WEBVTT 00:09.740 --> 00:12.600 afternoon , everybody happy friday to 00:12.600 --> 00:15.150 you . So I got a few things to get 00:15.150 --> 00:18.860 through at the top here . Um 00:19.740 --> 00:23.380 you may have seen uh that the White 00:23.380 --> 00:26.000 House just announced that the president 00:26.000 --> 00:28.210 will be presenting the Medal of honor 00:28.210 --> 00:32.110 to Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee . Uh 00:32.120 --> 00:35.670 mrs mrs mrs Tamara Cash on behalf of 00:35.670 --> 00:38.450 Sergeant First class out one Cash And 00:38.450 --> 00:41.420 mrs Katie Celia's on behalf of Sergeant 00:41.430 --> 00:44.040 1st class Christopher Sillas at a White 00:44.040 --> 00:46.318 House ceremony scheduled for next week . 00:46.940 --> 00:50.910 I think you probably know Many of 00:50.910 --> 00:52.910 these stories , but Master Sergeant 00:52.910 --> 00:54.854 Plumley is receiving the award for 00:54.854 --> 00:56.688 heroism and selflessness that he 00:56.688 --> 00:59.080 displayed on 28 August 2013 in Ghazni 00:59.080 --> 01:01.990 province Afghanistan . Sergeant 1st 01:01.990 --> 01:04.260 class cash is receiving the award 01:04.260 --> 01:05.871 posthumously for heroism and 01:05.871 --> 01:08.610 selflessness that he displayed October 01:08.610 --> 01:12.310 17 , 2005 . and province Iraq and 01:12.310 --> 01:15.220 Sergeant first class Ellis is receiving 01:15.230 --> 01:17.397 the award posthumously for heroism and 01:17.397 --> 01:19.397 selflessness that he displayed july 01:19.397 --> 01:22.350 12th 2000 and 18 in Paktika Province 01:22.350 --> 01:25.190 Afghanistan . These awards are long 01:25.190 --> 01:27.400 awaited and undoubtedly well deserved 01:27.400 --> 01:29.233 for such displays of heroism and 01:29.233 --> 01:31.400 courage . We remain grateful to Master 01:31.400 --> 01:33.622 Sergeant Plumlee Sergeant . First class 01:33.622 --> 01:36.030 Cash . Sergeant first class L is for 01:36.110 --> 01:38.166 and their families for their service 01:38.166 --> 01:41.920 and their sacrifice . On 01:41.930 --> 01:44.097 scheduling notes , Deputy Secretary of 01:44.097 --> 01:46.152 Defense Dr Kathleen Hicks hosted the 01:46.152 --> 01:48.319 fifth iteration of the U . S . U . K . 01:48.319 --> 01:50.208 Defense dialogue via secure video 01:50.208 --> 01:52.600 called today with her UK counterpart , 01:52.610 --> 01:54.554 Permanent Secretary for Defense Mr 01:54.554 --> 01:56.800 David Williams . The two leaders met 01:56.800 --> 01:58.880 virtually to deepen cooperation on a 01:58.880 --> 02:01.047 wide range of issues including Defense 02:01.047 --> 02:03.102 strategy , technology , innovation , 02:03.102 --> 02:04.880 force development and strategic 02:04.880 --> 02:06.713 competition . They discussed the 02:06.713 --> 02:08.769 upcoming National Defense strategy , 02:08.769 --> 02:10.269 the nuclear posture review 02:10.269 --> 02:12.491 implementation of the trilateral august 02:12.491 --> 02:14.324 partnership and opportunities to 02:14.324 --> 02:16.436 improve technological cooperation and 02:16.436 --> 02:18.436 supply chain resilience . They also 02:18.436 --> 02:20.602 discussed Russia's concerning military 02:20.602 --> 02:22.602 movement near Ukraine's borders and 02:22.602 --> 02:24.713 reaffirm their unwavering support for 02:24.713 --> 02:26.824 Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial 02:26.824 --> 02:28.658 integrity . The two leaders also 02:28.658 --> 02:30.824 affirmed a shared commitment to deepen 02:30.824 --> 02:32.991 space cooperation , agreeing to sign a 02:32.991 --> 02:35.158 statement of intent regarding enhanced 02:35.158 --> 02:37.269 space cooperation between the U . S . 02:37.269 --> 02:39.491 Department of Defense , the UK Ministry 02:39.491 --> 02:39.430 of Defense . Their statement intent 02:39.440 --> 02:41.840 outlined strategic objectives to pursue 02:41.840 --> 02:44.170 integrated and inter operable space 02:44.170 --> 02:46.226 capabilities , mitigate threats that 02:46.226 --> 02:48.281 are posed by adversaries and support 02:48.281 --> 02:50.880 freedom of action in all domains and 02:50.880 --> 02:54.700 again uh travel . I'm sorry I schedule 02:54.700 --> 02:57.030 issue uh for the Deputy secretary . She 02:57.030 --> 02:59.450 will depart on domestic travel monday 02:59.460 --> 03:01.571 the 13th of december . She will visit 03:01.840 --> 03:03.896 Selfridge Air National Guard Base in 03:03.896 --> 03:06.118 michigan US Northern Command , US Space 03:06.118 --> 03:08.118 Command and the U . S . Space force 03:08.118 --> 03:10.229 training and readiness command out in 03:10.229 --> 03:12.890 colorado . She will also visit US indo 03:12.890 --> 03:15.000 pacific command in hawaii Naval 03:15.000 --> 03:16.667 amphibious base , coronado in 03:16.667 --> 03:18.500 California and U . S . Strategic 03:18.500 --> 03:20.500 Command in Nebraska . She'll have a 03:20.500 --> 03:22.278 chance to talk with lawmakers , 03:22.278 --> 03:24.500 military leaders and service members to 03:24.500 --> 03:26.667 see firsthand the department's efforts 03:26.667 --> 03:28.889 to rapidly advance warfighting concepts 03:28.889 --> 03:30.778 and capabilities to meet advanced 03:30.778 --> 03:32.778 threats and of course to hear about 03:32.778 --> 03:34.833 challenges and successes within each 03:34.833 --> 03:37.000 command . Dr hicks will also meet with 03:37.000 --> 03:39.222 leaders and service members across each 03:39.222 --> 03:39.220 of these commands that she's visiting 03:39.220 --> 03:41.331 to gain insight into family readiness 03:41.331 --> 03:43.331 challenges , career development and 03:43.331 --> 03:45.750 other issues which affect the workforce 03:46.640 --> 03:49.070 and finally this saturday , I think you 03:49.070 --> 03:51.237 all know , the secretary will join the 03:51.237 --> 03:53.970 Chairman at the 122nd Army Navy 03:53.970 --> 03:56.137 football game at three o'clock Eastern 03:56.137 --> 03:58.200 time at Metlife Stadium in East 03:58.210 --> 04:00.432 Rutherford , New Jersey . It's always a 04:00.432 --> 04:02.430 memorable afternoon when these two 04:02.430 --> 04:04.541 teams get to play . And of course , I 04:04.541 --> 04:06.708 think any of you seen the game or been 04:06.708 --> 04:08.874 around long enough to know that it's , 04:08.874 --> 04:10.874 it's really more than just football 04:10.874 --> 04:13.152 here . These cadets , these midshipmen , 04:13.152 --> 04:15.319 they are the future leaders of the sea 04:15.319 --> 04:17.430 services and of course of of the army 04:17.430 --> 04:19.652 and we wish them both the very best and 04:19.652 --> 04:21.819 look forward to seeing them play . And 04:21.819 --> 04:23.986 uh , and the and the secretary is very 04:23.986 --> 04:26.208 excited to get a chance to , to do that 04:26.208 --> 04:28.374 in person tomorrow afternoon . So with 04:28.374 --> 04:30.152 that bob . Thank you , john you 04:30.152 --> 04:32.486 mentioned the National Defense Strategy . 04:32.486 --> 04:34.486 I've noticed that mara Karlin today 04:34.486 --> 04:36.541 said that the nuclear posture review 04:36.541 --> 04:38.708 and the missile defense review will be 04:38.708 --> 04:40.930 quote nested under the National Defense 04:40.930 --> 04:43.152 Review . And I'm wondering if you could 04:43.152 --> 04:45.374 explain whether that means that we will 04:45.374 --> 04:48.320 see any of those pieces in january or 04:48.330 --> 04:50.552 are they all going to come out together 04:50.552 --> 04:52.719 or how is that going to work ? I don't 04:52.719 --> 04:54.719 have an update on the exact rollout 04:54.719 --> 04:56.719 scheme . I think what Dr Carlin was 04:56.719 --> 04:58.774 referring to is that they are , they 04:58.774 --> 05:00.886 are all informing the Nds of course . 05:00.886 --> 05:03.052 Um And I think you heard the secretary 05:03.052 --> 05:04.941 talked about the National defense 05:04.941 --> 05:07.108 strategy last weekend and uh said that 05:07.108 --> 05:09.219 his expectation is that we'll be able 05:09.219 --> 05:11.274 to get it out early next year . So I 05:11.274 --> 05:13.163 don't have an update on the exact 05:13.163 --> 05:15.219 schedule . But we're working hard on 05:15.219 --> 05:17.330 the National Defense strategy as well 05:17.330 --> 05:19.552 as you have the reviews . Uh and uh and 05:19.552 --> 05:21.663 again they will certainly inform each 05:21.663 --> 05:23.774 other . It's a quick follow up on the 05:23.774 --> 05:25.886 on the nuclear posture review . There 05:25.886 --> 05:27.941 have been reports and I guess it's a 05:27.941 --> 05:29.830 known fact because I guess it was 05:29.830 --> 05:31.774 announced that the D . O . D . Has 05:31.774 --> 05:33.886 asked Carnegie to do a separate study 05:33.886 --> 05:36.052 to feed into that regarding the future 05:36.052 --> 05:38.219 of the I . C . B . M . Force . There's 05:38.219 --> 05:40.441 been questions about whether that means 05:40.441 --> 05:42.663 it's delayed the nuclear posture review 05:42.663 --> 05:44.970 or if they're just starting that now 05:44.970 --> 05:47.640 will it really come out in january ? I 05:47.640 --> 05:49.900 don't know of any delays to the nuclear 05:49.900 --> 05:53.670 posture review bob . I think again this 05:53.670 --> 05:55.726 is an inter agency effort . It's not 05:55.726 --> 05:57.670 just a D . O . D . Effort and it's 05:57.670 --> 05:59.614 being led by the National Security 05:59.614 --> 06:01.614 Council staff . So I'd refer you to 06:01.614 --> 06:03.670 them for any updates on timing but I 06:03.670 --> 06:05.892 mean we're we're contributing to it and 06:05.892 --> 06:08.210 um and um and I don't I don't I don't 06:08.210 --> 06:11.730 know of any scheduled delays on the 06:11.990 --> 06:14.600 Nsc is leading the nuclear posture it's 06:14.600 --> 06:16.980 an interagency effort . It's not just 06:16.990 --> 06:19.450 it's not just the missile defense 06:19.450 --> 06:21.617 review as well . I don't have to check 06:21.617 --> 06:23.672 bob . I don't know . Let me check in 06:23.890 --> 06:26.300 january . Or is that again , I'd say 06:26.300 --> 06:28.411 early next year , which is what we're 06:28.411 --> 06:30.522 driving too . But I don't have a date 06:30.522 --> 06:32.689 certain to give that to you . Yeah jen 06:32.689 --> 06:34.800 john I'd like to get your reaction to 06:34.800 --> 06:37.022 the possibility of Julian assange being 06:37.022 --> 06:39.420 extradited to the US from the UK . I 06:39.420 --> 06:41.531 have not seen reporting on that gym . 06:41.531 --> 06:43.800 So I'd I'd below to give you a position 06:43.800 --> 06:46.750 by the department on that . I I don't 06:46.750 --> 06:48.806 have anything on that today . Okay , 06:48.806 --> 06:51.250 let me move on to Ukraine and Russia . 06:51.540 --> 06:53.762 The Russian Foreign Ministry has called 06:53.762 --> 06:55.984 on the U . S . To rescind any offers to 06:55.984 --> 06:59.110 join NATO to Ukraine and Georgia . Is 06:59.110 --> 07:01.460 that something that of the 07:02.000 --> 07:04.140 administration would agree to ? Where 07:04.140 --> 07:06.960 do things stand on offers of membership 07:06.960 --> 07:09.930 in NATO for Ukraine and Georgia . Yeah , 07:09.940 --> 07:12.162 I mean , we've talked to this , I think 07:12.162 --> 07:14.218 the Secretary has spoken to this . I 07:14.218 --> 07:17.440 mean obviously um NATO membership 07:17.450 --> 07:21.320 is a NATO decision to make . Um it's 07:21.330 --> 07:24.890 the secretary General Stoltenberg has 07:24.900 --> 07:26.960 made it very clear that the alliance 07:26.960 --> 07:29.016 makes those kinds of decisions . And 07:29.016 --> 07:31.182 the other thing you've heard President 07:31.182 --> 07:32.960 biden say is that uh it's up to 07:32.960 --> 07:34.849 individual sovereign countries to 07:34.849 --> 07:37.071 determine their own associations uh and 07:37.071 --> 07:39.238 how uh and to what degree they want to 07:39.238 --> 07:41.238 participate in associations . So uh 07:41.238 --> 07:44.250 this is this is what membership in NATO 07:44.260 --> 07:47.300 regardless is again for NATO allies to 07:47.300 --> 07:49.630 determine . Is it off the table if the 07:49.640 --> 07:52.260 Russian ministry has said that tensions 07:52.260 --> 07:55.350 will decrease if NATO membership is off 07:55.350 --> 07:57.780 the table for Ukraine and Georgia . Is 07:57.780 --> 07:59.724 that something that you would ever 07:59.724 --> 08:01.836 agree to ? That's not ? So , first of 08:01.836 --> 08:04.002 all , that again , is not a Department 08:04.002 --> 08:05.947 of Defense call . Um , and that is 08:05.947 --> 08:08.058 again , sovereign nations decide that 08:08.058 --> 08:10.280 and NATO allies are sovereign nations . 08:10.280 --> 08:12.447 So I don't have anything additional to 08:12.447 --> 08:14.613 offer on that today . And what are you 08:14.613 --> 08:16.780 seeing in terms of the build up on the 08:16.780 --> 08:18.947 border since the President's call with 08:18.947 --> 08:21.169 Putin ? I would say that there still is 08:21.169 --> 08:24.020 a sizable amount of Russian forces in 08:24.020 --> 08:25.909 the western part of their country 08:25.909 --> 08:29.110 around the borders while the border 08:29.110 --> 08:32.200 with Ukraine uh , to the to the north , 08:32.210 --> 08:36.030 uh to the east and to the south of that , 08:36.040 --> 08:38.207 that extreme eastern part of Ukraine , 08:38.470 --> 08:41.050 there have been , I don't have 08:41.940 --> 08:45.610 uh any major changes to speak to today , 08:45.880 --> 08:48.550 but we have continued to see 08:49.090 --> 08:51.560 increases over recent days and weeks . 08:52.840 --> 08:56.670 Zoe . And , you know , yesterday , 08:56.680 --> 08:59.730 during his meeting with the Minister 08:59.730 --> 09:02.660 accounts , the Secretary said that if 09:02.670 --> 09:06.350 the talks with Iran fail 09:06.360 --> 09:09.560 us is going to turn to other 09:09.570 --> 09:13.550 options is the military option 09:13.630 --> 09:15.980 one you are thinking about what the 09:15.980 --> 09:18.290 Secretary said was that President biden 09:18.290 --> 09:21.060 has said that he wants to see diplomacy 09:21.060 --> 09:23.830 succeed . And and should it uh fail , 09:23.830 --> 09:26.108 he's open to considering other options , 09:26.108 --> 09:28.760 there's lots of options available to 09:28.760 --> 09:31.093 the Commander in chief to the President . 09:31.093 --> 09:33.204 Um And I'm not going to speculate one 09:33.204 --> 09:35.540 way or another about what they might be . 09:35.550 --> 09:37.980 I would simply say , as I've said 09:37.980 --> 09:40.220 before , we have a robust presence in 09:40.220 --> 09:42.387 the region . We have national security 09:42.387 --> 09:44.164 interests in the region and the 09:44.164 --> 09:46.109 secretary's job is to defend those 09:46.109 --> 09:48.276 national security interests . So we're 09:48.276 --> 09:48.140 going to continue to do that . 09:48.150 --> 09:51.120 Secretary himself uh wants to see 09:51.120 --> 09:53.287 diplomacy succeed here . No problem in 09:53.287 --> 09:55.540 the Middle East gets easier uh to solve 09:55.540 --> 09:58.720 with a nuclear armed Iran . Um And he 09:58.720 --> 10:02.260 believes uh that diplomacy and return 10:02.550 --> 10:05.930 to the J . C . Puree is is uh is the 10:05.930 --> 10:08.700 best way uh to uh to prevent that 10:08.700 --> 10:12.360 outcome . General Mackenzie 10:12.370 --> 10:16.270 told the Financial Times yesterday 10:16.280 --> 10:19.660 that the US has plenty of military 10:19.660 --> 10:23.530 options at its disposal . So 10:23.540 --> 10:26.600 this is what kind of 10:26.610 --> 10:30.080 look this institution exists to 10:30.080 --> 10:32.800 provide the President options across 10:32.800 --> 10:34.967 all manner of contingency . So but I'm 10:34.967 --> 10:37.189 not going to speculate about where this 10:37.189 --> 10:39.078 is going to go . We still believe 10:39.078 --> 10:41.189 there's room for diplomacy . We still 10:41.189 --> 10:43.244 believe that um that that's the best 10:43.244 --> 10:45.700 path forward . Um and uh and that's 10:45.700 --> 10:47.922 what that's what this administration is 10:47.922 --> 10:50.144 focused on is getting back into the J . 10:50.144 --> 10:52.144 C . P . O . A . And preventing Iran 10:52.144 --> 10:54.367 from being able to achieve that nuclear 10:54.367 --> 10:56.478 capability . Yeah . Thank you john so 10:56.478 --> 10:58.422 I'm going to stay on the same same 10:58.422 --> 11:00.920 topic in light of the meeting yesterday 11:00.930 --> 11:04.840 that the U . S . Um the US agreed to 11:04.840 --> 11:08.730 hold joint military exercises 11:08.740 --> 11:12.150 on Targeting Iranian nuclear 11:12.150 --> 11:15.720 facilities as reported by Channel 13 in 11:15.720 --> 11:19.510 Israel . The so a couple of 11:19.510 --> 11:21.454 thoughts there . First of all , we 11:21.454 --> 11:23.900 routinely training exercise with our 11:23.900 --> 11:26.122 Israeli counterparts . That's not new . 11:26.340 --> 11:28.396 We we we have done that historically 11:28.396 --> 11:32.370 will continue to do that . I'm uh I'm 11:32.370 --> 11:34.990 not gonna get into specific training 11:34.990 --> 11:37.950 scenarios . Um and I have no 11:39.240 --> 11:42.060 additional or more specific training 11:42.060 --> 11:44.282 events or exercises to speak to today , 11:46.140 --> 11:49.630 broadly speaking as you would expect 11:49.660 --> 11:52.070 Iran . And their destabilizing 11:52.070 --> 11:54.237 behaviors and activities in the region 11:54.237 --> 11:56.290 were absolutely a key topic of 11:56.290 --> 11:58.820 discussion yesterday and the secretary 11:58.820 --> 12:02.000 and the minister discussed uh that 12:02.000 --> 12:04.700 activity uh on many different levels , 12:04.710 --> 12:08.390 but I have no additional or or 12:08.390 --> 12:10.557 future training and exercises to speak 12:10.557 --> 12:13.090 to today . So just to clarify before I 12:13.100 --> 12:15.530 follow up , so you don't count this as 12:15.530 --> 12:17.190 a follow up when you say , 12:17.200 --> 12:20.910 I don't want to miss my opinion . 12:20.920 --> 12:24.660 When you say I don't have 12:24.670 --> 12:27.360 additional exercises to speak up . You 12:27.360 --> 12:30.350 mean there's nothing scheduled or I 12:30.350 --> 12:32.294 mean I have no additional training 12:32.294 --> 12:36.220 exercises to to speak to . Um um again , 12:36.230 --> 12:38.770 I addressed this a little bit yesterday , 12:38.770 --> 12:40.714 I've seen the press reporting . We 12:40.714 --> 12:43.820 routinely trained with the Israelis and 12:43.820 --> 12:46.110 I have nothing to announce today with 12:46.110 --> 12:49.070 respect to the reports in those 12:49.070 --> 12:53.020 articles tweeted yesterday about 12:53.020 --> 12:55.187 the mirroring that he talked about the 12:55.187 --> 12:57.260 need to deepen our dialogue and 12:57.640 --> 12:59.740 cooperation including on topics of 12:59.750 --> 13:03.060 military readiness to stop face Iran's 13:03.070 --> 13:04.292 regional like Russian 13:06.640 --> 13:08.560 the military readiness . He was 13:08.560 --> 13:12.190 speaking about Vis a vis Iran . Did it 13:12.190 --> 13:14.710 include nuclear facilities as well ? 13:14.900 --> 13:16.789 I'm not going to go into any more 13:16.789 --> 13:19.011 detail than than what the minister went 13:19.011 --> 13:21.067 into . He is the Minister of Defense 13:21.067 --> 13:23.122 Secretary Austin as the Secretary of 13:23.122 --> 13:25.067 Defense . It makes sense that they 13:25.067 --> 13:27.067 would talk about military readiness 13:27.067 --> 13:29.289 against a shared common threat and Iran 13:29.289 --> 13:31.400 presents a shared common threat to us 13:31.400 --> 13:33.344 and to our Israeli partners to the 13:33.344 --> 13:35.400 region . Um So of course they talked 13:35.400 --> 13:37.011 about military readiness and 13:37.011 --> 13:40.540 capabilities . Yeah . Well Thanks to 13:40.540 --> 13:43.170 questions Please . one as far as the 13:43.180 --> 13:45.680 helicopter military helicopter crash in 13:45.680 --> 13:48.220 India carrying a C . D . S or general 13:48.230 --> 13:51.740 robert and his team is concerned any 13:51.740 --> 13:54.600 comments on that . And also secretary 13:54.600 --> 13:56.950 have had met with him on several 13:56.950 --> 13:59.140 occasions during his visits to India . 13:59.250 --> 14:02.850 Any effect on the US India 14:03.240 --> 14:05.240 the ability to military relations , 14:05.240 --> 14:07.407 there won't be any strategic effect on 14:07.407 --> 14:09.660 our relationship . Oil . We have a 14:09.670 --> 14:11.670 close defense partnership with with 14:11.670 --> 14:14.550 India . Um and we want to see that 14:14.550 --> 14:17.320 continue to grow and to deepen as you 14:17.320 --> 14:19.542 know , the secretary was in New Delhi a 14:19.542 --> 14:21.653 few months ago uh to have discussions 14:21.653 --> 14:24.980 and uh and but more critically as I 14:24.980 --> 14:27.060 said the other day , the entire 14:27.060 --> 14:29.116 department mourns with the people of 14:29.116 --> 14:31.227 India and the indian military for the 14:31.227 --> 14:34.690 loss of General Rawat and his his wife 14:34.700 --> 14:36.867 and all the others that were killed in 14:36.867 --> 14:40.160 that tragic helicopter crash . Uh and 14:40.170 --> 14:44.160 uh we're gonna obviously nothing 14:44.160 --> 14:46.730 we can do to assuage that grief . But 14:46.730 --> 14:48.786 we're certainly going to continue to 14:48.786 --> 14:50.952 look for ways to to keep their defense 14:50.952 --> 14:52.952 partnership um healthy and strong . 14:52.952 --> 14:54.952 Which is exactly what General Rawat 14:54.952 --> 14:58.780 would have wanted . So we're again we 14:58.880 --> 15:02.250 we grieve with them um and it is 15:02.250 --> 15:06.010 certainly a blow . Um but the strength 15:06.010 --> 15:08.010 of the partnership is strong enough 15:08.010 --> 15:10.177 that you know we believe we'll be able 15:10.177 --> 15:12.232 to overcome that . And again I think 15:12.232 --> 15:14.288 that's what the general would want . 15:14.288 --> 15:16.510 There is a high level of investigations 15:16.510 --> 15:18.621 going on if D . O . D . Is part of in 15:18.621 --> 15:21.590 any investigations of this tragedy . I 15:21.590 --> 15:24.060 know of no U . S . Military 15:24.240 --> 15:26.960 participation in investigations of this 15:26.960 --> 15:29.960 crash . That's a all those questions 15:29.960 --> 15:32.127 are much better put to the Ministry of 15:32.127 --> 15:34.380 Defense in India . Second question if I 15:34.380 --> 15:37.430 may as far as the U . S . National 15:37.430 --> 15:40.460 security is concerned and the regional 15:41.240 --> 15:44.660 peace in the indian ocean or in the 15:44.670 --> 15:47.950 south Asia C who is more dangerous 15:48.640 --> 15:52.050 Russia or china . Um 15:52.540 --> 15:56.240 Nice try . Um Look , we uh you've heard 15:56.240 --> 15:58.240 the secretary talk about the pacing 15:58.240 --> 16:00.960 challenge of china . Uh would certainly 16:00.970 --> 16:03.026 commend you to look at the speech he 16:03.026 --> 16:05.490 gave at the Reagan Defense form a week 16:05.490 --> 16:07.490 or so ago . I think he laid out his 16:07.490 --> 16:10.190 concerns very very clearly . We talked 16:10.190 --> 16:12.190 about the fact that we have to face 16:12.190 --> 16:14.246 this challenge with confidence , not 16:14.246 --> 16:17.800 fear . Um And uh and the Well , well 16:17.800 --> 16:19.967 there certainly advancing capabilities 16:19.967 --> 16:21.967 China is not 10 ft tall . His exact 16:21.967 --> 16:23.740 words and you've heard us talk 16:23.750 --> 16:25.972 throughout the last couple of weeks for 16:25.972 --> 16:27.861 sure . But even longer back about 16:27.861 --> 16:30.000 Russia . Um and the destabilizing 16:30.000 --> 16:31.833 activities that they continue to 16:31.833 --> 16:35.450 proffer , whether that's uh in space or 16:35.460 --> 16:38.060 on the ground and in the air at sea . 16:38.070 --> 16:41.660 Um and uh and that's all I think 16:42.800 --> 16:45.500 evident in the concern over Russia is 16:45.500 --> 16:47.611 evident in the President's discussion 16:47.611 --> 16:49.778 with with President Putin earlier this 16:49.778 --> 16:52.970 week . So um , they both present 16:53.340 --> 16:55.830 challenges to our national security 16:55.830 --> 16:58.052 interests and that's why we're going to 16:58.052 --> 17:00.300 remain focused on being able to address 17:00.310 --> 17:02.170 those challenges across multiple 17:02.170 --> 17:04.226 domains . You've heard the Secretary 17:04.226 --> 17:07.450 talk about integrated deterrence . Um 17:07.460 --> 17:09.800 that that gets exactly to what I'm 17:09.800 --> 17:11.967 trying to talk to today , which is the 17:11.967 --> 17:14.410 the idea of netting together all our 17:14.410 --> 17:16.577 capabilities and the joint force , but 17:16.577 --> 17:18.466 also those capabilities among our 17:18.466 --> 17:20.632 allies and partners to deal with these 17:20.632 --> 17:22.854 kinds of threats and challenges because 17:22.854 --> 17:24.743 we obviously want to her to deter 17:24.743 --> 17:26.966 conflict to prevent it from happening , 17:27.140 --> 17:29.307 then have to fight it . But if we have 17:29.307 --> 17:31.640 to fight it , we have to be able to win . 17:31.640 --> 17:33.862 And that's where we're focused on . Let 17:33.862 --> 17:36.300 me um get here Alex Horton Washington 17:36.300 --> 17:37.170 post . 17:40.340 --> 17:43.260 Hey john thanks . Um yeah , the the 17:43.260 --> 17:45.380 army's vaccine numbers are coming out 17:45.380 --> 17:47.436 next week and we already have a good 17:47.436 --> 17:49.436 idea of where they're at , which is 17:49.436 --> 17:51.920 about Uh 14,000 or so soldiers who have 17:51.920 --> 17:54.510 gotten the vaccine of any kind . Um And 17:54.510 --> 17:56.454 that also means that we now have a 17:56.454 --> 17:58.621 pretty good picture of how many active 17:58.621 --> 18:01.360 duty troops across the services Um are 18:01.360 --> 18:03.249 in vaccinated , which is you know 18:03.249 --> 18:06.020 somewhere around 40,000 . So uh as of 18:06.020 --> 18:08.620 now with that number of mind , I mean 18:08.620 --> 18:11.160 what you say , the secretary expected 18:11.160 --> 18:13.440 that much , is that below or above the 18:13.440 --> 18:15.496 targets you were you were hoping for 18:15.840 --> 18:19.290 and separately uh with with Dr Fauci 18:19.290 --> 18:21.179 making recommendations to get the 18:21.179 --> 18:23.710 booster ? Well , a three shot regimen 18:23.720 --> 18:25.990 uh being the new requirements for the 18:25.990 --> 18:27.712 department going forward . The 18:27.712 --> 18:30.710 secretary's expectation is 100% 18:30.710 --> 18:32.821 vaccination . That's what he wants to 18:32.821 --> 18:36.480 see . Um and I would uh certainly I 18:36.480 --> 18:38.424 won't speak for the army and their 18:38.424 --> 18:40.536 numbers of where they are right now , 18:40.536 --> 18:43.480 but With active duty personnel with at 18:43.480 --> 18:47.270 least one dose right now we're at 96.4% . 18:47.280 --> 18:49.336 Active duty personnel that are fully 18:49.336 --> 18:51.340 vaccinated stands at 90% . And then 18:51.340 --> 18:53.507 across the total force , this includes 18:53.507 --> 18:55.690 reserves and guard fully vaccinated 18:55.690 --> 18:58.630 where it's almost 74% . So the numbers 18:58.630 --> 19:01.340 keep keep trending in the right 19:01.340 --> 19:03.673 direction . We're glad to see that Alex , 19:03.673 --> 19:05.673 we know there's more work to do and 19:05.673 --> 19:07.673 there's some deadlines that haven't 19:07.673 --> 19:09.840 passed yet , as as you well know uh as 19:09.840 --> 19:11.700 well . Um But the secretary's 19:11.710 --> 19:13.710 expectation is because this is a 19:13.710 --> 19:15.710 mandatory military readiness 19:15.710 --> 19:17.821 requirement is that everybody's going 19:17.821 --> 19:19.932 to get it with the exception of those 19:19.932 --> 19:21.932 of course who are properly exempted 19:21.932 --> 19:23.932 from it . Either doctor's orders or 19:23.932 --> 19:23.890 they have applied for an exemption that 19:23.890 --> 19:27.540 has been uh accepted . Um And I'm sorry 19:27.540 --> 19:29.707 I completely lost train on your second 19:29.707 --> 19:32.620 question . The second question is Dr 19:32.620 --> 19:34.787 Fauci has recommended everyone get the 19:34.787 --> 19:37.020 booster . So is what are you guys doing 19:37.020 --> 19:39.900 about policy for for service members 19:39.900 --> 19:42.067 that are considered fully vaccinated ? 19:42.067 --> 19:44.067 Will that move to a booster shot as 19:44.067 --> 19:45.956 well ? That's a that's a terrific 19:45.956 --> 19:48.178 question . There are active discussions 19:48.178 --> 19:50.233 here in the department at the policy 19:50.233 --> 19:53.820 level um about booster 19:53.820 --> 19:56.290 shots and whether or not to make those 19:56.340 --> 19:58.396 mandatory . There have been no final 19:58.396 --> 20:00.229 decisions made about that . Rest 20:00.229 --> 20:02.840 assured that um should there be an 20:02.840 --> 20:05.000 addition to that in terms of the 20:05.000 --> 20:07.550 mandatory vaccine requirement , we will 20:07.560 --> 20:09.616 will clearly communicate that and be 20:09.616 --> 20:11.671 transparent about it . But there are 20:11.671 --> 20:13.838 discussions in the department about um 20:13.838 --> 20:16.810 the efficacy of enact booster mandatory 20:16.810 --> 20:20.760 policy as well . Okay . Yes rio 20:21.440 --> 20:24.120 thank you to questions about the 20:24.120 --> 20:27.790 Southeast Asia , the Secretary said in 20:27.790 --> 20:30.540 there Reagan National Defense program . 20:30.550 --> 20:33.360 He would visit the Southeast Asia early 20:33.360 --> 20:35.930 next year which countries is a 20:35.930 --> 20:38.050 secretary looking at to visit the 20:38.050 --> 20:41.960 secondary uh One of the conclusions of 20:41.970 --> 20:44.440 the global force posture review for the 20:44.450 --> 20:47.340 in the pacific region is the D . O . D . 20:47.340 --> 20:50.280 Should expand the regional access . So 20:50.290 --> 20:52.950 is that part of the objective for the 20:52.950 --> 20:55.350 Secretary's upcoming trip to the region . 20:55.840 --> 20:58.350 Well we haven't announced this upcoming 20:58.350 --> 21:00.406 travel . You're right . He did tease 21:00.406 --> 21:02.800 that in the Reagan speech , I think 21:02.810 --> 21:06.120 uh in relatively short order we'll be 21:06.120 --> 21:08.410 able to talk about the upcoming trip to 21:08.410 --> 21:10.632 Southeast Asia . I'm not prepared to go 21:10.632 --> 21:12.910 into the details of it right now today , 21:12.910 --> 21:15.170 but we are in the planning stages of a 21:15.170 --> 21:18.390 trip to Southeast Asia . Um and 21:18.400 --> 21:21.400 uh wherever we go in the indo pacific 21:21.410 --> 21:25.120 this issue of um of 21:25.260 --> 21:27.670 access opportunities , additional 21:27.670 --> 21:31.000 training opportunities , um bilateral 21:31.000 --> 21:33.950 defense relationship , growth and 21:33.950 --> 21:37.410 development , all that will be on the 21:37.410 --> 21:39.700 agenda every time we go to the region . 21:39.700 --> 21:41.867 So I don't want to get ahead of a trip 21:41.867 --> 21:43.922 that hasn't been announced yet rio . 21:43.922 --> 21:46.144 But when we can talk about it with more 21:46.144 --> 21:48.620 detail and and dexterity we will . But 21:48.630 --> 21:50.880 yes , there is a the trip coming up 21:50.890 --> 21:53.610 early in the year to Southeast Asia . 21:53.610 --> 21:55.777 And again , we'll have more details on 21:55.777 --> 21:57.943 that . As as it as it gets finalized . 21:58.240 --> 22:00.810 Okay , um Jeff Seldin Vol 22:01.870 --> 22:04.037 John thanks very much for doing this . 22:04.037 --> 22:06.092 two questions . One on Ukraine , one 22:06.092 --> 22:08.490 about Afghanistan on Ukraine , how 22:08.500 --> 22:10.610 confident is the pentagon in the 22:10.610 --> 22:13.700 Ukrainian military's ability to defend 22:13.700 --> 22:16.340 itself from a Russian incursion , given 22:16.340 --> 22:18.451 that some other recent efforts helped 22:18.451 --> 22:20.396 arm and train forces so they could 22:20.396 --> 22:22.284 function without US forces on the 22:22.284 --> 22:24.284 ground . Haven't gone so well . And 22:24.284 --> 22:26.540 then with Afghanistan in an interview 22:26.540 --> 22:28.870 with Ap yesterday ? Uh centcom's 22:28.870 --> 22:30.814 General McKenzie indicated that it 22:30.814 --> 22:32.981 seems Al Qaeda is growing right now in 22:32.981 --> 22:34.814 Afghanistan , wondering what the 22:34.814 --> 22:37.037 pentagon can say about this growth . Is 22:37.037 --> 22:39.850 it leaders ? Is it foot soldiers ? And 22:39.850 --> 22:41.572 what does it say as far as the 22:41.572 --> 22:43.350 Taliban's commitment to prevent 22:43.350 --> 22:45.517 Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven 22:45.517 --> 22:47.880 for plotting against the west in the US . 22:48.410 --> 22:50.960 Thanks Jeff on Ukraine . As you know , 22:50.960 --> 22:54.660 we we continue to 22:54.670 --> 22:57.170 provide measures of security assistance 22:57.170 --> 22:59.170 to them . We talked about Just this 22:59.170 --> 23:02.350 week , uh the conclusion of the the $60 23:02.350 --> 23:06.220 million Biden approved this 23:06.220 --> 23:09.020 year . That has just wrapped up , 23:09.030 --> 23:12.550 our security assistance covers a range 23:12.550 --> 23:16.220 of capabilities . Um not all of it 23:16.230 --> 23:20.050 uh in the lethal cap or defensive 23:20.060 --> 23:22.350 category , but but we believe all of it 23:22.620 --> 23:25.250 important to help bolster their 23:25.250 --> 23:27.370 capabilities to defend themselves and 23:27.370 --> 23:30.630 defend their people . Um And as you 23:30.630 --> 23:33.700 heard , the National Security Advisor , 23:33.710 --> 23:35.821 jake Sullivan said the other day that 23:36.110 --> 23:38.740 uh you know , we are certainly keeping 23:38.740 --> 23:41.030 on the table and the potential for 23:41.040 --> 23:43.151 additional security assistance should 23:43.151 --> 23:46.740 that be required . But the Ukrainian uh 23:46.750 --> 23:48.917 defense forces and and they don't just 23:48.917 --> 23:51.480 get assistance from the United States , 23:51.480 --> 23:53.702 they get security assistance from other 23:53.702 --> 23:56.320 countries as well . Uh and um I would 23:56.320 --> 24:00.040 let them speak to uh their capabilities 24:00.040 --> 24:04.000 and uh um and uh and their 24:04.010 --> 24:06.121 their level of confidence in their in 24:06.121 --> 24:08.288 their capabilities , but we're we have 24:08.288 --> 24:09.954 and will continue to look for 24:09.954 --> 24:11.850 opportunities to help them better 24:11.850 --> 24:15.840 defend themselves on um Al Qaeda and 24:15.840 --> 24:18.007 General Mackenzie's comments , I think 24:18.007 --> 24:21.570 he also noted that uh that uh while he 24:21.570 --> 24:24.730 saw some increase uh in footprint there , 24:24.730 --> 24:27.470 that it wasn't uh it wasn't significant . 24:27.480 --> 24:29.940 And and he noted as we have all noted 24:29.940 --> 24:32.010 that , you know , that we expect the 24:32.010 --> 24:34.177 taliban to meet their commitments when 24:34.177 --> 24:36.420 uh their commitments that they made , 24:36.430 --> 24:39.030 that they would not harbor al Qaeda , 24:39.030 --> 24:42.080 that they would not uh bolster al Qaeda , 24:42.080 --> 24:44.300 that they would um that they would not 24:44.300 --> 24:48.270 tolerate um attacks being planned by 24:48.270 --> 24:50.450 al Qaeda on their soil . So , I mean , 24:50.450 --> 24:52.310 that's that continues to be our 24:52.310 --> 24:56.030 expectation for the taliban . That said , 24:56.530 --> 24:59.150 we're clear eyed about this , uh and 24:59.160 --> 25:02.020 we're going to continue to work to make 25:02.020 --> 25:04.530 sure we have the kinds of over the 25:04.530 --> 25:06.920 rising capabilities in place . Such 25:06.920 --> 25:10.090 that should we see indications uh 25:10.100 --> 25:12.156 credible indications of an attack on 25:12.156 --> 25:14.378 our homeland or our interests emanating 25:14.378 --> 25:17.290 from there or anywhere else that that 25:17.290 --> 25:19.840 we can take the steps to eliminate that 25:19.840 --> 25:22.270 risk ? Um , 25:23.720 --> 25:25.790 See Mallory us and I , 25:27.940 --> 25:30.107 hi john , thanks for doing this . Um , 25:30.107 --> 25:32.162 I wanted to follow up on the vaccine 25:32.162 --> 25:34.162 question . Um , are there still any 25:34.162 --> 25:36.384 ongoing remediation efforts for service 25:36.384 --> 25:38.273 members who have not received the 25:38.273 --> 25:40.218 vaccine ? And how committed is the 25:40.218 --> 25:42.384 pentagon to separating service members 25:42.384 --> 25:43.996 who have continued to refuse 25:43.996 --> 25:46.107 vaccination , including after they've 25:46.107 --> 25:48.490 had a denied exemption . Those are 25:48.490 --> 25:50.323 great questions actually for the 25:50.323 --> 25:53.990 military departments Mallory um that 25:54.000 --> 25:57.140 those sorts of of actions are not being 25:57.150 --> 26:00.640 handled centrally by the department at 26:00.640 --> 26:02.584 this level , by at the secretary's 26:02.584 --> 26:04.960 level . Uh the service secretaries and 26:04.960 --> 26:07.240 the and the service chiefs are in 26:07.240 --> 26:09.073 charge of their the way they are 26:09.073 --> 26:11.080 implementing the mandatory vaccine 26:11.080 --> 26:13.590 requirements . And each of them have to 26:13.590 --> 26:15.646 do that in accordance with their own 26:15.646 --> 26:17.812 manpower , their own resources , their 26:17.812 --> 26:19.923 own operational requirements . Uh And 26:19.923 --> 26:19.870 they're doing that . So I think each of 26:19.870 --> 26:21.870 the services can better answer that 26:21.870 --> 26:24.780 question in terms of um what what their 26:24.780 --> 26:26.669 administrative procedures are for 26:26.669 --> 26:28.558 people who continue to refuse the 26:28.558 --> 26:30.630 vaccine are not exempted from it 26:30.640 --> 26:32.807 officially exempted from it . The only 26:32.807 --> 26:35.060 thing I would add to that is that it 26:35.060 --> 26:37.060 remains the Secretary's expectation 26:37.060 --> 26:40.160 that the mandatory vaccine will be 26:40.940 --> 26:43.240 implemented in a in a compassionate and 26:43.240 --> 26:45.000 thoughtful way that that his 26:45.000 --> 26:48.550 expectation is not that uh that uh the 26:48.550 --> 26:50.920 result would immediately go to some 26:50.920 --> 26:53.380 sort of punitive or administrative 26:53.380 --> 26:55.436 action against a member , that every 26:55.436 --> 26:57.547 effort be made to make sure that they 26:57.547 --> 26:59.547 understand the ramifications of the 26:59.547 --> 27:01.602 decision that they're making and the 27:01.602 --> 27:03.658 ramifications to their health and to 27:03.658 --> 27:05.820 their units readiness before any sort 27:05.820 --> 27:07.820 of administrative action is taken . 27:07.820 --> 27:10.042 That's his expectation . That's what he 27:10.042 --> 27:12.098 laid down for the services . So if I 27:12.098 --> 27:14.153 could just follow up on that . So it 27:14.153 --> 27:16.153 does that mean is there a window of 27:16.153 --> 27:18.209 time for that , you know , for those 27:18.209 --> 27:18.040 efforts to be ongoing . I mean , I 27:18.040 --> 27:19.818 guess there has to be a cut off 27:19.818 --> 27:21.990 eventually . Right . And each service 27:21.990 --> 27:24.046 would be responsible for determining 27:24.046 --> 27:26.268 how long would counseling and education 27:26.268 --> 27:28.268 go before some sort of action would 27:28.268 --> 27:30.212 have to be taken again , that that 27:30.212 --> 27:32.379 would be in the purview of each of the 27:32.379 --> 27:34.546 military departments to determine . So 27:34.546 --> 27:36.657 it's up to the services . Thank you . 27:36.657 --> 27:39.650 Yes , ma'am , going back to the vaccine 27:39.660 --> 27:41.860 um and about discussions to make it 27:41.860 --> 27:43.638 mandatory . Does that mean it's 27:43.638 --> 27:45.804 voluntary right now ? Are you strongly 27:45.804 --> 27:49.470 encouraging the booster ? Um be taken 27:49.470 --> 27:51.900 by service members ? I mean it's not 27:51.910 --> 27:54.180 it's not voluntary anymore . It's a 27:54.180 --> 27:56.730 mandatory military requirement booster . 27:56.830 --> 27:58.830 Yeah , I think we talked about this 27:58.830 --> 28:01.270 earlier . There are active discussions 28:01.270 --> 28:04.800 here at the department about um the 28:04.800 --> 28:06.940 efficacy of a mandatory booster 28:06.940 --> 28:09.320 requirement . We aren't we aren't we 28:09.320 --> 28:11.470 are at that point now louis but there 28:11.470 --> 28:13.530 are active discussions about whether 28:13.530 --> 28:15.586 and to what degree that might be the 28:15.586 --> 28:17.697 right way forward . And if we do make 28:17.697 --> 28:19.308 that decision will certainly 28:19.308 --> 28:21.030 communicate that we'll have to 28:21.030 --> 28:23.030 communicate that to the force . But 28:23.030 --> 28:25.141 there's uh there's no requirement for 28:25.141 --> 28:27.400 it at this time fully vaccinated either 28:27.400 --> 28:30.680 means one , johnson and johnson or two 28:30.680 --> 28:32.960 of the other types of vaccines . Uh and 28:32.960 --> 28:35.182 in this case the fighter one is the one 28:35.182 --> 28:37.640 that is being used for them mandatory 28:37.650 --> 28:40.650 uh , for the mandatory requirement 28:40.650 --> 28:44.230 because it's it's been approved . Um We 28:44.230 --> 28:47.880 obviously encourage those who can 28:47.880 --> 28:51.490 and and who by CDC guidelines are are 28:51.500 --> 28:53.611 recommended to get the booster to get 28:53.611 --> 28:55.700 the booster . Uh so the secretary 28:55.700 --> 28:58.820 absolutely encourages people um , if 28:58.820 --> 29:01.390 they can and if they qualify to get the 29:01.390 --> 29:03.334 booster , but right now there's no 29:03.334 --> 29:05.390 requirement for it . MR is not being 29:05.390 --> 29:07.710 offered at Military hospitals and 29:07.710 --> 29:09.840 military healthcare . Yeah , it is . 29:10.140 --> 29:12.660 I've gotten one myself right here in 29:12.660 --> 29:15.020 the pentagon . Um , can I switch over 29:15.020 --> 29:17.540 to Hawaii , please ? Um , the Pearl 29:17.540 --> 29:19.651 Harbor situation there , the Red Hill 29:19.651 --> 29:21.960 situation continues to develop . Um , I 29:21.960 --> 29:23.960 asked you earlier this week whether 29:23.960 --> 29:26.127 there was consideration will be moving 29:26.127 --> 29:28.293 on and you said that the Navy is still 29:28.293 --> 29:30.238 looking at this process , um , but 29:30.238 --> 29:30.110 there are national security 29:30.110 --> 29:32.610 implications now because of the request 29:32.610 --> 29:36.480 for the state of Hawaii to completely 29:36.480 --> 29:39.580 shut down and drain out the fuel that's 29:39.580 --> 29:42.270 there . Um , is that a concern for this 29:42.270 --> 29:44.480 department as well ? Or is that just 29:44.480 --> 29:46.647 something that because it is a joint , 29:46.647 --> 29:48.758 you know , it's a Navy facility , but 29:48.758 --> 29:50.980 it's fuel for all of the joints joining 29:50.980 --> 29:53.147 forces for the joint . I mean , it's a 29:53.147 --> 29:55.313 strategic fueling capability . There's 29:55.313 --> 29:57.536 no doubt about that . We recognize that 29:57.536 --> 29:59.536 louis , I don't look , the navy has 29:59.536 --> 29:59.500 suspended operations there . The 29:59.500 --> 30:02.050 secretary supports that suspension . Um , 30:02.310 --> 30:05.360 and uh , uh , he also supports the 30:05.370 --> 30:07.592 Navy's investigative efforts . He wants 30:07.592 --> 30:09.481 to see that that we determine the 30:09.481 --> 30:11.703 source of this contamination and that , 30:11.703 --> 30:14.770 um , and that to the degree we can we 30:14.770 --> 30:17.450 stop that contamination . Uh , from 30:17.450 --> 30:19.283 where uh , you know , wherever , 30:19.283 --> 30:21.800 wherever it's emanating from . Um , So 30:21.800 --> 30:23.911 I don't I don't want to speak for the 30:23.911 --> 30:25.856 investigation or what it's finding 30:25.856 --> 30:28.550 that's still ongoing . Um We're mindful 30:28.550 --> 30:31.790 of the importance of the Red hill bulk 30:31.790 --> 30:33.957 storage facility to the joint forces . 30:33.957 --> 30:36.068 You rightly pointed out , I know that 30:36.068 --> 30:38.750 there , I'm well aware of the state of 30:38.750 --> 30:41.950 Hawaii's um desires here . I will let 30:41.950 --> 30:44.560 the Navy speak to their communications 30:44.570 --> 30:47.770 with Hawaiian state officials . Um I 30:47.780 --> 30:50.690 would just add , if I can . How 30:50.690 --> 30:52.968 seriously the secretary is taking this . 30:52.968 --> 30:55.300 Um In fact , he took a briefing by the 30:55.300 --> 30:57.356 Chief of Naval Operations last night 30:57.356 --> 31:00.210 last evening about their progress , 31:00.210 --> 31:02.210 mitigating measures , investigative 31:02.210 --> 31:04.220 process , taking how they're taking 31:04.220 --> 31:05.998 care of families that have been 31:05.998 --> 31:08.109 displaced as well as medical care for 31:08.109 --> 31:10.331 those who have sought medical care . Um 31:10.331 --> 31:12.553 So he is and he's getting daily updates 31:12.553 --> 31:14.880 from the Navy Department uh written 31:14.880 --> 31:17.030 updates as it is . But he did take a 31:17.030 --> 31:19.363 briefing from Admiral Dilday last night . 31:19.363 --> 31:21.600 So he is personally monitoring this 31:21.610 --> 31:24.310 very seriously concerned about it , 31:24.440 --> 31:27.260 wants to make sure first and foremost 31:27.260 --> 31:29.371 that the health and well being of our 31:29.371 --> 31:31.540 people are being being considered and 31:31.550 --> 31:34.690 uh and looked after uh and he's aware 31:34.690 --> 31:36.857 of what the Navy has been trying to do 31:36.857 --> 31:38.857 to get people temporary lodging and 31:38.857 --> 31:40.912 make sure that they get safe potable 31:40.912 --> 31:42.968 water and to restore the plumbing in 31:42.968 --> 31:45.134 their housing so that they can go back 31:45.134 --> 31:47.301 home . Um So he's he's monitoring that 31:47.301 --> 31:49.190 closely and secondly that again , 31:49.840 --> 31:51.396 whatever the source of this 31:51.396 --> 31:53.618 contamination is to the degree , we can 31:53.618 --> 31:55.784 stop it that we that we stop it . So I 31:55.784 --> 31:57.896 think that's where the focus is right 31:57.896 --> 31:59.896 now and again , I'll let the uh the 31:59.896 --> 32:01.784 Navy leadership speak about their 32:01.784 --> 32:03.951 coordination and discussions with with 32:03.951 --> 32:06.990 the state of Hawaii . Yes . A two part 32:06.990 --> 32:08.990 china question , the Military Power 32:08.990 --> 32:11.157 report talked about china's efforts to 32:11.157 --> 32:13.379 build essentially a network of bases or 32:13.379 --> 32:15.379 facilities across Asia , the Middle 32:15.379 --> 32:17.657 East and africa . The general question , 32:17.657 --> 32:19.879 the first one is how does the US assess 32:19.879 --> 32:21.823 that effort and what's the U . S . 32:21.823 --> 32:23.990 Doing to respond ? And the second part 32:23.990 --> 32:26.157 of much more specific one is china has 32:26.157 --> 32:28.268 upgraded uh facilities . I believe in 32:28.268 --> 32:30.212 Djibouti does that is the pentagon 32:30.212 --> 32:32.212 considering changing the posture at 32:32.212 --> 32:34.212 Camp Lemonier in Djibouti , I don't 32:34.212 --> 32:36.212 have anything with Camp Lemonier to 32:36.212 --> 32:39.640 speak to uh specifically . Um but to 32:39.640 --> 32:42.380 your broader question , yes , you're 32:42.380 --> 32:44.380 right . The report noted that china 32:44.380 --> 32:46.436 isn't trying to improve their access 32:46.436 --> 32:48.547 and influence all over the world . Um 32:48.547 --> 32:52.540 and uh we're not asking countries 32:52.540 --> 32:54.707 to choose between china and the United 32:54.707 --> 32:58.060 States , but as we talked about 32:58.770 --> 33:02.040 regarding equatorial guinea , we're 33:02.040 --> 33:03.818 also not gonna be bashful about 33:03.818 --> 33:06.950 speaking to foreign leaders about our 33:06.950 --> 33:08.894 national security concerns and the 33:08.894 --> 33:12.120 national security implications of of 33:13.240 --> 33:16.370 of permitting fostering that kind of 33:16.380 --> 33:18.650 chinese physical presence in those 33:18.650 --> 33:20.483 locations . So we're watching it 33:20.483 --> 33:23.310 obviously closely because we know and 33:23.320 --> 33:26.300 he's talked about this that uh in many 33:26.300 --> 33:29.110 ways and in many places , um the 33:29.110 --> 33:31.221 chinese are trying to disrupt a rules 33:31.221 --> 33:33.170 based international order that has 33:33.170 --> 33:36.900 really been in place and helped uh rise 33:36.900 --> 33:39.011 to prosperity and safety and security 33:39.011 --> 33:41.122 millions of people across the world . 33:41.122 --> 33:43.067 And they're trying to disrupt that 33:43.067 --> 33:45.067 rules based international order and 33:45.067 --> 33:47.289 that that we believe that those efforts 33:47.289 --> 33:47.060 are very much in our national security 33:47.060 --> 33:50.320 interests . Okay . Happy weekend , 33:50.320 --> 33:54.290 everybody . Um Go army , Go Navy . 33:55.040 --> 33:57.096 It's gonna be a good game . Thanks . 33:57.096 --> 33:57.170 See ya .