WEBVTT 00:01.179 --> 00:03.200 All right . Well , good afternoon , 00:03.269 --> 00:07.079 everyone . Welcome back . Good to see 00:07.090 --> 00:09.890 you again . Uh Just a few items at the 00:09.899 --> 00:12.121 top and then I'll be happy to take your 00:12.121 --> 00:14.232 questions . Uh First , we continue to 00:14.232 --> 00:16.232 monitor the situation in the Middle 00:16.232 --> 00:18.455 East and remain postured to support the 00:18.455 --> 00:20.677 defense of Israel and protect us troops 00:20.677 --> 00:22.950 and assets in the region . In two calls 00:22.959 --> 00:25.181 with his Israeli counterpart , Minister 00:25.181 --> 00:27.403 Gallant . This past weekend , Secretary 00:27.403 --> 00:29.515 Austin underscored the United states' 00:29.515 --> 00:31.570 ironclad resolve to support Israel's 00:31.570 --> 00:33.681 defense against threats from Iran and 00:33.681 --> 00:36.060 its regional partners and proxies . As 00:36.069 --> 00:38.236 many of you are tracking in support of 00:38.236 --> 00:40.291 this , the secretary ordered our two 00:40.291 --> 00:42.347 carrier strike groups , the Theodore 00:42.347 --> 00:44.513 Roosevelt carrier strike group and the 00:44.513 --> 00:46.736 Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to 00:46.736 --> 00:48.902 remain in the region . As we have been 00:48.902 --> 00:50.902 from the start , we remain intently 00:50.902 --> 00:52.958 focused on de escalating tensions in 00:52.958 --> 00:55.013 the Middle East while also remaining 00:55.013 --> 00:57.013 focused on securing a cease fire as 00:57.013 --> 00:59.180 part of a hostage deal to bring all of 00:59.180 --> 01:01.402 the hostages home and to end the war in 01:01.402 --> 01:03.625 Gaza . Turning to the Red Sea last week 01:03.625 --> 01:06.519 on August 21st , the MV Delta Sen a 01:06.529 --> 01:09.199 Greek flag . Greek owned oil tanker 01:09.209 --> 01:11.042 carrying approximately 1 million 01:11.042 --> 01:13.160 barrels of crude oil was attacked by 01:13.169 --> 01:16.239 Iranian backed Houthi crude vessels as 01:16.250 --> 01:18.583 reported by the Greek Shipping Ministry . 01:18.660 --> 01:21.540 The MV Delta Sen was sailing from Iraq 01:21.550 --> 01:23.606 to Greece with a crew of two Russian 01:23.606 --> 01:26.360 and 23 Filipino sailors . The crew has 01:26.370 --> 01:28.259 since evacuated the ship with the 01:28.259 --> 01:30.481 assistance of a partner nation vessel . 01:30.970 --> 01:33.949 The MV Delta Soa now sits immobilized 01:33.959 --> 01:36.190 in the Red Sea where it is currently on 01:36.199 --> 01:38.143 fire and appears to be leaking oil 01:38.143 --> 01:40.255 presenting both a navigational hazard 01:40.255 --> 01:41.921 and a potential environmental 01:41.921 --> 01:44.250 catastrophe . Although the Houthis have 01:44.260 --> 01:46.371 claimed that they're conducting these 01:46.371 --> 01:48.482 attacks in support of the Palestinian 01:48.482 --> 01:50.538 people . Their actions proved to the 01:50.538 --> 01:52.649 contrary . In fact , these are simply 01:52.649 --> 01:54.482 reckless acts of terrorism which 01:54.482 --> 01:56.427 continue to destabilize global and 01:56.427 --> 01:58.482 regional commerce . Put the lives of 01:58.482 --> 02:01.040 innocent civilian Mariners at risk and 02:01.050 --> 02:03.809 imperil the vibrant maritime ecosystem 02:03.819 --> 02:05.930 in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden , the 02:05.930 --> 02:08.369 Houthis own backyard . US Central 02:08.380 --> 02:10.740 Command continues to actively monitor 02:10.750 --> 02:12.917 the situation and is coordinating with 02:12.917 --> 02:15.028 other maritime partners in the region 02:15.028 --> 02:17.028 to determine how best to assist the 02:17.028 --> 02:18.917 vessel and mitigate the potential 02:18.917 --> 02:22.110 environmental impact . Shifting gears 02:22.119 --> 02:24.286 in a display of an enduring and robust 02:24.286 --> 02:26.508 defense partnership . The United States 02:26.508 --> 02:28.397 and the Indonesian National Armed 02:28.397 --> 02:30.619 Forces kicked off the 2024 Super Garuda 02:30.619 --> 02:32.809 Shield exercise yesterday with an 02:32.820 --> 02:34.709 opening ceremony at an Indonesian 02:34.709 --> 02:37.550 military base at Juanda Naval Airbase , 02:37.600 --> 02:40.050 Surabaya Super Garuda Shield is the 02:40.059 --> 02:42.529 largest annual Us Indonesian training 02:42.539 --> 02:44.720 exercise . And this year . Service 02:44.729 --> 02:46.618 members from the US , Indonesia , 02:46.618 --> 02:48.789 Australia , Canada , Japan , Singapore 02:48.800 --> 02:50.911 and the United Kingdom will engage in 02:50.911 --> 02:52.633 various training opportunities 02:52.633 --> 02:54.580 including airborne operations , 02:54.690 --> 02:56.419 amphibious operations and 02:56.429 --> 02:59.110 interoperability information exchanges , 02:59.399 --> 03:01.350 as well as academic exchanges , 03:01.360 --> 03:03.527 professional development , workshops , 03:03.527 --> 03:05.527 command and control exercises and a 03:05.527 --> 03:07.304 joint field training exercise . 03:07.304 --> 03:09.138 Culminating in a live fire event 03:09.279 --> 03:11.289 sponsored by US Army Pacific . The 03:11.300 --> 03:13.410 exercise will last through September 03:13.419 --> 03:16.309 6th and involves around 3000 combined 03:16.320 --> 03:18.376 armed forces including approximately 03:18.376 --> 03:21.369 1800 US personnel . It enhances 03:21.380 --> 03:23.491 interoperability through training and 03:23.491 --> 03:25.713 cultural exchanges , solidifying the US 03:25.713 --> 03:28.039 Indonesia major defense partnership and 03:28.050 --> 03:30.509 supporting a free and open Indo Pacific . 03:30.520 --> 03:32.710 For more information on Super Guru 03:32.720 --> 03:35.309 Shield , I refer you to us Army Pacific . 03:35.860 --> 03:37.869 Finally , on behalf of all who have 03:37.880 --> 03:39.713 served here in the office of the 03:39.713 --> 03:42.047 Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs , 03:42.047 --> 03:44.047 I wanted to take the opportunity to 03:44.047 --> 03:46.047 congratulate our very own . Mr Taft 03:46.047 --> 03:49.050 Phoebus on his 40 year uh milestone of 03:49.059 --> 03:51.115 federal service in the defense Press 03:51.115 --> 03:53.619 Press operations office . Always the 03:53.630 --> 03:56.449 early bird in early and out late Taft 03:56.460 --> 03:58.130 humbly and selflessly plays a 03:58.139 --> 04:00.479 foundational role here at OS DP A 04:00.770 --> 04:02.992 supporting the Pentagon Press Corps and 04:02.992 --> 04:04.992 ensuring they have the support they 04:04.992 --> 04:06.992 need to do their jobs effectively . 04:06.992 --> 04:09.159 Anyone who has had the good fortune of 04:09.159 --> 04:11.381 working alongside Taft is familiar with 04:11.381 --> 04:13.270 the wisdom and professionalism he 04:13.270 --> 04:15.381 brings to the job every day . So once 04:15.381 --> 04:17.492 more , congratulations Taft and thank 04:17.492 --> 04:19.492 you for your service . Here's to 40 04:19.492 --> 04:21.492 more . Uh And with that I will take 04:21.492 --> 04:22.826 your questions . Yeah . 04:27.420 --> 04:29.364 And I know Taft also likes all the 04:29.364 --> 04:32.500 attention . So , all right . All right 04:32.510 --> 04:34.621 with that . Uh We'll go to Associated 04:34.621 --> 04:36.732 Press first , who I believe is on the 04:36.732 --> 04:38.954 phone today . Uh Lita . Thank you , Pat 04:38.954 --> 04:41.010 and congratulations to Taft . He's a 04:41.010 --> 04:43.070 huge help as always . Um , I have a 04:43.079 --> 04:45.246 quick follow up on the ship and then I 04:45.246 --> 04:48.179 have a Ukraine question um , on the , 04:48.190 --> 04:50.412 um , the ship and the Red Sea that's on 04:50.412 --> 04:53.859 fire . Can I um assume that what you're 04:53.869 --> 04:55.929 saying is that at this point nei 04:56.029 --> 04:58.540 neither the US nor any of the other 04:58.549 --> 05:01.910 allies have been able to do anything to 05:01.920 --> 05:05.029 uh stop the fire or to do something 05:05.269 --> 05:07.549 actual to address the , the ship's 05:07.559 --> 05:09.837 condition right now . Is that accurate ? 05:10.079 --> 05:12.309 Yeah , thanks li uh as I highlighted s 05:12.579 --> 05:14.910 continue to continue to monitor and 05:14.920 --> 05:17.609 assess the situation . Uh We , we are 05:17.619 --> 05:20.589 aware of a third party uh that 05:20.600 --> 05:24.010 attempted to send two tugs uh to the , 05:24.019 --> 05:26.920 the vessel to help salvage . Uh but 05:26.929 --> 05:29.200 they were warned away uh by the houthis 05:29.209 --> 05:31.431 uh and threatened with being attacked , 05:31.431 --> 05:33.690 which again demonstrates uh their 05:33.700 --> 05:36.640 blatant disregard uh for , for not only 05:36.649 --> 05:39.730 human life uh but all also uh for the 05:39.739 --> 05:41.739 potential environmental catastrophe 05:41.739 --> 05:43.795 that this presents . So , uh again , 05:43.795 --> 05:45.906 Cencom continues to monitor and , and 05:45.906 --> 05:48.160 uh look at , you know , and assess the 05:48.170 --> 05:50.392 situation and we'll keep you updated on 05:50.392 --> 05:52.559 that front and then you said you had a 05:52.559 --> 05:54.559 question on Ukraine ? Uh , yes . Um 05:55.040 --> 05:58.160 Does these , uh , does Secretary Austin 05:58.170 --> 06:01.269 expect to meet with , uh Mr Umarov this 06:01.279 --> 06:04.790 week ? And can you provide any update 06:04.799 --> 06:08.769 on whether the US has seen much 06:08.779 --> 06:11.950 movement by Russians out of other parts 06:11.959 --> 06:14.809 of Ukraine to go to curse ? Thank you . 06:15.700 --> 06:18.130 Um , in terms of , uh , the secretary 06:18.140 --> 06:20.307 meeting with Minister Umarov , I don't 06:20.307 --> 06:22.529 have anything to announce , uh , as you 06:22.529 --> 06:24.362 know , he regularly speaks , the 06:24.362 --> 06:26.529 Secretary Austin regularly speaks with 06:26.529 --> 06:28.640 Minister Umarov . And so , uh I would 06:28.640 --> 06:31.079 uh foresee them speaking again in the 06:31.089 --> 06:33.200 near future . But again , I , I don't 06:33.200 --> 06:35.367 have anything to , to provide from the 06:35.367 --> 06:37.519 podium today . Um In terms of KK , 06:37.529 --> 06:39.640 again , we continue to keep an eye on 06:39.640 --> 06:41.862 this . Uh as we've said previously , we 06:41.862 --> 06:44.119 have seen the Russians divert some 06:44.130 --> 06:47.779 forces uh to the Kirk region , um 06:47.799 --> 06:50.779 largely , uh they have used forces that 06:50.790 --> 06:53.500 are already there . Uh And as they put 06:53.510 --> 06:56.250 together a defense , a hasty defense . 06:56.489 --> 06:59.029 Um but , but nothing large scale uh 06:59.040 --> 07:01.269 that I've seen at this point . Uh But 07:01.279 --> 07:03.223 again , I'd , I'd refer you to the 07:03.223 --> 07:05.279 Russians uh to talk more about their 07:05.279 --> 07:07.612 operations and I'll just leave it there , 07:07.910 --> 07:10.690 Jennifer . Um General Ryder . The US 07:10.700 --> 07:12.929 doesn't have any naval warships in the 07:12.940 --> 07:15.051 Red Sea right now . Do you think that 07:15.051 --> 07:17.119 if there had been the US S coal or 07:17.130 --> 07:20.690 other uh destroyers in or an aircraft 07:20.700 --> 07:22.867 carrier on the Red Sea that they could 07:22.867 --> 07:25.329 have prevented this Houthi attack on 07:25.339 --> 07:28.140 this vessel that's now on fire . Um 07:28.149 --> 07:30.371 Well , you know , I , I at this point , 07:30.371 --> 07:32.538 the , the fact is , is that there is a 07:32.538 --> 07:34.871 vessel that's on fire . And as you know , 07:34.871 --> 07:36.593 we've been uh patrolling those 07:36.593 --> 07:38.593 waterways for a while and have been 07:38.593 --> 07:40.816 able to intercept and mitigate the vast 07:40.816 --> 07:42.871 majority of , of houthi attacks . Uh 07:42.871 --> 07:44.982 And so we'll , we'll continue to stay 07:44.982 --> 07:47.205 focused on that . Uh But the reality is 07:47.205 --> 07:49.371 right now we have this situation . And 07:49.371 --> 07:51.371 so again , Centcom will continue to 07:51.371 --> 07:53.538 assess , we'll keep you updated on any 07:53.538 --> 07:55.705 potential involvement there . How long 07:55.705 --> 07:57.760 do you expect that there won't be an 07:57.760 --> 07:59.816 aircraft carrier strike group in the 07:59.816 --> 08:02.038 Indo Pacific ? Isn't it risky right now 08:02.038 --> 08:04.149 not having an aircraft carrier strike 08:04.149 --> 08:06.316 group there ? Well , look , you know , 08:06.316 --> 08:08.260 as we , as we look at global force 08:08.260 --> 08:09.871 management and as we look at 08:09.871 --> 08:11.705 requirements around the world in 08:11.705 --> 08:13.538 support of our national security 08:13.538 --> 08:15.649 interests , we're always taking great 08:15.649 --> 08:17.649 care to make sure that we can cover 08:17.649 --> 08:19.816 those commitments to include uh in our 08:19.816 --> 08:21.871 priority theater , which is the Indo 08:21.871 --> 08:23.760 Pacific region . And so we have a 08:23.760 --> 08:25.927 significant amount of capability there 08:25.927 --> 08:28.093 uh to include a large naval presence . 08:28.093 --> 08:30.093 Uh And so in the case of the Middle 08:30.093 --> 08:31.829 East , uh as I highlighted the 08:31.839 --> 08:34.539 secretary wanted uh those two carrier 08:34.549 --> 08:36.438 groups , carrier strike groups to 08:36.438 --> 08:38.660 remain in the region for now to be able 08:38.660 --> 08:40.327 to provide us with additional 08:40.327 --> 08:42.493 capability and capacity to protect our 08:42.493 --> 08:44.660 forces , support the defense of Israel 08:44.660 --> 08:46.605 and also be ready for a variety of 08:46.605 --> 08:48.605 contingencies . But how long do you 08:48.605 --> 08:50.660 expect to have this carrier gap ? Uh 08:50.660 --> 08:52.827 You know , look , I'm not going to get 08:52.827 --> 08:54.660 into uh deployment timelines for 08:54.660 --> 08:56.716 operation security reasons , but the 08:56.716 --> 08:58.938 bottom line is we can walk and chew gum 08:58.938 --> 09:00.882 at the same time . Thank you , Pat 09:00.882 --> 09:03.169 Ukrainian . President Zelensky said 09:03.179 --> 09:05.068 yesterday that there should be no 09:05.068 --> 09:07.123 restrictions on the range of weapons 09:07.123 --> 09:09.235 for Ukraine . He said this before but 09:09.235 --> 09:10.846 he added that the terrorists 09:10.846 --> 09:12.623 referencing Russia have no such 09:12.623 --> 09:14.790 restrictions . Does the Pentagon agree 09:14.790 --> 09:17.012 with that statement ? Well , look , I I 09:17.012 --> 09:18.957 won't speak for President Zelensky 09:18.957 --> 09:20.846 clearly , he's made his views and 09:20.846 --> 09:23.012 perspective well known , both publicly 09:23.012 --> 09:25.123 and privately from a US perspective . 09:25.123 --> 09:27.068 We're going to continue to consult 09:27.068 --> 09:29.235 closely with our Ukrainian partners as 09:29.235 --> 09:31.401 well as our allies and partners around 09:31.401 --> 09:33.290 the world and how best to support 09:33.290 --> 09:35.880 Ukraine uh towards uh the , the , you 09:35.890 --> 09:38.112 know , ultimate end state of ensuring a 09:38.112 --> 09:40.500 free and sovereign Ukraine that can 09:40.510 --> 09:42.621 deter future aggression from Russia ? 09:42.830 --> 09:45.340 And so are there still restrictions on 09:45.349 --> 09:47.238 Ukrainian weapons provided by the 09:47.238 --> 09:49.880 United States ? So our policies haven't 09:49.890 --> 09:52.168 changed ? You've heard us say that the , 09:52.168 --> 09:55.119 the Ukrainians can use us security 09:55.130 --> 09:57.186 assistance to defend themselves from 09:57.186 --> 09:59.408 cross border attacks . In other words , 09:59.408 --> 10:01.574 counter fire . Uh but as it relates to 10:01.574 --> 10:03.574 long range strike , deep strikes uh 10:03.574 --> 10:05.408 into Russia , our policy has not 10:05.408 --> 10:07.408 changed . Let me go back out to the 10:07.408 --> 10:09.289 phone here . Uh JJ Green WTO P 10:12.880 --> 10:15.789 Thanks general um question regarding um 10:15.799 --> 10:17.969 Israel and Hamas , the Pentagon has 10:17.979 --> 10:20.830 said for quite a while now that one of 10:20.840 --> 10:22.896 its stated goals was to prevent this 10:22.896 --> 10:25.599 conflict from spreading . So based on 10:25.609 --> 10:27.776 what happened over the weekend between 10:27.776 --> 10:31.010 Israel and Hezbollah , um how does the 10:31.020 --> 10:33.039 Pentagon view that does , does this 10:33.049 --> 10:35.271 seem to be an expansion because they've 10:35.271 --> 10:37.382 done attacks against each other ? But 10:37.382 --> 10:40.140 this was these attacks , these , these 10:40.150 --> 10:44.099 were much more , much bigger and um 10:44.109 --> 10:46.165 seemingly had much more impact . How 10:46.165 --> 10:48.387 does that impact the Pentagon's view of 10:48.390 --> 10:50.334 whether this is expanding or not ? 10:50.659 --> 10:53.380 Thanks JJ . Uh So again , just to put 10:53.390 --> 10:56.229 this in the context when Hamas attacked 10:56.239 --> 11:00.080 Israel on October 7th , um you heard us 11:00.090 --> 11:02.090 say that , you know , we deployed a 11:02.090 --> 11:04.090 significant amount of uh additional 11:04.090 --> 11:06.257 capability into the Middle East region 11:06.570 --> 11:08.789 uh and the , and the Ucom region in 11:08.799 --> 11:12.109 order to uh send a very clear message 11:12.119 --> 11:14.650 of deterrence and to prevent this from 11:14.659 --> 11:17.429 becoming uh a wider regional conflict 11:17.440 --> 11:19.700 right now , we still assess uh that the 11:19.710 --> 11:23.070 conflict between Israel and Hamas uh is 11:23.080 --> 11:26.469 contained to Gaza . Uh You have 11:26.479 --> 11:29.780 seen the uh you know , cross border 11:29.789 --> 11:33.039 strikes between Israel and Lebanese 11:33.049 --> 11:36.409 Hezbollah since October 8th . What you 11:36.419 --> 11:38.586 saw over the weekend , of course , was 11:38.586 --> 11:40.586 a much larger scale than what we've 11:40.586 --> 11:43.590 seen previously , but it is in our view , 11:43.599 --> 11:45.940 not a wider regional conflict at this 11:45.950 --> 11:48.117 stage . And so we're going to continue 11:48.117 --> 11:50.283 to stay very focused on the escalation 11:50.283 --> 11:52.006 of tensions in the region as I 11:52.006 --> 11:53.950 highlighted and preventing it from 11:53.950 --> 11:56.320 becoming a wider regional war . Thank 11:56.330 --> 11:59.690 you , Tony Afghanistan . Uh You were 11:59.700 --> 12:01.811 pilloried this week about the , the , 12:01.811 --> 12:03.922 the third anniversary of not only the 12:03.922 --> 12:06.799 Abbe Gate , a tragedy but also Friday 12:06.809 --> 12:08.976 is gonna mark the third anniversary of 12:08.976 --> 12:10.976 the fall of our withdrawal . You've 12:10.976 --> 12:13.087 been criticized quite a bit by the by 12:13.087 --> 12:15.142 Conservatives Republicans I want and 12:15.142 --> 12:17.365 Trump yesterday , you saw that I wanted 12:17.365 --> 12:19.587 to get you . What is the perspective of 12:19.587 --> 12:21.587 Pentagon leadership at this point ? 12:21.587 --> 12:23.809 Three years later , to the criticisms , 12:23.809 --> 12:25.809 the word chaotic is the most widely 12:25.809 --> 12:27.920 used adjective to describe it . Three 12:27.920 --> 12:29.976 years later , what's the perspective 12:29.976 --> 12:32.198 here in terms of how you guys view what 12:32.198 --> 12:34.531 happened ? Yeah , thanks Tony . Um Well , 12:34.531 --> 12:36.753 I'm sure you can appreciate . I'm , I'm 12:36.753 --> 12:38.753 not gonna be able to comment on any 12:38.753 --> 12:40.976 remarks from any political candidates . 12:40.976 --> 12:43.031 Um But separately , Secretary Austin 12:43.031 --> 12:45.229 has spoken many times about the 12:45.239 --> 12:47.239 withdrawal from Afghanistan and his 12:47.239 --> 12:49.609 pride in the tremendous work of the men 12:49.619 --> 12:51.659 and women of the US military . So I 12:51.669 --> 12:53.891 would point you to some of his previous 12:53.891 --> 12:56.450 statements to include in April of 2023 12:56.969 --> 12:59.080 which reads in part . And if you just 12:59.080 --> 13:01.191 allow me here , quote over the course 13:01.191 --> 13:03.413 of 20 years of war in Afghanistan , our 13:03.413 --> 13:05.358 service members and their families 13:05.358 --> 13:07.469 serve bravely selflessly and with and 13:07.469 --> 13:09.619 with compassion as the Secretary of 13:09.630 --> 13:11.408 Defense and as a veteran of the 13:11.408 --> 13:13.408 Afghanistan war , I am proud of and 13:13.408 --> 13:15.519 deeply grateful for the men and women 13:15.519 --> 13:17.574 who stood up to serve after Al Qaeda 13:17.574 --> 13:20.320 attacked us on September 11 , 2001 , we 13:20.330 --> 13:23.669 remember the 2461 American service 13:23.679 --> 13:25.623 members and personnel who made the 13:25.623 --> 13:27.890 ultimate sacrifice in this war . Even 13:27.900 --> 13:30.500 on the hardest days including August 26 13:30.510 --> 13:33.289 2021 . When we tragically lost 13 of 13:33.299 --> 13:35.440 our finest . Our force performed 13:35.450 --> 13:37.780 admirably under incredibly challenging 13:37.789 --> 13:40.030 conditions , end quote . And in regards 13:40.039 --> 13:41.706 to the withdrawal , he's also 13:41.706 --> 13:43.817 underscored that no other military in 13:43.817 --> 13:45.983 the world could have accomplished what 13:45.983 --> 13:48.095 we and our allies and partners did in 13:48.095 --> 13:50.261 such a short time span . And that this 13:50.261 --> 13:52.483 is a testament not only to our forces , 13:52.483 --> 13:54.650 capabilities and courage , but also to 13:54.650 --> 13:56.817 our relationships and the capabilities 13:56.817 --> 13:59.039 of our allies and partners hunting down 13:59.039 --> 13:58.909 the perpetrators , the enablers of the 13:58.919 --> 14:01.086 Abbey Gate attack , Chris Meyer , your 14:01.086 --> 14:03.308 commando chief , talked to reporters on 14:03.308 --> 14:05.530 Friday and he talked a little bit about 14:05.530 --> 14:07.641 the network was degraded , but from , 14:07.641 --> 14:09.752 from the podium , can you give a feel 14:09.752 --> 14:11.919 for that ? President Biden said at the 14:11.919 --> 14:13.808 time , we will hunt you down . So 14:13.808 --> 14:15.919 what's the status of the hunt today ? 14:15.919 --> 14:17.975 Yeah . Um , well as , uh , Assistant 14:17.975 --> 14:20.252 Secretary of Defense Mayer highlighted , 14:20.252 --> 14:22.363 we are laser focused on defending our 14:22.363 --> 14:24.419 citizens from terrorist threats that 14:24.419 --> 14:26.363 could emanate from Central Asia or 14:26.363 --> 14:28.363 anywhere else around the globe . We 14:28.363 --> 14:30.530 know that we can't turn a blind eye to 14:30.530 --> 14:32.697 the threats from organizations such as 14:32.697 --> 14:34.697 ISIS K . Uh and that we must keep a 14:34.700 --> 14:37.059 relentless focus on counter to 14:37.200 --> 14:39.533 counterterrorism . And we're doing that . 14:39.719 --> 14:43.440 Um We have and continue to invest in uh 14:43.450 --> 14:45.760 and deploy modern capabilities to keep 14:45.770 --> 14:47.937 Americans safe . We're working closely 14:47.937 --> 14:50.159 with the intelligence community as well 14:50.159 --> 14:52.326 as to deepen our cooper operation with 14:52.326 --> 14:54.548 allies and partners to address evolving 14:54.548 --> 14:56.270 threats . I know that Mr Mayor 14:56.270 --> 14:58.437 addressed this as well in terms of how 14:58.437 --> 15:00.326 we've been able to foil plots and 15:00.326 --> 15:02.437 disrupt terrorist networks to include 15:02.437 --> 15:04.419 Isis K by sharing information and 15:04.429 --> 15:06.485 intelligence and enabling allied and 15:06.485 --> 15:08.207 partner nations to be the ones 15:08.207 --> 15:10.373 conducting arrests or taking actions . 15:10.373 --> 15:12.540 And you've seen that demonstrated here 15:12.540 --> 15:14.596 recently with some high profile news 15:14.596 --> 15:16.762 coverage of a foiled terrorist plot in 15:16.762 --> 15:18.762 Europe , for example . Uh but we've 15:18.762 --> 15:20.929 also demonstrated our ability to reach 15:20.929 --> 15:23.040 anywhere in the world when there is a 15:23.040 --> 15:25.207 threat including in Central Asia or in 15:25.207 --> 15:27.373 the Middle East . And we've shown that 15:27.373 --> 15:29.540 we will not hesitate to take action to 15:29.540 --> 15:31.540 keep America safe , as evidenced by 15:31.540 --> 15:33.707 Centcom's recent strike in Syria which 15:33.707 --> 15:35.929 killed the senior leader of an Al Qaeda 15:35.929 --> 15:38.207 associated group . Thank you very much , 15:38.207 --> 15:40.719 Jeanie . Thank you , General Tish NK 15:40.989 --> 15:43.690 and Kim Jong Un announced that it would 15:43.700 --> 15:47.289 fully deploy suicide drones for the 15:47.299 --> 15:50.500 world . What concerns does the United 15:50.510 --> 15:53.869 States have about this ? And what is 15:53.880 --> 15:57.020 the U SAS response to North Korea's 15:57.780 --> 16:01.619 Asma power to its ? I'm 16:01.630 --> 16:04.969 sorry J to its , what , what is the US 16:04.979 --> 16:08.349 response to North Korea asymmetric 16:08.359 --> 16:11.619 power . Um , on your first question . 16:11.630 --> 16:13.408 Uh , yeah , I've seen the press 16:13.408 --> 16:15.574 reporting . Certainly , it's something 16:15.574 --> 16:17.741 that we're , we're keeping an eye on . 16:17.741 --> 16:17.659 I , I do find it interesting , uh , 16:17.669 --> 16:19.725 that everywhere else . It's known as 16:19.725 --> 16:21.725 one way attack drone , but for some 16:21.725 --> 16:23.891 reason when North Korea says it , it's 16:23.891 --> 16:26.113 suicide drone . Uh , interesting . Um , 16:26.113 --> 16:28.700 but , uh , you know , we clearly want 16:28.710 --> 16:30.940 to take that threat seriously and it's 16:30.950 --> 16:33.172 something that we'll keep an eye on . I 16:33.172 --> 16:35.283 know that our South Korean allies are 16:35.283 --> 16:36.950 also keeping an eye on it and 16:36.950 --> 16:39.006 monitoring that . Uh And I'll just , 16:39.006 --> 16:41.117 you know , conclude by saying that we 16:41.117 --> 16:43.228 will continue to consult closely with 16:43.228 --> 16:45.283 the Rok and Japan and other partners 16:45.289 --> 16:47.460 and allies in the region to ensure uh 16:47.469 --> 16:49.659 that our collective defense remains 16:49.669 --> 16:52.570 strong in terms of uh North Korea and 16:52.580 --> 16:54.636 its capabilities . You know , look , 16:54.636 --> 16:57.849 they have a long history here of uh of 16:57.859 --> 17:00.450 destabilizing uh rhetoric and , and 17:00.460 --> 17:04.140 activities . Uh Again , our focus in 17:04.150 --> 17:06.261 the region is defensive in nature and 17:06.261 --> 17:08.428 on working with allies and partners to 17:08.428 --> 17:10.761 promote regional security and stability . 17:10.761 --> 17:12.872 Uh and to be prepared for any threats 17:12.872 --> 17:14.928 that North Korea poses or presents , 17:14.928 --> 17:16.872 obviously don't want conflict with 17:16.872 --> 17:19.099 North Korea and we continue to call for 17:19.109 --> 17:22.569 uh diplomatic communication . But so 17:22.579 --> 17:24.579 far , they have not been willing to 17:24.579 --> 17:26.412 take that olive branch . Can you 17:26.412 --> 17:29.939 predict the possibility that suicide 17:30.349 --> 17:33.199 drones mass produced with 17:33.949 --> 17:36.589 tactical support to put on Russia and 17:36.599 --> 17:40.459 Iran will be used on the battlefield 17:40.469 --> 17:43.579 of Ukraine and the Middle East . Yeah , 17:43.589 --> 17:45.700 I , I don't have anything on that nor 17:45.700 --> 17:47.920 do I want to predict so . Thank you . 17:48.000 --> 17:50.111 Yes , ma'am . Thank you , sir . Nazir 17:50.111 --> 17:52.729 Academy Afghan journalist , as he said , 17:52.739 --> 17:55.060 something about Afghanistan . Afghan 17:55.069 --> 17:57.180 people are also concerned about Daesh 17:57.180 --> 17:59.949 activity based of European . Daesh . 18:00.109 --> 18:02.331 Get increase in Afghanistan and Taliban 18:02.331 --> 18:04.387 concerned about their activity too . 18:04.469 --> 18:06.413 And what is the difference between 18:06.413 --> 18:09.349 Taliban and Daesh ? Um 18:10.630 --> 18:12.920 How much time do you have ? Uh I mean , 18:13.229 --> 18:15.507 you know , look , first of all , uh as , 18:15.507 --> 18:17.489 as you well know , the Taliban 18:17.770 --> 18:20.900 currently uh is the the 18:21.290 --> 18:24.670 government uh in , in Afghanistan . And 18:24.680 --> 18:28.369 I'll use that term loosely . Um And so 18:28.380 --> 18:31.619 as the uh so called uh ruling entity in 18:31.630 --> 18:33.550 there , clearly , uh there is a 18:33.560 --> 18:35.770 difference between that uh ISIS K but 18:35.780 --> 18:37.969 there are many other uh terror groups 18:37.979 --> 18:40.090 that , that are resident right now in 18:40.090 --> 18:43.290 Afghanistan . So , you know , we're 18:43.300 --> 18:45.300 continuing to keep an eye on that , 18:45.300 --> 18:47.467 that region at large . Ultimately , at 18:47.467 --> 18:49.189 the end of the day , our focus 18:49.189 --> 18:51.189 continues to be broadly speaking on 18:51.189 --> 18:53.022 working with allies and partners 18:53.022 --> 18:55.022 throughout the world and to include 18:55.022 --> 18:56.856 Central Asia as I highlighted on 18:56.856 --> 18:58.633 promoting regional security and 18:58.633 --> 19:00.800 stability and safeguarding us national 19:00.800 --> 19:03.930 security interests uh to include uh the 19:03.939 --> 19:06.209 counterterrorism efforts and , and non 19:06.219 --> 19:09.050 proliferation . So just leave it there . 19:09.069 --> 19:11.469 Thank you very much . Thank you general , 19:12.680 --> 19:16.260 the US provided intelligence and 19:16.270 --> 19:19.829 ISR support to Israel to uh to in order 19:19.839 --> 19:22.117 to deal with the attack from Hezbollah . 19:22.189 --> 19:24.489 What is your assessment of , of that 19:24.500 --> 19:27.670 attack ? And do you think it was , it 19:27.680 --> 19:30.229 was a would fail or succeed in 19:30.239 --> 19:32.380 achieving some of the goals that were 19:32.390 --> 19:34.589 declared by Hezbollah leader Hassan 19:34.729 --> 19:36.719 Nasrallah ? Yeah , thanks for the 19:36.729 --> 19:38.618 question . I'm gonna refrain from 19:38.618 --> 19:40.673 putting a label on it and just , you 19:40.673 --> 19:42.673 know , it , it was , it was a large 19:42.673 --> 19:46.030 scale attack . Um Lebanese Hezbollah 19:46.040 --> 19:49.530 had uh essentially previewed that they 19:49.540 --> 19:52.270 intended to retaliate and by all 19:52.280 --> 19:56.060 accounts they did . Uh And so , um 19:56.329 --> 19:59.239 you know , Israel uh was well prepared 19:59.250 --> 20:01.528 to respond and , and defend themselves . 20:01.819 --> 20:04.160 Uh but I'll let the leaders from each 20:04.170 --> 20:06.337 of those uh you know , from Israel and 20:06.337 --> 20:08.739 Lebanese Hezbollah speak to the nature 20:08.750 --> 20:11.439 of that from a US standpoint , we were 20:11.449 --> 20:14.729 very focused again on uh supporting the 20:14.739 --> 20:17.910 defense of Israel as well as ensuring 20:17.920 --> 20:20.170 that this did not escalate into a wider 20:20.180 --> 20:22.347 regional conflict . And that continues 20:22.349 --> 20:26.349 to be our focus threats 20:26.359 --> 20:29.160 from Iran to retaliate against Israel . 20:29.170 --> 20:32.780 Do you see uh Iran still poised to 20:32.790 --> 20:35.810 attack Israel or in light of the 20:35.819 --> 20:37.875 weekend events between Hezbollah and 20:37.875 --> 20:39.986 Israel , there's been some changes in 20:39.986 --> 20:42.930 what you observe vis a vis Iran , you 20:42.939 --> 20:44.717 know , I'm not going to go into 20:44.717 --> 20:47.050 intelligence . But again , I , you know , 20:47.050 --> 20:49.270 as I've said , previously , Iran has 20:49.280 --> 20:52.069 made uh those threats and has said that 20:52.079 --> 20:54.599 they intend to retaliate . And so we 20:54.609 --> 20:56.776 have to take that very seriously . And 20:56.776 --> 20:59.650 so we will continue to remain postured 20:59.800 --> 21:02.670 and we are well postured uh to be able 21:02.680 --> 21:04.736 to support the defenses of Israel as 21:04.736 --> 21:06.902 well as protect our own forces . Thank 21:06.902 --> 21:10.199 you , Noah . Admiral PPAR said recently 21:10.209 --> 21:13.780 that the US could um Filipino 21:13.790 --> 21:15.901 vessels during resupply missions that 21:15.901 --> 21:18.068 this would be within the bounds of the 21:18.068 --> 21:20.068 mutual defense treaty . I wanted to 21:20.068 --> 21:22.012 know if that's consistent with the 21:22.012 --> 21:24.068 secretary's thinking . Yeah , thanks 21:24.068 --> 21:23.680 Noah . Um What I would say is that the 21:23.689 --> 21:26.160 Philippines remains the lead for its 21:26.170 --> 21:28.392 own operations in the South China Sea . 21:28.392 --> 21:30.559 And we continue to provide significant 21:30.559 --> 21:32.619 advisory support in addition to our 21:32.630 --> 21:35.000 efforts to help modernize uh the 21:35.010 --> 21:38.020 Philippine military . And so as allies , 21:38.030 --> 21:39.697 we continue to stand with the 21:39.697 --> 21:42.530 Philippines given , especially the Pr C 21:42.540 --> 21:44.810 has consistently prevented them from 21:44.819 --> 21:47.380 executing lawful maritime operations in 21:47.390 --> 21:49.223 the South China Sea . And so our 21:49.223 --> 21:52.859 commitment to that alliance is ironclad 21:53.050 --> 21:55.161 uh as you know , our governments have 21:55.161 --> 21:57.272 close continual consultation . So any 21:57.272 --> 21:59.106 military support would be at the 21:59.106 --> 22:00.939 request of the government of the 22:00.939 --> 22:03.161 Philippines . And in that light Admiral 22:03.161 --> 22:05.328 PPAR simply called it an option within 22:05.328 --> 22:07.449 the context of consultations . So 22:07.459 --> 22:09.515 you're saying that if they requested 22:09.515 --> 22:11.737 such military support , that that could 22:11.737 --> 22:13.959 be on the table for consultation , that 22:13.969 --> 22:16.025 that wouldn't be an immediate closed 22:16.025 --> 22:18.136 door . Well , again , without getting 22:18.136 --> 22:20.413 into hypotheticals , I think as allies , 22:20.413 --> 22:22.636 uh it would require any type , it would 22:22.636 --> 22:24.691 require require consultation between 22:24.691 --> 22:26.969 our two nations . Thank you , Courtney . 22:27.469 --> 22:29.525 You're sitting way in the back there 22:29.525 --> 22:32.250 today . Um The several Russian 22:32.260 --> 22:34.219 officials have spoken out recently 22:34.229 --> 22:37.260 about the US being involved in the k 22:37.489 --> 22:39.711 incursion . The Deputy Foreign Minister 22:39.711 --> 22:41.933 said consequences for the United States 22:41.933 --> 22:44.045 could be much harsher than those they 22:44.045 --> 22:46.100 are already experiencing . They know 22:46.100 --> 22:48.322 where and in what areas we are reacting 22:48.322 --> 22:50.433 in practical terms . What is , do you 22:50.433 --> 22:52.600 know , what is that ? I , I guess what 22:52.600 --> 22:54.656 are the areas that they are reacting 22:54.656 --> 22:56.822 that the US knows about ? I guess , do 22:56.822 --> 22:58.989 you have any comment there ? Um Lavrov 22:58.989 --> 22:58.849 also spoke out saying that the US is 22:58.859 --> 23:00.859 complicit in this curse incursion . 23:01.260 --> 23:03.482 It's a truth in advertising . I'm not a 23:03.482 --> 23:05.482 criminologist . So I'm not going to 23:05.482 --> 23:07.649 pretend to be able to translate for uh 23:07.649 --> 23:09.816 Russian bureaucratese . Um What I will 23:09.816 --> 23:12.140 say is that as we've said previously , 23:12.150 --> 23:13.706 uh we did not have advanced 23:13.706 --> 23:17.650 notification of Ukraine's uh intent 23:17.660 --> 23:20.079 and operations to go into KK . Uh 23:20.089 --> 23:22.319 Certainly again , you've heard 23:22.329 --> 23:24.619 President Zelensky say that their 23:24.630 --> 23:26.686 efforts there are to create a buffer 23:26.686 --> 23:28.574 zone . And so we continue to have 23:28.574 --> 23:30.797 conversations with them about what that 23:30.797 --> 23:33.019 means . But more broadly speaking , how 23:33.019 --> 23:35.920 the US can support Ukraine's efforts to 23:35.930 --> 23:38.060 preserve its sovereignty and deter 23:38.069 --> 23:40.020 future Russian aggression . But 23:40.030 --> 23:42.319 specifically on the , on the , this 23:42.329 --> 23:45.859 allegation that the US knows that the 23:45.869 --> 23:47.702 the consequences are going to be 23:47.702 --> 23:49.925 harsher than previously . Have you seen 23:49.925 --> 23:51.980 any indications of , of consequences 23:51.980 --> 23:53.980 against the United States ? I don't 23:53.980 --> 23:56.091 know what , what that means . Again , 23:56.091 --> 23:58.147 we're not at war with Russia . We're 23:58.147 --> 24:00.258 not seeking conflict with Russia . We 24:00.258 --> 24:02.202 are simply supporting a democratic 24:02.202 --> 24:04.258 nation who was invaded 2.5 years ago 24:04.258 --> 24:06.591 and enabling them to protect themselves . 24:06.591 --> 24:09.770 Thank you . Last question . Uh The 24:09.780 --> 24:13.199 Iranian commander of RGC says Iran with 24:13.209 --> 24:14.959 Islamic resistance in Iraq and 24:14.969 --> 24:18.150 elsewhere will take uh retaliation . 24:18.449 --> 24:20.430 But how does the Pentagon see the 24:20.439 --> 24:23.560 involvement of progress in Iraq in the 24:23.569 --> 24:26.280 existing war between Israel and Hamas ? 24:27.760 --> 24:30.219 Well , kind of taking a step back . Um 24:30.229 --> 24:31.896 You know , there , there have 24:31.896 --> 24:34.729 definitely been actions by Iranian 24:34.739 --> 24:37.170 backed groups in Iraq and Syria as it 24:37.180 --> 24:40.939 relates to attempting to uh conduct 24:41.079 --> 24:43.770 rocket attacks against Israel , uh 24:43.780 --> 24:46.420 largely unsuccessful . But , you know , 24:46.430 --> 24:49.459 we , we've seen that um we've also seen 24:49.469 --> 24:52.530 those groups attack us forces that are 24:52.560 --> 24:55.810 uh in Iraq and Syria in support of the 24:56.150 --> 24:59.550 enduring defeat of ISIS mission . So , 25:00.030 --> 25:01.974 you know , what they may do in the 25:01.974 --> 25:04.030 future , I can't predict . Um but we 25:04.030 --> 25:06.086 take that threat seriously and we'll 25:06.086 --> 25:08.308 continue and the , you know , just like 25:08.308 --> 25:10.474 we're going to continue to support the 25:10.474 --> 25:12.474 defense of Israel , uh we will stay 25:12.474 --> 25:14.363 very focused on ensuring that our 25:14.363 --> 25:16.474 forces are protected as well . Uh And 25:16.474 --> 25:18.586 we won't tolerate any attacks against 25:18.586 --> 25:21.329 our forces . Uh and to purposely 25:21.339 --> 25:23.640 belabor the point uh if we are 25:23.650 --> 25:26.060 threatened or attacked , uh we will 25:26.069 --> 25:28.430 always respond in a time and manner of 25:28.439 --> 25:30.495 our choosing . Thank you . Thank you 25:30.495 --> 25:33.979 very much . Everybody . Domestic 25:33.989 --> 25:36.640 question related to Justice Department 25:36.650 --> 25:38.817 plea that came down last night against 25:38.817 --> 25:40.983 one of the navy's top shipbuilders . A 25:40.983 --> 25:42.817 limited , they pleaded guilty to 25:42.817 --> 25:45.060 product substitution and pro and a 25:45.069 --> 25:47.680 fraud , accounting fraud . What steps 25:47.689 --> 25:49.900 is the dod General Consul taking with 25:49.910 --> 25:52.380 the Navy to review whether they are a 25:52.390 --> 25:56.020 responsible contractor to keep getting 25:56.030 --> 25:58.197 federal contracts or face department ? 25:58.699 --> 26:00.755 Yeah , thanks Tony . Um , we've seen 26:00.755 --> 26:02.866 the press reporting on it . However , 26:02.866 --> 26:04.810 I'm gonna have to refer you to the 26:04.810 --> 26:04.719 Department of Justice for details and 26:04.729 --> 26:07.199 then to the Navy for any action that 26:07.209 --> 26:09.209 they're undertaking as a result . I 26:09.209 --> 26:11.265 just don't have any more . You don't 26:11.265 --> 26:13.376 have any more . Can you also check on 26:13.376 --> 26:15.487 the status of the Boeing review ? You 26:15.487 --> 26:14.810 were asked about like a month and a 26:14.819 --> 26:17.719 half ago in terms of the , I mean , you 26:17.729 --> 26:20.109 guys said at the time there's a review 26:20.119 --> 26:22.286 of what steps Boeing is taking to be a 26:22.286 --> 26:24.397 responsible contractor . Can you take 26:24.397 --> 26:26.341 that as a question in terms of the 26:26.341 --> 26:28.341 status ? I'll take the question . I 26:28.341 --> 26:28.030 don't know that we'll have much more to 26:28.040 --> 26:30.262 provide , but I'll take that question . 26:30.262 --> 26:32.510 Ok , thanks . Oh , Louie , seriously , 26:32.770 --> 26:34.714 you walk in like last minute . All 26:34.714 --> 26:36.869 right . Only because it's ABC Louie 26:36.880 --> 26:39.510 Martinez . Thank you . Congratulations 26:39.520 --> 26:43.469 to Taft . Ok . Um TF was on 26:43.479 --> 26:46.829 time but um , going back to the J Lots 26:46.839 --> 26:49.006 that was announced last week , I think 26:49.006 --> 26:51.660 that , um , that last cargo shipment 26:51.880 --> 26:54.102 have left Cyprus . Is there an update ? 26:54.102 --> 26:56.000 Has it been offloaded ? Uh What's 26:56.010 --> 26:58.177 happened since Um So what I'm tracking 26:58.177 --> 27:00.343 lou is that uh essentially the ship is 27:00.349 --> 27:03.540 in the queue uh waiting for its turn to 27:03.550 --> 27:07.380 uh dock in Ashdod and unload uh its 27:07.390 --> 27:10.079 contents . Um But as of right now , 27:10.089 --> 27:12.400 still at sea , um but that's the latest 27:12.410 --> 27:14.989 update I have . Ok . Thank you . Thanks 27:15.000 --> 27:16.119 very much , everybody . Appreciate it .