WEBVTT 00:03.500 --> 00:08.060 Bye. Chairman and uh ranking member read members of anonymity 00:08.180 --> 00:11.030 thanks for inviting us to come here today before you discuss 00:11.060 --> 00:15.110 can or I so campaigner rock and syria of and the along the way 00:15.310 --> 00:18.180 that to address some of the concerns that is true chairman that 00:18.180 --> 00:21.420 you you raised and to share are we to a. 00:22.010 --> 00:26.140 A senator read some of the plans in initiatives that the chairman 00:26.140 --> 00:27.060 are formulating. 00:27.710 --> 00:33.370 A for are campaigning in both iraq in syria. This is the first time. 00:34.360 --> 00:38.860 Uh. Uh for me appear in before this committee alongside chairman 00:38.860 --> 00:39.530 joe guildford. 00:40.490 --> 00:44.820 Was just in the region last week as was noted ungrateful to joe 00:44.850 --> 00:48.830 for answering by the president's call to step down from what 00:48.860 --> 00:53.070 every murray e-noses a higher position mainly coming down to 00:53.070 --> 00:56.630 the marine corps to become chairman joint chiefs of staff and 00:56.630 --> 01:00.120 the to this committee for confirming trio. Thank you. I'm glad 01:00.120 --> 01:01.240 I'm here with me today. 01:03.090 --> 01:05.880 Before turn of the so dear to today's hearing. I wanna reiterated 01:06.300 --> 01:10.300 as i've said consistently since march and continue to believe. 01:11.180 --> 01:14.860 And washington needs to come together behind a multi year budget 01:14.890 --> 01:18.390 deal that supports our defense strategy that troops and their 01:18.390 --> 01:22.700 families and all elements of americans national security and strike. 01:23.560 --> 01:26.470 I understand significant progress was made on this over mighty 01:26.590 --> 01:28.850 and I'm looking forward to reviewing the details. 01:29.500 --> 01:32.800 I welcome this major positive development and applaud the members 01:32.800 --> 01:35.330 of this committee for which are doing to help us get. There. 01:38.630 --> 01:43.840 Presents a kaleidoscope of challengers but they're as everywhere. 01:44.480 --> 01:49.090 Action and strong military posture are guided by which and america's 01:49.090 --> 01:51.330 interests and at CERN or star. 01:52.510 --> 01:56.660 And in those regions complexity and uncertainty those interests 01:56.700 --> 01:57.960 are to deterred russian. 01:58.880 --> 02:02.620 And bolstered the security of our friends and allies especially israel. 02:03.800 --> 02:05.920 To ensure freedom of navigation and the gulf. 02:06.700 --> 02:12.190 To check Iran's malign influence even as we monitor the implementation 02:12.220 --> 02:14.150 of a dry and comprehensive plan of action. 02:15.310 --> 02:20.060 In that need to degrade and ultimately defeat by soul this last one. 02:21.310 --> 02:24.680 Poses a threat tour people and differently countries not only 02:24.680 --> 02:26.720 in the middle east but around the world. 02:27.790 --> 02:31.290 Today I will first outlined the changes in the execution of our 02:31.290 --> 02:33.300 strategy that we've considered. 02:34.230 --> 02:35.990 And are now pursuing militarily. 02:36.650 --> 02:40.270 Together battlefield momentum and the fight against I soul. 02:41.450 --> 02:44.920 Then all dress with brushes doing in syria and why we won't let 02:44.920 --> 02:47.980 it interfere with our campaign against I soul. 02:50.280 --> 02:53.420 When I last photos committee a better can wrestle campaign and 02:53.420 --> 02:57.060 it's snowing lines of the central military and non-military effort 02:57.540 --> 03:00.390 amid three things clear about the military aspects. 03:01.210 --> 03:04.630 First that we will deliver I sold a lasting defeat. 03:05.590 --> 03:10.010 Second that truly lasting success would require and Maybelline 03:10.010 --> 03:15.010 capable motivated local forces on the corral recognizing that 03:15.010 --> 03:18.070 this will take time and new diplomatic energy. 03:19.250 --> 03:25.120 A third to better strategies execution can and must and will 03:25.150 --> 03:25.850 be strengthened. 03:27.030 --> 03:28.210 All that still true. 03:29.030 --> 03:32.560 Or determine is aviation is unchanged. Even is the situation 03:32.560 --> 03:36.830 continues to evolve and we continue to adapt to execute arkin 03:36.830 --> 03:38.070 pain more effectively. 03:39.020 --> 03:41.930 And today I'd like to elaborate on the third quarter and explain 03:41.930 --> 03:44.330 how were adapting our campaign to do more. 03:44.830 --> 03:46.840 Reinforcing what we know. Works. 03:49.130 --> 03:52.330 Changes were pursuing can be described what I can buy what I 03:52.330 --> 03:53.720 call the three Arch. 03:54.660 --> 03:56.730 Rocket. Rome muddy. 03:57.350 --> 03:58.160 And radiates. 03:59.570 --> 04:03.560 Before to be mean what we also note that I took actions to streamline 04:03.560 --> 04:06.410 commanding control of the counter I so military campaign. 04:07.040 --> 04:10.580 By sign a new saying the entire effort to a single general officer 04:10.730 --> 04:12.230 lieutenant general schonberg foreign. 04:14.090 --> 04:17.630 We're in the urgency it literally phase of the campaign last 04:17.630 --> 04:21.630 year or several layers were added to the general officer already pressing. 04:22.210 --> 04:22.950 In iraq. 04:27.290 --> 04:30.600 Collector. Needed administrative capital. 04:31.740 --> 04:34.430 We didn't clear for some time that we need to keep the pressure 04:34.430 --> 04:38.550 on rocco and to that and we will support moderate Syrian forces fighting. 04:38.550 --> 04:41.570 I soul that of me territorial gains near rocket. 04:42.140 --> 04:45.310 Indeed some of them are women 30 miles of rocket today. 04:46.730 --> 04:48.360 The Syrian Arab coalition. 04:49.160 --> 04:52.040 Which we plan to strengthen too hard newly equipped beat approach 04:52.040 --> 04:53.080 more on that in a moment. 04:54.450 --> 04:57.760 We'll worker over time with other Syrian any additional forces 04:57.760 --> 04:59.300 to portion torture rocket. 05:00.720 --> 05:01.320 To this out. 05:01.880 --> 05:04.300 Planned to further strengthen our partner Jordan. 05:05.240 --> 05:09.650 And from the skies above we expect to intensifier campaign including 05:09.650 --> 05:11.920 with additional us in coalition aircraft. 05:12.480 --> 05:16.110 To target I sold a higher and have your rate of strikes this 05:16.110 --> 05:19.290 will include more strikes against place all highly valued targets 05:19.550 --> 05:21.060 as our intelligence approved. 05:22.140 --> 05:26.520 Also tour Elena prize which is are critical pillar of ices financial infrastructure. 05:28.000 --> 05:32.350 As I said last friday we've already begun to ramp up these deliberate strikes. 05:33.440 --> 05:36.540 Artist pressure includes our new approach to the syria train 05:36.540 --> 05:37.500 and equip program. 05:38.690 --> 05:42.230 By what president obama and members of this committee was disappointed 05:42.560 --> 05:43.730 with that program drizzle. 05:44.400 --> 05:48.610 We accordingly examine the program this summer and of since changed it. 05:49.640 --> 05:49.920 But it. 05:51.140 --> 05:52.640 These were change or not. 05:53.350 --> 05:54.920 And a Ancient. 05:55.490 --> 05:56.120 The program. 05:56.990 --> 06:00.400 While the old approach was to train and equip completely new 06:00.400 --> 06:02.230 forces outside of syria. 06:03.030 --> 06:04.570 Before sending them into the fight. 06:05.480 --> 06:08.760 The new approach is to work with debted leaders of groups that 06:08.760 --> 06:10.080 are already fighting actual. 06:11.190 --> 06:14.970 And provide equipment and some training to down and support their 06:14.970 --> 06:16.340 operations with their power. 06:17.500 --> 06:21.370 This approach it builds on successes that local Syrian Arab and 06:21.370 --> 06:25.210 Syrian kurdish forces have made along syria's northern border 06:25.580 --> 06:29.600 to retake can hold ground from Weisel with the help of us airstrikes 06:29.690 --> 06:30.990 unequivocally supplies. 06:31.930 --> 06:36.120 If done in concert is we intend all these actions on the ground 06:36.120 --> 06:39.170 in from the inner should help shrink by Seoul's territory and 06:39.170 --> 06:43.190 go smaller and smaller area. And create new opportunities for 06:43.190 --> 06:44.120 targeting Weisel. 06:44.780 --> 06:49.270 Ultimately D9 this evil movement any safe haven and it's suppose 06:49.270 --> 06:50.350 in art. Plant. 06:53.360 --> 06:57.360 Is run moni the capping over rocks and our products which churches 06:57.360 --> 07:00.520 are critical example will be a body government's commitment to 07:00.520 --> 07:05.040 work with locals sunni communities with our help to retake and 07:05.040 --> 07:06.300 hold grown for my soul. 07:07.160 --> 07:08.640 And in turn to build momentum. 07:09.230 --> 07:11.330 PR eventually going north toward the most will. 07:13.070 --> 07:16.690 Under minister bodies leadership Iraqi se begun to use American 07:16.690 --> 07:21.050 it made a six teens to support can wrestle operations and of 07:21.050 --> 07:24.190 empowered capable battlefield commanders to step forward. 07:25.060 --> 07:28.920 As we see more progress towards assembly incapable and motivated 07:28.920 --> 07:33.910 Iraqi forces under Baghdad's control and including a suni elements 07:34.240 --> 07:37.980 were really mm to continue to provide more enabling capability 07:37.980 --> 07:41.170 sent fire support to help them succeed. 07:42.040 --> 07:45.590 However Iraqi government and security forces why have to take 07:45.590 --> 07:49.990 certain steps militarily to make sure our progress sticks. 07:51.410 --> 07:54.820 We need to see more in the direction of multi sectarian governance 07:54.940 --> 07:58.870 and defense leadership for genital. We've given Iraqi government 07:58.870 --> 08:02.790 to battalions worth of equipment for mobilizing city trouble forces. 08:03.470 --> 08:06.380 As we continue to provide the support the Iraqi government must 08:06.380 --> 08:08.300 ensure it is distributed effectively. 08:09.500 --> 08:13.540 Russian forces aren't sufficiently equipped regularly paid and 08:13.540 --> 08:16.690 empowered is Co equal members of the Rockies security forces. 08:16.930 --> 08:20.330 I Souls defeats in and more of will only be. Temporary. 08:22.550 --> 08:26.120 The third and final Ari's radiates singled signalling that we 08:26.120 --> 08:29.950 won't hold back from supporting capable partners in opportunists 08:29.950 --> 08:33.820 to attacks against Weisel were conducting search missions directly. 08:34.460 --> 08:37.710 Whether by strikes from the air or or direct action on the ground. 08:38.660 --> 08:42.410 Last week's rescue operation was led by Iraqi kurdish forces 08:42.410 --> 08:44.000 with us advisers and support. 08:45.260 --> 08:48.990 One of those accompanying advisers master sargent joshua wheeler 08:49.380 --> 08:53.950 per Rowing klee acted to ensure or the overall success of the mission. 08:54.540 --> 08:56.360 And lost his life in the. Process. 08:59.450 --> 09:00.910 Service members and tragedy. 09:01.940 --> 09:05.190 As I told his family and teammates this weekend. 09:05.980 --> 09:09.180 We offer our condolences to master sargent realtors loved ones 09:09.180 --> 09:10.020 for there was. 09:11.060 --> 09:14.000 While our mission in iraq is to train advise and a sister and 09:14.000 --> 09:17.540 rocky partners and situation such is that operation where we 09:17.540 --> 09:21.070 of actionable intelligence of a cable worker force. We want to 09:21.070 --> 09:22.720 support our partners and we will. 09:24.560 --> 09:27.840 But the same time the braid on either side of town um the strikes 09:27.840 --> 09:31.330 against jim ages same and most recently use enough a a master 09:31.660 --> 09:34.620 of all Cirque noticed a I soul another terrorist leaders the 09:34.620 --> 09:38.130 ones we locate that no target is beyond our. Reach. 09:40.960 --> 09:44.850 It did the together momentum and adapt to the changing battlefield 09:45.270 --> 09:49.570 someone discussed putting the buffer zone humanitarian zone or 09:49.570 --> 09:51.320 no fly zone in syria. 09:52.400 --> 09:56.170 We have analyzed various options in the political and military 09:56.220 --> 09:57.620 recordings of each. 09:58.210 --> 10:01.750 These options are complex and raison challenges which I'm prepared 10:01.750 --> 10:04.090 to discuss an answer your questions. 10:05.690 --> 10:08.230 At the outer under Russia's involvement in syria. 10:09.260 --> 10:13.230 To be clear we are not corporate in with russia and we're not 10:13.230 --> 10:16.680 letting russia impact the pace or screw of our campaign against 10:16.680 --> 10:18.190 Weisel in iraq and syria. 10:19.100 --> 10:22.170 Well we negotiated a document on safety of flight with a russian 10:22.170 --> 10:26.330 administered defense. We do not align ourselves more broadly 10:26.330 --> 10:30.040 with their military actions because instead of singularly attacking 10:30.140 --> 10:33.600 diesel as they said they were of no they're primarily attacking 10:33.600 --> 10:35.700 the Syrian opposition its chairman is noted. 10:36.380 --> 10:39.090 Which further fuels the tragic civil war there. 10:39.670 --> 10:42.770 There are actions suggested doubling down onward long standing 10:42.770 --> 10:44.040 relationship with the side. 10:44.750 --> 10:49.250 Feminine Pfizer's artillery and aviation to enable in support 10:49.250 --> 10:53.500 the assad regime and a rainy forces and attacking moderates who 10:53.500 --> 10:57.600 opposed the regime and are central to serious political transition. 10:59.090 --> 11:02.810 And it appears the vast majority of their stripes by some estimates 11:02.810 --> 11:06.850 as high as 85 to 90% used dumb box. 11:07.700 --> 11:10.780 Which obviously increases the possibility of civilian. Casualties. 11:14.440 --> 11:18.610 In a coalition of true with iran and inside the United States 11:18.610 --> 11:22.110 will continue to strengthen our 65 nation global coalition. 11:23.010 --> 11:25.360 Even as we've reached an understanding with the russians all 11:25.360 --> 11:29.130 safety protocols for coalition pilots over syria. We will keep 11:29.130 --> 11:31.990 prosecuting are can arise so campaign unabated. 11:32.580 --> 11:35.870 We'll keep supporting the moderates are in a position along with 11:35.870 --> 11:38.420 or other commitments to friends and allies in the region. 11:39.760 --> 11:43.160 Inconsistent with our strong and balanced approach toward russian 11:43.160 --> 11:47.450 aggression hell's foreign world including NATO and ukraine we 11:47.450 --> 11:50.220 will keep the door open for russia to contribute to efforts towards 11:50.220 --> 11:54.310 a political solution and which which in the final answer and 11:54.310 --> 11:56.780 now assists is the only answer to this year.. Conflict. 11:57.650 --> 12:04.780 Conflict. Ready june accompanying campaign the before I concluded 12:04.940 --> 12:07.690 I remind the committee that to feed e-dice soul and protected 12:07.690 --> 12:11.650 america recorders court mated efforts across all the so-called 12:11.650 --> 12:12.680 by minds of effort. 12:13.480 --> 12:16.690 To include supporting effective governance in iraq and and seen 12:16.690 --> 12:20.890 intelligence collection disrupting. I Souls financing countering 12:20.890 --> 12:25.230 isolates messaging stopping the flow of foreign fighters providing 12:25.230 --> 12:29.710 humanitarian support and protecting our homeland or other departments 12:29.870 --> 12:33.470 and agencies apart government that the leak. Thank you..