919 secretary's calls with Mr Gallant ? We 252 00:09:08,919 --> 00:09:10,960 are of course always concerned of 253 00:09:10,969 --> 00:09:13,559 civilian casualties . We're seeing some 254 00:09:13,570 --> 00:09:15,626 of these strikes take place in areas 255 00:09:15,626 --> 00:09:17,979 where there are civilians . You know , 256 00:09:17,989 --> 00:09:19,767 we're also seeing Israel notify 257 00:09:19,767 --> 00:09:22,909 populations to clear those areas , our 258 00:09:22,919 --> 00:09:24,975 focus and , and you're seeing a full 259 00:09:24,975 --> 00:09:26,975 court press here from uh the United 260 00:09:26,975 --> 00:09:28,475 States government and this 261 00:09:28,475 --> 00:09:30,252 administration , we wanna see a 262 00:09:30,252 --> 00:09:32,419 diplomatic solution and we want to see 263 00:09:32,419 --> 00:09:34,308 it , you know , urgently . Um And 264 00:09:34,308 --> 00:09:36,419 that's why you're seeing engagement , 265 00:09:36,419 --> 00:09:38,475 you know , whether it be at UGA or , 266 00:09:38,475 --> 00:09:38,289 you know , in calls that the secretary 267 00:09:38,299 --> 00:09:40,466 is doing with Minister of Gallant . Um 268 00:09:40,466 --> 00:09:42,577 and not just at his level , but , you 269 00:09:42,577 --> 00:09:44,577 know , at other levels as well . We 270 00:09:44,577 --> 00:09:46,688 wanna see , um we don't wanna see any 271 00:09:46,688 --> 00:09:48,632 action taken on either side , that 272 00:09:48,632 --> 00:09:50,743 would lead to further escalation , we 273 00:09:50,743 --> 00:09:52,910 wanna see de escalate and the best off 274 00:09:52,910 --> 00:09:55,132 ramp for that to prevent an all out war 275 00:09:55,132 --> 00:09:59,020 is through diplomatic means . How 276 00:09:59,030 --> 00:10:01,197 confident are you that you can achieve 277 00:10:01,197 --> 00:10:03,141 a diplomatic off ramp , especially 278 00:10:03,141 --> 00:10:06,090 given the past nearly 12 months where 279 00:10:06,099 --> 00:10:09,010 the US has been unable to broker any 280 00:10:09,020 --> 00:10:11,250 kind of sustained ceasefire in Gaza . 281 00:10:11,260 --> 00:10:13,482 So for the situation with Hezbollah and 282 00:10:13,482 --> 00:10:15,799 Israel , how confident are you that 283 00:10:16,289 --> 00:10:18,400 we're not going to see a full scale ? 284 00:10:18,570 --> 00:10:20,570 Well , you know , push back on that 285 00:10:20,570 --> 00:10:22,737 respectfully . You know , we have seen 286 00:10:22,737 --> 00:10:24,792 periods where there has been a cease 287 00:10:24,792 --> 00:10:27,126 fire put in place and we have seen , um , 288 00:10:27,126 --> 00:10:29,348 you know , the ability to get , we were 289 00:10:29,348 --> 00:10:29,260 talking , you know , months earlier 290 00:10:29,270 --> 00:10:31,969 about humanitarian aid , uh being able 291 00:10:31,979 --> 00:10:33,979 to get in , that was something that 292 00:10:33,979 --> 00:10:36,146 this administration brokered , um , to 293 00:10:36,146 --> 00:10:37,701 make sure that we could get 294 00:10:37,701 --> 00:10:39,868 humanitarian aid and supplies . And so 295 00:10:39,868 --> 00:10:42,679 look , you're , and , and not to 296 00:10:42,690 --> 00:10:44,912 reiterate just what I said to FDI , but 297 00:10:44,912 --> 00:10:47,023 you're seeing a full court press from 298 00:10:47,023 --> 00:10:49,246 this administration at all levels for a 299 00:10:49,246 --> 00:10:51,301 diplomatic solution . Nothing is off 300 00:10:51,301 --> 00:10:53,301 the table . Um We don't assess that 301 00:10:53,301 --> 00:10:55,246 either side wants a larger scale , 302 00:10:55,246 --> 00:10:58,169 wider regional conflict . Um But we're 303 00:10:58,179 --> 00:11:00,401 doing everything that we can to prevent 304 00:11:00,401 --> 00:11:02,457 that from happening . And that's why 305 00:11:02,457 --> 00:11:04,623 you're seeing the engagements that the 306 00:11:04,623 --> 00:11:06,735 president is doing from the secretary 307 00:11:06,735 --> 00:11:05,929 and then on down in the , in the 308 00:11:05,940 --> 00:11:08,280 building while I appreciate that you 309 00:11:08,289 --> 00:11:11,070 don't want to speak for Israel . Um , 310 00:11:11,330 --> 00:11:13,552 are you able to share anything in terms 311 00:11:13,552 --> 00:11:15,663 of what you've seen along the Lebanon 312 00:11:15,663 --> 00:11:18,020 Israel border in terms of movement , 313 00:11:18,030 --> 00:11:20,141 either side of it ? Does it look like 314 00:11:20,570 --> 00:11:22,737 there's a ramp up towards some kind of 315 00:11:22,737 --> 00:11:24,830 a incursion right now ? It doesn't , 316 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:26,896 you know , well , you know , without 317 00:11:26,896 --> 00:11:29,007 characterizing Israeli operations and 318 00:11:29,007 --> 00:11:30,729 letting them speak to them for 319 00:11:30,729 --> 00:11:32,951 themselves , you know , it doesn't look 320 00:11:32,951 --> 00:11:35,118 like anything is imminent . What we're 321 00:11:35,118 --> 00:11:37,173 seeing on that northern border is an 322 00:11:37,173 --> 00:11:39,229 increase in , you know , the tit for 323 00:11:39,229 --> 00:11:41,062 tat going back and forth strikes 324 00:11:41,062 --> 00:11:43,840 between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah . 325 00:11:43,890 --> 00:11:46,223 And that is our concern . We , you know , 326 00:11:46,223 --> 00:11:48,557 we are concerned about a miscalculation . 327 00:11:48,557 --> 00:11:50,710 We don't want to see a wider regional 328 00:11:50,719 --> 00:11:52,989 conflict and that's why in every 329 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:54,840 conversation that we have in the 330 00:11:54,849 --> 00:11:57,071 conversations that are happening in New 331 00:11:57,071 --> 00:11:59,182 York where we are continuing to press 332 00:11:59,182 --> 00:12:02,450 for diplomatic resolve . Jesse . Thank 333 00:12:02,460 --> 00:12:05,159 you so much . Uh We all know that 334 00:12:05,169 --> 00:12:08,150 Secretary Austin is , uh always in 335 00:12:08,159 --> 00:12:10,979 contact with his Israeli counterpart . 336 00:12:11,450 --> 00:12:13,950 Uh Does the secretary have any 337 00:12:14,289 --> 00:12:16,599 objections to the way Israel is 338 00:12:16,609 --> 00:12:19,260 conducting its operations inside 339 00:12:19,270 --> 00:12:22,830 Lebanon in terms of , in terms of , uh , 340 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:25,280 as you may know , targeting civilians , 341 00:12:25,380 --> 00:12:28,440 maybe carpet bombing to the villages 342 00:12:28,450 --> 00:12:32,070 along the border . Uh Well , I mean , 343 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,302 something that we've raised is we don't 344 00:12:34,302 --> 00:12:37,070 want to see this escalate and any time 345 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:40,679 that , um , there is a , um , 346 00:12:41,330 --> 00:12:43,163 actions taken that could further 347 00:12:43,163 --> 00:12:45,669 escalate the war that's , or like a 348 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:47,846 broader conflict that we want to avoid 349 00:12:47,846 --> 00:12:51,770 a regional war . Um The secretary 350 00:12:51,830 --> 00:12:54,729 in all of his conversations urges 351 00:12:55,340 --> 00:12:57,770 restraint and urges , you know , the 352 00:12:57,780 --> 00:12:59,489 Israelis to consider civilian 353 00:12:59,500 --> 00:13:01,667 casualties . And that's something that 354 00:13:01,667 --> 00:13:03,889 we've said from the very beginning . Um 355 00:13:03,889 --> 00:13:06,000 Look , I'm not going to get into more 356 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,278 details on their private conversations , 357 00:13:08,278 --> 00:13:10,500 but of course , it's something that the 358 00:13:10,500 --> 00:13:09,919 secretary discusses with his 359 00:13:09,929 --> 00:13:11,929 counterpart and we will continue to 360 00:13:11,929 --> 00:13:14,040 raise . I mean , could you confirm if 361 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:17,989 the secretary told Gland that 362 00:13:18,380 --> 00:13:20,770 they need to avoid the infrastructure 363 00:13:20,780 --> 00:13:22,969 in Lebanon ? I think what I can tell 364 00:13:22,979 --> 00:13:25,090 you is what I was , what I reiterated 365 00:13:25,090 --> 00:13:27,146 earlier is that , of course , we are 366 00:13:27,146 --> 00:13:28,979 always concerned where there are 367 00:13:28,979 --> 00:13:31,201 strikes in areas where there are , is a 368 00:13:31,201 --> 00:13:33,146 concentrated civilian population . 369 00:13:33,146 --> 00:13:35,146 That's something that the secretary 370 00:13:35,146 --> 00:13:37,035 raises on his calls with Minister 371 00:13:37,035 --> 00:13:39,368 Galant . It's something that , you know , 372 00:13:39,368 --> 00:13:41,535 at different levels in this building . 373 00:13:41,535 --> 00:13:40,640 We also raised with our Israeli 374 00:13:40,650 --> 00:13:42,761 counterparts , but I'm just not going 375 00:13:42,761 --> 00:13:44,817 to be able to go beyond that , Liz . 376 00:13:44,817 --> 00:13:47,690 Thanks Rina on China's ICBM test launch . 377 00:13:47,700 --> 00:13:49,811 Um A US defense official said earlier 378 00:13:49,811 --> 00:13:52,130 today that China gave the US warning it 379 00:13:52,140 --> 00:13:54,307 was going to do this launch . Was that 380 00:13:54,307 --> 00:13:56,529 through military channels or diplomatic 381 00:13:56,529 --> 00:13:58,307 channels ? Um I don't have more 382 00:13:58,307 --> 00:14:00,473 specifics to provide on the channels , 383 00:14:00,473 --> 00:14:02,751 but we were given some advanced notice , 384 00:14:02,751 --> 00:14:02,409 but I'm just not going to get into more 385 00:14:02,419 --> 00:14:05,289 specifics of that . I will say that 386 00:14:05,299 --> 00:14:07,521 that is a good thing and that is moving 387 00:14:07,521 --> 00:14:09,690 in the right direction in terms of uh 388 00:14:09,700 --> 00:14:11,533 you know , getting that advanced 389 00:14:11,533 --> 00:14:13,909 notification and um that further 390 00:14:13,919 --> 00:14:16,869 reduces the risks of any misperception 391 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:18,936 and miscalculation . So we certainly 392 00:14:18,936 --> 00:14:21,479 welcome that were any us citizens like 393 00:14:21,489 --> 00:14:24,080 at harm by this test in any way during 394 00:14:24,090 --> 00:14:25,812 it or following it ? Not to my 395 00:14:25,812 --> 00:14:28,280 knowledge ? Yeah , just a quick 396 00:14:28,289 --> 00:14:30,456 question . Israeli officials have have 397 00:14:30,456 --> 00:14:32,456 said their strategy with Lebanon is 398 00:14:32,456 --> 00:14:34,400 escalate to de escalate . Does the 399 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:36,622 Pentagon think that's a viable strategy 400 00:14:36,622 --> 00:14:38,567 for how to conduct operations with 401 00:14:38,567 --> 00:14:40,789 Lebanon ? So I'm not gonna , you know , 402 00:14:40,789 --> 00:14:43,260 characterize the Israelis operations . 403 00:14:43,270 --> 00:14:45,548 What I can tell you is only , you know , 404 00:14:45,548 --> 00:14:47,830 our view and our perception is that um 405 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:51,780 any type of escalation um that 406 00:14:52,750 --> 00:14:55,289 that could lead to a miscalculation . 407 00:14:55,549 --> 00:14:58,349 Um We don't want to see uh we wanna see 408 00:14:58,359 --> 00:15:00,729 steps that lead to deescalating and , 409 00:15:00,739 --> 00:15:02,683 and frankly , steps that lead to a 410 00:15:02,683 --> 00:15:04,850 diplomatic off ramp , which we believe 411 00:15:04,850 --> 00:15:07,072 is the best solution here . That's what 412 00:15:07,072 --> 00:15:09,239 we're pushing for . That's what you're 413 00:15:09,239 --> 00:15:11,406 seeing happen at Unga . Um That's also 414 00:15:11,406 --> 00:15:13,628 what you're seeing . The secretary , uh 415 00:15:13,628 --> 00:15:13,359 you know , continue to emphasize in his 416 00:15:13,369 --> 00:15:15,536 calls with Minister Gallant . And when 417 00:15:15,536 --> 00:15:17,702 he has the next call , you know , that 418 00:15:17,702 --> 00:15:19,925 will be something that , you know , I'm 419 00:15:19,925 --> 00:15:21,869 sure he would reiterate as well in 420 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:24,871 response to Tom's question , you said 421 00:15:24,871 --> 00:15:26,704 it doesn't look like anything is 422 00:15:26,704 --> 00:15:28,816 imminent . Was that in reference to a 423 00:15:28,816 --> 00:15:30,760 Israeli incursion into Lebanon ? I 424 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:32,927 believe the , the context was in terms 425 00:15:32,927 --> 00:15:35,038 of a ground incursion So I was saying 426 00:15:35,038 --> 00:15:34,789 in that context , it doesn't look like 427 00:15:34,799 --> 00:15:37,021 something is imminent , but again , I'd 428 00:15:37,021 --> 00:15:39,132 refer you to the Israelis to speak to 429 00:15:39,132 --> 00:15:41,355 their own operation , Rio . Thank you . 430 00:15:41,355 --> 00:15:43,521 I have a follow up question on Chinese 431 00:15:43,521 --> 00:15:45,577 ICBM . Of course . Um So what's your 432 00:15:45,577 --> 00:15:47,743 assessment of this unusual ICBM launch 433 00:15:47,743 --> 00:15:50,445 into the Pacific Ocean ? And do you 434 00:15:50,455 --> 00:15:52,515 think this is a provocative option ? 435 00:15:52,525 --> 00:15:54,525 And , and especially , do you think 436 00:15:54,525 --> 00:15:56,895 they want to send a message to the US 437 00:15:57,544 --> 00:15:59,655 in terms of , you know , the , the WS 438 00:15:59,655 --> 00:16:01,766 I'd refer you to the PR C to speak to 439 00:16:01,766 --> 00:16:04,109 that . Um You know , we monitored the 440 00:16:04,119 --> 00:16:06,809 ICBM test to Liz's question . You know , 441 00:16:06,820 --> 00:16:09,039 again , we did receive some advanced 442 00:16:09,049 --> 00:16:11,429 notification of this ICBM test and we 443 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:14,109 believe that that was a good thing that 444 00:16:14,119 --> 00:16:16,230 was a step in the right direction and 445 00:16:16,230 --> 00:16:18,008 it does lead , uh you know , to 446 00:16:18,008 --> 00:16:20,830 preventing any um misperception or 447 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:23,849 miscalculation . Um What we can do here 448 00:16:23,859 --> 00:16:26,880 from the department is continue to 449 00:16:26,890 --> 00:16:29,409 press for a more regular regularized 450 00:16:29,419 --> 00:16:31,641 bilateral notification arrangement when 451 00:16:31,641 --> 00:16:33,863 it comes to ballistic missile and space 452 00:16:33,863 --> 00:16:35,863 launches . And um this is something 453 00:16:35,863 --> 00:16:37,975 that we've proposed with the PR C and 454 00:16:37,975 --> 00:16:39,975 it represents , you know , a common 455 00:16:39,975 --> 00:16:42,141 sense , confidence building measures . 456 00:16:42,141 --> 00:16:43,975 So we want to see these types of 457 00:16:43,975 --> 00:16:46,109 notifications continue . Yes , a 458 00:16:46,270 --> 00:16:48,326 question about presidential drawdown 459 00:16:48,326 --> 00:16:50,270 authority with regard to Ukraine . 460 00:16:50,270 --> 00:16:52,492 Could you tell us what the department's 461 00:16:52,492 --> 00:16:54,326 plan is to keep using that after 462 00:16:54,326 --> 00:16:56,326 September 30th , we've seen reports 463 00:16:56,326 --> 00:16:56,080 that there is like a workaround that 464 00:16:56,090 --> 00:16:58,257 the department can notify Congress and 465 00:16:58,257 --> 00:17:00,423 then that is legal . Uh Could you tell 466 00:17:00,423 --> 00:17:02,534 us what that workaround is ? But also 467 00:17:02,534 --> 00:17:04,646 could you tell us why that workaround 468 00:17:04,646 --> 00:17:06,757 is needed ? You've got some criticism 469 00:17:06,757 --> 00:17:08,868 today from Senator Wicker saying that 470 00:17:08,868 --> 00:17:08,530 the department should have spent this 471 00:17:08,540 --> 00:17:10,707 money already or used this authority , 472 00:17:10,707 --> 00:17:14,540 I should say since April . Sure . Um So 473 00:17:14,550 --> 00:17:16,661 on your , on your first question , on 474 00:17:16,661 --> 00:17:18,828 how we're going to use the authority . 475 00:17:18,828 --> 00:17:21,050 I don't have anything to announce right 476 00:17:21,050 --> 00:17:23,161 now . But what I can tell you is that 477 00:17:23,161 --> 00:17:25,328 we're committed to making sure Ukraine 478 00:17:25,328 --> 00:17:27,550 gets the resources Congress approved by 479 00:17:27,550 --> 00:17:29,772 the end of the president's term again . 480 00:17:29,772 --> 00:17:32,106 I don't have more to announce right now , 481 00:17:32,106 --> 00:17:31,189 but we're committed to making sure that 482 00:17:31,199 --> 00:17:33,421 Ukraine gets what it , what it has been 483 00:17:33,421 --> 00:17:35,643 allotted by Congress and we are working 484 00:17:35,643 --> 00:17:38,160 with the inner agency to do just that . 485 00:17:38,339 --> 00:17:41,199 Um So , you know , bear with us and 486 00:17:41,209 --> 00:17:43,431 we'll , we'll have more to share soon . 487 00:17:43,431 --> 00:17:45,598 Um In terms of your follow on question 488 00:17:45,598 --> 00:17:48,869 on the , the criticism . Look , I'd 489 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:51,102 have to point you back to the fact that 490 00:17:51,102 --> 00:17:52,991 for six months , we didn't have a 491 00:17:52,991 --> 00:17:55,047 supplemental . So we weren't able to 492 00:17:55,047 --> 00:17:57,269 refill our own shelves . So therefore , 493 00:17:57,269 --> 00:17:59,324 when you're not able to backfill and 494 00:17:59,324 --> 00:17:58,989 refill our own stocks , we're not able 495 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:00,889 to send out PDAs . So you have to 496 00:18:00,889 --> 00:18:02,944 remember during that time , we still 497 00:18:02,944 --> 00:18:05,000 had some existing authority , but we 498 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:06,722 weren't able to send equipment 499 00:18:06,722 --> 00:18:08,611 capability systems out to Ukraine 500 00:18:08,611 --> 00:18:10,833 because we didn't have it on our stocks 501 00:18:10,833 --> 00:18:13,056 during that time during that six months 502 00:18:13,056 --> 00:18:15,333 lag because we weren't able to do that , 503 00:18:15,510 --> 00:18:17,689 that also impacts packages going down 504 00:18:17,699 --> 00:18:20,010 the road . So we're gonna find , we're , 505 00:18:20,020 --> 00:18:22,242 we're gonna make sure Ukraine gets what 506 00:18:22,242 --> 00:18:24,353 it needs , you know , in the future . 507 00:18:24,353 --> 00:18:26,298 But to , to , to push back on that 508 00:18:26,298 --> 00:18:28,409 criticism , I would say that when you 509 00:18:28,409 --> 00:18:30,242 don't have what you need on your 510 00:18:30,242 --> 00:18:32,409 shelves , it makes it hard to send out 511 00:18:32,409 --> 00:18:34,631 that equipment , you know , in , in the 512 00:18:34,631 --> 00:18:36,964 timetable that Congress gave us when it , 513 00:18:36,964 --> 00:18:39,131 when it was authorized the plan now to 514 00:18:39,131 --> 00:18:41,020 move at a , at a faster rate than 515 00:18:41,020 --> 00:18:40,790 you've been moving so you can get it 516 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:42,856 done before President Biden ends his 517 00:18:42,856 --> 00:18:45,078 term . I think we'll have more to share 518 00:18:45,078 --> 00:18:44,979 in the coming days . I just don't have 519 00:18:44,989 --> 00:18:47,770 more for you right now . Just a follow 520 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:50,420 up on that because of the issues and 521 00:18:50,670 --> 00:18:53,329 the approved and the issues in stock 522 00:18:53,530 --> 00:18:55,586 because that all that was known when 523 00:18:55,586 --> 00:18:57,752 the supplemental was passed in April . 524 00:18:57,752 --> 00:18:59,863 Is there a reason that the funding of 525 00:18:59,863 --> 00:19:01,919 the authority wasn't extended beyond 526 00:19:01,919 --> 00:19:04,141 the fiscal year ? Well , I think also , 527 00:19:04,141 --> 00:19:06,308 no , you have to remember that we're , 528 00:19:06,308 --> 00:19:08,569 we're talking about um also working 529 00:19:08,579 --> 00:19:10,690 with the defense industrial base that 530 00:19:10,690 --> 00:19:12,746 has to backfill our own shelves . So 531 00:19:12,746 --> 00:19:12,369 there , you know , there's a lot of 532 00:19:12,380 --> 00:19:14,547 coordinations and timing here . We did 533 00:19:14,547 --> 00:19:16,491 ask Congress for that authority to 534 00:19:16,491 --> 00:19:18,890 extend . Um And you know , that did not 535 00:19:18,900 --> 00:19:21,011 happen . So now we are in a different 536 00:19:21,011 --> 00:19:23,270 place . Um So I can't , you know , go 537 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:25,391 back and , and , and answer questions 538 00:19:25,391 --> 00:19:27,613 of like , what if this happened ? And , 539 00:19:27,613 --> 00:19:29,613 and when all I can tell you is that 540 00:19:29,613 --> 00:19:31,780 we're committed to making sure Ukraine 541 00:19:31,780 --> 00:19:31,459 has what it needs and we're going to do 542 00:19:31,469 --> 00:19:33,525 it . Um And that's a commitment that 543 00:19:33,525 --> 00:19:35,770 this president has made . Um , and when 544 00:19:35,780 --> 00:19:38,939 we have more to share , we will Jared 545 00:19:39,229 --> 00:19:41,062 Sabrina . How comfortable is the 546 00:19:41,062 --> 00:19:43,829 department with uh with the 547 00:19:43,839 --> 00:19:46,006 department's understanding on what the 548 00:19:46,006 --> 00:19:48,228 Israeli military's intentions and , and 549 00:19:48,228 --> 00:19:50,117 your midterm plans are in Lebanon 550 00:19:50,117 --> 00:19:52,283 operationally um has have the Israelis 551 00:19:52,283 --> 00:19:54,506 briefed you on what they intend to do . 552 00:19:54,506 --> 00:19:56,617 So I'm not gonna go into more details 553 00:19:56,617 --> 00:19:58,617 um of the conversations between the 554 00:19:58,617 --> 00:20:00,617 Secretary and Mr Gallant , but it's 555 00:20:00,617 --> 00:20:02,783 something that the , that , you know , 556 00:20:02,783 --> 00:20:02,420 has been discussed and it's something 557 00:20:02,430 --> 00:20:05,229 that the secretary continues um to , 558 00:20:05,239 --> 00:20:06,906 you know , in , in all of his 559 00:20:06,906 --> 00:20:09,128 conversations , I think you've seen the 560 00:20:09,128 --> 00:20:08,459 readouts . It's something that he asked 561 00:20:08,469 --> 00:20:10,691 about and that they discussed , but I'm 562 00:20:10,691 --> 00:20:12,858 just not gonna go beyond the readout . 563 00:20:12,858 --> 00:20:14,747 Yeah , in the back . Um It's been 564 00:20:14,747 --> 00:20:17,199 reported that 60 additional US troops 565 00:20:17,209 --> 00:20:19,265 are being deployed to Cyprus to help 566 00:20:19,265 --> 00:20:21,800 with potential mass evacuations of us 567 00:20:21,810 --> 00:20:23,977 citizens from , from Lebanon . Can you 568 00:20:23,977 --> 00:20:25,866 confirm that I cannot confirm the 569 00:20:25,866 --> 00:20:27,866 number ? But what I can tell you is 570 00:20:27,866 --> 00:20:29,977 that we are sending a small number of 571 00:20:29,977 --> 00:20:31,810 additional us military personnel 572 00:20:31,810 --> 00:20:33,770 forward to augment forces that are 573 00:20:33,780 --> 00:20:36,060 already in the region . Um , I'm just 574 00:20:36,069 --> 00:20:38,069 not going to be able to provide you 575 00:20:38,069 --> 00:20:40,180 more specifics . I know I've seen the 576 00:20:40,180 --> 00:20:42,291 reporting . I know it's frustrating , 577 00:20:42,291 --> 00:20:41,920 but I'm just not going to be able to 578 00:20:41,930 --> 00:20:44,097 confirm more and just to follow up the 579 00:20:44,097 --> 00:20:45,930 story from last week . Is it the 580 00:20:45,930 --> 00:20:47,597 Pentagon's view that it is an 581 00:20:47,597 --> 00:20:49,763 acceptable , it's acceptable under the 582 00:20:49,763 --> 00:20:52,699 laws of war to booby trap civilian 583 00:20:52,709 --> 00:20:55,589 objects and place them among civilian 584 00:20:55,599 --> 00:20:57,377 populations . Is that , is that 585 00:20:57,377 --> 00:20:59,266 acceptable for any nation to do ? 586 00:20:59,266 --> 00:21:01,488 That's something that , um , well , one 587 00:21:02,510 --> 00:21:04,732 without commenting on an operation that 588 00:21:04,732 --> 00:21:06,954 the US military had no involvement in . 589 00:21:06,954 --> 00:21:06,810 It's hard for me to get into the 590 00:21:06,819 --> 00:21:08,986 hypotheticals . I'm not a lawyer , I'm 591 00:21:08,986 --> 00:21:11,208 not gonna try and go down and explain , 592 00:21:11,208 --> 00:21:13,729 you know , legalese from here . Um So I , 593 00:21:13,739 --> 00:21:15,795 I just can't comment further on that 594 00:21:15,795 --> 00:21:17,850 operation US . They affecting supply 595 00:21:17,850 --> 00:21:20,170 chains or intercepting supply chains in 596 00:21:20,180 --> 00:21:22,729 order to place explosive items within 597 00:21:23,030 --> 00:21:25,197 normal consumer . Yeah , I'm not going 598 00:21:25,197 --> 00:21:27,869 to comment on a hypothetical or , or , 599 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:30,047 or an operation that we had no part of 600 00:21:30,890 --> 00:21:34,119 Sabrina Secretary Austin on Sunday told 601 00:21:34,130 --> 00:21:36,530 his Israeli counterpart to give time 602 00:21:36,540 --> 00:21:39,540 for diplomacy to work . And on Monday , 603 00:21:39,550 --> 00:21:41,630 we saw that Israeli started to bomb 604 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:45,599 Lebanon and today Israel defense 605 00:21:45,609 --> 00:21:47,720 force has announced that they call up 606 00:21:47,720 --> 00:21:49,569 on the deployment of two reserve 607 00:21:49,579 --> 00:21:52,260 brigades to the border with Lebanon . 608 00:21:52,739 --> 00:21:55,510 So what is the time that that Secretary 609 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:57,687 Austin asks ra for the diplomacy ? And 610 00:21:57,687 --> 00:21:59,520 do you still believe that Israel 611 00:21:59,520 --> 00:22:02,520 listening to you , we do believe that 612 00:22:02,530 --> 00:22:05,300 we have , that Israel is listening . I 613 00:22:05,310 --> 00:22:07,900 mean , just the fact that they're 614 00:22:07,910 --> 00:22:10,021 listening by the amount of calls that 615 00:22:10,021 --> 00:22:12,021 the secretary has had with Minister 616 00:22:12,021 --> 00:22:13,966 Gallant , I think that shows their 617 00:22:13,966 --> 00:22:16,280 willingness to hear our , our views , 618 00:22:16,290 --> 00:22:19,949 our concerns and our , um , you know , 619 00:22:19,959 --> 00:22:22,126 to , to hear from the secretary . So I 620 00:22:22,126 --> 00:22:24,237 think that's important to note , um , 621 00:22:24,237 --> 00:22:26,292 in terms of , you know , I , I think 622 00:22:26,292 --> 00:22:29,479 your question was getting to , um , are 623 00:22:29,489 --> 00:22:31,656 we writing off , you know , diplomatic 624 00:22:31,656 --> 00:22:33,656 measures and , and we're not , um , 625 00:22:33,656 --> 00:22:35,489 diplomacy is still the best path 626 00:22:35,489 --> 00:22:37,433 forward . There's always a way for 627 00:22:37,433 --> 00:22:39,489 diplomacy , there's always a way for 628 00:22:39,489 --> 00:22:41,600 both sides to , you know , to come to 629 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:43,767 the table and , and , and to have this 630 00:22:43,767 --> 00:22:45,822 resolved in diplomatic measures , um 631 00:22:46,079 --> 00:22:48,023 from the very beginning , I mean , 632 00:22:48,023 --> 00:22:50,190 since October 7th and , and then , you 633 00:22:50,190 --> 00:22:52,190 know , October 8th when we've moved 634 00:22:52,190 --> 00:22:54,780 additional assets to the region , the 635 00:22:54,790 --> 00:22:56,957 whole focus of this administration has 636 00:22:56,957 --> 00:22:59,123 been to not only de escalate but , you 637 00:22:59,123 --> 00:23:01,234 know , to , to , to send a message of 638 00:23:01,234 --> 00:23:03,290 deterrence . Um I think we have been 639 00:23:03,290 --> 00:23:05,420 successful in that , um , you know , 640 00:23:05,430 --> 00:23:08,349 this , we know tensions are high , but 641 00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:11,040 we also don't , we also see that there 642 00:23:11,050 --> 00:23:12,939 is a path for , for diplomacy and 643 00:23:12,939 --> 00:23:14,606 that's why you're seeing this 644 00:23:14,606 --> 00:23:16,920 administration push so hard to get this 645 00:23:16,930 --> 00:23:19,099 done and you're going to continue to , 646 00:23:19,109 --> 00:23:21,331 we're not going to give up on that . Um 647 00:23:21,331 --> 00:23:23,387 So we're going to continue to engage 648 00:23:24,829 --> 00:23:28,469 some media reports saying that the US 649 00:23:28,479 --> 00:23:30,479 now working with , with the friends 650 00:23:30,479 --> 00:23:33,189 about the cease fire , maybe a deal or 651 00:23:33,199 --> 00:23:36,530 a plan for Lebanon . Um um does anyone 652 00:23:36,540 --> 00:23:39,510 from the dod have evolved or involved 653 00:23:39,520 --> 00:23:41,560 in this negotiation that that's 654 00:23:41,569 --> 00:23:43,458 happening right now in the United 655 00:23:43,458 --> 00:23:45,458 Nations during the UN summit in New 656 00:23:45,458 --> 00:23:47,513 York ? I don't have anything on , on 657 00:23:47,513 --> 00:23:49,458 those reports . I mean , I've been 658 00:23:49,458 --> 00:23:51,680 pretty public in telling you that we're 659 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:53,680 pushing for , you know , diplomatic 660 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:55,569 measures to resolve , uh , what's 661 00:23:55,569 --> 00:23:57,791 happening on that northern border . But 662 00:23:57,791 --> 00:23:57,430 I , I just don't have more to add on 663 00:23:57,439 --> 00:23:59,661 that report . And I'm sorry , I haven't 664 00:23:59,661 --> 00:24:02,109 seen it . Hi , Sabrina . Um , is the 665 00:24:02,119 --> 00:24:04,640 shipment of 2000 pound bombs for Israel ? 666 00:24:04,650 --> 00:24:06,928 Is that still on hold , still possible ? 667 00:24:07,339 --> 00:24:09,450 So , the rationale behind that , from 668 00:24:09,459 --> 00:24:11,570 what I understand was when Israel was 669 00:24:11,570 --> 00:24:13,737 preparing to go into Rafa , you know , 670 00:24:13,737 --> 00:24:16,660 to protect the civilian lives , limited 671 00:24:16,670 --> 00:24:19,540 operations . Are there any concerns 672 00:24:19,550 --> 00:24:22,410 given , um , the current ongoing air 673 00:24:22,420 --> 00:24:24,198 operations that Israel has been 674 00:24:24,198 --> 00:24:26,469 conducting , striking in civilian 675 00:24:26,479 --> 00:24:28,750 neighborhoods ? And , you know , I know 676 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:30,871 that we're seeing secondary effects . 677 00:24:30,871 --> 00:24:33,093 So it appears that there are , they are 678 00:24:33,093 --> 00:24:33,079 striking the targets they're hitting 679 00:24:33,229 --> 00:24:36,349 but are there concerns that , um , 680 00:24:36,439 --> 00:24:39,810 they , the use of these bombs again , 681 00:24:39,920 --> 00:24:42,550 uh , presumably American bombs , uh , 682 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:45,479 could be , um , putting civilians at 683 00:24:45,489 --> 00:24:49,400 risk . So , um , you first asked about 684 00:24:49,410 --> 00:24:51,577 the 2000 pound bomb shipment . So that 685 00:24:51,577 --> 00:24:53,854 is still pause . So I don't , you know , 686 00:24:53,854 --> 00:24:55,799 I don't know what they're using in 687 00:24:55,799 --> 00:24:55,500 their operations . So I'd refer you to 688 00:24:55,510 --> 00:24:58,910 them to speak to that . Um , there is 689 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:00,698 always a concern about civilian 690 00:25:00,698 --> 00:25:02,809 casualties and that is something that 691 00:25:02,809 --> 00:25:05,087 the secretary has addressed , you know , 692 00:25:05,087 --> 00:25:05,010 really from the beginning , whether it 693 00:25:05,020 --> 00:25:07,930 be in Gaza or elsewhere . Um , that's a 694 00:25:07,939 --> 00:25:10,161 conversation that we continue to have , 695 00:25:10,161 --> 00:25:13,589 I think , you know , in that same vein , 696 00:25:13,599 --> 00:25:15,821 we're also concerned about escalation . 697 00:25:15,821 --> 00:25:17,877 Um , and that's why we don't want to 698 00:25:17,877 --> 00:25:20,160 see any action taken by , you know , 699 00:25:20,219 --> 00:25:22,386 either side that could lead to further 700 00:25:22,386 --> 00:25:24,219 escalation . And that's what the 701 00:25:24,219 --> 00:25:26,386 secretary continues to emphasize along 702 00:25:26,386 --> 00:25:28,497 with always talking about the need to 703 00:25:28,497 --> 00:25:30,441 protect civilians . Um And you are 704 00:25:30,441 --> 00:25:32,497 seeing , I , I mean , you know , I'm 705 00:25:32,497 --> 00:25:34,552 citing public , public sourcing here 706 00:25:34,552 --> 00:25:36,775 but , you know , the Israelis notifying 707 00:25:36,775 --> 00:25:38,608 communities and um towns on that 708 00:25:38,608 --> 00:25:41,135 northern border to , to clear that area 709 00:25:41,145 --> 00:25:42,923 because they will be conducting 710 00:25:42,923 --> 00:25:45,034 operations . Um You know , we have to 711 00:25:45,034 --> 00:25:47,256 protect civilians in the battle space . 712 00:25:47,256 --> 00:25:49,589 That's something the secretary has said . 713 00:25:49,589 --> 00:25:49,464 I know you've heard him say that before 714 00:25:49,525 --> 00:25:52,314 as well . Um Our focus of course is 715 00:25:52,324 --> 00:25:55,155 that , but the best way to protect 716 00:25:55,165 --> 00:25:56,887 civilians is of course through 717 00:25:56,887 --> 00:25:58,887 diplomatic means and for this to be 718 00:25:58,887 --> 00:26:00,998 resolved through diplomacy and that's 719 00:26:00,998 --> 00:26:03,199 why we continue to push for that . Um 720 00:26:03,209 --> 00:26:05,150 Is the secretary um in the future 721 00:26:05,160 --> 00:26:07,859 planning to meet or travel to Israel in 722 00:26:07,869 --> 00:26:10,199 the future ? Yeah . You know , I'm not , 723 00:26:10,209 --> 00:26:12,376 I don't have any announcements to make 724 00:26:12,376 --> 00:26:14,653 in terms of travel Um , but when we do , 725 00:26:14,653 --> 00:26:16,987 I'm , I'm , you'll be the first to know . 726 00:26:16,987 --> 00:26:19,550 Yes , in the back . Um You emphasized 727 00:26:19,560 --> 00:26:21,393 that I just , I'm sorry , I just 728 00:26:21,393 --> 00:26:23,609 committed to giving lo an exclusive on 729 00:26:23,619 --> 00:26:26,670 the secretary's travel . So , yeah . 730 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:29,300 Yeah , sorry . And you know , we , 731 00:26:29,310 --> 00:26:31,421 we'll , we'll discuss later . Sorry , 732 00:26:31,421 --> 00:26:33,810 go ahead . Thanks . Um You , that the 733 00:26:33,819 --> 00:26:35,930 administration's position is that you 734 00:26:35,930 --> 00:26:37,986 don't want to see further excavation 735 00:26:37,986 --> 00:26:40,041 and you don't want to see an all out 736 00:26:40,041 --> 00:26:42,152 war . Where do you draw the line ? Um 737 00:26:42,152 --> 00:26:41,849 You know , especially with regards to a 738 00:26:41,859 --> 00:26:43,970 possible ground operation that may be 739 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:46,160 in . Well , like I said , I mean , I 740 00:26:46,170 --> 00:26:48,459 don't know that it is imminent . Um And 741 00:26:48,469 --> 00:26:50,729 what we continue to push for and I'm 742 00:26:50,739 --> 00:26:52,961 not trying to use a tired talking point 743 00:26:52,961 --> 00:26:55,128 here . It's actually just , you know , 744 00:26:55,128 --> 00:26:57,350 the fact is that we do continue to push 745 00:26:57,350 --> 00:26:59,560 for a diplomatic resolution here um 746 00:27:00,109 --> 00:27:02,859 from the secretary to , you know , the 747 00:27:02,869 --> 00:27:05,091 inner agency , that's something that we 748 00:27:05,091 --> 00:27:08,020 continue to engage on . Um And , you 749 00:27:08,030 --> 00:27:11,989 know , in terms of the , the conflict 750 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:14,056 itself , we still believe like right 751 00:27:14,056 --> 00:27:16,222 now the conflict has been contained to 752 00:27:16,222 --> 00:27:18,349 Gaza , there's no question that there 753 00:27:18,359 --> 00:27:20,359 are higher tensions in the region . 754 00:27:20,359 --> 00:27:22,470 There's no question that there's been 755 00:27:22,470 --> 00:27:24,470 an increase um in border clashes in 756 00:27:24,470 --> 00:27:27,579 that northern border . But we believe 757 00:27:27,589 --> 00:27:29,478 that in order to avert an all out 758 00:27:29,478 --> 00:27:31,645 regional war , it's through diplomatic 759 00:27:31,645 --> 00:27:33,811 means . And so we're going to continue 760 00:27:33,811 --> 00:27:33,530 to push for that and you're seeing that 761 00:27:33,540 --> 00:27:35,596 happen in New York and you're seeing 762 00:27:35,596 --> 00:27:37,596 that happen here as well . Last one 763 00:27:38,010 --> 00:27:39,954 though , how has the conflict been 764 00:27:39,954 --> 00:27:42,121 contained in Gaza ? You have civilians 765 00:27:42,121 --> 00:27:45,859 being killed in Lebanon ? Sure . 766 00:27:45,869 --> 00:27:48,140 But what I would tell you is that it's 767 00:27:48,150 --> 00:27:50,219 not how we would characterize , you 768 00:27:50,229 --> 00:27:52,680 know , an all out full scale regional 769 00:27:52,689 --> 00:27:55,420 war . What you're seeing is a trade of , 770 00:27:55,430 --> 00:27:57,319 um , fires back and forth on that 771 00:27:57,319 --> 00:27:59,263 northern border . I'd point you to 772 00:27:59,263 --> 00:28:01,208 October 8th when Hezbollah started 773 00:28:01,208 --> 00:28:03,319 launching those . Um we're not seeing 774 00:28:03,319 --> 00:28:05,430 this widen out to a regional conflict 775 00:28:05,430 --> 00:28:07,708 and that's what we are concerned about . 776 00:28:07,708 --> 00:28:07,609 And that's why , you know , the 777 00:28:07,619 --> 00:28:09,819 secretary from the beginning , whether 778 00:28:09,829 --> 00:28:13,390 it be the Ford , the IKE , uh you know , 779 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:15,599 the , the , the 26 mew that was in the 780 00:28:15,609 --> 00:28:18,770 region . Um And now you have uh the 781 00:28:18,780 --> 00:28:21,319 Lincoln there . Um You know , we 782 00:28:21,329 --> 00:28:23,273 continue to position assets in the 783 00:28:23,273 --> 00:28:25,440 region to send a message of deterrence 784 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:27,773 um because we don't want it to scale up . 785 00:28:27,773 --> 00:28:29,940 Yes , we acknowledge that , you know , 786 00:28:29,940 --> 00:28:32,051 there have been , you know , innocent 787 00:28:32,051 --> 00:28:31,550 people that have been killed and we 788 00:28:31,560 --> 00:28:33,449 don't want to see that happen and 789 00:28:33,449 --> 00:28:35,449 that's why we continue to press for 790 00:28:35,449 --> 00:28:38,209 diplomatic means . Sure , one more . 791 00:28:38,219 --> 00:28:40,330 And then I've got one in the back and 792 00:28:40,330 --> 00:28:42,275 then we'll know this is a planning 793 00:28:42,275 --> 00:28:44,441 organization that's not the answer I'm 794 00:28:44,441 --> 00:28:46,280 looking for . But II I , in , in 795 00:28:47,030 --> 00:28:50,229 regards to Lebanon , uh did the 796 00:28:50,239 --> 00:28:53,109 Pentagon put together uh uh any neo 797 00:28:53,310 --> 00:28:56,680 plans in case uh there's the need for 798 00:28:56,689 --> 00:28:58,800 it . You're so gonna hate my answer . 799 00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:01,109 But we are a planning organization . We 800 00:29:01,119 --> 00:29:04,020 plan for a wide range of contingencies . 801 00:29:04,250 --> 00:29:08,209 I will point you back though to , you 802 00:29:08,219 --> 00:29:10,339 know , early on last year or sorry , 803 00:29:10,349 --> 00:29:12,349 late last year , but early on after 804 00:29:12,349 --> 00:29:15,530 October 7th when I think I was up here , 805 00:29:15,540 --> 00:29:17,762 no , Ryder was up here getting a lot of 806 00:29:17,762 --> 00:29:19,873 questions about a neo . I will say we 807 00:29:19,873 --> 00:29:21,818 are always a planning organization 808 00:29:21,818 --> 00:29:23,818 prepared for any contingency and we 809 00:29:23,818 --> 00:29:25,984 never had to use those plans . We will 810 00:29:25,984 --> 00:29:28,151 always have plans on the shelves so we 811 00:29:28,151 --> 00:29:30,318 can dust off at any time . And that is 812 00:29:30,318 --> 00:29:32,540 the amazing thing of our military is we 813 00:29:32,540 --> 00:29:34,707 are able to search capabilities to the 814 00:29:34,707 --> 00:29:36,873 region . Um And the secretary did just 815 00:29:36,873 --> 00:29:36,170 that and we have , you know , 816 00:29:36,180 --> 00:29:38,124 incredible firepower in the region 817 00:29:38,124 --> 00:29:40,640 right now . Um So again , I'm not going 818 00:29:40,650 --> 00:29:42,817 to get ahead of anything that's also a 819 00:29:42,817 --> 00:29:45,039 state department decision to make . But 820 00:29:45,039 --> 00:29:47,150 Fadi to answer your own question , we 821 00:29:47,150 --> 00:29:49,372 are planning organization . All right , 822 00:29:49,372 --> 00:29:51,483 Mike , and then I'll wrap up . Yeah , 823 00:29:51,483 --> 00:29:53,483 you always talk , often talks about 824 00:29:53,483 --> 00:29:55,650 deterrence and giving Israel enough to 825 00:29:55,650 --> 00:29:57,670 defend themselves . Does this 826 00:29:57,680 --> 00:29:59,902 administration , would they like Israel 827 00:29:59,902 --> 00:30:02,124 to actually win their battle when their 828 00:30:02,124 --> 00:30:04,069 war against Hamas , when their war 829 00:30:04,069 --> 00:30:05,958 against Hezbollah ? Do you have a 830 00:30:05,958 --> 00:30:08,180 position on that one way or the other ? 831 00:30:08,180 --> 00:30:10,347 I think we've said time and again that 832 00:30:10,347 --> 00:30:12,236 we support Israel's right to self 833 00:30:12,236 --> 00:30:15,050 defense . Uh You know what uh what a 834 00:30:15,060 --> 00:30:17,439 win looks like is really for Israel to 835 00:30:17,449 --> 00:30:19,839 define . Um , but we are supporting 836 00:30:19,849 --> 00:30:22,016 them and their right to self defense . 837 00:30:22,016 --> 00:30:23,682 And of course , you know , we 838 00:30:23,682 --> 00:30:25,738 understand and , you know , know the 839 00:30:25,738 --> 00:30:27,905 threats that they're facing from these 840 00:30:27,905 --> 00:30:30,071 terrorist organizations and that's why 841 00:30:30,071 --> 00:30:32,182 we are supporting them in their fight 842 00:30:32,182 --> 00:30:34,349 against , you know , what , you know , 843 00:30:34,959 --> 00:30:36,959 the threats that they face on their 844 00:30:36,959 --> 00:30:39,181 borders . Um , but beyond that , I just 845 00:30:39,181 --> 00:30:41,237 don't have more to add . Ok , thanks 846 00:30:41,237 --> 00:30:40,920 everyone .