1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:01,050 everybody 2 00:00:06,140 --> 00:00:08,660 okay , A couple of things at the top 3 00:00:08,660 --> 00:00:10,850 here . We'll get right after it . 4 00:00:13,740 --> 00:00:15,851 The Department of Fence , through the 5 00:00:15,851 --> 00:00:18,073 office of the undersecretary of defense 6 00:00:18,073 --> 00:00:20,018 for research and engineering , has 7 00:00:20,018 --> 00:00:23,130 launched the D O D Aerospace Education 8 00:00:23,130 --> 00:00:25,020 Research and Innovation Center , 9 00:00:25,030 --> 00:00:27,710 otherwise known as a ER . I see we 10 00:00:27,710 --> 00:00:30,270 pronounce it Eric . Here at Tuskegee 11 00:00:30,270 --> 00:00:32,810 University in Alabama , Eric will 12 00:00:32,810 --> 00:00:35,920 support two year research projects in 13 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:37,940 the areas of fatigue , damage , 14 00:00:37,950 --> 00:00:40,230 tolerance , experimental aerodynamics 15 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:42,296 and the performance of materials and 16 00:00:42,296 --> 00:00:44,462 components under extreme environmental 17 00:00:44,462 --> 00:00:46,684 conditions . Tuskegee University is the 18 00:00:46,684 --> 00:00:48,851 number one producer of black aerospace 19 00:00:48,851 --> 00:00:50,851 engineers in the nation , and we're 20 00:00:50,851 --> 00:00:52,962 very excited to partner with them . A 21 00:00:52,962 --> 00:00:55,350 zey host , Eric , Today on Secretary 22 00:00:55,350 --> 00:00:57,294 Austin , participated in a virtual 23 00:00:57,294 --> 00:00:59,572 meeting of NATO colleagues from Canada , 24 00:00:59,572 --> 00:01:01,794 Lithuania , Poland , the United Kingdom 25 00:01:01,794 --> 00:01:04,740 and Ukraine . The meeting was hosted by 26 00:01:04,740 --> 00:01:06,851 the United Kingdom Secretary of State 27 00:01:06,851 --> 00:01:09,190 for Defense Ben Wallace . All these 28 00:01:09,190 --> 00:01:11,412 allies were actively providing training 29 00:01:11,412 --> 00:01:13,468 and support in Ukraine alongside the 30 00:01:13,468 --> 00:01:15,690 United States , and the meeting came on 31 00:01:15,690 --> 00:01:17,468 the heels of Secretary Austin's 32 00:01:17,468 --> 00:01:19,579 February 19th discussion with Ukraine 33 00:01:19,579 --> 00:01:21,900 Minister of Defense Andre Tehran , 34 00:01:21,910 --> 00:01:24,560 which focused on Ukraine's defense 35 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:27,760 priorities . Reform objectives on , of 36 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:29,593 course , how the five allies can 37 00:01:29,593 --> 00:01:31,816 support Ukraine's Euro Atlantic goals . 38 00:01:32,740 --> 00:01:35,600 Now , as you've been tracking secretary 39 00:01:35,610 --> 00:01:37,832 directed the force to conduct a one day 40 00:01:37,832 --> 00:01:40,490 stand down to deal with extremism in 41 00:01:40,490 --> 00:01:42,546 the ranks . To support this effort , 42 00:01:42,546 --> 00:01:45,110 Way issued a video to the force with a 43 00:01:45,110 --> 00:01:47,388 message directly from Secretary Austin . 44 00:01:47,388 --> 00:01:49,166 It will be used alongside other 45 00:01:49,166 --> 00:01:51,388 training materials to facilitate a good 46 00:01:51,388 --> 00:01:53,340 exchange of ideas as commands work 47 00:01:53,340 --> 00:01:56,220 through there , stand downs and you can 48 00:01:56,220 --> 00:01:58,276 find that on defense . Gov . It's on 49 00:01:58,276 --> 00:02:00,640 our website . On the personal front , 50 00:02:00,650 --> 00:02:02,817 we all boarded another seven personnel 51 00:02:02,817 --> 00:02:05,090 today , bringing the total to 78 . 52 00:02:05,100 --> 00:02:07,650 Today's additions include Spencer Boyer , 53 00:02:07,650 --> 00:02:09,761 deputy assistant secretary of defense 54 00:02:09,761 --> 00:02:11,928 for Europe and NATO policy . Milan C . 55 00:02:11,928 --> 00:02:14,039 Harris , deputy assistant secretary , 56 00:02:14,039 --> 00:02:15,928 defense for special operations in 57 00:02:15,928 --> 00:02:18,960 combat and terrorism . Farook Meter , 58 00:02:19,340 --> 00:02:22,170 director of small business programs on 59 00:02:22,170 --> 00:02:24,281 someone that you're undoubtedly going 60 00:02:24,281 --> 00:02:26,392 to get to spend some time with here . 61 00:02:26,392 --> 00:02:28,114 Jamal Brown , our deputy press 62 00:02:28,114 --> 00:02:30,114 secretary who is right there . Wave 63 00:02:30,114 --> 00:02:32,059 your hand there , Jamal way . Just 64 00:02:32,059 --> 00:02:34,550 check them today . Uh , finally , um , 65 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:36,930 Secretary Austin will be making his 66 00:02:36,930 --> 00:02:39,152 first trip of secretary of defense this 67 00:02:39,152 --> 00:02:41,110 week . He'll travel to Colorado on 68 00:02:41,110 --> 00:02:42,888 Wednesday to visit with the U S 69 00:02:42,888 --> 00:02:45,054 Northern Command on then to California 70 00:02:45,054 --> 00:02:46,943 to see the first active duty team 71 00:02:46,943 --> 00:02:49,070 supporting one of FEMA's mega 72 00:02:49,070 --> 00:02:50,959 vaccination sites . This one , of 73 00:02:50,959 --> 00:02:53,014 course , in Los Angeles . He'll also 74 00:02:53,014 --> 00:02:55,014 head to San Diego on Thursday . And 75 00:02:55,014 --> 00:02:57,237 while there hell link up with the chief 76 00:02:57,237 --> 00:02:59,348 of naval operations out of my guild a 77 00:02:59,348 --> 00:03:01,570 Aziz , they visit U . S s Nimitz as's , 78 00:03:01,570 --> 00:03:03,880 she begins to make her final 79 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:06,370 preparations to return home after a 10 80 00:03:06,370 --> 00:03:08,537 month deployment . He'll also have the 81 00:03:08,537 --> 00:03:11,960 opportunity Thio visit with two navy 82 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:15,120 vaccination sites on the base at North 83 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:18,750 Island on and see what what the Navy is 84 00:03:18,750 --> 00:03:21,690 doing . Uh , thio make more vaccines 85 00:03:21,690 --> 00:03:24,510 available to sailors there and , uh , 86 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:26,950 in the in San Diego . Okay , with that , 87 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:30,540 I think , Bob , your on the phone , 88 00:03:30,540 --> 00:03:34,060 right ? Yes , I am . Thanks , John . 89 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:36,496 Uh , I have a question for you about 90 00:03:36,496 --> 00:03:39,550 Iraq , Um , in light of the 91 00:03:39,940 --> 00:03:43,060 today's rocket attack on the Green Zone . 92 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:47,240 And , of course , the recent attack in 93 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:49,407 Erbil . I'm wondering what you make of 94 00:03:49,407 --> 00:03:52,340 this resumption of attacks and whether 95 00:03:52,350 --> 00:03:54,550 this is , uh , appears to you to be , 96 00:03:55,140 --> 00:03:58,300 um , the work of , uh , of the militias 97 00:03:58,300 --> 00:04:02,160 has been a problem previously . Well , 98 00:04:02,170 --> 00:04:04,360 certainly , um , we have seen attacks 99 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:06,430 in the past from , uh , she backed 100 00:04:06,430 --> 00:04:09,400 militias operating inside Iraq . I'm 101 00:04:09,410 --> 00:04:12,230 I don't know of any attribution for the 102 00:04:12,230 --> 00:04:15,100 one in Erbil from , uh , last weekend . 103 00:04:15,100 --> 00:04:17,380 I don't think that's been finally 104 00:04:17,380 --> 00:04:21,280 determined on Daz for the recent 105 00:04:21,280 --> 00:04:23,340 attack . Again , I don't have any 106 00:04:23,340 --> 00:04:25,660 attribution on that either . It z 107 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:29,160 difficult to say with certainty , Bob , 108 00:04:29,170 --> 00:04:31,910 whether there's whether there is a , um , 109 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:35,440 a strategic calculation driving , um 110 00:04:35,450 --> 00:04:38,450 uh , this uptick , this recent uptick 111 00:04:38,460 --> 00:04:41,510 in attacks or whether this is just a 112 00:04:41,510 --> 00:04:44,470 continuation of of the sorts of attacks 113 00:04:44,470 --> 00:04:46,930 we've seen in the past . But obviously , 114 00:04:46,930 --> 00:04:49,152 we're gonna be working closely with our 115 00:04:49,152 --> 00:04:51,990 Iraqi partners as we have been on the 116 00:04:51,990 --> 00:04:54,101 attack last weekend and our bill will 117 00:04:54,101 --> 00:04:56,212 be working with them Thio to get more 118 00:04:56,212 --> 00:04:58,379 context about this and try to place it 119 00:04:58,379 --> 00:05:00,490 in proper perspective . But clearly , 120 00:05:00,490 --> 00:05:03,480 Look , I mean , um uh , these are 121 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:07,030 dangerous attacks . Um , And as we saw 122 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:10,530 in the one in Erbil , um , a Nen Devyn 123 00:05:10,530 --> 00:05:12,586 jewel lost his life and now families 124 00:05:12,586 --> 00:05:16,360 grieving . And I would say again that 125 00:05:16,840 --> 00:05:20,030 yeah , were there . Thio counter Isis 126 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:21,762 at the invitation of the Iraqi 127 00:05:21,762 --> 00:05:24,050 government and our commanders , just 128 00:05:24,050 --> 00:05:26,106 like the Iraqi commanders , have the 129 00:05:26,106 --> 00:05:29,160 right of self defense . Um , 130 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:33,060 single back to the phone again here . 131 00:05:35,140 --> 00:05:38,800 Dancing Gallon . Uh , thanks . Thanks 132 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:40,911 for calling on me . I have a question 133 00:05:40,911 --> 00:05:42,967 about the presidential commission on 134 00:05:42,967 --> 00:05:44,800 sexual assault that he's putting 135 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:46,800 together is D o d . Consulting with 136 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:48,856 members of Congress on Google in the 137 00:05:48,856 --> 00:05:51,078 commission on the Commission . Orazio d 138 00:05:51,078 --> 00:05:53,189 just picking whoever it wants without 139 00:05:53,189 --> 00:05:54,967 regard to input from members of 140 00:05:54,967 --> 00:05:57,300 Congress . Well , we're certainly gonna , 141 00:05:57,300 --> 00:05:59,890 um , uh , consult with Congress as the 142 00:05:59,900 --> 00:06:02,233 plans for this commission come together . 143 00:06:02,233 --> 00:06:04,011 Dan , I could tell you that the 144 00:06:04,011 --> 00:06:07,510 secretary met with the senior OS de 145 00:06:07,510 --> 00:06:09,670 leaders senior leaders here at the at 146 00:06:09,670 --> 00:06:12,000 the at the Pentagon , which included 147 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:15,080 the service chiefs , um , to talk to 148 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:17,270 him this morning about his feedback on 149 00:06:17,280 --> 00:06:19,760 their inputs to him . As you know , it 150 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:22,250 was his first directive on his second 151 00:06:22,260 --> 00:06:25,080 day in office to ask the services to 152 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:27,550 provide him input on what they felt 153 00:06:27,550 --> 00:06:29,439 they were doing right , what they 154 00:06:29,439 --> 00:06:31,494 needed to improve , maybe ideas they 155 00:06:31,494 --> 00:06:33,717 have going forward . Um , and hey , had 156 00:06:33,717 --> 00:06:35,939 the opportunity to review that work and 157 00:06:35,939 --> 00:06:38,161 talked to him about that today . It was 158 00:06:38,161 --> 00:06:40,272 a good , productive discussion . Um , 159 00:06:40,272 --> 00:06:42,494 he explained to them that hey , expects 160 00:06:42,494 --> 00:06:44,661 before the end of the week to formally 161 00:06:44,661 --> 00:06:47,660 announce the 90 day commission with 162 00:06:47,660 --> 00:06:49,827 MAWR granularity and more detail . I'm 163 00:06:49,827 --> 00:06:51,470 not gonna get ahead of that 164 00:06:51,470 --> 00:06:53,581 announcement here today , but to your 165 00:06:53,581 --> 00:06:55,637 other question . As they said at the 166 00:06:55,637 --> 00:06:58,750 top , uh , he certainly understands 167 00:06:58,750 --> 00:07:00,861 respects and appreciates the interest 168 00:07:00,861 --> 00:07:03,280 that members of Congress have shown on 169 00:07:03,280 --> 00:07:05,447 this issue , and we'll keep them fully 170 00:07:05,447 --> 00:07:08,060 apprised as we move forward . Okay , in 171 00:07:08,060 --> 00:07:11,020 the room . David John 172 00:07:11,940 --> 00:07:13,940 one secretary . Awesome talks about 173 00:07:13,940 --> 00:07:17,450 extremism in the ranks , he says . 174 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:20,260 It's probably more than we would like 175 00:07:20,740 --> 00:07:23,690 and less than the media depicts it . 176 00:07:24,700 --> 00:07:28,380 Is he expecting some sort of 177 00:07:28,540 --> 00:07:30,650 number out of the services , 178 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:34,460 somebody to tell him exactly how many 179 00:07:35,140 --> 00:07:37,251 extremists there are in the ranks ? I 180 00:07:37,251 --> 00:07:39,418 think what the secretary would like to 181 00:07:39,418 --> 00:07:41,640 do David is Thio . See if there's a way 182 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:44,400 to get a better sense of the numbers . 183 00:07:44,410 --> 00:07:47,250 If there's if there's a way to try to 184 00:07:47,250 --> 00:07:49,290 collect data on the extent of this 185 00:07:49,290 --> 00:07:53,020 problem . He also mindful that that's a 186 00:07:53,020 --> 00:07:56,260 difficult task to undertake because , 187 00:07:56,740 --> 00:08:00,650 um , it Z 188 00:08:01,740 --> 00:08:04,170 it's largely we get a sense of the 189 00:08:04,170 --> 00:08:06,281 problem largely driven by conduct and 190 00:08:06,281 --> 00:08:09,950 behavior , Um , and it's difficult to 191 00:08:09,950 --> 00:08:12,460 know , sometimes even in conduct and 192 00:08:12,460 --> 00:08:15,140 behavior . Um , that is prejudicial to 193 00:08:15,140 --> 00:08:16,862 good order and discipline or a 194 00:08:16,862 --> 00:08:19,084 violation of the U . C M J . Often it's 195 00:08:19,084 --> 00:08:21,251 not . It's not always possible to know 196 00:08:21,251 --> 00:08:23,418 what drives that . Not to mention that 197 00:08:23,418 --> 00:08:25,418 some extremist behavior happens off 198 00:08:25,418 --> 00:08:28,920 base off duty on is 199 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:31,420 captured rather by civilian law 200 00:08:31,420 --> 00:08:33,476 enforcement , not even federal , but 201 00:08:33,476 --> 00:08:35,142 maybe even local civilian law 202 00:08:35,142 --> 00:08:37,031 enforcement . And we may not have 203 00:08:37,031 --> 00:08:39,309 perfect insight in tow . That database . 204 00:08:39,309 --> 00:08:41,790 So , um , would he e don't wanna ask 205 00:08:41,790 --> 00:08:43,679 the rhetorical question . He , of 206 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:45,790 course , would like to know with more 207 00:08:45,790 --> 00:08:48,590 granularity , uh , how big the problem 208 00:08:48,590 --> 00:08:52,150 is . And that would include but not 209 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:55,810 not uh , not solely . But it would 210 00:08:55,810 --> 00:08:58,130 include getting a sense of the numbers 211 00:08:58,130 --> 00:09:00,520 of people who are in the ranks who 212 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:02,742 espouse these beliefs and are acting or 213 00:09:02,742 --> 00:09:04,631 willing to act on them . But he's 214 00:09:04,631 --> 00:09:06,798 mindful that it's a difficult data set 215 00:09:06,798 --> 00:09:09,860 to get to . I haven't asked today , but 216 00:09:09,860 --> 00:09:11,870 last week , when you asked services 217 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:15,400 wondering whether you're stand down is 218 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:18,260 taking place . The answer was , we're 219 00:09:18,260 --> 00:09:22,060 waiting for guidance from LSD . Um , 220 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,490 are you supposed to deliver some 221 00:09:25,500 --> 00:09:28,360 guidance ? Um , before 222 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:32,020 each unit has its it's stand down and 223 00:09:32,020 --> 00:09:33,850 there's So when is that e . I 224 00:09:33,850 --> 00:09:35,683 understand it anecdotally , some 225 00:09:35,683 --> 00:09:37,794 services , some commands have already 226 00:09:37,794 --> 00:09:41,290 conducted their stand downs . Um , and 227 00:09:41,290 --> 00:09:45,180 we are in the process of of 228 00:09:45,190 --> 00:09:47,246 putting out , and we expect to do it 229 00:09:47,246 --> 00:09:50,670 very shortly here , um , Cem training 230 00:09:50,670 --> 00:09:53,520 materials for them to be able to use 231 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:55,520 when they conduct to conduct their 232 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:57,330 stand downs . And the video I 233 00:09:57,330 --> 00:09:59,650 referenced today , which again is on 234 00:09:59,650 --> 00:10:02,090 our website was , ah , part of that 235 00:10:02,100 --> 00:10:04,267 training package . You'll see when you 236 00:10:04,267 --> 00:10:06,100 watch the video , he was clearly 237 00:10:06,100 --> 00:10:08,100 addressing it to the force . We can 238 00:10:08,100 --> 00:10:10,270 expect these training materials when I 239 00:10:10,270 --> 00:10:12,580 don't have a date certain for you , Um , 240 00:10:12,590 --> 00:10:14,646 the teams working hard on that and I 241 00:10:14,646 --> 00:10:16,980 think it will be very soon . That stuff 242 00:10:16,980 --> 00:10:19,760 will be delivered numbers for for a 243 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:23,570 second . The Marines have said that in 244 00:10:23,570 --> 00:10:26,050 the past three years I had 16 incidents 245 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,080 of extremist behavior , mostly online , 246 00:10:29,090 --> 00:10:32,730 posting no sense of how those cases 247 00:10:32,730 --> 00:10:35,390 were resolved . And last year , the FBI 248 00:10:35,390 --> 00:10:37,680 set of half the cases investigations 249 00:10:37,680 --> 00:10:40,510 they're looking at involving mostly 250 00:10:40,690 --> 00:10:43,750 former military members . Some active . 251 00:10:44,620 --> 00:10:46,453 Roughly half of those have to do 252 00:10:46,453 --> 00:10:48,560 domestic extremism . So if you get 253 00:10:48,560 --> 00:10:51,510 those to , you know , data points . 254 00:10:52,530 --> 00:10:54,641 I mean , why can't Why can't you guys 255 00:10:54,641 --> 00:10:56,752 get more ? I mean , it's just kind of 256 00:10:56,752 --> 00:10:58,919 frustrating that we have just a little 257 00:10:58,919 --> 00:11:01,940 information . Yeah . Tom , look back to 258 00:11:01,940 --> 00:11:03,662 David's question . I think the 259 00:11:03,662 --> 00:11:05,884 secretary very much would like toa have 260 00:11:05,884 --> 00:11:07,940 ah better sense of the data . And if 261 00:11:07,940 --> 00:11:10,107 there are lessons to be learned in one 262 00:11:10,107 --> 00:11:11,884 of the services that that other 263 00:11:11,884 --> 00:11:13,884 services could learn from or we can 264 00:11:13,884 --> 00:11:13,880 apply centrally here , I think he's 265 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:17,330 open to that . Um , I understand the 266 00:11:17,330 --> 00:11:19,580 frustration I do , and he shares it . I 267 00:11:19,580 --> 00:11:21,413 mean , we need toe have a better 268 00:11:21,413 --> 00:11:23,680 understanding of how deep and how broad 269 00:11:23,680 --> 00:11:26,850 the the problem is . There are , as you 270 00:11:26,850 --> 00:11:28,906 know , and we've talked about it . I 271 00:11:28,906 --> 00:11:31,017 mean , there's First Amendment rights 272 00:11:31,017 --> 00:11:32,906 here to that also also have to be 273 00:11:32,906 --> 00:11:35,128 respected . This isn't about , um , you 274 00:11:35,128 --> 00:11:38,840 know , tryingto get into 275 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:40,770 the , you know , brains of an 276 00:11:40,770 --> 00:11:44,250 individual member of the 277 00:11:44,250 --> 00:11:47,560 military , but rather to make sure that 278 00:11:47,940 --> 00:11:49,884 we have a better sense of who were 279 00:11:49,884 --> 00:11:51,996 bringing in and that those who are in 280 00:11:51,996 --> 00:11:55,510 our ascribing and acting on our core 281 00:11:55,510 --> 00:11:57,177 values the core values of the 282 00:11:57,177 --> 00:11:59,920 institution and not some other groups 283 00:12:00,210 --> 00:12:02,950 core values that are inimical toe what 284 00:12:02,950 --> 00:12:05,172 we're supposed to do for defense of the 285 00:12:05,172 --> 00:12:07,061 of the nation . And then the last 286 00:12:07,061 --> 00:12:09,172 pieces that they're not acting out on 287 00:12:09,172 --> 00:12:12,340 beliefs . Um , extremist beliefs that 288 00:12:12,350 --> 00:12:14,183 put good order and discipline in 289 00:12:14,183 --> 00:12:16,650 jeopardy Or , worse put , their 290 00:12:16,660 --> 00:12:18,660 shipmates , their teammates , their 291 00:12:18,660 --> 00:12:20,882 colleagues , uh , in jeopardy as well . 292 00:12:20,882 --> 00:12:22,882 Okay , let me go back to the phones 293 00:12:22,882 --> 00:12:22,660 here . 294 00:12:27,340 --> 00:12:30,630 Uh , Sam LaGrone us and 295 00:12:30,630 --> 00:12:34,430 I . Hi . Um , toe follow 296 00:12:34,430 --> 00:12:37,550 up on the pier side dishes of CNO and , 297 00:12:37,560 --> 00:12:41,380 um , sector Austin . Um , one of the 298 00:12:41,390 --> 00:12:43,501 things that we're seeing with carrier 299 00:12:43,501 --> 00:12:45,390 deployments writ large is they're 300 00:12:45,390 --> 00:12:47,612 getting longer and longer and longer in 301 00:12:47,612 --> 00:12:50,030 part with this commitment to having 302 00:12:50,030 --> 00:12:53,490 assets in centcom . And you're seeing 303 00:12:53,500 --> 00:12:56,270 double pump deployment . Just start 304 00:12:56,280 --> 00:12:59,460 last week with Eisenhower leaving off 305 00:12:59,470 --> 00:13:01,137 TR's out . It's a double pump 306 00:13:01,137 --> 00:13:04,250 deployment or ah , deployment back to 307 00:13:04,250 --> 00:13:06,417 back without a significant maintenance 308 00:13:06,417 --> 00:13:08,417 period . Um , you know , given that 309 00:13:08,417 --> 00:13:10,990 Nimitz has been out for 303 days with 310 00:13:10,990 --> 00:13:12,990 those sailors and marines away from 311 00:13:12,990 --> 00:13:15,157 their families , what's the department 312 00:13:15,157 --> 00:13:17,323 doing ? Moving forward , Thio . See if 313 00:13:17,323 --> 00:13:19,268 you can balance the kind of demand 314 00:13:19,268 --> 00:13:21,490 signal for these assets that , you know 315 00:13:21,490 --> 00:13:23,546 we're talking about like in the last 316 00:13:23,546 --> 00:13:25,657 year . There's MAWR carriers underway 317 00:13:25,657 --> 00:13:28,660 than since the Arab spring . So thanks . 318 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:31,296 Yes , Sam . Thanks . I mean , it's a 319 00:13:31,296 --> 00:13:33,518 good question , and it's a fair one . I 320 00:13:33,518 --> 00:13:35,740 mean , I think it's something that it's 321 00:13:35,740 --> 00:13:38,610 been a long , uh , a long standing 322 00:13:38,610 --> 00:13:40,499 issue this , you know , balancing 323 00:13:40,499 --> 00:13:42,666 capabilities versus requirements . And 324 00:13:42,666 --> 00:13:44,999 there's a lot of requirements out there , 325 00:13:44,999 --> 00:13:47,054 uh , in the world for in this case , 326 00:13:47,054 --> 00:13:49,277 you're talking about naval capabilities 327 00:13:49,277 --> 00:13:49,210 and secretary , certainly mindful of 328 00:13:49,210 --> 00:13:51,150 the demand that's placing on the 329 00:13:51,150 --> 00:13:53,890 service itself on , of course , on on 330 00:13:53,890 --> 00:13:55,890 the sailors . And that's one of the 331 00:13:55,890 --> 00:13:58,168 reasons why he wanted to go out to sea . 332 00:13:58,168 --> 00:14:00,168 Nimitz . A . She gets ready to come 333 00:14:00,168 --> 00:14:02,334 home to thank the sailors for for that 334 00:14:02,334 --> 00:14:04,770 extraordinary services and sacrifice he 335 00:14:04,770 --> 00:14:06,826 has also had . And I suspect he will 336 00:14:06,826 --> 00:14:09,000 continue to have , uh , through the 337 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:10,960 budget season . And even beyond 338 00:14:10,970 --> 00:14:13,130 discussions with the chairman and the 339 00:14:13,130 --> 00:14:16,520 Chiefs about , um , the resiliency of 340 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:18,631 the force , the kinds of capabilities 341 00:14:18,631 --> 00:14:20,909 were putting in the field in the fleet , 342 00:14:20,909 --> 00:14:22,464 and the degree to which the 343 00:14:22,464 --> 00:14:24,576 requirements process , um , is , uh , 344 00:14:24,576 --> 00:14:27,680 is being handled in the most effective 345 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:29,980 and the most efficient way . I mean , 346 00:14:29,990 --> 00:14:32,680 there's always tension between what's 347 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:34,650 needed out there , Um , and what's 348 00:14:34,650 --> 00:14:36,850 available . And he's mindful of that . 349 00:14:36,850 --> 00:14:38,739 Having been a combatant commander 350 00:14:38,739 --> 00:14:41,560 himself and , uh , the vice chief of 351 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:43,671 the Army , he's been on both sides of 352 00:14:43,671 --> 00:14:45,504 that equation , and I think he's 353 00:14:45,504 --> 00:14:47,671 uniquely qualified and situated . Thio 354 00:14:47,671 --> 00:14:49,671 try to get the balance better going 355 00:14:49,671 --> 00:14:51,960 forward . Um , address Reuters . 356 00:14:53,740 --> 00:14:55,907 Uh , next , John . Um , so last week , 357 00:14:55,907 --> 00:14:58,018 NATO announced that they would up its 358 00:14:58,018 --> 00:15:00,300 present interact about 4000 . Um , I 359 00:15:00,300 --> 00:15:02,411 know you tweeted out last week saying 360 00:15:02,411 --> 00:15:04,960 it won't include us military personnel . 361 00:15:05,340 --> 00:15:08,300 Um is the number of troops NATO troops 362 00:15:08,310 --> 00:15:10,480 interact ? Go up to 4000 . This The 363 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:13,510 Pentagon believed that it allows the U . 364 00:15:13,510 --> 00:15:15,621 S . Military presence to be reduced . 365 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:20,710 So , um , what I said was that while we 366 00:15:20,710 --> 00:15:22,599 certainly support NATO's expanded 367 00:15:22,599 --> 00:15:25,390 mission , the training mission in Iraq , 368 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:28,350 um , and we recognize that there is 1/4 369 00:15:28,350 --> 00:15:30,572 generation process that goes along with 370 00:15:30,572 --> 00:15:33,060 that there are no plans , uh , to put 371 00:15:33,070 --> 00:15:36,460 additional US forces in Iraq , uh , 372 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:40,680 to contribute to that expanded mission . 373 00:15:40,690 --> 00:15:43,880 There are , as you know , um , many 374 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:46,810 ways we can contribute to , uh to 375 00:15:46,810 --> 00:15:48,980 mission sets without having to 376 00:15:48,980 --> 00:15:51,920 necessarily put mawr to use the phrase 377 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:54,590 boots on the ground . There are ways to 378 00:15:54,590 --> 00:15:58,050 contribute . That don't necessarily 379 00:15:58,540 --> 00:16:02,070 mean an increase in in footprint . Go 380 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:05,280 back to the right . Sure , I have a 381 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:07,613 question on Yemen as well , but on Iraq , 382 00:16:07,613 --> 00:16:10,530 it's I mean the attack today , one week 383 00:16:10,530 --> 00:16:13,760 since the attack on Erbil on the group 384 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:16,518 claimed responsibility for that attack . 385 00:16:16,518 --> 00:16:18,462 Saraya Juliet them in reference to 386 00:16:18,462 --> 00:16:21,880 General Qasem Soleimani on the El 387 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:24,680 Mohandes seen some analysis in the 388 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:27,690 region claiming that U . S . Is trying 389 00:16:27,690 --> 00:16:30,820 to play down these attacks to maintain 390 00:16:30,830 --> 00:16:33,980 a diplomatic opening with Iran . We've 391 00:16:33,980 --> 00:16:35,813 seen the previous administration 392 00:16:35,813 --> 00:16:38,590 willing to use military action against 393 00:16:38,590 --> 00:16:41,350 such attacks when they happened . 394 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:44,980 Is this administration trying to play 395 00:16:44,980 --> 00:16:47,800 down these attacks ? Or it's actually 396 00:16:47,810 --> 00:16:50,220 looking into military action to respond 397 00:16:50,220 --> 00:16:53,070 to , uh , you know , if they continue 398 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:55,247 to take these attacks very seriously , 399 00:16:55,247 --> 00:16:57,247 as I just said earlier , and as the 400 00:16:57,247 --> 00:16:59,520 president himself noted , uh , when if 401 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:01,687 and when it's appropriate to respond , 402 00:17:01,687 --> 00:17:03,909 will do so at a time and a place and in 403 00:17:03,909 --> 00:17:06,076 a manner of our choosing and certainly 404 00:17:06,076 --> 00:17:08,409 in consultation with our Iraqi partners . 405 00:17:08,409 --> 00:17:10,742 Barbara , you may ask question on Yemen . 406 00:17:10,742 --> 00:17:12,964 Thank you . So , uh , we're seeing that 407 00:17:12,964 --> 00:17:15,430 the hoses trying to advance on Madrid . 408 00:17:15,430 --> 00:17:17,940 Uh , resumption off what's been 409 00:17:17,940 --> 00:17:20,051 described as the worst fighting since 410 00:17:20,051 --> 00:17:23,610 2018 . And this came on the heels of 411 00:17:23,620 --> 00:17:26,000 the decisions by the administration 412 00:17:26,010 --> 00:17:28,190 toehold support to the Saudi coalition 413 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:30,790 offensive operations in Yemen and 414 00:17:30,790 --> 00:17:33,220 revoking the global terrorist 415 00:17:33,230 --> 00:17:35,430 designation off Houthis . You think of 416 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:37,970 who these air trying to , uh , kind off 417 00:17:37,980 --> 00:17:39,980 take advantage of these steps ? Are 418 00:17:39,980 --> 00:17:41,924 they misreading the administration 419 00:17:41,924 --> 00:17:44,147 intentions in Yemen ? I can't speak for 420 00:17:44,147 --> 00:17:46,369 the Houthi Zehr what tactical decisions 421 00:17:46,369 --> 00:17:48,591 they're making and why we've been clear 422 00:17:48,591 --> 00:17:51,900 that , uh , in the decision to halt 423 00:17:51,900 --> 00:17:54,920 support for Saudi Saudi , the Saudi led 424 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:56,920 coalition offensive operations that 425 00:17:56,920 --> 00:17:59,590 this was really about tryingto get some 426 00:17:59,590 --> 00:18:01,812 space for humanitarian relief to get in 427 00:18:01,812 --> 00:18:04,740 there . Uh um , and to reflect our 428 00:18:04,740 --> 00:18:07,250 concerns over the precision of the lack 429 00:18:07,250 --> 00:18:09,550 of precision with which the coalition 430 00:18:09,550 --> 00:18:11,217 was executing their offensive 431 00:18:11,217 --> 00:18:15,100 operations . Uh um And , um , but as 432 00:18:15,100 --> 00:18:17,322 for what's motivating the Houthis right 433 00:18:17,322 --> 00:18:19,650 now , um , you know , I wouldn't begin 434 00:18:19,650 --> 00:18:21,770 to speculate . We want to see back to 435 00:18:21,770 --> 00:18:24,250 the bigger point we support , and we 436 00:18:24,250 --> 00:18:26,417 want to see a political settlement and 437 00:18:26,417 --> 00:18:28,528 an end to this war so that the people 438 00:18:28,528 --> 00:18:30,583 of Yemen can live in a safe , secure 439 00:18:30,583 --> 00:18:32,361 environment on dis humanitarian 440 00:18:32,361 --> 00:18:34,670 catastrophe could be ended . Barb . Two 441 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:36,736 Quick Questions , Different subjects 442 00:18:36,736 --> 00:18:38,958 First , I was curious whether following 443 00:18:38,958 --> 00:18:41,560 the United Airlines Pratt and Whitney 444 00:18:41,570 --> 00:18:44,910 Whitney engine failure You're the 445 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:47,150 department . The military is taking any 446 00:18:47,150 --> 00:18:49,039 kind of look , although they have 447 00:18:49,039 --> 00:18:51,150 different Pratt Whitney engines , are 448 00:18:51,150 --> 00:18:53,317 they looking at or considering whether 449 00:18:53,317 --> 00:18:55,650 they need to have a look at the engines ? 450 00:18:55,650 --> 00:18:58,450 They do have , uh , including Air Force 451 00:18:58,450 --> 00:19:00,672 One , to see if there's any commonality 452 00:19:00,672 --> 00:19:02,760 and my other question on the Sexual 453 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:04,982 Assault Commission . While that's going 454 00:19:04,982 --> 00:19:07,510 to be a 90 day process , if the 455 00:19:07,510 --> 00:19:09,520 secretary is already beginning Thio 456 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:12,710 here , what's working ? But also what's 457 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:15,830 not working ? Can you give us any more 458 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:17,840 on what his thinking is ? Are there 459 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:21,150 things that might be done 460 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:23,560 before the 90 days are up ? 461 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:26,951 Eso in the first one . I'm gonna have 462 00:19:26,951 --> 00:19:29,062 to take the question , Barb . I don't 463 00:19:29,062 --> 00:19:30,951 have a good answer to a very fair 464 00:19:30,951 --> 00:19:32,951 question . So we will take that and 465 00:19:32,951 --> 00:19:35,173 we'll get back to you on that , um , on 466 00:19:35,173 --> 00:19:37,229 sexual assault . You've already seen 467 00:19:37,229 --> 00:19:39,284 him , uh , take some actions , and I 468 00:19:39,284 --> 00:19:41,507 think you're gonna you know , he didn't 469 00:19:41,507 --> 00:19:43,729 wanna wait for the 90 days to before he 470 00:19:43,729 --> 00:19:45,951 issued that first directive . Andi , he 471 00:19:45,951 --> 00:19:48,062 did learn some things from the , uh , 472 00:19:48,062 --> 00:19:50,007 from service input without getting 473 00:19:50,007 --> 00:19:53,820 ahead of him . I would expect that you 474 00:19:53,820 --> 00:19:56,940 will see him likewise take some 475 00:19:56,940 --> 00:20:00,900 immediate actions before the 90 476 00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:03,250 day commission completes its work . 477 00:20:03,260 --> 00:20:05,410 Some things that I think he believes 478 00:20:05,420 --> 00:20:08,510 are warranted by what he's learned on . 479 00:20:08,510 --> 00:20:10,510 But he doesn't believe he He has to 480 00:20:10,510 --> 00:20:12,677 wait for the 90 day commission to come 481 00:20:12,677 --> 00:20:14,850 back . But clearly , you know , the 482 00:20:14,860 --> 00:20:17,150 locus of the long term strategic effort 483 00:20:17,150 --> 00:20:19,483 will be based on what they learned . Um , 484 00:20:19,483 --> 00:20:21,770 And again , without getting ahead of 485 00:20:21,770 --> 00:20:24,250 the secretary , I would tell you that 486 00:20:24,260 --> 00:20:25,982 that it's his intent that this 487 00:20:25,982 --> 00:20:28,950 commission , uh , do a fair job of 488 00:20:28,950 --> 00:20:31,460 looking outside the lifelines , as we 489 00:20:31,460 --> 00:20:34,170 say outside the Defense Department and 490 00:20:34,170 --> 00:20:38,070 consulting experts , uh , in a civilian 491 00:20:38,070 --> 00:20:40,770 community on this particular issue , 492 00:20:41,140 --> 00:20:42,160 let me go back . 493 00:20:45,640 --> 00:20:48,510 Laura Seligman from Politico . 494 00:20:50,540 --> 00:20:52,920 Hey , John , Thanks for doing this . I 495 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:54,920 wanted to follow up on the question 496 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:57,031 about Iraq , actually , So there have 497 00:20:57,031 --> 00:20:58,976 now been three rocket attacks that 498 00:20:58,976 --> 00:21:01,087 endangered Americans in Iraq over the 499 00:21:01,087 --> 00:21:03,310 past week that are likely linked to 500 00:21:03,310 --> 00:21:06,630 Iran . So does the Pentagon have you Or 501 00:21:06,630 --> 00:21:09,570 do you plan to communicate to Iran that 502 00:21:09,580 --> 00:21:12,020 killing an American is a red line , as 503 00:21:12,030 --> 00:21:15,050 the previous administration did made 504 00:21:15,300 --> 00:21:18,440 perfectly clear our views about the 505 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:21,470 malign activities that Iran continues 506 00:21:21,470 --> 00:21:23,637 toe perpetrate throughout the region . 507 00:21:23,637 --> 00:21:26,830 As for these particular attacks again , 508 00:21:26,830 --> 00:21:30,240 we haven't gotten into specific 509 00:21:30,250 --> 00:21:32,480 attribution so I don't want to get 510 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:35,160 ahead of the investigative process . 511 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:37,660 Uh , Nick Schifrin . 512 00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:44,730 Okay . Thought he had a question . Jen , 513 00:21:44,730 --> 00:21:47,970 you had one . John , have you received ? 514 00:21:47,990 --> 00:21:49,879 Has the Pentagon received General 515 00:21:49,879 --> 00:21:52,460 Honore report on Capitol Hill security 516 00:21:52,470 --> 00:21:54,950 that was commissioned by Speaker Pelosi ? 517 00:21:55,340 --> 00:21:57,396 And have there been any new requests 518 00:21:57,396 --> 00:21:59,820 since Friday to extend the National 519 00:21:59,820 --> 00:22:03,460 Guard passed the March 12th deadline ? 520 00:22:03,740 --> 00:22:06,950 I'm not aware that we have General 521 00:22:06,950 --> 00:22:09,850 Honore report , so I will take that 522 00:22:09,850 --> 00:22:12,017 question and get back to you . I don't 523 00:22:12,017 --> 00:22:13,850 know if that's here or not . And 524 00:22:13,850 --> 00:22:15,610 there's been no updates on no 525 00:22:15,610 --> 00:22:17,832 additional requests that have come into 526 00:22:17,832 --> 00:22:20,700 the building about , uh either 527 00:22:20,700 --> 00:22:24,000 extending or changing the number . The 528 00:22:24,010 --> 00:22:26,232 scope of the National Guard presence on 529 00:22:26,232 --> 00:22:28,343 Capitol Hill . It still continues . I 530 00:22:28,343 --> 00:22:31,770 think today we're down around 5300 . In 531 00:22:31,770 --> 00:22:33,659 fact , I could give you the exact 532 00:22:33,659 --> 00:22:33,470 number here . 533 00:22:37,340 --> 00:22:41,090 55,279 as 534 00:22:41,090 --> 00:22:44,890 of today , e don't have 535 00:22:44,890 --> 00:22:47,057 that broken down for you . I'll see if 536 00:22:47,057 --> 00:22:49,057 we could get that . I don't know if 537 00:22:49,057 --> 00:22:51,223 that's if I have that . Yeah , Jenny . 538 00:22:51,223 --> 00:22:53,280 Thank you , John . Your wallet looks 539 00:22:53,280 --> 00:22:56,330 nice today . Thank you . I have 540 00:22:56,330 --> 00:22:59,480 occasion about South Korea . Joint 541 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:02,380 military exercises . Comment . You need 542 00:23:02,380 --> 00:23:05,660 a comment of the president . Moon Jae 543 00:23:05,670 --> 00:23:08,870 in early mark , The South Korean 544 00:23:08,870 --> 00:23:12,160 president , Moon Jae in , said at the 545 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:15,150 listen to press conference that he will 546 00:23:15,150 --> 00:23:17,710 make a decision on the joint military 547 00:23:17,710 --> 00:23:19,720 exercises between U . S . And South 548 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:23,080 Korea that he after the 549 00:23:23,090 --> 00:23:26,210 consulting with North Korea , As you 550 00:23:26,210 --> 00:23:28,377 know , it's a joint military exercises 551 00:23:28,377 --> 00:23:31,200 between U . S . And South Korea is they 552 00:23:31,210 --> 00:23:35,130 work between our alliance and 553 00:23:35,140 --> 00:23:38,230 easier . Okay . I mean , defensive 554 00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:40,351 against North Korea . You know that . 555 00:23:40,740 --> 00:23:44,570 And they it doesn't make a sense in a 556 00:23:44,580 --> 00:23:47,810 consulting with North Korea . That 557 00:23:47,810 --> 00:23:50,380 means in director North Korea , Is 558 00:23:50,390 --> 00:23:53,460 there our potential enemy ? I would 559 00:23:53,460 --> 00:23:56,340 appreciate your comment . Well , I 560 00:23:56,340 --> 00:23:59,200 haven't seen , uh , the president's 561 00:23:59,210 --> 00:24:02,100 comments , so I'm not having seen them . 562 00:24:02,100 --> 00:24:04,270 I'm I'm loath to comment on that 563 00:24:04,270 --> 00:24:06,214 specifically that the only thing I 564 00:24:06,214 --> 00:24:08,326 would add and we've talked about this 565 00:24:08,326 --> 00:24:10,437 before is you're right . We do have a 566 00:24:10,437 --> 00:24:12,381 security alliance with Republic of 567 00:24:12,381 --> 00:24:14,437 Korea . It's a linchpin . We believe 568 00:24:14,437 --> 00:24:16,548 for the region that that alliance and 569 00:24:16,548 --> 00:24:18,714 we take it very , very seriously . Our 570 00:24:18,714 --> 00:24:18,590 commitments to that alliance we take 571 00:24:18,590 --> 00:24:21,140 very seriously , Ondas . General Abrams 572 00:24:21,140 --> 00:24:23,330 has said many times . I mean , we do 573 00:24:23,330 --> 00:24:26,240 have toe maintain a significant level 574 00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:28,296 of readiness on the peninsula . Uh , 575 00:24:28,296 --> 00:24:31,040 and , uh , secretary is confident that 576 00:24:31,050 --> 00:24:33,860 that he General Abrams is doing all the 577 00:24:33,860 --> 00:24:36,810 right things to work with our South 578 00:24:36,810 --> 00:24:38,866 Korean allies to make sure that that 579 00:24:38,866 --> 00:24:40,921 readiness is preserved , uh , to the 580 00:24:40,921 --> 00:24:43,032 maximum degree possible . And there's 581 00:24:43,032 --> 00:24:44,866 lots of ways . Excuse me , too . 582 00:24:45,340 --> 00:24:47,750 Preserve readiness and training as we 583 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:50,090 as we've seen , even through co vid 584 00:24:50,100 --> 00:24:52,211 there had to be adjustments made , of 585 00:24:52,211 --> 00:24:54,610 course , because of the pandemic . But 586 00:24:54,610 --> 00:24:56,666 again , we're confident that General 587 00:24:56,666 --> 00:24:58,054 Abrams understands those 588 00:24:58,054 --> 00:24:59,999 responsibilities and is working in 589 00:24:59,999 --> 00:25:03,450 lockstep with his counterparts in South 590 00:25:03,450 --> 00:25:05,339 Korea Thio to make sure that that 591 00:25:05,339 --> 00:25:07,550 readiness is preserved and , uh , 592 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:09,820 training is conducted . Uh , in that 593 00:25:09,830 --> 00:25:12,680 the alliance is as strong as ever . 594 00:25:12,690 --> 00:25:15,660 Okay , sure . Good . Thank you , John . 595 00:25:16,340 --> 00:25:18,451 As you know , Afghanistan situation . 596 00:25:18,451 --> 00:25:21,240 It works day by day . This last Sunday , 597 00:25:21,290 --> 00:25:23,750 so many people , including civilians . 598 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:25,800 Children with the matter has been 599 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:28,040 killed on nobody Take the 600 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:30,120 responsibility Taliban and the 601 00:25:30,120 --> 00:25:32,360 government they accused to each other 602 00:25:33,090 --> 00:25:35,240 and also Afghan people wants to know 603 00:25:35,250 --> 00:25:38,380 how long is going toe take to review 604 00:25:38,380 --> 00:25:41,110 the do her agreement between us and 605 00:25:41,120 --> 00:25:43,940 Taliban until that everyday people 606 00:25:43,950 --> 00:25:46,350 suffering a lot a lot of people because 607 00:25:46,840 --> 00:25:50,330 on also Russia wants to invite Taliban 608 00:25:50,340 --> 00:25:53,140 to continue peace talks process What is 609 00:25:53,150 --> 00:25:55,770 Pentagon reaction on that ? Um , 610 00:25:56,740 --> 00:25:59,970 we believe that . Well , let me get 611 00:25:59,970 --> 00:26:02,740 back up , Uh , to your first point . I 612 00:26:02,740 --> 00:26:05,180 mean , we're certainly mindful of the 613 00:26:05,180 --> 00:26:07,900 suffering that continues to be 614 00:26:07,910 --> 00:26:10,350 experienced by three Afghan people . 615 00:26:11,140 --> 00:26:13,362 Ondas , the secretary said himself when 616 00:26:13,362 --> 00:26:16,140 he was here up here Friday . The 617 00:26:16,150 --> 00:26:18,206 violence is too high and it needs to 618 00:26:18,206 --> 00:26:21,530 stop . The administration is still 619 00:26:21,530 --> 00:26:23,690 conducting its review of the Doha 620 00:26:23,690 --> 00:26:26,320 Agreement on the compliance mechanisms 621 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:28,598 in that . So I won't get ahead of that . 622 00:26:28,598 --> 00:26:30,820 Um but again , as the secretary said to 623 00:26:30,820 --> 00:26:33,310 you on Friday , we're mindful of 624 00:26:33,310 --> 00:26:35,143 looming deadlines here and we're 625 00:26:35,143 --> 00:26:37,088 certainly mindful of the suffering 626 00:26:37,088 --> 00:26:39,143 that's going on inside Afghanistan . 627 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:42,180 We're also mindful of our obligations 628 00:26:42,180 --> 00:26:44,780 thio our Afghan partners into the 629 00:26:44,780 --> 00:26:47,870 Afghan government . It's important we 630 00:26:47,870 --> 00:26:50,770 believe continue to believe that 631 00:26:51,140 --> 00:26:52,918 there's not gonna be a military 632 00:26:52,918 --> 00:26:54,973 solution to this . It has to be done 633 00:26:54,973 --> 00:26:57,084 politically . And that means it needs 634 00:26:57,084 --> 00:27:00,660 toe negotiations in good faith have to 635 00:27:00,670 --> 00:27:03,270 bear fruit . Andi have to be born on 636 00:27:03,270 --> 00:27:04,770 the backs of a permanent , 637 00:27:04,770 --> 00:27:07,270 comprehensive ceasefire . So again , I 638 00:27:07,270 --> 00:27:09,437 won't get ahead of the decision making 639 00:27:09,437 --> 00:27:11,659 process . But I can assure you that the 640 00:27:11,659 --> 00:27:13,659 secretary and everybody here in the 641 00:27:13,659 --> 00:27:16,340 Pentagon are 100% committed toe Thio 642 00:27:16,350 --> 00:27:18,350 doing this review in a thoughtful , 643 00:27:18,350 --> 00:27:20,294 deliberate but timely fashion . We 644 00:27:20,294 --> 00:27:22,730 understand that there's there's looming 645 00:27:22,730 --> 00:27:24,820 deadlines . Okay , let me go back to 646 00:27:24,820 --> 00:27:28,800 the did not a second wait 647 00:27:28,810 --> 00:27:32,660 Taliban to talk about peace process . I 648 00:27:32,670 --> 00:27:34,410 would refer you thio our State 649 00:27:34,410 --> 00:27:36,270 Department colleagues on that we 650 00:27:36,740 --> 00:27:39,840 specifically with Russia piece . But as 651 00:27:39,840 --> 00:27:42,870 I said in my longish answer to you 652 00:27:42,870 --> 00:27:45,530 before , I mean , there is a peace 653 00:27:45,530 --> 00:27:48,100 process that has been undertaken 654 00:27:48,100 --> 00:27:51,910 already . Um , a naff 655 00:27:51,910 --> 00:27:54,530 gan led peace process and that's what 656 00:27:54,530 --> 00:27:56,770 we continue to support . Okay . 657 00:27:58,740 --> 00:28:02,500 All right . Okay . I got 658 00:28:02,500 --> 00:28:04,556 almost all through them here . Ellie 659 00:28:04,556 --> 00:28:05,556 Watson , CBS . 660 00:28:08,440 --> 00:28:11,450 I know . Question . Thank you . Okay . 661 00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:15,950 Um , Christina Anderson . 662 00:28:20,440 --> 00:28:23,710 Okay . Abraham from Washington Examiner , 663 00:28:25,540 --> 00:28:27,651 can you hear me . Kristina Anderson . 664 00:28:27,940 --> 00:28:31,690 Sure . Go ahead . Okay . Um , yes . I'm 665 00:28:31,690 --> 00:28:33,746 interested in knowing , um , whether 666 00:28:33,746 --> 00:28:37,270 there's been any review of the need 667 00:28:37,280 --> 00:28:40,210 for a Z expressed by the National Guard 668 00:28:40,210 --> 00:28:43,770 reserves for military training and 669 00:28:43,770 --> 00:28:47,180 equipment . That is , uh huh . Much 670 00:28:47,180 --> 00:28:50,060 more up to date on training . Also with 671 00:28:50,060 --> 00:28:52,227 their colleagues who are active duty . 672 00:28:52,810 --> 00:28:55,560 They feel some . Some have expressed 673 00:28:56,470 --> 00:28:58,581 elements have expressed that they are 674 00:28:58,581 --> 00:29:00,760 concerned about , um , training , 675 00:29:01,340 --> 00:29:03,562 probably behind on the training . Thank 676 00:29:03,562 --> 00:29:05,790 you very much . Um , well , let me 677 00:29:05,790 --> 00:29:08,150 follow up here later about that . Ma'am , 678 00:29:08,150 --> 00:29:11,110 I'm not familiar with those complaints . 679 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:14,720 Um , so I don't wanna get into , uh , 680 00:29:14,730 --> 00:29:16,897 specifically addressing them , and I'm 681 00:29:16,897 --> 00:29:19,800 not familiar with that particular issue . 682 00:29:19,800 --> 00:29:21,911 So we'll follow up with you after the 683 00:29:21,911 --> 00:29:24,022 briefing to get more context from you 684 00:29:24,022 --> 00:29:26,780 again , just in general , Back to what 685 00:29:26,780 --> 00:29:28,613 I was saying before when we were 686 00:29:28,613 --> 00:29:30,780 talking about the Navy . The secretary 687 00:29:30,780 --> 00:29:32,669 understands , as a former soldier 688 00:29:32,669 --> 00:29:34,891 himself , the importance of making sure 689 00:29:34,891 --> 00:29:37,002 that our our troops have the training 690 00:29:37,002 --> 00:29:39,224 and the resource is the equipment , the 691 00:29:39,224 --> 00:29:41,447 systems they need to get the job done . 692 00:29:41,447 --> 00:29:40,740 And he's always gonna be interested in 693 00:29:40,740 --> 00:29:42,962 trying to close that gap to the maximum 694 00:29:42,962 --> 00:29:45,170 extent possible . Yeah , there were . 695 00:29:45,740 --> 00:29:49,190 Hey , Eric E . No , I haven't been here 696 00:29:49,190 --> 00:29:51,412 for a while , so thanks . Uh , I wanted 697 00:29:51,412 --> 00:29:53,920 to follow on David's question . Um , in 698 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:55,976 a TV interview , the former chief of 699 00:29:55,976 --> 00:29:58,580 staff hospital took another view on 700 00:29:58,580 --> 00:30:01,180 extremism in the military and said the 701 00:30:01,180 --> 00:30:03,660 problem doesn't exist , and I was 702 00:30:03,660 --> 00:30:05,382 wondering if we could have the 703 00:30:05,382 --> 00:30:08,200 Pentagon's views on that , And then 704 00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:10,670 secondly , in these stand downs and 705 00:30:10,670 --> 00:30:12,448 listening sessions that will be 706 00:30:12,448 --> 00:30:14,337 happening across units across the 707 00:30:14,337 --> 00:30:16,770 services Will there be any attempt to , 708 00:30:17,140 --> 00:30:19,440 um maybe summarized the conversations 709 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:21,607 that air had or gather data from those 710 00:30:21,640 --> 00:30:23,751 individual sessions to at least start 711 00:30:23,751 --> 00:30:26,280 to get a bigger picture of , you know , 712 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:28,400 how big a problem this might be . One 713 00:30:28,400 --> 00:30:31,060 of the reasons , Uh , in fact , I would 714 00:30:31,060 --> 00:30:32,949 argue that's the chief reason the 715 00:30:32,949 --> 00:30:35,116 secretary ordered to stand down was to 716 00:30:35,116 --> 00:30:38,620 do exactly that . Teoh , listen to the 717 00:30:38,620 --> 00:30:40,731 men and women of the force about what 718 00:30:40,731 --> 00:30:42,787 they're feeling and experiencing out 719 00:30:42,787 --> 00:30:44,731 there to get a better sense . Uh , 720 00:30:44,731 --> 00:30:46,787 about the scope in the breath of the 721 00:30:46,787 --> 00:30:49,009 problem will lead to specific data . As 722 00:30:49,009 --> 00:30:51,120 David asked , I doubt that . I mean , 723 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:54,220 it's not about counting heads in in in 724 00:30:54,220 --> 00:30:56,109 the process of the standout , but 725 00:30:56,109 --> 00:30:58,053 clearly it's about trying to get a 726 00:30:58,053 --> 00:31:00,890 better grasp of the degree to which the 727 00:31:00,900 --> 00:31:03,590 problem exists . And as for Mr Patel's 728 00:31:03,590 --> 00:31:05,646 comments , I would only point you to 729 00:31:05,646 --> 00:31:08,560 the fact that the department under the 730 00:31:08,560 --> 00:31:12,060 previous administration in October , uh , 731 00:31:12,070 --> 00:31:15,850 completed a report , uh , asked asked 732 00:31:15,860 --> 00:31:19,340 by Congress Andi , you've seen some 733 00:31:19,340 --> 00:31:21,451 reporting about that . But you know , 734 00:31:21,451 --> 00:31:24,470 clearly it found that extremism is an 735 00:31:24,470 --> 00:31:26,660 issue , Uh , in the United States 736 00:31:26,660 --> 00:31:28,580 military . So I find that a very 737 00:31:28,590 --> 00:31:31,120 interesting comment to make when they 738 00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:34,060 themselves studied this and came to the 739 00:31:34,060 --> 00:31:36,227 conclusion that you know that it is an 740 00:31:36,227 --> 00:31:39,000 issue . Andi , look , you don't I don't 741 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:42,230 think I don't think it's 742 00:31:42,230 --> 00:31:44,910 debatable that it is or it isn't an 743 00:31:44,920 --> 00:31:47,240 issue . What we don't know is the 744 00:31:47,240 --> 00:31:50,720 extent of it , Um , and what we 745 00:31:50,730 --> 00:31:54,230 don't know is exactly and how best toe 746 00:31:54,240 --> 00:31:57,520 to go about , um , eradicating that and 747 00:31:57,520 --> 00:32:00,020 of behavior that that it inspires . 748 00:32:00,020 --> 00:32:02,020 That's that's the problem . It's so 749 00:32:02,020 --> 00:32:04,930 it's a it is a It is a a data set issue . 750 00:32:04,940 --> 00:32:07,218 I mean , we do want to know more about , 751 00:32:07,218 --> 00:32:09,460 you know , Secretary said , Is it It's 752 00:32:09,460 --> 00:32:11,571 probably more than we'd like it to be 753 00:32:11,571 --> 00:32:13,404 in less than the headlines would 754 00:32:13,404 --> 00:32:15,627 suggest . But more importantly , how do 755 00:32:15,627 --> 00:32:17,738 we get our arms around that on that ? 756 00:32:17,738 --> 00:32:19,793 That's where the focus is . Nobody's 757 00:32:20,040 --> 00:32:22,190 nobody's debating whether it is or 758 00:32:22,190 --> 00:32:24,523 isn't an issue . It's really just about , 759 00:32:24,523 --> 00:32:26,579 uh , what degree ? I've got time for 760 00:32:26,579 --> 00:32:28,890 just a couple more . Good . I wanna go 761 00:32:28,890 --> 00:32:31,820 back to write up and my understanding 762 00:32:31,830 --> 00:32:34,100 the U . S . Military is conducting its 763 00:32:34,110 --> 00:32:37,270 own investigation regarding gerbils 764 00:32:37,280 --> 00:32:38,891 attacks . So do you have any 765 00:32:38,891 --> 00:32:42,140 explanation how after we still no 766 00:32:42,150 --> 00:32:44,880 indication at all about who might be 767 00:32:44,880 --> 00:32:47,080 behind the attack ? I'm not talking 768 00:32:47,080 --> 00:32:49,520 politics . Just facts on the ground , 769 00:32:49,530 --> 00:32:53,130 an investigation . You're asking me 770 00:32:53,140 --> 00:32:55,970 why ? We don't know now . No 771 00:32:55,980 --> 00:32:59,160 indications at all in previous attacks . 772 00:32:59,540 --> 00:33:02,420 We , like , heard from the Centcom . 773 00:33:02,430 --> 00:33:06,060 Just I think I look , I would Yeah , 774 00:33:06,440 --> 00:33:08,273 I think it's safe to assume that 775 00:33:08,273 --> 00:33:10,607 investigators are still working on this . 776 00:33:10,607 --> 00:33:12,740 Um , it could be that they have a 777 00:33:12,750 --> 00:33:14,750 better sense . I'm not privy to the 778 00:33:14,750 --> 00:33:16,528 investigation , nor would it be 779 00:33:16,528 --> 00:33:18,472 appropriate for me to be . It's an 780 00:33:18,472 --> 00:33:20,583 investigation that is being conducted 781 00:33:20,583 --> 00:33:22,694 by our Iraqi partners . The secretary 782 00:33:22,694 --> 00:33:25,160 offered to help them with that , Um , 783 00:33:25,170 --> 00:33:28,020 and it was a sincere offer us . Far as 784 00:33:28,020 --> 00:33:30,353 I know , they are still conducting this . 785 00:33:30,353 --> 00:33:32,400 Um , And when there's something to 786 00:33:32,400 --> 00:33:35,100 report out , we'll do that . We'll do 787 00:33:35,100 --> 00:33:37,730 that . Okay , One more last good in 788 00:33:37,730 --> 00:33:41,400 Yemen who is moving 789 00:33:41,410 --> 00:33:43,840 towards married . It may be a very 790 00:33:43,840 --> 00:33:47,110 serious humanitarian disaster history , 791 00:33:47,110 --> 00:33:49,166 commitment from the U . S . Military 792 00:33:49,166 --> 00:33:51,499 that they will not allow this to happen . 793 00:33:51,499 --> 00:33:53,650 Any commitment to help the government 794 00:33:53,660 --> 00:33:55,550 of Yemen to defend marriage or to 795 00:33:55,560 --> 00:33:57,840 change policy and go back and help 796 00:33:57,850 --> 00:34:00,330 military operations in Yemen are 797 00:34:00,340 --> 00:34:03,170 designed Thio go after Isis . It's a 798 00:34:03,170 --> 00:34:07,130 counter isis mission . Um , we 799 00:34:07,130 --> 00:34:09,160 believe that there needs to be a 800 00:34:09,160 --> 00:34:12,490 political settlement to this war . 801 00:34:12,500 --> 00:34:15,400 Eso that humanitarian assistance can 802 00:34:15,400 --> 00:34:17,980 get to the people that needed . Um uh , 803 00:34:17,990 --> 00:34:20,046 but but our mission , it's important 804 00:34:20,046 --> 00:34:22,157 for people to remember our mission in 805 00:34:22,157 --> 00:34:24,610 in Yemen eyes one based on 806 00:34:24,610 --> 00:34:26,721 counterterrorism . Thanks , everybody 807 00:34:26,721 --> 00:34:27,360 appreciate it .