1 00:00:00,370 --> 00:00:02,619 Good afternoon , everyone . Uh Just a 2 00:00:02,630 --> 00:00:04,630 few things at the top here and then 3 00:00:04,630 --> 00:00:06,352 happy to dive in and take your 4 00:00:06,352 --> 00:00:08,463 questions today . Secretary Austin is 5 00:00:08,463 --> 00:00:10,630 traveling to Brussels to host the 23rd 6 00:00:10,630 --> 00:00:12,908 Ukraine Defense contact group tomorrow , 7 00:00:12,908 --> 00:00:14,797 June 13th . The secretary will be 8 00:00:14,797 --> 00:00:16,797 joined by the chairman of the joint 9 00:00:16,797 --> 00:00:18,741 Chiefs General CQ Brown and senior 10 00:00:18,741 --> 00:00:20,630 military officials from nearly 50 11 00:00:20,630 --> 00:00:22,741 nations to discuss the ongoing war in 12 00:00:22,741 --> 00:00:25,069 Ukraine and encourage continued support 13 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:27,079 from the international community to 14 00:00:27,079 --> 00:00:29,190 provide the Ukrainians with the means 15 00:00:29,190 --> 00:00:31,190 necessary to defend their sovereign 16 00:00:31,190 --> 00:00:33,023 territory . Also , while he's in 17 00:00:33,023 --> 00:00:34,857 Brussels , Secretary Austin will 18 00:00:34,857 --> 00:00:36,635 participate in the NATO Defense 19 00:00:36,635 --> 00:00:38,468 Ministerial on June 14th at NATO 20 00:00:38,468 --> 00:00:40,759 headquarters and now switching to a few 21 00:00:40,770 --> 00:00:42,826 operational updates on the temporary 22 00:00:42,826 --> 00:00:44,909 pier or the joint logistics over the 23 00:00:44,919 --> 00:00:47,086 shore capability that is being used to 24 00:00:47,086 --> 00:00:49,086 search humanitarian assistance into 25 00:00:49,086 --> 00:00:51,779 Gaza as you know for the past two day 26 00:00:51,790 --> 00:00:54,509 for excuse me , as you know , for two 27 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:56,409 days , the temporary pier was not 28 00:00:56,409 --> 00:00:58,631 operational due to high sea states . As 29 00:00:58,631 --> 00:01:00,939 of yesterday , June 11th US central 30 00:01:00,950 --> 00:01:02,770 Command resumed the delivery of 31 00:01:02,779 --> 00:01:05,319 humanitarian assistance into Gaza with 32 00:01:05,330 --> 00:01:07,959 more than 500 metric tons of aid 33 00:01:07,970 --> 00:01:10,419 delivered to the marshaling area and 34 00:01:10,430 --> 00:01:14,300 today delivered another over 500 metric 35 00:01:14,309 --> 00:01:16,476 tons in as well to the marshaling area 36 00:01:17,010 --> 00:01:19,199 in total . Since May 17th , Central 37 00:01:19,209 --> 00:01:21,209 Command assisted in the delivery of 38 00:01:21,209 --> 00:01:24,290 more than 2500 metric tons or 39 00:01:24,300 --> 00:01:27,000 approximately £5.6 million of 40 00:01:27,010 --> 00:01:29,110 humanitarian aid to the shore for 41 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:32,300 onward distribution . Additionally , 42 00:01:32,309 --> 00:01:34,540 the one remaining army vessel vessel 43 00:01:34,550 --> 00:01:36,690 that was beached in Gaza on May 25th 44 00:01:36,699 --> 00:01:38,921 was recovered last night and we greatly 45 00:01:38,921 --> 00:01:41,032 appreciate the Id F's assistance with 46 00:01:41,032 --> 00:01:43,690 recovery of that vessel switching gears . 47 00:01:43,699 --> 00:01:45,810 The National Guard is wrapping up its 48 00:01:45,810 --> 00:01:47,755 largest annual cyber exercise this 49 00:01:47,755 --> 00:01:49,921 weekend at the Virginia National Guard 50 00:01:49,921 --> 00:01:51,866 State Military Reservation outside 51 00:01:51,866 --> 00:01:54,540 Virginia Beach Exercise , Cyber Shield . 52 00:01:54,550 --> 00:01:57,050 2024 brings together nearly 1000 53 00:01:57,059 --> 00:01:59,226 participants from National Guard units 54 00:01:59,410 --> 00:02:02,370 in 41 states and territories . 27 55 00:02:02,379 --> 00:02:04,769 defensive cyber operations elements , 56 00:02:04,940 --> 00:02:07,379 nine international partner nations and 57 00:02:07,389 --> 00:02:09,556 the active duty Air Force with a focus 58 00:02:09,556 --> 00:02:11,611 on defending critical infrastructure 59 00:02:11,611 --> 00:02:13,740 against cyber threats . Building off 60 00:02:13,750 --> 00:02:17,289 the dod S 2023 Cyber strategy exercises 61 00:02:17,300 --> 00:02:20,000 like Cyber Shield . 2024 are leveraging 62 00:02:20,009 --> 00:02:22,199 industry leading courses and force on 63 00:02:22,210 --> 00:02:24,529 force . Cyber attack simulations to 64 00:02:24,539 --> 00:02:26,595 grow collaborative and interoperable 65 00:02:26,595 --> 00:02:29,059 capabilities among local state , 66 00:02:29,070 --> 00:02:31,389 national and international partners for 67 00:02:31,399 --> 00:02:33,121 Unified Defense and all domain 68 00:02:33,121 --> 00:02:36,919 deterrent . And finally , Abe Denmark , 69 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:39,800 the secretary senior advisor for Aus is 70 00:02:39,809 --> 00:02:41,809 departing the Pentagon . We want to 71 00:02:41,809 --> 00:02:43,920 thank Abe for his leadership building 72 00:02:43,920 --> 00:02:45,976 strong coalitions , bringing us even 73 00:02:45,976 --> 00:02:48,087 closer to two of our closest allies , 74 00:02:48,210 --> 00:02:50,440 the UK and Australia and for 75 00:02:50,449 --> 00:02:52,616 strengthening security across the Indo 76 00:02:52,616 --> 00:02:55,119 Pacific . He was a key architect of the 77 00:02:55,350 --> 00:02:57,100 AUS pillar one optimal pathway 78 00:02:57,110 --> 00:02:59,166 announced by the president and , and 79 00:02:59,166 --> 00:03:01,388 the prime ministers and instrumental in 80 00:03:01,388 --> 00:03:03,499 developing advanced capability cooper 81 00:03:03,499 --> 00:03:05,721 operation in AUS pillar two . On behalf 82 00:03:05,721 --> 00:03:07,832 of the Secretary of Defense , we wish 83 00:03:07,832 --> 00:03:09,554 him all the best in his future 84 00:03:09,554 --> 00:03:11,499 endeavors . And with that , I'd be 85 00:03:11,499 --> 00:03:11,440 happy to take your questions . Lida , 86 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:14,389 thanks Sabrina . Um Two things . One . 87 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,919 when does the US expect to deliver the 88 00:03:17,929 --> 00:03:21,279 new patriot system to Ukraine ? And 89 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:25,250 what impact does the secretary 90 00:03:25,259 --> 00:03:27,481 and the military believe that will have 91 00:03:27,481 --> 00:03:29,481 on the war there ? And then uh just 92 00:03:29,481 --> 00:03:31,592 secondly , on the , just to follow up 93 00:03:31,592 --> 00:03:35,229 on the pier , um has any aid moved from 94 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:38,750 the marshaling area into Gaza that 95 00:03:38,759 --> 00:03:41,259 you're aware of ? And how big of a 96 00:03:41,270 --> 00:03:43,679 problem is this , that aid is just 97 00:03:43,690 --> 00:03:45,801 gonna keep mounting . Do you have any 98 00:03:45,801 --> 00:03:48,300 sense that it will resume at all ? Um 99 00:03:48,309 --> 00:03:50,639 Let me take the last part first . So , 100 00:03:50,649 --> 00:03:54,050 um to my knowledge since um aid has 101 00:03:54,059 --> 00:03:56,170 started flowing in from yesterday and 102 00:03:56,170 --> 00:03:58,339 today it's just being collected in the 103 00:03:58,350 --> 00:04:00,559 marshaling area getting ready for uh 104 00:04:00,570 --> 00:04:03,839 when the UN WFP is ready to distribute . 105 00:04:03,990 --> 00:04:06,212 Um That distribution hasn't happened to 106 00:04:06,212 --> 00:04:08,714 my knowledge . Um I'd refer you to USA 107 00:04:08,725 --> 00:04:12,125 ID and WFP to speak more to that . I 108 00:04:12,134 --> 00:04:14,345 know that they are conducting a um 109 00:04:14,354 --> 00:04:16,687 security review . So while they do that , 110 00:04:16,687 --> 00:04:18,910 it is in the marshaling area , um , the 111 00:04:18,910 --> 00:04:21,187 good news is is that it's on the beach . 112 00:04:21,187 --> 00:04:23,410 So it's , it's a step closer to getting 113 00:04:23,410 --> 00:04:25,521 to the people who need it most . Um , 114 00:04:25,521 --> 00:04:27,743 but I just don't have an update on when 115 00:04:27,743 --> 00:04:29,965 that will be further distributed . Um , 116 00:04:29,965 --> 00:04:31,910 in terms of your first question on 117 00:04:31,910 --> 00:04:33,965 Ukraine and air defenses , I've seen 118 00:04:33,965 --> 00:04:36,132 some of the reporting out there , um , 119 00:04:36,132 --> 00:04:38,021 on the Patriot . I don't have any 120 00:04:38,021 --> 00:04:39,965 announcements to make on a Patriot 121 00:04:39,965 --> 00:04:42,190 battery today . Um , what I can tell 122 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,279 you and I'm not getting ahead of the 123 00:04:44,290 --> 00:04:46,179 secretary , but something that he 124 00:04:46,179 --> 00:04:48,290 continues to emphasize when he um has 125 00:04:48,290 --> 00:04:50,512 hosts the Ukraine Defense contact group 126 00:04:50,512 --> 00:04:52,470 is that we know air defenses are a 127 00:04:52,489 --> 00:04:54,600 priority for Ukraine . It's something 128 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:57,445 that um they need whether it be in the 129 00:04:57,454 --> 00:05:00,375 patriot or other forms . And so , um 130 00:05:00,524 --> 00:05:02,691 I'm sure that's going to be a topic of 131 00:05:02,691 --> 00:05:04,913 discussion , discussion tomorrow at the 132 00:05:04,913 --> 00:05:06,857 U DC G . Um won't get ahead of the 133 00:05:06,857 --> 00:05:08,802 secretary and , and don't have any 134 00:05:08,802 --> 00:05:10,691 announcements to make , but we'll 135 00:05:10,691 --> 00:05:12,913 certainly keep you updated if there are 136 00:05:12,913 --> 00:05:14,802 any other additional presidential 137 00:05:14,802 --> 00:05:16,857 drawdown packages , Jen , um Sabrina 138 00:05:16,857 --> 00:05:19,080 just to follow up . So of the 2500 tons 139 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:21,549 that have been delivered to Gaza , all 140 00:05:21,559 --> 00:05:23,781 are still in the marshaling area . None 141 00:05:23,781 --> 00:05:26,100 have been distributed . No . So um for , 142 00:05:26,109 --> 00:05:28,387 for better numbers on the distribution , 143 00:05:28,387 --> 00:05:30,553 I'd refer you to the WFP and USA ID to 144 00:05:30,553 --> 00:05:33,045 speak more to that . Um I'm speaking 145 00:05:33,054 --> 00:05:35,315 about the , the aid deliveries from the 146 00:05:35,325 --> 00:05:38,315 temporary pier from yesterday and today 147 00:05:38,325 --> 00:05:41,174 that aid remains in the marshaling area 148 00:05:41,184 --> 00:05:43,915 and just collated there . Um The aid 149 00:05:43,924 --> 00:05:46,625 that was , um , that came off the pier 150 00:05:46,635 --> 00:05:49,369 before , you know , we had to , um , 151 00:05:49,470 --> 00:05:51,581 what's the right word ? Remove it and 152 00:05:51,581 --> 00:05:53,526 then re anchor it that it had been 153 00:05:53,526 --> 00:05:55,692 distributed on or at least went to the 154 00:05:55,692 --> 00:05:57,859 warehouses . And how seriously are you 155 00:05:57,859 --> 00:05:59,803 taking the arrival of this Russian 156 00:05:59,803 --> 00:06:02,239 flotilla in Havana and the exercises 157 00:06:02,250 --> 00:06:04,083 being take , taking place in the 158 00:06:04,083 --> 00:06:06,359 Caribbean . So we take , um we've been 159 00:06:06,369 --> 00:06:09,359 tracking the Russians plans uh for this . 160 00:06:09,369 --> 00:06:11,369 This is not a surprise . We've seen 161 00:06:11,369 --> 00:06:13,591 them do this , these type of port calls 162 00:06:13,591 --> 00:06:15,480 before and these are , you know , 163 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,702 routine naval visits that we've seen um 164 00:06:17,702 --> 00:06:19,758 under different administrations . Uh 165 00:06:19,758 --> 00:06:21,790 We're always constantly going to 166 00:06:21,799 --> 00:06:24,359 monitor um any foreign vessels 167 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:26,859 operating near us , territorial waters . 168 00:06:26,869 --> 00:06:29,036 We of course , take it seriously , but 169 00:06:29,049 --> 00:06:31,470 these exercises don't pose a threat to 170 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:33,790 the United States . When was the last 171 00:06:33,799 --> 00:06:36,010 time that Russian naval vessels were 172 00:06:36,149 --> 00:06:38,260 off the coast of Florida or in Cuba ? 173 00:06:38,470 --> 00:06:40,692 I'd refer you to North and South . Come 174 00:06:40,692 --> 00:06:42,692 to speak more to that . I know they 175 00:06:42,692 --> 00:06:46,200 have done exercises um previous years 176 00:06:46,209 --> 00:06:48,431 under different administrations , but I 177 00:06:48,431 --> 00:06:50,542 don't have those exact dates in front 178 00:06:50,542 --> 00:06:52,431 of me , Kelly . Um Yeah , just to 179 00:06:52,431 --> 00:06:54,320 follow up on Jen's questioning on 180 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:56,487 what's happening with Russian warships 181 00:06:56,487 --> 00:06:58,653 moving into Cuba . Um It did happen in 182 00:06:58,653 --> 00:06:57,779 different administrations as you're 183 00:06:57,790 --> 00:07:00,012 saying , but the timing of it happening 184 00:07:00,012 --> 00:07:02,709 now with what's happening in Ukraine 185 00:07:02,799 --> 00:07:05,021 with President Biden taking off for the 186 00:07:05,021 --> 00:07:07,188 G7 in Italy meeting with world leaders 187 00:07:07,188 --> 00:07:09,299 and not Vladimir Putin , is this seen 188 00:07:09,299 --> 00:07:11,410 as some sort of muscle flexing on the 189 00:07:11,410 --> 00:07:13,521 side of Russia ? You know , I'd refer 190 00:07:13,521 --> 00:07:15,632 you to the Russians to speak to their 191 00:07:15,632 --> 00:07:17,799 own operations and exercises . Um , it 192 00:07:17,799 --> 00:07:19,743 certainly wouldn't come of us as a 193 00:07:19,743 --> 00:07:22,000 surprise to us if we see , um , more 194 00:07:22,010 --> 00:07:25,029 activity around the United States and , 195 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:26,873 you know , they do have a global 196 00:07:26,873 --> 00:07:28,873 exercise that will , I think likely 197 00:07:28,873 --> 00:07:32,179 culminate this fall . Um , something 198 00:07:32,190 --> 00:07:34,412 that we're going to continue to monitor 199 00:07:34,412 --> 00:07:36,523 again . I think what's important here 200 00:07:36,523 --> 00:07:38,634 is that what Russia is doing in these 201 00:07:38,634 --> 00:07:40,857 exercises ? They don't pose a threat to 202 00:07:40,857 --> 00:07:40,570 the United States , but of course , 203 00:07:40,579 --> 00:07:42,635 we're going to continue to monitor , 204 00:07:42,635 --> 00:07:44,635 they've gotten close to . I know we 205 00:07:44,635 --> 00:07:46,801 have our US ships kind of repositioned 206 00:07:46,801 --> 00:07:48,912 in the area monitoring it . Have they 207 00:07:48,912 --> 00:07:51,023 gotten closer ? Can you say how close 208 00:07:51,023 --> 00:07:53,079 they've gotten to , to our ships ? I 209 00:07:53,079 --> 00:07:55,135 don't have those specifics . I would 210 00:07:55,135 --> 00:07:55,109 direct you to north and south com as 211 00:07:55,119 --> 00:07:57,119 well to speak more to that ? I just 212 00:07:57,119 --> 00:07:59,175 don't , I just don't have that right 213 00:07:59,175 --> 00:08:01,341 now . Constantine . Did I see you have 214 00:08:01,341 --> 00:08:03,397 had a question right there . Um , so 215 00:08:03,397 --> 00:08:03,079 just continuing on that line of 216 00:08:03,089 --> 00:08:05,350 questioning , um , are you able to say 217 00:08:05,359 --> 00:08:08,190 what the US military responded with ? 218 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:10,859 So , I mean , we are continuing to 219 00:08:10,869 --> 00:08:13,036 monitor , um , I can tell you that the 220 00:08:13,036 --> 00:08:15,690 Navy's us , second fleet , us , fourth 221 00:08:15,700 --> 00:08:18,130 fleet , us Coast Guard Atlantic area 222 00:08:18,140 --> 00:08:19,918 and Canadian joint task force . 223 00:08:19,918 --> 00:08:21,696 Atlantic are conducting routine 224 00:08:21,696 --> 00:08:23,751 operations throughout the Atlantic , 225 00:08:23,751 --> 00:08:25,918 but we're going to continue to monitor 226 00:08:25,918 --> 00:08:27,918 uh you know what's happening in the 227 00:08:27,918 --> 00:08:30,140 region , but that's all I have in terms 228 00:08:30,140 --> 00:08:32,473 of specifics . And then one last detail , 229 00:08:32,473 --> 00:08:34,362 are you able to say how close the 230 00:08:34,362 --> 00:08:33,809 Russian ships got to the coast of 231 00:08:33,820 --> 00:08:35,931 Florida ? I don't have those specific 232 00:08:35,931 --> 00:08:38,153 details . I direct you to North com for 233 00:08:38,153 --> 00:08:40,098 that . Um I'm just gonna go to the 234 00:08:40,098 --> 00:08:39,700 phones and then happy to come back into 235 00:08:39,710 --> 00:08:42,210 the room . Uh FDI Mansour Al Jazeera . 236 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:56,260 Ok , maybe not . Uh Idris Ali Reuters . 237 00:08:57,090 --> 00:08:59,257 Two quick questions . Um Are you aware 238 00:08:59,257 --> 00:09:01,219 of any of the aid either becoming 239 00:09:01,229 --> 00:09:04,080 inedible or unusable because it's been 240 00:09:04,090 --> 00:09:06,312 in the marshaling area or in warehouses 241 00:09:06,312 --> 00:09:08,289 for so long ? And is the secretary 242 00:09:08,299 --> 00:09:10,410 frustrated with either the World Food 243 00:09:10,410 --> 00:09:13,830 Program or USA ID ? Um for apparently 244 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,090 not foreseeing um some of the 245 00:09:16,099 --> 00:09:18,210 challenges that they're now facing in 246 00:09:18,210 --> 00:09:19,932 delivering the aid that's just 247 00:09:19,932 --> 00:09:22,099 collecting in the marshaling area . Uh 248 00:09:22,099 --> 00:09:24,043 Thanks Ari . So in terms of um the 249 00:09:24,043 --> 00:09:26,710 actual aid , um I can't really speak to 250 00:09:26,719 --> 00:09:29,052 that . I would direct you to us aid and , 251 00:09:29,052 --> 00:09:31,052 and the World Food Program to speak 252 00:09:31,052 --> 00:09:33,289 more to the specifics on um the 253 00:09:33,299 --> 00:09:35,809 donations and if you know some of the 254 00:09:35,820 --> 00:09:38,153 concerns there . But uh to my knowledge , 255 00:09:38,159 --> 00:09:41,250 the aid that has moved on and off the 256 00:09:41,260 --> 00:09:44,020 pier uh from yesterday and today it has 257 00:09:44,030 --> 00:09:46,869 been a that um when the WFP is , is 258 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:49,140 ready to continue forward with onward 259 00:09:49,150 --> 00:09:52,820 distribution uh will be used well and , 260 00:09:52,830 --> 00:09:54,497 and get into the hands of the 261 00:09:54,497 --> 00:09:56,663 Palestinian people that need it most . 262 00:09:56,663 --> 00:09:58,886 Um in terms of your question of , there 263 00:09:58,886 --> 00:10:01,108 are any frustrations . Um They're not , 264 00:10:01,108 --> 00:10:03,330 I mean , this is we're working hand and 265 00:10:03,330 --> 00:10:05,590 glove with us aid um who has been a 266 00:10:05,599 --> 00:10:08,750 great partner in um calling together 267 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:11,000 different nations different NGO S to 268 00:10:11,010 --> 00:10:14,039 donate aid to a population that 269 00:10:14,049 --> 00:10:16,390 desperately needs it . Um We are the 270 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:18,590 conduit for getting that aid to the 271 00:10:18,599 --> 00:10:21,429 people who need it the most . Um But US 272 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:23,440 aid has been instrumental in making 273 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:25,162 sure that we are getting those 274 00:10:25,162 --> 00:10:27,384 donations from other countries . Um and 275 00:10:27,384 --> 00:10:29,496 NGO S as well , so we certainly value 276 00:10:29,496 --> 00:10:31,530 their partnership . Um The WFP of 277 00:10:31,539 --> 00:10:33,317 course , is taking the security 278 00:10:33,317 --> 00:10:35,428 measures that they need to do and the 279 00:10:35,428 --> 00:10:37,539 reviews that they need to do in order 280 00:10:37,539 --> 00:10:39,706 to feel safe and secure and to operate 281 00:10:39,706 --> 00:10:42,169 within Gaza . Um We're not standing in 282 00:10:42,179 --> 00:10:44,650 the way of that . Uh We are just ready 283 00:10:44,659 --> 00:10:47,539 and waiting to um help with getting aid 284 00:10:47,549 --> 00:10:50,429 from Cyprus to the temporary pier into 285 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:52,662 the marshaling area so that aid can get 286 00:10:52,662 --> 00:10:54,773 to the people that need it most happy 287 00:10:54,773 --> 00:10:56,718 to come back in the room . Janie , 288 00:10:56,718 --> 00:10:59,719 thank you . And the two K US and South 289 00:10:59,729 --> 00:11:03,359 Korea had nuclear consulted the group . 290 00:11:03,369 --> 00:11:06,229 I mean N CD guru meeting at the Seoul 291 00:11:06,239 --> 00:11:09,900 recently the review of the US NROK 292 00:11:09,909 --> 00:11:12,340 joint statement that said that the 293 00:11:12,349 --> 00:11:15,739 joint guidelines on North Korea's 294 00:11:15,750 --> 00:11:19,169 nuclear weapons has been completed . 295 00:11:19,179 --> 00:11:22,820 What are the specific details ? I don't 296 00:11:22,830 --> 00:11:25,052 have anything to read out of a specific 297 00:11:25,052 --> 00:11:27,274 meeting , Janie . I'm , I'm not exactly 298 00:11:27,274 --> 00:11:29,330 tracking what , what you mentioned , 299 00:11:29,330 --> 00:11:31,108 but um of course , we're always 300 00:11:31,108 --> 00:11:30,590 monitoring what's happening on the 301 00:11:30,599 --> 00:11:33,909 peninsula . Um and aware of , you know , 302 00:11:34,409 --> 00:11:37,109 D pr KS provocative activities over the 303 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:39,662 last few days and weeks . But I don't , 304 00:11:39,662 --> 00:11:41,773 I don't have anything specific on a , 305 00:11:41,773 --> 00:11:43,940 on a meeting that you just mentioned , 306 00:11:43,940 --> 00:11:45,750 I was a senior office recently 307 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:49,010 mentioned about if China and Russia do 308 00:11:49,020 --> 00:11:52,659 not reduce their nuclear weapons , 309 00:11:53,020 --> 00:11:55,849 us may , you know , increase 310 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:59,710 nuclear deployment , uh the 311 00:11:59,719 --> 00:12:03,260 US will adjust it to nuclear . I mean , 312 00:12:03,270 --> 00:12:06,650 you could post to capabilities or what 313 00:12:06,659 --> 00:12:08,789 is that ? Uh Thanks Janie for the 314 00:12:08,799 --> 00:12:10,799 question . Uh bit of a hypothetical 315 00:12:10,799 --> 00:12:13,021 there as you can appreciate uh just not 316 00:12:13,021 --> 00:12:15,355 gonna not gonna get into more specifics , 317 00:12:15,355 --> 00:12:18,849 but uh we're always assessing um you 318 00:12:18,859 --> 00:12:22,219 know what Russia , what the PR C are 319 00:12:22,229 --> 00:12:24,760 doing . Um I don't have any 320 00:12:24,770 --> 00:12:26,881 announcements to make in terms of our 321 00:12:26,881 --> 00:12:28,826 Force Posture , changes to our own 322 00:12:28,826 --> 00:12:30,881 nuclear Posture um or changes to our 323 00:12:30,881 --> 00:12:33,510 nuclear posture , I should say . Um but 324 00:12:33,549 --> 00:12:35,660 you know , we're going to continue to 325 00:12:35,660 --> 00:12:37,660 monitor and , and I just don't have 326 00:12:37,660 --> 00:12:37,609 anything more for you on that . Yes , 327 00:12:39,929 --> 00:12:42,429 the Prime Minister Netanyahu has said 328 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:44,640 that Israel is prepared for a strong 329 00:12:44,650 --> 00:12:46,690 action in the northern part of the 330 00:12:46,700 --> 00:12:49,330 border of Lebanon . Um And yesterday , 331 00:12:49,340 --> 00:12:51,460 we heard that Secretary Austin , he 332 00:12:51,469 --> 00:12:53,413 already discussed with his Israeli 333 00:12:53,413 --> 00:12:56,169 counterpart the efforts to de escalate 334 00:12:56,179 --> 00:12:58,690 tensions along the Israeli Lebanon 335 00:12:58,700 --> 00:13:02,130 border . So my question , um do you 336 00:13:02,140 --> 00:13:04,260 have , do you worry about any maybe 337 00:13:04,270 --> 00:13:07,739 potential war more dangerous in that 338 00:13:07,750 --> 00:13:11,700 specific area ? And what tools does the 339 00:13:11,710 --> 00:13:14,679 Secretary Austin have ? He can maybe 340 00:13:14,690 --> 00:13:16,809 prevent that area from getting more 341 00:13:16,820 --> 00:13:18,876 escalation . Thank you . Yeah . No , 342 00:13:18,876 --> 00:13:21,209 thanks for the question . Um As you saw , 343 00:13:21,209 --> 00:13:23,098 we put out a readout of Secretary 344 00:13:23,098 --> 00:13:25,320 Austin's call with Mr Gallant . Um This 345 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:27,431 was something that was discussed . We 346 00:13:27,431 --> 00:13:29,770 are seeing um an increase in activity 347 00:13:29,780 --> 00:13:32,200 in the North . Um And we don't want 348 00:13:32,210 --> 00:13:34,119 things to escalate into a broader 349 00:13:34,130 --> 00:13:36,059 regional conflict . Um And that's 350 00:13:36,070 --> 00:13:38,020 something that is not new , that's 351 00:13:38,030 --> 00:13:40,252 something that we've said from the very 352 00:13:40,252 --> 00:13:42,419 beginning . Um from when Hamas first , 353 00:13:42,419 --> 00:13:44,530 you know , launched its brutal attack 354 00:13:44,530 --> 00:13:46,697 on October 7th , we , we never want to 355 00:13:46,697 --> 00:13:48,752 see an escalation of tensions in the 356 00:13:48,752 --> 00:13:50,919 region and we took very specific steps 357 00:13:50,919 --> 00:13:53,030 from the beginning with the secretary 358 00:13:53,030 --> 00:13:53,020 making that decision and , and of 359 00:13:53,030 --> 00:13:55,252 course , with the president to have the 360 00:13:55,252 --> 00:13:58,390 Ford go into the Eastern Med . Um We're 361 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,233 going to continue to urge for de 362 00:14:00,233 --> 00:14:02,456 escalation . Um That was something that 363 00:14:02,456 --> 00:14:04,344 the secretary spoke with Minister 364 00:14:04,344 --> 00:14:06,511 Gallant about at length yesterday . Um 365 00:14:06,511 --> 00:14:08,622 I'm not gonna get into more specifics 366 00:14:08,622 --> 00:14:10,780 of the call itself . Um but we don't 367 00:14:10,789 --> 00:14:12,900 want to see a wider regional conflict 368 00:14:12,900 --> 00:14:15,011 and that's why we do want to see a de 369 00:14:15,011 --> 00:14:17,178 escalation of tensions in the region . 370 00:14:17,178 --> 00:14:19,400 Can I follow up if there is a deal , do 371 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:21,345 you expect if there is a deal to a 372 00:14:21,345 --> 00:14:24,525 ceasefire deal will happen in Gaza ? Do 373 00:14:24,534 --> 00:14:27,195 you believe that will de escalate this 374 00:14:27,414 --> 00:14:29,544 area of attention in the northern ? 375 00:14:31,460 --> 00:14:33,349 Well , I think a cease fire would 376 00:14:33,349 --> 00:14:35,571 certainly lead to uh a de escalation of 377 00:14:35,571 --> 00:14:37,682 tensions . Um , but that is something 378 00:14:37,682 --> 00:14:39,793 that's still being worked . As you've 379 00:14:39,793 --> 00:14:41,738 seen . Secretary Blinken is in the 380 00:14:41,738 --> 00:14:43,904 region . Um I know he made some , he's 381 00:14:43,904 --> 00:14:45,738 he's been meeting with different 382 00:14:45,738 --> 00:14:47,738 partners in the region . Um He made 383 00:14:47,738 --> 00:14:47,729 some comments earlier today . I don't 384 00:14:47,739 --> 00:14:49,961 have anything additional to add to what 385 00:14:49,961 --> 00:14:52,072 he said already , but um certainly it 386 00:14:52,072 --> 00:14:54,350 could bring uh further , you know , it , 387 00:14:54,350 --> 00:14:56,572 it would lead to further deescalating . 388 00:14:56,572 --> 00:14:58,795 Uh which is a good thing . Yes , in the 389 00:14:58,795 --> 00:15:00,683 back . Thank you so much for this 390 00:15:00,683 --> 00:15:02,739 opportunity . Two quick questions as 391 00:15:02,739 --> 00:15:04,906 some of the media reports suggest with 392 00:15:04,906 --> 00:15:07,190 the recent visits by the Pentagon 393 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:09,422 defense officials in Riyadh , they held 394 00:15:09,422 --> 00:15:11,533 talks with the Arab military chiefs . 395 00:15:11,719 --> 00:15:14,200 So as meanwhile , the United States is 396 00:15:14,210 --> 00:15:16,099 engaged diplomatically with Saudi 397 00:15:16,099 --> 00:15:17,766 Arabia and the right for Thai 398 00:15:17,766 --> 00:15:19,543 normalization . So is there any 399 00:15:19,543 --> 00:15:21,280 consideration with the defense 400 00:15:21,289 --> 00:15:22,845 officials that uh after the 401 00:15:22,845 --> 00:15:24,678 normalization , there is another 402 00:15:24,678 --> 00:15:26,900 potential threat in Middle East for the 403 00:15:26,900 --> 00:15:29,530 US . So US is preparing for that . No , 404 00:15:29,539 --> 00:15:31,761 I no , I think what you're referring to 405 00:15:31,761 --> 00:15:35,369 is um uh some of our 406 00:15:35,380 --> 00:15:37,380 officials just traveling within the 407 00:15:37,380 --> 00:15:39,436 region doing whether it's diplomatic 408 00:15:39,436 --> 00:15:41,158 meetings or meeting with their 409 00:15:41,158 --> 00:15:43,269 counterparts . This is something that 410 00:15:43,269 --> 00:15:45,436 uh happens often and very frequently . 411 00:15:45,436 --> 00:15:47,269 Um That's not an indication that 412 00:15:47,269 --> 00:15:49,491 tensions are rising . That is something 413 00:15:49,491 --> 00:15:51,713 that's frankly part of the portfolio um 414 00:15:51,713 --> 00:15:53,880 of where these officials sit . Um So , 415 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:56,047 no , it's , it's about deepening those 416 00:15:56,047 --> 00:15:57,991 partnerships . Of course , they're 417 00:15:57,991 --> 00:16:00,158 going to talk about and discuss what's 418 00:16:00,158 --> 00:16:01,936 happening in the region . Uh It 419 00:16:01,936 --> 00:16:03,991 wouldn't be imprudent not to . Uh So 420 00:16:03,991 --> 00:16:06,102 that's something that of course , you 421 00:16:06,102 --> 00:16:05,270 know , is always on the table and 422 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:07,979 discussed . But um no , it doesn't , it 423 00:16:07,989 --> 00:16:10,045 doesn't indicate anything one way or 424 00:16:10,045 --> 00:16:12,179 the other . I want to ask like the 425 00:16:12,190 --> 00:16:15,690 United States have counter security 426 00:16:15,700 --> 00:16:18,739 cooper with the Pakistan . So from the 427 00:16:18,750 --> 00:16:21,299 month of May and from the timeline , 428 00:16:21,309 --> 00:16:23,919 long ago , we observed that number of 429 00:16:23,929 --> 00:16:26,096 aerial strikes happened in Afghanistan 430 00:16:26,096 --> 00:16:28,549 on the neighboring uh border of the 431 00:16:28,559 --> 00:16:30,559 Pakistan to a number of high value 432 00:16:30,570 --> 00:16:33,640 targets got hit . So uh I want to know 433 00:16:33,650 --> 00:16:35,817 like is there any intelligence sharing 434 00:16:35,817 --> 00:16:37,650 or coordinating by United States 435 00:16:37,650 --> 00:16:39,761 towards Pakistan regarding the onward 436 00:16:39,761 --> 00:16:43,229 of Pakistan counterterrorism operations 437 00:16:43,239 --> 00:16:46,440 regarding TT P are the top value 438 00:16:46,450 --> 00:16:48,630 targets ? I don't have anything to add 439 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:50,696 on that . I mean , if you're talking 440 00:16:50,696 --> 00:16:54,109 about our ongoing efforts to um you 441 00:16:54,119 --> 00:16:56,400 know , go after ISIS militants or ISIS 442 00:16:56,409 --> 00:16:58,409 senior leaders , of course , that's 443 00:16:58,409 --> 00:17:00,520 something that we continue to work on 444 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:02,520 in the region . But um I don't have 445 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:05,099 anything more on that . I'm sorry , Tom . 446 00:17:07,790 --> 00:17:10,430 Excuse me this morning , Secretary 447 00:17:10,439 --> 00:17:13,810 General Salberg and Prime Minister 448 00:17:13,819 --> 00:17:16,089 Orban of Hungary had a press conference 449 00:17:16,099 --> 00:17:18,670 where they announced that Hungary would 450 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:22,239 no longer veto or block NATO country 451 00:17:22,250 --> 00:17:24,969 efforts to support Ukraine in exchange 452 00:17:24,979 --> 00:17:27,719 for not for NATO , not considering 453 00:17:27,939 --> 00:17:30,280 Hungary to give money and material for 454 00:17:30,290 --> 00:17:32,520 the war in Ukraine . What's the 455 00:17:32,530 --> 00:17:34,839 Department of Defense's Assessment on 456 00:17:34,849 --> 00:17:37,016 how this will impact now ? Support for 457 00:17:37,016 --> 00:17:40,040 Ukraine among NATO nations . I'm sorry , 458 00:17:40,050 --> 00:17:42,189 I haven't seen the reports from this 459 00:17:42,199 --> 00:17:44,310 morning . Um I don't have anything to 460 00:17:44,310 --> 00:17:46,421 add to what the Secretary General and 461 00:17:46,421 --> 00:17:50,020 his engagement with the uh with Orban . 462 00:17:50,030 --> 00:17:52,270 But um I would say that , you know , of 463 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:55,310 course , we want to see countries 464 00:17:55,319 --> 00:17:57,319 around the world , our partners and 465 00:17:57,319 --> 00:17:59,541 allies continue to support Ukraine . Um 466 00:17:59,541 --> 00:18:01,989 And that is exactly what the secretary 467 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,969 is going to be doing tomorrow with the 468 00:18:04,979 --> 00:18:07,090 Ukraine Defense contact Group . But I 469 00:18:07,090 --> 00:18:09,312 don't have anything additional to add . 470 00:18:09,312 --> 00:18:08,739 I'm sorry , I just , I haven't seen 471 00:18:08,750 --> 00:18:11,083 some of the reporting from that meeting . 472 00:18:11,083 --> 00:18:13,139 Yeah , of course . Yes . But the day 473 00:18:13,139 --> 00:18:15,439 before yesterday in the Commander Papa 474 00:18:15,829 --> 00:18:18,349 said with the Washington Post , if 475 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:20,470 China invade Taiwan , he will make it 476 00:18:20,470 --> 00:18:24,199 hellscape rests . And as of August 20 477 00:18:24,209 --> 00:18:26,619 23rd , Pentagon announced that aim to 478 00:18:26,630 --> 00:18:29,489 deploy south of autonomous systems 479 00:18:29,500 --> 00:18:32,780 within the next 18 to 24 months . So , 480 00:18:32,790 --> 00:18:35,012 have there been any change to this plan 481 00:18:35,012 --> 00:18:37,390 or how do you view the feasibility of 482 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:40,689 this project ? Um I'm gonna let Admiral 483 00:18:40,979 --> 00:18:43,146 Pra uh come and stand for themselves . 484 00:18:43,146 --> 00:18:45,420 I don't have anything to add . Um What 485 00:18:45,430 --> 00:18:47,486 I can tell you is the secretary just 486 00:18:47,486 --> 00:18:49,541 concluded his 10th visit to the Indo 487 00:18:49,579 --> 00:18:52,540 Pacific region . Um Something that of 488 00:18:52,550 --> 00:18:54,606 course was on the mind and something 489 00:18:54,606 --> 00:18:56,550 that he spoke to at the Shangri La 490 00:18:56,550 --> 00:18:59,050 dialogue was um our pacing challenge of 491 00:18:59,060 --> 00:19:01,119 the PR C . So we're continuing to 492 00:19:01,130 --> 00:19:03,500 monitor uh what the PR C is doing in 493 00:19:03,510 --> 00:19:05,677 the region . Um Some of their behavior 494 00:19:05,677 --> 00:19:07,621 around uh whether it be the Second 495 00:19:07,621 --> 00:19:10,939 Thomas Shoal or other um areas uh 496 00:19:10,949 --> 00:19:13,005 within the Indo Pacific . But I just 497 00:19:13,005 --> 00:19:14,949 don't have more to add on to those 498 00:19:14,949 --> 00:19:17,171 comments . Ok . I'm gonna see if we got 499 00:19:17,171 --> 00:19:19,282 Fatty Mansour back from Al Jazeera on 500 00:19:19,282 --> 00:19:21,616 the phones . Otherwise I can wrap it up . 501 00:19:22,189 --> 00:19:24,300 Hi , Selina , can you hear me now ? I 502 00:19:24,300 --> 00:19:26,589 can hear you now . Thank you for taking 503 00:19:26,599 --> 00:19:28,739 my question again . Um and read out 504 00:19:28,750 --> 00:19:30,861 from the phone call between Secretary 505 00:19:30,861 --> 00:19:32,583 Austin and , and Gallant . The 506 00:19:32,583 --> 00:19:34,859 secretary congratulated Mr Gallant on 507 00:19:34,869 --> 00:19:38,469 the rescue of four Israeli hostages an 508 00:19:38,479 --> 00:19:40,699 operation that health authorities in 509 00:19:40,729 --> 00:19:44,239 Gaza says resulted in the death of more 510 00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:47,050 than 270 Palestinians . Half of them 511 00:19:47,060 --> 00:19:49,380 are almost half of them are women and 512 00:19:49,390 --> 00:19:52,359 Children . Did the secretary uh discuss 513 00:19:52,369 --> 00:19:55,630 the um uh civilian casualties as a 514 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:57,807 result of this operation ? And if so , 515 00:19:57,807 --> 00:20:00,029 why wasn't it included in the readout ? 516 00:20:01,020 --> 00:20:03,400 Uh Thanks f for the question . Um The 517 00:20:03,410 --> 00:20:05,577 secretary , of course , it's something 518 00:20:05,577 --> 00:20:07,854 that is always on the top of our minds . 519 00:20:07,854 --> 00:20:09,854 Um Something that the secretary has 520 00:20:09,854 --> 00:20:12,650 brought up uh in various engagements 521 00:20:12,660 --> 00:20:14,900 with Mr Galan and other officials uh 522 00:20:14,910 --> 00:20:18,349 within the Israeli government . Um Of 523 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:20,137 course , we are , we are deeply 524 00:20:20,137 --> 00:20:22,680 concerned by some of the reports that 525 00:20:22,689 --> 00:20:24,745 we are seeing out of Gaza uh when it 526 00:20:24,745 --> 00:20:26,745 comes to civilian casualties . It's 527 00:20:26,745 --> 00:20:28,911 something that we're always very frank 528 00:20:28,911 --> 00:20:30,967 about whenever it's a call or um AAA 529 00:20:30,967 --> 00:20:33,000 private engagement or , or publicly 530 00:20:33,010 --> 00:20:34,954 from here . Um It's something that 531 00:20:34,954 --> 00:20:37,010 we're going continue to speak to the 532 00:20:37,010 --> 00:20:39,066 Israelis about . It's something that 533 00:20:39,066 --> 00:20:39,020 we're concerned about . Um , but I just 534 00:20:39,030 --> 00:20:41,141 don't have anything additional to add 535 00:20:41,141 --> 00:20:43,030 other than what we put out in the 536 00:20:43,030 --> 00:20:45,086 readout , uh , yesterday , which you 537 00:20:45,086 --> 00:20:47,270 referenced . Um , ok , Nancy . Uh , do 538 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,113 you know though if the secretary 539 00:20:49,113 --> 00:20:51,058 broached that specifically in , in 540 00:20:51,058 --> 00:20:53,224 yesterday's call , he talked about the 541 00:20:53,224 --> 00:20:55,280 operation broadly . I'm not gonna go 542 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:57,560 into more specifics of the call . Um It 543 00:20:57,569 --> 00:20:59,291 is a , it is , it was a pretty 544 00:20:59,291 --> 00:21:01,458 sensitive operation and we are glad to 545 00:21:01,458 --> 00:21:03,625 see the success of these four hostages 546 00:21:03,625 --> 00:21:05,902 that were returned home . Um , blanket . 547 00:21:05,902 --> 00:21:09,239 We are always concerned about the 548 00:21:09,250 --> 00:21:11,361 reports of civilian casualties coming 549 00:21:11,361 --> 00:21:13,528 out of Gaza . Um , it's something that 550 00:21:13,528 --> 00:21:15,639 he reiterates constantly in his calls 551 00:21:15,639 --> 00:21:18,030 with Minister Galant . Um , not just 552 00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:20,096 him but from other officials in this 553 00:21:20,096 --> 00:21:22,096 building . It's something that does 554 00:21:22,096 --> 00:21:24,151 come up routinely . Um I'm not gonna 555 00:21:24,151 --> 00:21:26,096 get into more specifics but , um , 556 00:21:26,096 --> 00:21:28,151 there were certainly questions about 557 00:21:28,151 --> 00:21:30,207 the operations that were , that were 558 00:21:30,207 --> 00:21:32,318 asked . Um , and I'm just gonna leave 559 00:21:32,318 --> 00:21:32,430 it at that . Ok , thanks everyone .