1 00:00:01,960 --> 00:00:05,730 Yeah . All right , good afternoon , 2 00:00:05,739 --> 00:00:07,961 everyone . Just a few items here at the 3 00:00:07,961 --> 00:00:10,072 top and then I'd be glad to take your 4 00:00:10,072 --> 00:00:11,906 questions today . The department 5 00:00:11,906 --> 00:00:13,961 announced that the United States and 6 00:00:13,961 --> 00:00:15,850 the government of Iraq will start 7 00:00:15,850 --> 00:00:17,961 working group meetings of the US Iraq 8 00:00:17,961 --> 00:00:19,850 Higher Military Commission in the 9 00:00:19,850 --> 00:00:22,017 coming days . Initiating a process the 10 00:00:22,017 --> 00:00:24,072 two sides committed to during the US 11 00:00:24,072 --> 00:00:26,239 Iraq joint Security Cooper dialogue in 12 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:28,520 Washington DC on August 7th through 13 00:00:28,530 --> 00:00:31,959 eighth on um in 2023 . During that 14 00:00:31,969 --> 00:00:34,270 August 2023 meeting , the US and Iraq 15 00:00:34,279 --> 00:00:36,569 committed to start the H MC to discuss 16 00:00:36,580 --> 00:00:38,959 the coalition's mission to defeat ISIS . 17 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:40,992 Well , that will transition on a 18 00:00:40,992 --> 00:00:42,881 timeline that considers three key 19 00:00:42,881 --> 00:00:44,659 factors , the threat from ISIS 20 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:46,840 operational and , and environmental 21 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:48,840 requirements and the Iraqi security 22 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:51,650 forces capability levels . Expert 23 00:00:51,659 --> 00:00:53,826 working groups of military and defense 24 00:00:53,826 --> 00:00:55,992 professionals will examine these three 25 00:00:55,992 --> 00:00:58,215 factors and advise the H MC on the most 26 00:00:58,215 --> 00:01:00,103 effective evolution of the D ISIS 27 00:01:00,103 --> 00:01:02,159 coalition mission ensuring that ISIS 28 00:01:02,169 --> 00:01:04,709 can never Resurge in consultation with 29 00:01:04,720 --> 00:01:06,942 coalition partners at all stages of the 30 00:01:06,942 --> 00:01:10,019 process . Let me be clear , the H MC 31 00:01:10,029 --> 00:01:12,196 meeting is not a negotiation about the 32 00:01:12,196 --> 00:01:14,760 withdrawal of US forces from Iraq , the 33 00:01:14,769 --> 00:01:16,936 United States and the coalition are in 34 00:01:16,936 --> 00:01:18,936 Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi 35 00:01:18,940 --> 00:01:22,059 government to fight ISIS . Our Iraqi 36 00:01:22,069 --> 00:01:23,958 partners have assured us of their 37 00:01:23,958 --> 00:01:26,125 commitment towards working together to 38 00:01:26,125 --> 00:01:27,958 shape this future on us military 39 00:01:27,958 --> 00:01:29,958 presence and the enduring defeat of 40 00:01:29,958 --> 00:01:31,790 ISIS . The H MC will enable the 41 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:34,239 transition to an enduring bilateral 42 00:01:34,250 --> 00:01:36,680 security partnership between the US and 43 00:01:36,690 --> 00:01:38,989 Iraq . Building on the successes of the 44 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,410 D ISIS campaign in partnership with the 45 00:01:41,419 --> 00:01:43,459 combined joint task force operation 46 00:01:43,470 --> 00:01:46,029 inherent resolve the US and Iraq have 47 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:47,707 enjoyed a deep and productive 48 00:01:47,707 --> 00:01:49,873 partnership on security matters in the 49 00:01:49,873 --> 00:01:51,873 10 years since the Iraqi government 50 00:01:51,873 --> 00:01:53,762 invited the United States and the 51 00:01:53,762 --> 00:01:55,873 coalition to fight ISIS including the 52 00:01:55,873 --> 00:01:57,762 seven years since the territorial 53 00:01:57,762 --> 00:01:59,873 defeat of ISIS in Iraq . The start of 54 00:01:59,873 --> 00:02:02,419 the H MC process reflects the evolving 55 00:02:02,430 --> 00:02:05,169 US Iraq bilateral relationship and it 56 00:02:05,180 --> 00:02:07,236 underscores our commitment to deepen 57 00:02:07,236 --> 00:02:09,069 our security cooper operation to 58 00:02:09,069 --> 00:02:11,180 advance stability within Iraq and the 59 00:02:11,180 --> 00:02:13,570 region and switching gears . As you've 60 00:02:13,580 --> 00:02:15,413 likely seen this week , Turkey's 61 00:02:15,413 --> 00:02:17,524 parliament recently gave approval for 62 00:02:17,524 --> 00:02:19,247 Turkey to ratify the ascension 63 00:02:19,247 --> 00:02:21,419 ascension protocol for Sweden as a 64 00:02:21,429 --> 00:02:23,429 highly capable defense partner . We 65 00:02:23,429 --> 00:02:25,651 look forward to the prompt accession of 66 00:02:25,651 --> 00:02:28,369 Sweden as the 32nd member of NATO as it 67 00:02:28,380 --> 00:02:30,436 will not only greatly strengthen the 68 00:02:30,436 --> 00:02:32,658 alliance , but it sends a clear message 69 00:02:32,658 --> 00:02:34,949 to Russia that we stand united against 70 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:36,960 their unprovoked and illegal war of 71 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,182 aggression in Ukraine . We look forward 72 00:02:39,182 --> 00:02:41,182 to receiving Turkey's instrument of 73 00:02:41,182 --> 00:02:43,182 ratification and we look forward to 74 00:02:43,182 --> 00:02:45,349 Hungary's quick action on this as well 75 00:02:45,349 --> 00:02:47,404 and with that , I'd be happy to take 76 00:02:47,404 --> 00:02:49,660 your questions . Lita , thanks Rena , 77 00:02:49,669 --> 00:02:52,070 uh a couple of things . Um First , a 78 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:53,913 quick follow up on , on the rock 79 00:02:53,913 --> 00:02:56,059 vacation . Did you provide a date for 80 00:02:56,070 --> 00:02:59,029 the first talks ? Not yet that's 81 00:02:59,039 --> 00:03:01,206 ongoing in discussions . We don't have 82 00:03:01,206 --> 00:03:03,539 an exact date yet . A like next month . 83 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:06,071 Um I , I believe I said in the top or 84 00:03:06,071 --> 00:03:08,071 in the coming days but not , not an 85 00:03:08,071 --> 00:03:10,330 exact date yet . Um So two things , a 86 00:03:10,470 --> 00:03:12,789 Secretary Austin , uh can you update us 87 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:16,279 on his um condition and if he is still 88 00:03:16,289 --> 00:03:19,389 uh working from home ? And secondly , 89 00:03:19,399 --> 00:03:22,589 can you , can you say whether or not 90 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:24,929 the defense department is participating 91 00:03:24,940 --> 00:03:28,130 in any discussions on the hill about 92 00:03:28,139 --> 00:03:31,610 Turkey and the potential sale of F-16s 93 00:03:31,619 --> 00:03:33,730 and where that all stands ? Sure . So 94 00:03:33,730 --> 00:03:35,619 on the secretary's condition , he 95 00:03:35,619 --> 00:03:37,952 continues to recover and recoup at home . 96 00:03:37,952 --> 00:03:40,294 Um He's been very active working 97 00:03:40,304 --> 00:03:42,137 remotely as you saw , joined the 98 00:03:42,137 --> 00:03:44,304 Ukraine Defense contact group remotely 99 00:03:44,304 --> 00:03:46,604 earlier this week . Um When he returns 100 00:03:46,615 --> 00:03:48,948 to the Pentagon , I will , uh certainly , 101 00:03:48,948 --> 00:03:51,285 we will certainly uh keep you updated 102 00:03:51,294 --> 00:03:53,461 on when his first full day back in the 103 00:03:53,461 --> 00:03:55,516 office will be or when he returns to 104 00:03:55,516 --> 00:03:57,627 the office generally , um in terms of 105 00:03:57,627 --> 00:03:59,683 discussions on the hill , um I would 106 00:03:59,683 --> 00:04:01,905 really prefer you to state on that . Um 107 00:04:01,905 --> 00:04:04,169 Turkey is a key ally , of course , and 108 00:04:04,309 --> 00:04:06,889 um we're working towards a resolution 109 00:04:06,899 --> 00:04:09,270 um on providing the F-16s . But in 110 00:04:09,279 --> 00:04:11,446 terms of any discussions with the hill 111 00:04:11,446 --> 00:04:13,446 that's really led by state . So I'd 112 00:04:13,446 --> 00:04:15,390 refer you to them participating in 113 00:04:15,390 --> 00:04:17,557 anything like that at this moment . Um 114 00:04:17,557 --> 00:04:19,279 I'm not gonna get into further 115 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:21,112 conversations on what we've been 116 00:04:21,112 --> 00:04:20,920 discussing with the Hill . We are of 117 00:04:20,929 --> 00:04:23,096 course in consultation with State with 118 00:04:23,096 --> 00:04:25,318 the White House about the F-16s , but I 119 00:04:25,318 --> 00:04:27,373 don't have any more conversations to 120 00:04:27,373 --> 00:04:30,429 preview . Uh Great Jen . Yeah , can you 121 00:04:30,519 --> 00:04:32,609 rule out that the US is planning to 122 00:04:32,619 --> 00:04:34,989 pull all US troops out of Iraq ? Well , 123 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,167 as I said at the very beginning , this 124 00:04:37,167 --> 00:04:39,450 meeting , the H MC meeting um is not a 125 00:04:39,459 --> 00:04:41,626 negotiation about the withdrawal of US 126 00:04:41,626 --> 00:04:45,059 forces in Iraq . It is about the , what 127 00:04:45,070 --> 00:04:47,126 the future looks like for the US and 128 00:04:47,126 --> 00:04:50,339 Iraqi uh bilateral relationship . And 129 00:04:50,350 --> 00:04:52,660 um one of the things that the H MC is 130 00:04:52,670 --> 00:04:54,837 going to consider are many , the three 131 00:04:54,837 --> 00:04:56,559 factors that I outlined at the 132 00:04:56,559 --> 00:04:58,781 beginning , which is the threat of ISIS 133 00:04:58,781 --> 00:05:00,837 um the operational and environmental 134 00:05:00,837 --> 00:05:03,059 requirements . And then of course , the 135 00:05:03,059 --> 00:05:05,059 Iraqi security forces um capability 136 00:05:05,059 --> 00:05:07,226 levels . Can you , can you just update 137 00:05:07,226 --> 00:05:09,226 us on the Taiwan Strait ? I believe 138 00:05:09,226 --> 00:05:11,059 there was some tension with a US 139 00:05:11,059 --> 00:05:13,320 warship uh being approached by um the 140 00:05:13,329 --> 00:05:16,459 Chinese . So the US S John Finn 141 00:05:16,470 --> 00:05:18,559 conducted a Taiwan Strait transit on 142 00:05:18,570 --> 00:05:20,890 January 24th through waters where high 143 00:05:20,899 --> 00:05:22,677 seas freedoms of navigation and 144 00:05:22,677 --> 00:05:24,899 overflight apply in accordance with 145 00:05:24,910 --> 00:05:27,089 international law . Uh the ship 146 00:05:27,100 --> 00:05:29,100 transited through a corridor in the 147 00:05:29,100 --> 00:05:31,211 strait that is beyond the territorial 148 00:05:31,211 --> 00:05:33,100 sea of any coastal state . Uh The 149 00:05:33,100 --> 00:05:34,989 transit through the Taiwan Strait 150 00:05:34,989 --> 00:05:36,711 demonstrates the United States 151 00:05:36,711 --> 00:05:38,656 commitment to upholding freedom of 152 00:05:38,656 --> 00:05:40,433 navigation for all nations as a 153 00:05:40,433 --> 00:05:42,489 principle . I don't have anything or 154 00:05:42,489 --> 00:05:44,489 any more details to provide at this 155 00:05:44,489 --> 00:05:46,544 time , just that the strait that was 156 00:05:46,544 --> 00:05:48,720 successful . Well , so you mentioned 157 00:05:48,730 --> 00:05:50,619 the the capabilities of the Iraqi 158 00:05:50,619 --> 00:05:52,286 security forces . What is the 159 00:05:52,286 --> 00:05:54,008 Pentagon's assessment of those 160 00:05:54,008 --> 00:05:56,174 capabilities currently ? Do they still 161 00:05:56,174 --> 00:05:58,286 need to partner with coalition forces 162 00:05:58,286 --> 00:06:00,452 to counter the threat of a potentially 163 00:06:00,452 --> 00:06:02,397 resurgent ISIS or could they go it 164 00:06:02,397 --> 00:06:04,452 alone theoretically ? Well , the ISF 165 00:06:04,452 --> 00:06:07,239 has been critical in our fight to 166 00:06:07,250 --> 00:06:09,750 defeat ISIS . We know that and , and 167 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:11,927 they've been a critical partner and we 168 00:06:11,927 --> 00:06:14,470 are of course in Iraq at the invitation 169 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:17,320 of the Iraqi government um in terms of 170 00:06:17,329 --> 00:06:19,420 their own capabilities and , and 171 00:06:19,429 --> 00:06:21,790 addressing ISIS , we wanna make sure 172 00:06:21,799 --> 00:06:24,149 that the threat that we saw 10 years 173 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:26,382 ago is not the same threat that we face 174 00:06:26,382 --> 00:06:28,604 today . Um which is why we have entered 175 00:06:28,604 --> 00:06:31,515 into these , this H MC working group to 176 00:06:31,524 --> 00:06:33,468 address what the future , what the 177 00:06:33,468 --> 00:06:35,302 partnership , what the bilateral 178 00:06:35,302 --> 00:06:37,524 relationship looks like , this is about 179 00:06:37,524 --> 00:06:39,954 the future and making sure that um Iraq 180 00:06:39,964 --> 00:06:42,131 is set up for success in defending its 181 00:06:42,131 --> 00:06:44,242 own national security and sovereignty 182 00:06:44,242 --> 00:06:46,186 and how the US can support Iraq in 183 00:06:46,186 --> 00:06:49,170 doing that . Uh Great . See Katherine , 184 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:52,431 Katherine here at CBS news , I have a 185 00:06:52,431 --> 00:06:54,598 series of questions slightly off topic 186 00:06:54,598 --> 00:06:57,260 about the K two air base . A member of 187 00:06:57,269 --> 00:06:59,380 a military environmental testing team 188 00:06:59,380 --> 00:07:02,160 tells CBS news that yellow cake uranium 189 00:07:02,209 --> 00:07:04,290 was found . This is someone who was 190 00:07:04,299 --> 00:07:05,966 there on the ground , but the 191 00:07:05,966 --> 00:07:08,079 department has consistently rejected 192 00:07:08,290 --> 00:07:10,457 the yellow cake claims . How strong is 193 00:07:10,457 --> 00:07:12,500 your evidence ? Yeah . So thanks 194 00:07:12,510 --> 00:07:14,454 Katherine . We're not aware of any 195 00:07:14,454 --> 00:07:16,232 survey or report confirming the 196 00:07:16,232 --> 00:07:18,066 presence of yellow cake at K two 197 00:07:18,066 --> 00:07:20,288 facilities . So I just have to leave it 198 00:07:20,288 --> 00:07:22,177 at that . We've just provided new 199 00:07:22,177 --> 00:07:24,343 records to the defense department from 200 00:07:24,343 --> 00:07:26,566 this environmental tester who was there 201 00:07:26,566 --> 00:07:26,179 on the ground . Will you now consider 202 00:07:26,190 --> 00:07:28,246 these new records ? I'd have to take 203 00:07:28,246 --> 00:07:31,769 that question before we move on . What 204 00:07:31,779 --> 00:07:33,557 we hear consistently from K two 205 00:07:33,557 --> 00:07:36,489 veterans is that they have to fight for 206 00:07:36,500 --> 00:07:38,739 acknowledgment that they were sent to a 207 00:07:38,750 --> 00:07:42,149 base that had toxic exposure and 208 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,382 they're looking for some accountability 209 00:07:44,382 --> 00:07:46,493 and they wanna know why ? So , thanks 210 00:07:46,493 --> 00:07:48,769 Catherine for the question . Um The 211 00:07:48,779 --> 00:07:51,001 secretary at the very beginning of this 212 00:07:51,001 --> 00:07:53,168 administration laid out one of his key 213 00:07:53,168 --> 00:07:55,223 priorities , which is taking care of 214 00:07:55,223 --> 00:07:54,980 our people . That's something that the 215 00:07:54,989 --> 00:07:56,989 secretary has been committed to and 216 00:07:56,989 --> 00:07:58,933 that's frankly something that this 217 00:07:58,933 --> 00:08:00,989 administration stands by and is also 218 00:08:00,989 --> 00:08:03,211 very committed to . Um making sure that 219 00:08:03,211 --> 00:08:05,734 our enlisted members are taken care of 220 00:08:05,744 --> 00:08:08,695 as well as our veterans . Um Some of 221 00:08:08,704 --> 00:08:10,815 your questions , I would refer you to 222 00:08:10,815 --> 00:08:13,204 the va to speak more broadly about . Um , 223 00:08:13,225 --> 00:08:15,225 you know , we do place a premium on 224 00:08:15,225 --> 00:08:17,392 providing quality military health care 225 00:08:17,392 --> 00:08:19,739 to our service members . Um As you know , 226 00:08:19,750 --> 00:08:23,010 Congress has also uh provided ways for 227 00:08:23,019 --> 00:08:26,329 service members for veterans . Um uh to 228 00:08:26,940 --> 00:08:28,940 they're questioning why it takes so 229 00:08:28,940 --> 00:08:31,162 long . They were deployed there in some 230 00:08:31,162 --> 00:08:33,051 cases two decades ago and they're 231 00:08:33,051 --> 00:08:35,107 fighting for acknowledgment of their 232 00:08:35,107 --> 00:08:36,996 illnesses , many of which are not 233 00:08:36,996 --> 00:08:39,051 approved for benefits . I completely 234 00:08:39,051 --> 00:08:41,107 understand we do have a registration 235 00:08:41,107 --> 00:08:43,250 portal for folks to go to , to lodge 236 00:08:43,260 --> 00:08:45,371 some of their symptoms and , and what 237 00:08:45,371 --> 00:08:47,482 they experience and again , um I know 238 00:08:47,482 --> 00:08:49,704 we're working with you on some of these 239 00:08:49,704 --> 00:08:49,544 items . So we we'll get back to you on 240 00:08:49,554 --> 00:08:53,234 that . Great . Yeah , Janie , North 241 00:08:53,244 --> 00:08:55,905 Korea . North Korea announced that the 242 00:08:55,914 --> 00:08:58,775 cruise missile is launched this week 243 00:08:59,684 --> 00:09:02,585 was a test of a nuclear missile 244 00:09:03,065 --> 00:09:06,515 equipped with the tactical nuclear 245 00:09:06,525 --> 00:09:10,135 warhead . Does the how does the U says 246 00:09:10,195 --> 00:09:12,195 this ? Yeah , thanks Jeanie for the 247 00:09:12,195 --> 00:09:14,417 question . Again , these are creating , 248 00:09:14,417 --> 00:09:16,473 these are similar actions that we've 249 00:09:16,473 --> 00:09:18,473 seen before from North Korea . They 250 00:09:18,473 --> 00:09:20,473 destabilize the region . Um We have 251 00:09:20,473 --> 00:09:23,070 urged very publicly for um the D pr K 252 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:25,080 to stop these actions to stop these 253 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:27,419 tests . Um Our commitment to the 254 00:09:27,429 --> 00:09:29,596 Republic of Korea , to the region , to 255 00:09:29,596 --> 00:09:32,010 the to the area , to the region remains 256 00:09:32,190 --> 00:09:35,609 um ironclad , but we've been pretty uh 257 00:09:35,619 --> 00:09:37,619 forthcoming on on how we feel about 258 00:09:37,619 --> 00:09:39,619 these tests . Do you think ? Do you 259 00:09:39,619 --> 00:09:42,119 think North Korea actually has the 260 00:09:42,130 --> 00:09:45,570 capability to strike the United ? 261 00:09:46,830 --> 00:09:48,497 I'm not going to get into any 262 00:09:48,497 --> 00:09:51,260 intelligence assessment . I'm gonna go 263 00:09:51,270 --> 00:09:53,900 to here . Thank you . My first question 264 00:09:53,929 --> 00:09:57,630 is , uh you said the , the H MC meeting 265 00:09:57,750 --> 00:10:00,229 are not negotiating the withdrawal of 266 00:10:00,250 --> 00:10:03,659 US forces in Iraq . Is that because uh 267 00:10:03,669 --> 00:10:05,891 it's been mutually agreed upon with the 268 00:10:05,891 --> 00:10:07,947 Iraqi government not to discuss this 269 00:10:07,947 --> 00:10:10,002 issue or is it because the US is not 270 00:10:10,002 --> 00:10:12,113 willing to discuss it ? Or the Iraqis 271 00:10:12,113 --> 00:10:13,580 didn't request ? No , 272 00:10:23,020 --> 00:10:25,419 just to , just to , again , take a step 273 00:10:25,429 --> 00:10:27,262 back here , the purpose of these 274 00:10:27,262 --> 00:10:29,207 meetings . And it's again , it's a 275 00:10:29,207 --> 00:10:31,207 working group is to , is to look at 276 00:10:31,207 --> 00:10:32,873 what the , what the bilateral 277 00:10:32,873 --> 00:10:35,040 relationship between the United States 278 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:37,262 and Iraq looks like now that the threat 279 00:10:37,262 --> 00:10:39,373 of ISIS from 10 years ago to today is 280 00:10:39,373 --> 00:10:41,690 very different . Um And so part of the 281 00:10:41,700 --> 00:10:43,422 factors that we're taking into 282 00:10:43,422 --> 00:10:45,859 consideration the ISFS capabilities , 283 00:10:46,020 --> 00:10:48,559 the operational environment and then of 284 00:10:48,570 --> 00:10:50,792 course , the threat of ISIS , those are 285 00:10:50,792 --> 00:10:52,459 all going to be part of these 286 00:10:52,459 --> 00:10:55,570 conversations on exactly what um what 287 00:10:55,580 --> 00:10:57,880 our footprint looks like within Iraq . 288 00:10:57,890 --> 00:11:00,150 Um And that's what this working group 289 00:11:00,159 --> 00:11:02,326 is for . There's no timeline set . And 290 00:11:02,326 --> 00:11:04,492 again , this is these meetings are not 291 00:11:04,492 --> 00:11:06,659 about um a negotiation or a withdrawal 292 00:11:06,659 --> 00:11:09,250 from Iraq , two more questions or two 293 00:11:09,469 --> 00:11:12,630 separate . So the first one , channel 294 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:15,864 two in Israel reported today that a new 295 00:11:15,875 --> 00:11:18,734 batch of uh security assistance arrived 296 00:11:18,744 --> 00:11:22,625 in Israel and it includes F-35 F-15 and 297 00:11:22,744 --> 00:11:25,164 Apache . Are you able to confirm this 298 00:11:25,174 --> 00:11:27,341 news ? I I'm not , I haven't even seen 299 00:11:27,341 --> 00:11:30,594 those reports . And then there's 300 00:11:31,380 --> 00:11:33,269 been reported there's a leak from 301 00:11:33,269 --> 00:11:35,436 recording by uh Israeli Prime Minister 302 00:11:35,436 --> 00:11:37,239 Netanyahu where he said he , he 303 00:11:37,250 --> 00:11:38,917 expressed his anger to the US 304 00:11:38,917 --> 00:11:40,972 government because of the renewal of 305 00:11:40,972 --> 00:11:43,130 the agreement about A O that air base 306 00:11:43,140 --> 00:11:46,330 in Qatar . The host agreement . Um is 307 00:11:46,340 --> 00:11:49,020 the US reviewing its uh presence in 308 00:11:49,030 --> 00:11:51,119 Qatar and its security relationship 309 00:11:51,130 --> 00:11:53,840 with the Qatari government . Um I'm not 310 00:11:53,849 --> 00:11:55,516 going to comment on the Prime 311 00:11:55,516 --> 00:11:57,627 Minister's specific comments , but we 312 00:11:57,627 --> 00:11:59,738 have a good relationship with Qatar . 313 00:11:59,738 --> 00:12:01,738 In fact , uh the secretary was just 314 00:12:01,738 --> 00:12:04,071 there in December uh visiting that base . 315 00:12:04,071 --> 00:12:06,293 Um So I have nothing new to announce in 316 00:12:06,293 --> 00:12:07,849 terms of any change to that 317 00:12:07,849 --> 00:12:10,127 relationship . Great . Yes , over here , 318 00:12:10,127 --> 00:12:12,293 my news um just wanted to get a couple 319 00:12:12,293 --> 00:12:14,182 of points of clarification on the 320 00:12:14,182 --> 00:12:16,293 operations in the Red Sea . Just so I 321 00:12:16,293 --> 00:12:18,516 understand the distinction . So the the 322 00:12:18,516 --> 00:12:20,516 merchant ship protection mission is 323 00:12:20,516 --> 00:12:22,738 known as Prosperity Guardian . And then 324 00:12:22,738 --> 00:12:25,744 the potential like strike mission is 325 00:12:25,755 --> 00:12:29,239 that uh Poseidon Archer , how are y'all 326 00:12:29,250 --> 00:12:31,306 dividing that up ? Who's responsible 327 00:12:31,306 --> 00:12:33,306 for what ? Because it's been , it's 328 00:12:33,306 --> 00:12:35,472 been kind of difficult to understand . 329 00:12:35,472 --> 00:12:37,583 So , operation Prosperity Guardian is 330 00:12:37,583 --> 00:12:39,806 exactly that it is looking at um how uh 331 00:12:39,806 --> 00:12:42,809 this coalition together can help to our 332 00:12:42,820 --> 00:12:44,931 freedom of navigation through the Red 333 00:12:44,931 --> 00:12:47,042 Sea , through the BM through the Gulf 334 00:12:47,042 --> 00:12:49,153 of Aden . Um And so that is something 335 00:12:49,153 --> 00:12:51,320 that the secretary officially launched 336 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:53,431 in December when he was in Bahrain um 337 00:12:53,431 --> 00:12:55,900 visiting there . Um And it is , it was , 338 00:12:55,909 --> 00:12:58,030 it's a multinational security 339 00:12:58,039 --> 00:13:01,059 initiative um operation . Um What you 340 00:13:01,070 --> 00:13:03,770 were referring to is um operation . 341 00:13:03,780 --> 00:13:06,159 Poseidon Archer is not a named 342 00:13:06,169 --> 00:13:08,002 department operation , but it is 343 00:13:08,002 --> 00:13:11,039 something that Centcom has named in 344 00:13:11,049 --> 00:13:14,880 terms of um multilateral strikes and 345 00:13:14,890 --> 00:13:16,557 dynamic strikes within houthi 346 00:13:16,557 --> 00:13:19,789 controlled areas in Yemen that that is 347 00:13:19,799 --> 00:13:22,880 ongoing , of course , or just a follow 348 00:13:23,010 --> 00:13:24,899 up to the first question from the 349 00:13:24,899 --> 00:13:26,954 secretary . You said you'd update us 350 00:13:26,954 --> 00:13:29,177 when the secretary would come back full 351 00:13:29,177 --> 00:13:28,880 time . But has he been back to the 352 00:13:28,890 --> 00:13:31,057 Pentagon at all since his release from 353 00:13:31,057 --> 00:13:33,001 the hospital ? He is not . And I'm 354 00:13:33,001 --> 00:13:35,168 sorry , what I meant to say was like , 355 00:13:35,168 --> 00:13:34,900 it's not like he's coming for a half 356 00:13:34,909 --> 00:13:37,190 day or an hour or anything like that 357 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,256 when he comes back to the Pentagon , 358 00:13:39,256 --> 00:13:41,478 whether it's for an hour , five minutes 359 00:13:41,478 --> 00:13:43,589 a day , we will let you know . Yeah , 360 00:13:43,589 --> 00:13:45,644 of course . Yes . In the back here . 361 00:13:45,644 --> 00:13:47,700 Thanks so much Robert Moore with ITV 362 00:13:47,700 --> 00:13:49,922 News . Um We uh we have a cameraman who 363 00:13:49,922 --> 00:13:52,144 was filming in Gaza earlier this week . 364 00:13:52,144 --> 00:13:54,367 He , he filmed a very distressing scene 365 00:13:54,367 --> 00:13:56,533 that's gained a lot of traction online 366 00:13:56,533 --> 00:13:58,700 of a group of Palestinian men waving a 367 00:13:58,700 --> 00:14:00,867 white flag trying to reach relatives . 368 00:14:00,867 --> 00:14:03,033 Manifestly not a threat to anyone . Uh 369 00:14:03,033 --> 00:14:05,089 They came under fire from an Israeli 370 00:14:05,089 --> 00:14:07,469 position . One man was killed , a shot 371 00:14:07,479 --> 00:14:09,659 in the chest . I I wonder if uh the 372 00:14:09,669 --> 00:14:11,780 Pentagon , whether you have seen that 373 00:14:11,780 --> 00:14:14,002 video ? What your reaction to it ? It , 374 00:14:14,002 --> 00:14:16,169 it is and above all else , whether you 375 00:14:16,169 --> 00:14:18,280 would urge uh the ID F to investigate 376 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:20,750 what appeared to be uh a calculated uh 377 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:22,929 and unprovoked killing . I'm sorry , I 378 00:14:22,940 --> 00:14:25,162 have not seen the video . Um And I , so 379 00:14:25,162 --> 00:14:27,450 I can't speak to it . I can't um urge 380 00:14:27,460 --> 00:14:29,627 another entity to do something without 381 00:14:29,627 --> 00:14:32,210 seeing the video myself . Um What I can 382 00:14:32,219 --> 00:14:34,809 say and what we continue to do and urge 383 00:14:34,820 --> 00:14:37,409 um our Israeli partners is as they are 384 00:14:37,419 --> 00:14:40,039 conducting operations within Gaza . Um 385 00:14:40,049 --> 00:14:42,330 Of course , in accordance with the law 386 00:14:42,340 --> 00:14:44,451 of armed collect humanitarian laws to 387 00:14:44,451 --> 00:14:46,320 preserve innocent civilians , um 388 00:14:46,330 --> 00:14:48,640 protecting innocent civilian lives and 389 00:14:48,650 --> 00:14:51,969 of course , where there are um people 390 00:14:51,979 --> 00:14:54,035 and refugees that have fleed into hu 391 00:14:54,035 --> 00:14:56,257 humanitarian corridors . Um So I'd have 392 00:14:56,257 --> 00:14:58,320 to leave it there . I mean , this , 393 00:14:58,330 --> 00:15:00,497 this campaign has now lasted about 100 394 00:15:00,497 --> 00:15:02,830 and 10 days . Now you repeatedly from 395 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:04,562 this podium and from the State 396 00:15:04,562 --> 00:15:06,451 Department , the White House have 397 00:15:06,451 --> 00:15:08,507 repeatedly said you're urging uh the 398 00:15:08,507 --> 00:15:10,729 Israelis to be more calibrated in their 399 00:15:10,729 --> 00:15:12,562 approach . Um Are you seeing any 400 00:15:12,562 --> 00:15:14,729 evidence uh that's being listened to , 401 00:15:14,729 --> 00:15:16,673 let alone being implemented on the 402 00:15:16,673 --> 00:15:18,896 ground , given the extraordinary number 403 00:15:18,896 --> 00:15:20,951 of civilian casualties . We're still 404 00:15:20,951 --> 00:15:22,840 having 100 and 1010 days into the 405 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:25,039 campaign . You know , we are seeing um 406 00:15:25,049 --> 00:15:27,989 that the ID F has certainly pared back 407 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,111 its operation within Gaza . They have 408 00:15:30,111 --> 00:15:32,510 pulled back brigades . They are . Um , 409 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:34,742 and I think they actually spoke to this 410 00:15:34,742 --> 00:15:36,742 as recently as a few weeks ago . Um 411 00:15:36,742 --> 00:15:39,510 conducting more targeted operations um 412 00:15:40,309 --> 00:15:42,380 from the secretary's level to other 413 00:15:42,390 --> 00:15:44,419 levels across this administration . 414 00:15:44,429 --> 00:15:46,540 There are in your daily conversations 415 00:15:46,540 --> 00:15:48,651 with our counterparts in Israel about 416 00:15:48,651 --> 00:15:50,940 um lessons learned that , that the 417 00:15:50,950 --> 00:15:53,280 secretary himself has had through when 418 00:15:53,289 --> 00:15:56,940 he was serving in Iraq . Um And how we 419 00:15:56,950 --> 00:16:00,950 see um this conflict ending . Um So let 420 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:03,739 me just finish for a sec . Um So again , 421 00:16:04,030 --> 00:16:07,200 we feel that the Israelis are , they 422 00:16:07,210 --> 00:16:09,543 have a really tough fight ahead of them . 423 00:16:09,543 --> 00:16:11,543 Um We know that we are working with 424 00:16:11,543 --> 00:16:13,154 them to ensure that they can 425 00:16:13,154 --> 00:16:16,270 confidently um meet the goals that they 426 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:18,510 have laid out um by going after Hamas 427 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:20,464 leadership . But we have been very 428 00:16:20,464 --> 00:16:23,159 clear from the beginning that the 429 00:16:23,169 --> 00:16:25,099 preservation , the protection of 430 00:16:25,109 --> 00:16:27,331 innocent civilians is something that we 431 00:16:27,331 --> 00:16:29,442 value and something that Israel needs 432 00:16:29,442 --> 00:16:32,375 to uphold listening . And I think I 433 00:16:32,604 --> 00:16:35,815 answer , I answer that question , two 434 00:16:35,905 --> 00:16:38,775 questions first . The White House said 435 00:16:38,784 --> 00:16:40,673 this morning , the Japanese Prime 436 00:16:40,673 --> 00:16:42,617 Minister Kishida will make a state 437 00:16:42,617 --> 00:16:44,905 visit to Washington in April . So how 438 00:16:44,914 --> 00:16:46,858 do you see the progress of defense 439 00:16:46,858 --> 00:16:48,974 cooper with Japan over the last three 440 00:16:48,984 --> 00:16:51,434 years ? And what area would be the 441 00:16:51,445 --> 00:16:53,389 priority for the Pentagon ? Moving 442 00:16:53,389 --> 00:16:55,556 ahead ? I saw the announcement today . 443 00:16:55,556 --> 00:16:57,612 That's very exciting . Um You know , 444 00:16:57,612 --> 00:16:59,667 for more visit , for more details on 445 00:16:59,667 --> 00:17:01,778 the Japanese Prime Minister's visit . 446 00:17:01,778 --> 00:17:03,945 I'd refer you to the White House , but 447 00:17:03,945 --> 00:17:06,167 of course , uh last year was a critical 448 00:17:06,167 --> 00:17:08,099 year in our alliance and we look 449 00:17:08,109 --> 00:17:10,276 forward to building on that momentum . 450 00:17:10,276 --> 00:17:12,498 And that is another um great time to do 451 00:17:12,498 --> 00:17:14,609 it when the visit happens . Um I be I 452 00:17:14,609 --> 00:17:16,720 believe you said in April . Yeah , on 453 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:20,540 Taiwan , Adam Arino said last week 454 00:17:20,719 --> 00:17:22,989 that China will step up military 455 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,579 pressure on Taiwan in response to the 456 00:17:25,589 --> 00:17:27,367 outcome , hold the presidential 457 00:17:27,367 --> 00:17:29,834 election in in the island . So is that 458 00:17:29,844 --> 00:17:32,405 the assessment widely shared at the ? 459 00:17:33,395 --> 00:17:35,935 So um in terms of Admiral Aquilino s 460 00:17:35,944 --> 00:17:38,166 comments , I'd refer you to Indo Paycom 461 00:17:38,166 --> 00:17:40,388 to speak more to that . Um I will point 462 00:17:40,388 --> 00:17:42,222 out at the same day that Admiral 463 00:17:42,222 --> 00:17:44,166 Aquilino said this , uh there were 464 00:17:44,166 --> 00:17:46,277 several center line crossings by Pr C 465 00:17:46,277 --> 00:17:48,425 Jets . Uh We are committed to the 466 00:17:48,435 --> 00:17:51,114 Taiwan Relations Act . Um And in fact , 467 00:17:51,125 --> 00:17:53,181 as I mentioned , just yesterday , we 468 00:17:53,181 --> 00:17:55,292 completed a Taiwan Straight Transit . 469 00:17:55,292 --> 00:17:57,347 So I'll leave it at that . I'm gonna 470 00:17:57,347 --> 00:17:59,458 come to the go to the phones and then 471 00:17:59,458 --> 00:18:01,514 I'll come back in the room here . Um 472 00:18:01,514 --> 00:18:04,619 Sorry , uh Laura Seligman Politico . Hi 473 00:18:04,630 --> 00:18:06,519 Sabrina . Thanks for doing this a 474 00:18:06,519 --> 00:18:08,741 couple of questions . Um First of all , 475 00:18:08,741 --> 00:18:10,686 there were some reports today that 476 00:18:10,686 --> 00:18:12,686 Putin has put out feelers that he's 477 00:18:12,686 --> 00:18:14,741 willing to negotiate on Ukraine . Um 478 00:18:14,741 --> 00:18:16,797 And I'm wondering if you can tell us 479 00:18:16,797 --> 00:18:19,019 his dod privy to any of that . And what 480 00:18:19,019 --> 00:18:21,074 is your response ? And then I have a 481 00:18:21,074 --> 00:18:23,019 follow up . Yeah , I've seen those 482 00:18:23,019 --> 00:18:22,810 reports . I don't have anything to add 483 00:18:22,819 --> 00:18:26,510 to them . Ok . And then on 484 00:18:26,520 --> 00:18:29,430 the Russian plane that was shot down uh 485 00:18:29,439 --> 00:18:31,495 that was reported . I'm wondering if 486 00:18:31,495 --> 00:18:33,717 you have an update on that . There were 487 00:18:33,717 --> 00:18:35,828 some claims that us weapons were used 488 00:18:35,828 --> 00:18:37,995 to take the plane down . Do you have a 489 00:18:37,995 --> 00:18:37,630 response ? Thanks , Laura . It's 490 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:39,862 something that we're looking into . I , 491 00:18:39,862 --> 00:18:42,084 I don't have any more details . Um I've 492 00:18:42,084 --> 00:18:44,140 seen some of the reporting , um , in 493 00:18:44,140 --> 00:18:45,862 terms of responsibility . It's 494 00:18:45,862 --> 00:18:48,084 something that we're looking into , but 495 00:18:48,084 --> 00:18:48,040 I just don't have more details to share 496 00:18:48,050 --> 00:18:50,400 at this time . Uh Next question , we'll 497 00:18:50,410 --> 00:18:52,354 go to Jeff Shog task and purpose . 498 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,262 Thank you . Um And I understand if this 499 00:18:55,262 --> 00:18:57,500 is a question you need to take , can we 500 00:18:57,510 --> 00:18:59,621 get an update on the number of troops 501 00:18:59,621 --> 00:19:01,399 in Iraq and Syria who have been 502 00:19:01,399 --> 00:19:03,839 diagnosed with TB I , the total number ? 503 00:19:03,849 --> 00:19:05,960 I understand that the Centcom surgeon 504 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:08,071 doesn't track it like this , that you 505 00:19:08,071 --> 00:19:10,250 specifically have to query this person 506 00:19:10,390 --> 00:19:13,150 to get that data . Uh If you ha if you 507 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:14,993 don't have that data , could you 508 00:19:14,993 --> 00:19:17,339 provide it the most recent uh numbers ? 509 00:19:17,689 --> 00:19:19,745 Yeah , thanks , Jeff . I do not have 510 00:19:19,745 --> 00:19:21,856 those numbers in front of me . So I'm 511 00:19:21,856 --> 00:19:23,967 happy to take that question . Great . 512 00:19:23,967 --> 00:19:26,022 Welcome back in the room . Yes . The 513 00:19:26,022 --> 00:19:27,800 government of Iraq says ISIS is 514 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:30,140 defeated and the coalition's job is 515 00:19:30,150 --> 00:19:33,020 over and says we have to set a time 516 00:19:33,030 --> 00:19:36,060 timetable for a phased withdrawal of 517 00:19:36,069 --> 00:19:37,902 troops and the end of mission of 518 00:19:37,902 --> 00:19:40,125 coalition forces . Do you think there's 519 00:19:40,125 --> 00:19:43,530 still the threat of ISIS that requires 520 00:19:43,599 --> 00:19:45,766 the coalition forces to remain in Iraq 521 00:19:45,962 --> 00:19:48,184 I think I saw in the statement that the 522 00:19:48,184 --> 00:19:50,295 Iraqi government put out that ISIS is 523 00:19:50,295 --> 00:19:52,452 completely gone . Um I think we know 524 00:19:52,462 --> 00:19:54,901 that the threat of ISIS has changed . I 525 00:19:54,911 --> 00:19:56,744 think that's what that statement 526 00:19:56,744 --> 00:19:58,967 acknowledged . Um , the threat that was 527 00:19:58,967 --> 00:20:00,855 10 years ago , um , has certainly 528 00:20:00,855 --> 00:20:02,800 evolved and that is because of our 529 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:04,911 incredible partnership with the Iraqi 530 00:20:04,911 --> 00:20:06,911 Security Forces and our partnership 531 00:20:06,911 --> 00:20:09,022 with the coalition . Um It is because 532 00:20:09,022 --> 00:20:11,133 of that partnership that we were able 533 00:20:11,133 --> 00:20:14,134 to continue to push ISIS out of um you 534 00:20:14,144 --> 00:20:16,033 know , major cities and they have 535 00:20:16,033 --> 00:20:17,811 become a very different type of 536 00:20:17,811 --> 00:20:20,413 organization that they were uh when 537 00:20:20,423 --> 00:20:23,404 this coalition formed . Um in terms of , 538 00:20:23,413 --> 00:20:26,433 again , I'm happy to reiterate what I 539 00:20:26,443 --> 00:20:28,443 said at the top , but the H MC is a 540 00:20:28,443 --> 00:20:30,665 working group . It is considering three 541 00:20:30,665 --> 00:20:32,776 different factors as it moves forward 542 00:20:32,776 --> 00:20:36,076 into . What does the r the bilateral 543 00:20:36,086 --> 00:20:38,253 relationship between the United States 544 00:20:38,253 --> 00:20:40,796 and Iraq look like going forward . Um 545 00:20:40,806 --> 00:20:43,028 Again , we're in Iraq at the invitation 546 00:20:43,028 --> 00:20:45,084 of the Iraqi government . We're very 547 00:20:45,084 --> 00:20:47,306 proud of the work that we've done um in 548 00:20:47,316 --> 00:20:49,483 conjunction with our partners and with 549 00:20:49,483 --> 00:20:52,276 the Iraqi security forces . And um this 550 00:20:52,286 --> 00:20:54,397 working group is the next step to our 551 00:20:54,397 --> 00:20:56,739 ne our bilateral relationship . Yeah , 552 00:20:56,750 --> 00:20:59,028 thank you . Just staying on Iraq , the , 553 00:20:59,028 --> 00:21:01,780 the Iraqi Defense Minister just pushed 554 00:21:01,790 --> 00:21:03,969 a statement on that meetings that you 555 00:21:03,979 --> 00:21:06,079 talked about the H MC . He says that 556 00:21:06,089 --> 00:21:08,145 this is the meetings will start soon 557 00:21:08,145 --> 00:21:10,145 between the US and Iraq in order to 558 00:21:10,145 --> 00:21:12,256 determine the withdrawal , timing for 559 00:21:12,256 --> 00:21:14,599 the coalition forces and build 560 00:21:14,609 --> 00:21:17,510 cooperated relations . I hear from you 561 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:19,298 that you said this is not about 562 00:21:19,298 --> 00:21:21,409 negotiation from the withdrawal . Why 563 00:21:21,409 --> 00:21:23,576 there's two different statements about 564 00:21:23,576 --> 00:21:25,687 this ? HMS C ? The Iraqi says that it 565 00:21:25,687 --> 00:21:27,909 is about the timing of the withdrawal . 566 00:21:27,909 --> 00:21:29,964 And you are saying this is not about 567 00:21:29,964 --> 00:21:32,020 that . Ok . Has the Iraq request you 568 00:21:32,020 --> 00:21:34,076 about your withdrawal from Iraq . We 569 00:21:34,076 --> 00:21:36,298 received no request from the government 570 00:21:36,298 --> 00:21:38,464 of Iraq to withdraw forces again , the 571 00:21:38,464 --> 00:21:40,187 H MC . It's a working group to 572 00:21:40,187 --> 00:21:42,242 determine what our future looks like 573 00:21:42,242 --> 00:21:44,298 together with Iraq . In terms of our 574 00:21:44,298 --> 00:21:46,298 bilateral relationships . There are 575 00:21:46,298 --> 00:21:46,055 factors that are being taken into 576 00:21:46,064 --> 00:21:48,120 consideration . As I mentioned , the 577 00:21:48,120 --> 00:21:50,231 threat of ISIS is very different from 578 00:21:50,231 --> 00:21:52,508 what was from what it was 10 years ago . 579 00:21:52,508 --> 00:21:54,731 And I just , I , I know there's a focus 580 00:21:54,731 --> 00:21:56,842 on this withdrawal . There is nothing 581 00:21:56,842 --> 00:21:58,786 new about these meetings . This is 582 00:21:58,786 --> 00:22:00,953 something that was announced in August 583 00:22:00,953 --> 00:22:02,953 in 2023 that we were going to start 584 00:22:02,953 --> 00:22:04,620 these meetings and start this 585 00:22:04,620 --> 00:22:06,731 conversation with Iraq , whether that 586 00:22:06,731 --> 00:22:08,897 means um what our footprint looks like 587 00:22:08,897 --> 00:22:10,564 in Iraq . And that's gonna be 588 00:22:10,564 --> 00:22:12,508 determined on a variety of factors 589 00:22:12,508 --> 00:22:14,564 which I laid out at the top and just 590 00:22:14,564 --> 00:22:16,620 saying on , on that H MC when you're 591 00:22:16,620 --> 00:22:18,731 talking about Iraqi Defense and there 592 00:22:18,731 --> 00:22:20,953 are the Iraqi Defense Ministry and also 593 00:22:20,953 --> 00:22:23,008 there are other forces inside Iraq . 594 00:22:23,008 --> 00:22:25,175 They are not part of the Iraqi Defense 595 00:22:25,175 --> 00:22:24,880 Minister Ministry , but they are part 596 00:22:24,890 --> 00:22:26,779 of the Iraqi defense system . I'm 597 00:22:26,779 --> 00:22:28,501 talking specifically about the 598 00:22:28,501 --> 00:22:30,501 Peshmerga forces from the region of 599 00:22:30,501 --> 00:22:32,668 Iraq and also the Popular Mobilization 600 00:22:32,668 --> 00:22:34,723 Forces . The hashd Al Sharpe , which 601 00:22:34,723 --> 00:22:36,779 funded by the Iraqi government where 602 00:22:36,779 --> 00:22:38,946 these two forces are standing in these 603 00:22:38,946 --> 00:22:41,130 meetings between you and the Iraqi 604 00:22:41,170 --> 00:22:43,059 government . Again , this is in a 605 00:22:43,059 --> 00:22:45,114 meeting between the Iraqi government 606 00:22:45,114 --> 00:22:47,226 and the United States . I'm not gonna 607 00:22:47,226 --> 00:22:49,337 get ahead of those conversations , as 608 00:22:49,337 --> 00:22:51,559 you mentioned in a tweet from , I think 609 00:22:51,559 --> 00:22:51,369 it was the Defense Minister of Iraq . 610 00:22:51,380 --> 00:22:53,436 These meetings are gonna come soon . 611 00:22:53,436 --> 00:22:55,436 They're start soon . I don't have a 612 00:22:55,436 --> 00:22:57,324 manifest or roster of who's gonna 613 00:22:57,324 --> 00:22:59,436 attend those meetings . And I'm gonna 614 00:22:59,436 --> 00:23:01,658 wait until those meetings happen . Will 615 00:23:01,658 --> 00:23:03,713 the Peshmerga forces on PM F will be 616 00:23:03,713 --> 00:23:05,936 part of these meetings or not ? Again , 617 00:23:05,936 --> 00:23:07,880 I'm gonna , I'm not gonna read out 618 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:10,047 who's participating just yet . This is 619 00:23:10,047 --> 00:23:12,269 an announcement today when we have more 620 00:23:12,269 --> 00:23:11,744 to share , we'd be happy to share it . 621 00:23:11,755 --> 00:23:14,910 Erin when it was made public that North 622 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:16,979 Korea started sending munitions to 623 00:23:16,989 --> 00:23:19,211 Russia . The Pentagon stated that North 624 00:23:19,211 --> 00:23:21,267 Korea would not make a big impact on 625 00:23:21,267 --> 00:23:23,322 the war , but now you're seeing that 626 00:23:23,322 --> 00:23:25,930 North Korea's missiles in Ukraine . Um 627 00:23:25,939 --> 00:23:27,939 Are you concerned about North Korea 628 00:23:27,939 --> 00:23:30,209 continuing to send larger amounts of 629 00:23:30,219 --> 00:23:32,359 munition and prolonging the war even 630 00:23:32,369 --> 00:23:34,591 longer ? Especially when the US at this 631 00:23:34,591 --> 00:23:38,140 moment cannot fund Ukraine ? Yes , 632 00:23:39,109 --> 00:23:40,887 we are very concerned about the 633 00:23:40,887 --> 00:23:43,109 relationship between Russia and the D . 634 00:23:43,109 --> 00:23:44,998 Pr K . We have said that from the 635 00:23:44,998 --> 00:23:47,053 beginning . Uh We are concerned that 636 00:23:47,053 --> 00:23:49,220 Russia has to con , I mean , it speaks 637 00:23:49,220 --> 00:23:52,369 to Russia that they have to uh seek um 638 00:23:52,380 --> 00:23:55,410 support uh when it comes to funding 639 00:23:55,420 --> 00:23:57,531 their own capabilities from countries 640 00:23:57,531 --> 00:23:59,719 like Iran countries like the D pr K . 641 00:23:59,770 --> 00:24:01,810 Um the continuing funding , the 642 00:24:01,819 --> 00:24:03,930 continuing support of these countries 643 00:24:03,930 --> 00:24:05,652 does prolong the war . That is 644 00:24:05,652 --> 00:24:07,875 something that we are concerned about . 645 00:24:07,875 --> 00:24:10,109 Um which is why we have committed to 646 00:24:10,119 --> 00:24:12,175 supporting Ukraine , but we can't do 647 00:24:12,175 --> 00:24:14,063 that without a supplemental being 648 00:24:14,063 --> 00:24:16,286 passed . And so , uh as I mentioned , I 649 00:24:16,286 --> 00:24:18,452 think , I mean , from this podium , we 650 00:24:18,452 --> 00:24:20,619 have not had a supplemental . Uh We've 651 00:24:20,619 --> 00:24:22,786 not had a , I'm sorry , a presidential 652 00:24:22,786 --> 00:24:24,897 drawdown go out since December 27th . 653 00:24:24,897 --> 00:24:26,952 Um Earlier this week , the secretary 654 00:24:26,952 --> 00:24:29,063 and the chairman convened the Ukraine 655 00:24:29,063 --> 00:24:31,230 defense contact group . That's a forum 656 00:24:31,230 --> 00:24:33,119 where allies and partners do come 657 00:24:33,119 --> 00:24:35,119 together to figure out what Ukraine 658 00:24:35,119 --> 00:24:37,175 needs . What are their urgent battle 659 00:24:37,175 --> 00:24:39,286 needs ? Um Unfortunately , the United 660 00:24:39,286 --> 00:24:41,397 States has not been able to provide a 661 00:24:41,397 --> 00:24:43,563 package since December . So uh we will 662 00:24:43,563 --> 00:24:45,786 continue to urge Congress both publicly 663 00:24:45,786 --> 00:24:48,008 and privately in our meetings to pass a 664 00:24:48,008 --> 00:24:50,119 supplemental . But in the beginning , 665 00:24:50,119 --> 00:24:52,709 you appeared to just downplay that 666 00:24:52,719 --> 00:24:54,830 North Korea was sending the munitions 667 00:24:54,830 --> 00:24:57,052 over there . That it wasn't that big of 668 00:24:57,052 --> 00:24:59,108 a deal at that time . Yes , it would 669 00:24:59,108 --> 00:25:01,275 prolong the war . But at that moment , 670 00:25:01,275 --> 00:25:03,441 it wasn't , I don't remember saying it 671 00:25:03,441 --> 00:25:05,441 wasn't that big of a deal . I think 672 00:25:05,441 --> 00:25:07,663 it's a concern when other countries are 673 00:25:07,663 --> 00:25:09,719 providing Russia with munitions that 674 00:25:09,719 --> 00:25:11,719 are killing Ukrainians and innocent 675 00:25:11,719 --> 00:25:11,189 Ukrainian civilians . I think we've 676 00:25:11,199 --> 00:25:13,310 always said that's been a big concern 677 00:25:13,310 --> 00:25:15,310 of ours . And then have we seen any 678 00:25:15,310 --> 00:25:17,366 shipments , any more shipments going 679 00:25:17,366 --> 00:25:20,939 from , uh , Russia to , or from , um , 680 00:25:20,949 --> 00:25:23,005 North Korea to Russia ? I don't have 681 00:25:23,005 --> 00:25:25,510 anything today to announce . Um , we 682 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:28,219 certainly know that there is a , uh , 683 00:25:28,500 --> 00:25:30,722 we've seen a deepening of relationships 684 00:25:30,722 --> 00:25:33,140 between , uh , Russia and the D pr K , 685 00:25:33,150 --> 00:25:35,039 but I don't have any shipments or 686 00:25:35,039 --> 00:25:37,317 anything to , to announce today . Yeah , 687 00:25:37,317 --> 00:25:39,150 I have what you just said on the 688 00:25:39,150 --> 00:25:41,560 supplemental . So if Congress fails to 689 00:25:41,569 --> 00:25:43,791 break a deal and get additional funding 690 00:25:43,791 --> 00:25:45,958 for Ukraine , what would that mean for 691 00:25:45,958 --> 00:25:48,013 Ukraine's ability to defend itself ? 692 00:25:48,013 --> 00:25:49,791 And what message about American 693 00:25:49,791 --> 00:25:52,013 reliability would that send to the rest 694 00:25:52,013 --> 00:25:53,958 of the world ? Well , I think , uh 695 00:25:53,958 --> 00:25:56,540 certainly it's concerning if we can't 696 00:25:56,550 --> 00:25:58,606 continue to support Ukraine and I do 697 00:25:58,606 --> 00:26:00,828 think members of Congress on both sides 698 00:26:00,828 --> 00:26:02,859 of the aisle do understand um , the 699 00:26:02,869 --> 00:26:05,280 impact that it could have , I will say 700 00:26:05,290 --> 00:26:07,457 though . And it's important . It's not 701 00:26:07,457 --> 00:26:09,346 just the United States supporting 702 00:26:09,346 --> 00:26:11,290 Ukraine right now , our allies and 703 00:26:11,290 --> 00:26:13,346 partners have stepped up in terms of 704 00:26:13,346 --> 00:26:15,179 training in terms of funding and 705 00:26:15,179 --> 00:26:17,839 support . Um So it's not , it's not 706 00:26:17,849 --> 00:26:21,410 just the United States , but the United 707 00:26:21,420 --> 00:26:23,142 states' support for Ukraine is 708 00:26:23,142 --> 00:26:25,031 incredibly important in showing a 709 00:26:25,031 --> 00:26:28,280 United message , not just to the 710 00:26:28,290 --> 00:26:30,512 European world to , to Russia , but all 711 00:26:30,512 --> 00:26:32,959 around the world . Um our support , as 712 00:26:32,969 --> 00:26:35,439 you've heard from the president himself 713 00:26:35,449 --> 00:26:38,630 has said that , um , it's unwavering 714 00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:40,751 and we will stand with Ukraine for as 715 00:26:40,751 --> 00:26:42,696 long as it takes , I truly believe 716 00:26:42,696 --> 00:26:44,751 there are members of Congress and on 717 00:26:44,751 --> 00:26:46,807 both sides that believe that as well 718 00:26:46,807 --> 00:26:48,973 and want us want to do the right thing 719 00:26:48,973 --> 00:26:51,196 and , and pass the supplemental . Yes . 720 00:26:51,196 --> 00:26:53,418 Oh , hey , Missy . Hello . I didn't see 721 00:26:53,418 --> 00:26:55,251 you back . Um , just a couple of 722 00:26:55,251 --> 00:26:57,439 questions , um , on Secretary Austin . 723 00:26:57,449 --> 00:26:59,505 Um I know I can't remember who is uh 724 00:26:59,505 --> 00:27:01,910 you or Pat uh responded to a question 725 00:27:01,920 --> 00:27:04,142 on this the other day . But do you have 726 00:27:04,142 --> 00:27:06,420 any ? Um , so you were looking into it , 727 00:27:06,420 --> 00:27:08,476 but is there anything on the request 728 00:27:08,476 --> 00:27:10,642 for the secretary to testify um in the 729 00:27:10,642 --> 00:27:13,569 ha um And um , do you have any comment 730 00:27:13,579 --> 00:27:16,900 on the congressional criticism ? I 731 00:27:16,910 --> 00:27:18,854 think it was from wicker about the 732 00:27:18,854 --> 00:27:22,839 letters that um that dod submitted um 733 00:27:22,849 --> 00:27:24,793 about the timeline surrounding his 734 00:27:24,793 --> 00:27:26,960 hospitalization and then separately on 735 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:29,270 the , the Dod Inspector General report 736 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:32,750 about , um UAP said that there wasn't a 737 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:35,770 comprehensive um plan for dealing with 738 00:27:35,780 --> 00:27:37,724 UAP and that could pose a security 739 00:27:37,724 --> 00:27:40,300 threat any response to that . Um Sure , 740 00:27:40,310 --> 00:27:43,030 let me take the first ones at the top . 741 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:45,869 So in terms of testifying , we're , our , 742 00:27:45,880 --> 00:27:48,047 our teams are working with the hill to 743 00:27:48,047 --> 00:27:49,936 figure out , we always want to be 744 00:27:49,936 --> 00:27:52,158 responsive to Congress . We always want 745 00:27:52,158 --> 00:27:54,269 to ensure that we are getting answers 746 00:27:54,269 --> 00:27:57,094 back to what or be senators or members 747 00:27:57,104 --> 00:27:59,048 of Congress in a timely manner . I 748 00:27:59,048 --> 00:28:01,048 don't have an update for you on any 749 00:28:01,048 --> 00:28:02,771 hearing of , of anything being 750 00:28:02,771 --> 00:28:04,771 scheduled . But we are certainly in 751 00:28:04,771 --> 00:28:07,035 touch with um the staffs of those 752 00:28:07,045 --> 00:28:09,267 members who have requested that hearing 753 00:28:09,267 --> 00:28:11,434 and when I have more to share , I'd be 754 00:28:11,434 --> 00:28:13,545 happy to do it . Um And then in terms 755 00:28:13,545 --> 00:28:15,656 of the letters , again , we're always 756 00:28:15,656 --> 00:28:17,878 responding to Congress in , in a timely 757 00:28:17,878 --> 00:28:19,878 manner . Um We provided the details 758 00:28:19,878 --> 00:28:22,101 that we could in that letter . Uh And I 759 00:28:22,101 --> 00:28:24,323 know our staffs have been in , in touch 760 00:28:24,323 --> 00:28:26,323 and the secretary has been in touch 761 00:28:26,323 --> 00:28:28,489 also with members um in both the House 762 00:28:28,489 --> 00:28:30,489 and Senate . Um in terms of the UAP 763 00:28:30,489 --> 00:28:32,712 report , I , I'm sorry , I just have to 764 00:28:32,712 --> 00:28:34,767 take that question . Do you have one 765 00:28:34,767 --> 00:28:37,000 more ? And then we are you suggesting 766 00:28:37,430 --> 00:28:40,250 and I , I'm really not looking for you 767 00:28:40,260 --> 00:28:42,427 to read the topper again , but are you 768 00:28:42,427 --> 00:28:45,180 suggesting I understand you , 769 00:28:45,859 --> 00:28:49,319 um the size of the US footprint in 770 00:28:49,329 --> 00:28:52,719 Iraq will not 771 00:28:52,810 --> 00:28:56,119 be an element at all in these 772 00:28:56,130 --> 00:28:59,359 discussions or isn't it 773 00:29:00,150 --> 00:29:02,489 common sense that the size of the US 774 00:29:02,500 --> 00:29:05,520 military footprint in Iraq will be part 775 00:29:05,530 --> 00:29:07,586 of these discussions as , as they go 776 00:29:07,586 --> 00:29:09,752 forward , it will certainly be part of 777 00:29:09,752 --> 00:29:11,919 the conversations as it goes forward , 778 00:29:11,919 --> 00:29:14,645 as not reading the topper again . But 779 00:29:14,656 --> 00:29:17,306 as I outlined at the very beginning , 780 00:29:17,345 --> 00:29:20,076 the threat of ISIS has changed . But 781 00:29:20,086 --> 00:29:22,253 there are certain conditions that have 782 00:29:22,253 --> 00:29:24,419 to be met or certain factors that have 783 00:29:24,419 --> 00:29:26,956 to be met in order for both Iraq and 784 00:29:26,965 --> 00:29:29,121 the United States to feel that we can 785 00:29:29,182 --> 00:29:31,921 ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS . Um 786 00:29:31,952 --> 00:29:34,063 And so that's what this working group 787 00:29:34,063 --> 00:29:36,342 is going to look at . Um And again , 788 00:29:36,352 --> 00:29:38,519 we're still there at the invitation of 789 00:29:38,519 --> 00:29:40,630 the Iraqi government and we're really 790 00:29:40,630 --> 00:29:42,630 proud of our partnership , the term 791 00:29:42,630 --> 00:29:44,741 withdrawal of forces . I I think just 792 00:29:44,741 --> 00:29:46,630 more broadly , the size of the US 793 00:29:46,630 --> 00:29:48,796 footprint in Iraq is obviously part of 794 00:29:48,796 --> 00:29:50,650 all of this ongoing , yeah , 795 00:30:06,199 --> 00:30:09,099 reducing the footprint entails 796 00:30:09,109 --> 00:30:11,387 withdrawing some of the forces , right ? 797 00:30:11,387 --> 00:30:13,665 So what was asking is , are these like , 798 00:30:13,665 --> 00:30:15,887 is your footprint in Iraq part of these 799 00:30:15,887 --> 00:30:18,053 discussions ? And what I said was that 800 00:30:18,053 --> 00:30:19,998 the threat of ISIS has changed and 801 00:30:19,998 --> 00:30:22,220 there are a number of factors that this 802 00:30:22,220 --> 00:30:24,589 working group is going to look at one 803 00:30:24,599 --> 00:30:26,766 being . How can we ensure the enduring 804 00:30:26,766 --> 00:30:28,439 defeat of ISIS ? Of course , 805 00:30:28,449 --> 00:30:31,660 conversations about our troop levels . 806 00:30:31,670 --> 00:30:33,614 That's something that this working 807 00:30:33,614 --> 00:30:35,781 group is going to take a look at . But 808 00:30:35,781 --> 00:30:37,559 right now , we are there at the 809 00:30:37,559 --> 00:30:39,670 invitation of the government . We are 810 00:30:39,670 --> 00:30:39,569 very proud of our partnership with the 811 00:30:39,579 --> 00:30:41,746 Iraqi security Forces and we're really 812 00:30:41,746 --> 00:30:43,801 proud of the work that the coalition 813 00:30:43,801 --> 00:30:45,968 has done to ensure that defeat of ISIS 814 00:30:45,968 --> 00:30:48,449 remains . Ok . Great . Thank you , 815 00:30:48,459 --> 00:30:48,880 everyone .