WEBVTT 00:04.250 --> 00:06.739 All right , good afternoon . Um Just a 00:06.750 --> 00:08.972 few things at the top and then happy to 00:08.972 --> 00:11.028 take your questions . This morning , 00:11.028 --> 00:13.194 Secretary Austin departed for Ramstein 00:13.194 --> 00:15.250 air Base in Germany to host the 24th 00:15.250 --> 00:17.417 meeting of the Ukraine defense contact 00:17.417 --> 00:19.194 group which convenes tomorrow . 00:19.194 --> 00:21.194 September 6th at Ramstein Secretary 00:21.194 --> 00:23.417 Austin and chairman of the Joint Chiefs 00:23.417 --> 00:25.472 of Staff General CQ Brown will bring 00:25.472 --> 00:27.361 together ministers of defense and 00:27.361 --> 00:29.528 senior military officials from some 50 00:29.528 --> 00:31.750 nations to ensure that Ukraine has what 00:31.750 --> 00:33.694 it needs to defend its people from 00:33.694 --> 00:35.694 Russian aggression . Some key focus 00:35.694 --> 00:37.583 areas of this U DC G will include 00:37.583 --> 00:39.417 bolstering Ukraine's air defense 00:39.417 --> 00:41.979 capabilities . Updates on the U DC GS 00:41.990 --> 00:44.150 capability coalitions to include the 00:44.159 --> 00:46.669 Air Force coalition and the energizing 00:46.680 --> 00:48.624 of the defense industrial bases of 00:48.624 --> 00:50.791 coalition nations to enable support to 00:50.791 --> 00:52.669 Ukraine for the long haul . As 00:52.680 --> 00:54.580 Secretary Austin has said Ukraine 00:54.590 --> 00:56.368 matters to us and international 00:56.368 --> 00:58.750 security and the efforts of the U DC G 00:58.759 --> 01:01.000 continue to play a vital role in 01:01.009 --> 01:03.120 Ukraine's fight for freedom and their 01:03.120 --> 01:05.580 sovereignty . Turning to our 01:05.589 --> 01:08.260 humanitarian efforts in Gaza , the MV , 01:08.269 --> 01:10.500 Cape Trinity completed its offload of 01:10.510 --> 01:12.399 approximately 6 million pounds of 01:12.400 --> 01:15.250 humanitarian aid in Ashdod over the 01:15.260 --> 01:17.427 next couple of days , the Cape Trinity 01:17.427 --> 01:19.538 will prepare for its trip back to the 01:19.538 --> 01:21.919 port of Beaumont in Texas . The 6 01:21.930 --> 01:23.986 million pounds of aid delivered this 01:23.986 --> 01:26.152 week brings the total aid delivered to 01:26.152 --> 01:28.374 the people of Gaza through the maritime 01:28.374 --> 01:30.660 and air corridors to more than 38 01:30.669 --> 01:33.260 million pounds . This effort represents 01:33.269 --> 01:35.213 the highest volume of humanitarian 01:35.213 --> 01:37.489 assistance the US military has ever 01:37.500 --> 01:39.222 delivered in the Middle East . 01:40.150 --> 01:42.550 Switching gears yesterday , Secretary 01:42.559 --> 01:44.781 Austin spoke by phone to his Philippine 01:44.781 --> 01:46.781 counterpart , Secretary of National 01:46.781 --> 01:49.529 Defense Teodoro . The two leaders 01:49.540 --> 01:51.599 discussed us Philippine defense ties 01:51.610 --> 01:53.277 following the productive US . 01:53.277 --> 01:55.332 Philippines two plus two ministerial 01:55.332 --> 01:58.129 dialogue in July . Secretary Austin 01:58.139 --> 02:00.699 also reaffirmed the ironclad commit us 02:00.709 --> 02:02.931 commitment to the Philippines following 02:02.931 --> 02:05.370 recent dangerous and escalatory actions 02:05.550 --> 02:07.439 by the People's Republic of China 02:07.459 --> 02:09.789 against lawful Philippine maritime 02:09.800 --> 02:11.800 operations in the South China Sea . 02:12.009 --> 02:14.231 Both officials discussed the importance 02:14.231 --> 02:16.453 of preserving the rights of all nations 02:16.453 --> 02:18.398 to fly sail and operate safely and 02:18.398 --> 02:21.009 responsibly wherever international law 02:21.020 --> 02:24.479 allows and a readout of the call um has 02:24.490 --> 02:27.309 been posted to defense.gov . And 02:27.320 --> 02:29.487 finally , I'd like to take a moment to 02:29.487 --> 02:31.487 acknowledge the recent and untimely 02:31.487 --> 02:33.653 passing of Tom Scout , a former member 02:33.653 --> 02:35.820 of the Pentagon Press Corps family and 02:35.820 --> 02:37.542 a dedicated journalist , press 02:37.542 --> 02:39.598 colleagues will remember him for his 02:39.598 --> 02:41.376 birthday wishes , breakfast and 02:41.376 --> 02:43.431 lunchtime morsels and press briefing 02:43.431 --> 02:45.487 bingo on behalf of the Department of 02:45.487 --> 02:47.598 Defense and Os D Public Affairs . I'd 02:47.598 --> 02:49.764 like to extend our deepest condolences 02:49.764 --> 02:51.820 to his family and his two Children , 02:51.820 --> 02:51.610 his friends , his press colleagues , 02:51.619 --> 02:53.675 and his loved ones . And with that , 02:53.675 --> 02:55.897 I'd be happy to take your questions . I 02:55.897 --> 02:57.841 believe we have a P joining us via 02:57.841 --> 02:59.786 phone . So I'll start with uh Lita 02:59.786 --> 03:02.389 Baldur A P . Thanks Sabrina . Um The 03:02.580 --> 03:05.889 question on Secretary Del Toro . Uh The 03:05.899 --> 03:07.899 Office of Special Counsel has found 03:07.899 --> 03:10.240 that he violated the Hatch Act . Uh 03:10.250 --> 03:12.139 Does the secretary or do I have a 03:12.139 --> 03:15.300 comment on that ? Particularly since 03:15.309 --> 03:17.531 the secretary has often talked about uh 03:17.531 --> 03:20.179 us uh about how troops should not be , 03:20.190 --> 03:22.649 get involved in politics ? And then , 03:22.660 --> 03:25.050 uh secondly , uh do you have an update 03:25.059 --> 03:27.170 on the sailor that's been detained in 03:27.170 --> 03:29.281 Venezuela ? Thank you . Thanks Lita . 03:29.281 --> 03:31.880 I'll take your , I'll , I'll take um uh 03:31.889 --> 03:35.039 the , your first questions first . Um 03:35.190 --> 03:37.570 So , uh in terms of the Office of 03:37.580 --> 03:39.636 Special Counsel Report that you just 03:39.636 --> 03:41.899 referenced , um we just were made aware 03:41.910 --> 03:44.132 of the report , so it's currently being 03:44.132 --> 03:46.979 reviewed . Um But what I can say on 03:46.990 --> 03:49.039 this issue , um or , or broadly 03:49.050 --> 03:52.179 speaking is um earlier this year , uh 03:52.190 --> 03:54.820 Deputy Secretary Hicks signed out a 03:54.830 --> 03:57.759 memo that was sent to senior leadership 03:57.770 --> 04:00.080 in the department . Um And it stressed 04:00.089 --> 04:02.320 the importance of complying with 04:02.330 --> 04:05.169 federal law and dod policy that 04:05.320 --> 04:07.690 addresses um participation when it 04:07.699 --> 04:09.770 comes to the political process um by 04:09.779 --> 04:12.190 dod military and civilian personnel . 04:12.479 --> 04:14.660 Um And in the memo , you know , it 04:14.669 --> 04:17.179 talks about the , the right and , and 04:17.190 --> 04:19.619 uh the , the right to exercise our 04:19.630 --> 04:21.463 right to vote and participate in 04:21.463 --> 04:23.463 government . But it also highlights 04:23.463 --> 04:26.290 that as public servants , we uphold dod 04:26.299 --> 04:28.619 s long standing tradition of remaining 04:28.630 --> 04:30.570 a political as we carry out our 04:30.579 --> 04:34.420 responsibilities . Um And so just to 04:34.429 --> 04:36.970 emphasize on that , um you know , it's , 04:36.980 --> 04:38.980 it's important that we maintain the 04:38.989 --> 04:41.045 trust and confidence of the American 04:41.045 --> 04:43.329 people , uh which requires us to avoid 04:43.339 --> 04:46.390 any action that could imply the support 04:46.399 --> 04:49.750 of any political party candidate or 04:49.760 --> 04:52.959 campaign . Um So I'll leave it at that . 04:52.970 --> 04:55.739 Um In terms of your second question um 04:55.750 --> 04:58.760 on the US sailor in Venezuela , I , I 04:58.769 --> 05:01.320 don't have more other than to confirm 05:01.329 --> 05:03.510 that um A US sailor was detained in 05:03.519 --> 05:07.100 Venezuela um around August 30th by um 05:07.109 --> 05:09.359 Venezuelan enforcement authorities 05:09.369 --> 05:12.029 while on personal travel . Um The US 05:12.040 --> 05:13.929 Navy is looking into this , we're 05:13.929 --> 05:16.151 working with the state Department , but 05:16.151 --> 05:15.940 at this time , I just don't have more 05:15.950 --> 05:18.172 for you . Um All right , I'll come back 05:18.172 --> 05:22.000 in the room here . Um 05:22.019 --> 05:23.908 Do you have an update on how many 05:23.908 --> 05:26.241 forces are currently in the Middle East ? 05:26.241 --> 05:28.408 I know it's 40,000 or so . Um And just 05:28.408 --> 05:31.410 following on to that , how long do you 05:31.420 --> 05:33.760 think you can keep the additional 05:33.769 --> 05:36.399 squadron that was sent there ? Um sort 05:36.410 --> 05:38.354 of in an efficient and sustainable 05:38.354 --> 05:40.521 manner . Is that something you plan on 05:40.521 --> 05:42.743 having there for the foreseeable future 05:42.743 --> 05:42.339 or is there an end date sort of thing ? 05:42.609 --> 05:44.831 So , in terms of the actual numbers , I 05:44.831 --> 05:46.831 don't have more to provide than the 05:46.831 --> 05:49.053 first 3000 that I think we had provided 05:49.053 --> 05:50.998 um maybe a week or two ago . Um in 05:50.998 --> 05:53.165 terms of any force posture movements , 05:53.165 --> 05:55.220 I don't have anything to announce at 05:55.220 --> 05:57.442 this time . But as you know , and , and 05:57.442 --> 05:59.665 as a general writer , I think , briefed 05:59.665 --> 06:01.887 a few weeks ago , the tr was extended , 06:01.887 --> 06:03.887 um eventually , you know , as we do 06:03.887 --> 06:05.887 with all carriers or um rotations , 06:05.887 --> 06:07.887 there will be , um , you know , she 06:07.887 --> 06:10.109 will eventually leave the A or um , but 06:10.109 --> 06:12.053 nothing to announce at this time , 06:12.053 --> 06:14.220 there's still two carriers that remain 06:14.220 --> 06:16.109 in the um central command area of 06:16.109 --> 06:15.700 responsibility . And of course , we 06:15.709 --> 06:17.910 have um the arg me in the Eastern met 06:17.920 --> 06:19.976 along with , you know , a company of 06:19.976 --> 06:21.976 destroyers as well , just switching 06:21.976 --> 06:24.334 topics that the , um the ship that's on 06:24.345 --> 06:26.567 fire that was attacked by the Houthis . 06:26.567 --> 06:28.678 Is there any plan for the US military 06:28.678 --> 06:30.845 to help salvage it ? Given that I know 06:30.845 --> 06:30.674 you've talked about sort of the 06:30.684 --> 06:33.214 potential environmental disaster if the 06:33.225 --> 06:35.447 oil that it's carrying starts leaking . 06:35.940 --> 06:39.000 So my understanding is that um the , 06:39.010 --> 06:41.600 you're , and you're referring to the MV . 06:41.609 --> 06:44.730 So Union that's still on fire . So for 06:44.739 --> 06:46.850 an update , she still sits completely 06:46.850 --> 06:49.250 immobilized within the Red Sea , um 06:49.260 --> 06:52.829 still posing uh an environmental uh 06:52.989 --> 06:55.440 potentially catastrophic environmental 06:55.450 --> 06:58.029 disaster and a navigational hazard . Um 06:58.040 --> 07:00.839 She still remains on fire . Um My 07:00.850 --> 07:03.480 understanding is that um the company of 07:03.489 --> 07:06.320 the So Union has contracted tug boats 07:06.329 --> 07:09.320 to go out there and to conduct , you 07:09.329 --> 07:12.880 know , fire operations and to try and 07:12.890 --> 07:15.720 salvage the vessel itself . Um 07:16.950 --> 07:19.117 Those efforts have not been successful 07:19.117 --> 07:20.839 mainly because of the security 07:20.839 --> 07:22.950 environment . The Houthis continue to 07:22.950 --> 07:25.117 fire , um you know , missiles , drones 07:25.117 --> 07:28.260 towards shipping in the Red Sea . Um 07:28.269 --> 07:30.491 And they have threatened tug boats that 07:30.491 --> 07:32.547 went out for salvage opportunities , 07:32.547 --> 07:34.713 they have threatened them . Um So they 07:34.713 --> 07:36.880 did have to turn away . So right now , 07:36.880 --> 07:39.047 the ship still remains on fire . There 07:39.047 --> 07:41.410 have been no recovery um successful 07:41.420 --> 07:45.049 attempts yet . Um The US Navy 07:45.059 --> 07:47.115 is standing by to assist . But right 07:47.115 --> 07:49.281 now , I'm told that this is being done 07:49.281 --> 07:51.392 through private means . Janie , thank 07:51.529 --> 07:55.170 you on Ukraine and South 07:55.179 --> 07:58.510 Korea . Ukraine , President Jelinski 07:58.519 --> 08:01.279 said that that if the United States 08:01.290 --> 08:04.320 authorize the use of long range 08:04.329 --> 08:07.600 missiles , Ukraine could easily defeat 08:07.609 --> 08:11.510 Russia . So why is the United States 08:11.519 --> 08:15.350 reluctant to allow Ukraine to use 08:15.450 --> 08:18.640 long range weapons ? So thanks Jenny 08:18.649 --> 08:21.290 for the question . Our intelligence 08:21.299 --> 08:25.179 assessors that um 90% of 08:25.190 --> 08:28.079 Russian aircraft launching the glide 08:28.089 --> 08:30.649 bombs and the firing missiles against 08:30.660 --> 08:34.369 Ukraine are at airfields that are 08:34.729 --> 08:37.260 300 kilometers away from Ukrainian 08:37.270 --> 08:40.284 controlled terror . Um So these 08:40.294 --> 08:42.405 airfields now put that out of attacks 08:42.405 --> 08:45.544 range . Um So attacks would not be able 08:45.554 --> 08:47.887 to reach these airfields . So therefore , 08:47.887 --> 08:50.724 the challenges posed by these glide 08:50.734 --> 08:52.645 bombs , um you know , would still 08:52.655 --> 08:56.590 remain . Um and even if Ukraine 08:56.599 --> 08:58.830 were to use attacks against the very 08:58.840 --> 09:01.119 small percentage that of the airfields 09:01.130 --> 09:03.019 that remain in range . We've seen 09:03.019 --> 09:05.019 Russian , the Russian military move 09:05.019 --> 09:07.340 those airfields back . So again , the 09:07.349 --> 09:09.516 impact would be very little and a very 09:09.516 --> 09:11.571 little strategic value . And you had 09:11.571 --> 09:13.859 another question . Thank you . And does 09:13.869 --> 09:17.700 the United States still want South 09:17.710 --> 09:21.619 Korea to provide additional weapons 09:22.119 --> 09:25.299 including 155 millimeter ? I 09:25.909 --> 09:28.049 said , I think we've been very clear 09:28.059 --> 09:30.770 with all partners and allies all around 09:30.780 --> 09:32.979 the world willing and able to provide 09:33.630 --> 09:35.352 military assistance to Ukraine 09:35.352 --> 09:37.574 including 155 millimeter rounds that we 09:37.574 --> 09:39.686 know they desperately need um to , to 09:39.686 --> 09:42.260 help Ukraine in their fight . Um I 09:42.270 --> 09:44.437 won't speak for other nations and what 09:44.437 --> 09:46.739 they're providing . Um But as I 09:46.750 --> 09:48.820 mentioned at the top , uh you know , 09:48.830 --> 09:51.539 there is a U DC G tomorrow . Um Air 09:51.549 --> 09:53.716 Defense is one of the many topics that 09:53.716 --> 09:55.938 is going to come up at that U DC G . Uh 09:55.938 --> 09:58.105 We know a priority for Ukraine is says 09:58.105 --> 10:00.059 155 millimeter round . So whatever 10:00.070 --> 10:02.380 other nations can provide , uh would 10:02.390 --> 10:04.446 certainly be welcome to Ukraine . Uh 10:04.446 --> 10:06.446 I'm gonna go to the phones and then 10:06.446 --> 10:08.668 come back in the room , Jeff Shool task 10:08.668 --> 10:10.723 and purpose . Uh Thank you . There's 10:10.723 --> 10:12.668 been a lot of information recently 10:12.668 --> 10:14.834 about Russian influence operations . I 10:14.834 --> 10:16.946 was just checking . Has Kevin Costner 10:16.946 --> 10:19.090 been in the Pentagon recently ? You 10:19.099 --> 10:21.099 know , Jeff , not to my knowledge . 10:21.099 --> 10:23.320 Next question goes to Carla Bab vo A 10:24.460 --> 10:26.627 hey , thanks for doing this . That's a 10:26.627 --> 10:28.849 great question to follow . Um I want to 10:28.849 --> 10:31.127 go back to Ukraine at the current pace . 10:31.127 --> 10:33.710 Um that the US is providing Ukraine aid 10:33.719 --> 10:37.219 under the PD A . It looks like about $6 10:37.229 --> 10:39.451 billion in authority is going to expire 10:39.451 --> 10:41.507 unused at the end of this month . Fy 10:41.507 --> 10:43.451 2024 . Could you give us some more 10:43.451 --> 10:45.673 clarity about what's going to happen to 10:45.673 --> 10:47.673 that money after September ? And is 10:47.673 --> 10:49.618 there any intention to extend that 10:49.618 --> 10:51.785 authority or to ask Congress to extend 10:51.785 --> 10:53.729 that authority so that Ukraine can 10:53.729 --> 10:55.673 continue receiving PD A packages ? 10:55.673 --> 10:57.785 Thanks Carla for the question . So as 10:57.785 --> 10:59.785 you know , we worked very hard with 10:59.785 --> 11:01.840 Congress to secure that supplemental 11:01.840 --> 11:03.729 and to allocate that money uh for 11:03.729 --> 11:05.840 Ukraine for these PD A packages . And 11:05.840 --> 11:08.419 USA is um I don't have anything to 11:08.429 --> 11:11.169 preview on , you know , our , what that 11:11.179 --> 11:13.590 means for the , the rest of the amounts 11:13.599 --> 11:15.766 that are left . What I can tell you is 11:15.766 --> 11:17.710 you've seen us do this almost on a 11:17.710 --> 11:20.049 weekly basis . We continue to roll out 11:20.270 --> 11:22.214 and announce presidential drawdown 11:22.214 --> 11:24.969 packages that vary in size . Um But we 11:24.979 --> 11:26.979 continue to do that on a consistent 11:26.979 --> 11:30.390 basis . I have no doubt that we are 11:30.400 --> 11:32.511 going to use everything we can that's 11:32.511 --> 11:34.650 available to us to make sure that we 11:34.659 --> 11:36.826 are continuing to provide Ukraine what 11:36.826 --> 11:39.048 it needs both in the short term and the 11:39.048 --> 11:41.929 long term . The president has said it 11:41.940 --> 11:43.996 before the secretary has said it and 11:43.996 --> 11:46.354 you'll hear him say it again . We're in 11:46.364 --> 11:48.815 this fight with Ukraine , uh for the 11:48.825 --> 11:50.936 long haul . We are standing with them 11:50.936 --> 11:53.158 for what they need on the battlefield . 11:53.158 --> 11:55.381 Uh Both in the long and short term . So 11:55.381 --> 11:57.325 you're going to see us make use of 11:57.325 --> 11:59.603 those funds . Um , in any way possible , 11:59.603 --> 12:01.714 I'll take one more from the phone and 12:01.714 --> 12:01.174 then I'm happy to come back in the room . 12:01.375 --> 12:04.820 Uh Heather us and I uh thanks so 12:04.830 --> 12:07.609 much , um , with the houthis in the , 12:07.619 --> 12:10.229 in the Red Sea . Um Are , are you guys 12:10.239 --> 12:12.239 noticing in any kind of uptick ? It 12:12.239 --> 12:14.128 seemed like they were quiet for a 12:14.128 --> 12:15.906 little bit and then now they're 12:15.906 --> 12:17.850 attacking um multiple tankers . Is 12:17.850 --> 12:21.090 there any um intel , anything that you 12:21.099 --> 12:23.043 can say about what might have been 12:23.043 --> 12:24.932 causing this most recent uptick ? 12:25.059 --> 12:27.460 Thanks Heather . So we've seen this 12:27.570 --> 12:29.669 pattern sort of happen over the last 12:29.679 --> 12:31.679 few months or , or since the attack 12:31.679 --> 12:34.012 started . Uh There is a series of waves , 12:34.012 --> 12:36.235 then they , then , then there's a pause 12:36.235 --> 12:38.235 and there are waves again . I can't 12:38.235 --> 12:40.346 speak to the strategy behind that . I 12:40.346 --> 12:42.568 can only speak to what we as the United 12:42.568 --> 12:41.849 States military are doing with our 12:41.859 --> 12:44.239 partners and allies . Um And , and of 12:44.250 --> 12:46.194 course , you're very familiar with 12:46.194 --> 12:48.417 operation Prosperity Guardian , and the 12:48.417 --> 12:50.559 fact that we continue to ensure that 12:50.570 --> 12:52.570 those shipping lanes remain open to 12:52.570 --> 12:54.719 ensure that um freedom of navigation 12:54.729 --> 12:57.729 can occur in the Red Sea . Um But 12:57.859 --> 12:59.803 you're seeing what the Houthis are 12:59.803 --> 13:02.059 doing on a day to day basis um , 13:02.070 --> 13:05.299 they've set on fire a , a oil tanker 13:05.309 --> 13:07.950 carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil . 13:08.039 --> 13:10.039 Um , I don't need to explain to you 13:10.039 --> 13:12.039 what kind type of damage that could 13:12.039 --> 13:14.261 cause , um , to an environment like the 13:14.261 --> 13:16.095 Red Sea . Um , you know , you're 13:16.095 --> 13:18.206 talking major ecological systems that 13:18.206 --> 13:20.372 could be destroyed . Um , so , while I 13:20.372 --> 13:22.428 can't speak to their tactics , I can 13:22.428 --> 13:24.706 speak to the fact that they're causing , 13:24.706 --> 13:26.595 um , environmental and economical 13:26.595 --> 13:28.539 disasters . Right , right in their 13:28.539 --> 13:30.706 backyard . Leave it at that . Yeah , I 13:30.706 --> 13:32.817 think it's Sabrina in light of Middle 13:32.817 --> 13:34.770 East tensions . Does the Pentagon 13:34.780 --> 13:37.750 support a United Nations led military 13:37.760 --> 13:40.200 peacekeeping force in Gaza , West Bank 13:40.210 --> 13:42.432 and throughout Israel and have a follow 13:42.432 --> 13:44.543 up . So I don't have anything for you 13:44.543 --> 13:46.543 on that . Um The president has been 13:46.543 --> 13:48.710 pretty clear that there will not be us 13:48.710 --> 13:50.766 boots on the ground in Gaza , but in 13:50.766 --> 13:52.821 terms of um you know , the ceasefire 13:52.821 --> 13:54.821 deal , uh that's something that the 13:54.821 --> 13:56.932 United States is working very closely 13:56.932 --> 13:59.154 on , um with our partners and allies in 13:59.154 --> 14:01.377 the region that would include some type 14:01.377 --> 14:05.059 of , you know , uh peacekeeping force . 14:05.070 --> 14:07.237 But I don't anticipate that that would 14:07.237 --> 14:09.570 include us military boots on the ground . 14:09.570 --> 14:11.514 Well , in light of Hamas using the 14:11.514 --> 14:13.348 Philadelphia Corridor in Gaza to 14:13.348 --> 14:15.292 smuggle in weapons and potentially 14:15.292 --> 14:17.859 smuggle out Israeli hostages into the 14:17.869 --> 14:20.099 Sinai Sinai Desert . It's according to 14:20.109 --> 14:22.220 the Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu , 14:22.220 --> 14:25.030 what is the Pentagon's perspective on 14:25.039 --> 14:28.260 the strategic military significance of 14:28.270 --> 14:31.280 the Philadelphia Corridor ? I think you 14:31.289 --> 14:33.345 just mentioned some of the strategic 14:33.345 --> 14:35.178 significance of the Philadelphia 14:35.178 --> 14:37.345 Corridor . But I'd really refer you to 14:37.345 --> 14:39.729 the Israelis to speak to that . Um You 14:39.739 --> 14:41.628 know , we know that there are are 14:41.628 --> 14:43.517 tunnels under that corridor . But 14:43.517 --> 14:45.628 ultimately , what we want to see here 14:45.628 --> 14:48.770 is um a ceasefire deal put into place 14:48.780 --> 14:51.549 that allows um hostages to come home to 14:51.559 --> 14:53.559 their families . It's almost been a 14:53.559 --> 14:56.140 year now . Um But I refer you to the 14:56.150 --> 14:57.817 Israelis to speak more to the 14:57.817 --> 15:00.599 significance of that Fadi that 15:00.609 --> 15:02.720 knowledge of the existence of tunnels 15:02.729 --> 15:05.140 underneath Philadelphia corridor . The 15:05.150 --> 15:08.070 Egyptians deny the existence of these 15:08.080 --> 15:10.750 tunnels . Can you share more about what 15:10.760 --> 15:12.927 you know about these tunnels ? I don't 15:12.927 --> 15:14.982 have more to provide other than what 15:14.982 --> 15:17.093 you know , is , is I I mean , I'm not 15:17.093 --> 15:18.649 going to be able to do it . 15:18.649 --> 15:20.649 Unfortunately , an intel assessment 15:20.649 --> 15:22.593 from here . Um I would say broadly 15:22.593 --> 15:22.219 speaking , we know that there are 15:22.229 --> 15:24.950 tunnels on that border . Um And in that 15:24.960 --> 15:27.238 corridor that have allowed in the past , 15:27.238 --> 15:29.950 um you know , a movement of weapons 15:29.960 --> 15:33.690 shipments into Gaza . Um Again , what 15:33.700 --> 15:35.867 we want to see and what we are focused 15:35.867 --> 15:38.700 on as you know , is bringing home and 15:38.710 --> 15:41.130 making sure that we can get into place 15:41.460 --> 15:43.516 um a ceasefire deal that also allows 15:43.516 --> 15:45.738 the hostages to return home . What is , 15:45.738 --> 15:49.090 what does uh you said broadly is this 15:49.099 --> 15:52.900 based on recent intelligence or Israeli ? 15:52.909 --> 15:56.440 I don't know , sharing information . I 15:56.450 --> 15:58.617 wish I could get into more specifics . 15:58.617 --> 16:00.728 I just won't be able to get into that 16:00.728 --> 16:02.894 from here . But um I'm just gonna have 16:02.894 --> 16:05.061 to leave it at that asking about the , 16:05.061 --> 16:05.030 the , the type of intelligence . But 16:05.039 --> 16:07.479 when you make such a claim that there 16:07.489 --> 16:09.711 are tunnels underneath the Philadelphia 16:09.711 --> 16:13.059 Corridor , while Egypt is denying that , 16:13.929 --> 16:16.429 uh I think um 16:17.729 --> 16:19.785 some explanation is warranted here . 16:20.659 --> 16:22.715 Appreciate the question Friday , but 16:22.715 --> 16:24.826 I'm just not going to have more . I'd 16:24.826 --> 16:26.992 have to refer you to the Egyptians and 16:26.992 --> 16:29.215 the Israelis to speak more to that . Um 16:29.215 --> 16:28.760 What I can tell you is what we've seen 16:28.770 --> 16:31.030 in the past . Um But I'm just not gonna 16:31.039 --> 16:32.928 be able to , to get into any more 16:32.928 --> 16:35.039 details from here . When was the last 16:35.039 --> 16:36.539 time you ? Yeah , I just , 16:36.609 --> 16:38.553 unfortunately , I know this is not 16:38.553 --> 16:40.665 going to be a satisfactory answer for 16:40.665 --> 16:40.559 you . I'm just not going to be able to 16:40.570 --> 16:43.859 provide more specifics . Yeah , going 16:43.869 --> 16:46.099 back to American restrictions on 16:46.109 --> 16:49.469 Ukraine's usage . Um You say that the 16:49.479 --> 16:51.760 prime targets inside Russia are outside 16:51.770 --> 16:54.880 the range of attacks ? Um So then 16:54.890 --> 16:56.446 what's the purpose of these 16:56.446 --> 16:58.557 restrictions being in place ? Is this 16:58.557 --> 17:00.723 to , you know , protect the Ukrainians 17:00.723 --> 17:02.723 from themselves from you think they 17:02.723 --> 17:04.834 would otherwise squander , you know , 17:04.834 --> 17:06.946 their limited attacks or is it a fear 17:06.946 --> 17:09.057 of escalation or can you explain what 17:09.057 --> 17:11.390 the thinking is there ? Yeah . You know , 17:11.390 --> 17:13.612 I think it's , it's a little bit of all 17:13.612 --> 17:15.279 of those things . I think the 17:15.279 --> 17:17.501 Ukrainians in terms of you know , their 17:17.501 --> 17:19.612 own decision making . They are , they 17:19.612 --> 17:19.459 have proven themselves on the 17:19.469 --> 17:21.469 battlefield just from , at the very 17:21.469 --> 17:23.525 beginning of the war . I think , you 17:23.525 --> 17:25.747 know , there were many people reporting 17:25.747 --> 17:27.913 at the time that , you know , Kiev was 17:27.913 --> 17:30.136 destined to fall within days and then , 17:30.136 --> 17:29.979 you know , it was weeks later , months 17:29.989 --> 17:31.933 later . And now we're talking many 17:31.933 --> 17:33.989 years into this war . We've seen the 17:33.989 --> 17:36.045 prowess of the Ukrainian military on 17:36.045 --> 17:37.878 the battlefield . So they , they 17:37.878 --> 17:37.729 certainly know how to make their own 17:37.739 --> 17:40.160 decisions when it comes to , um 17:40.170 --> 17:42.400 employing these types of weapons and 17:42.410 --> 17:45.349 munitions on the battlefield . There is 17:45.359 --> 17:48.349 a limited number of attacks . Um It is 17:48.359 --> 17:50.470 not there , there is not an abundance 17:50.470 --> 17:52.609 of these long range type of , of uh 17:52.619 --> 17:56.040 capabilities . Um And of course , one 17:56.050 --> 17:58.217 thing that we're always assessing is , 17:58.217 --> 18:00.439 is escalation and that's something that 18:00.439 --> 18:00.189 we've been very clear about from the 18:00.199 --> 18:02.199 beginning . Um So it's a bit of all 18:02.199 --> 18:04.366 those things knitted together . Um But 18:04.366 --> 18:06.588 they have been very successful in using 18:06.588 --> 18:08.421 these attacks to take back their 18:08.421 --> 18:10.532 territory in the south and the east . 18:10.532 --> 18:12.589 Um And we believe that they have the 18:13.819 --> 18:15.819 capabilities and being able to knit 18:15.819 --> 18:17.986 those together on the battlefield . Um 18:17.986 --> 18:19.930 You know , they do have AAA really 18:20.250 --> 18:22.839 significant challenge in the east and 18:22.849 --> 18:25.040 um being able to direct some of the 18:25.050 --> 18:27.359 firepower that they have that direction 18:27.369 --> 18:29.369 is um what we continue to work with 18:29.369 --> 18:31.439 them on the idea of loosening 18:31.449 --> 18:33.282 restrictions possibly come up in 18:33.282 --> 18:36.459 tomorrow's contact group talks . I 18:36.469 --> 18:39.109 can't predict the future . Um um I'm 18:39.119 --> 18:41.341 sure , you know , the uh there's been a 18:41.341 --> 18:43.341 lot of conversations about that but 18:43.341 --> 18:45.230 right now there's no change to us 18:45.230 --> 18:47.452 policy . Yeah , no one . I'm sorry if I 18:47.452 --> 18:49.563 missed this . But the posture changes 18:49.563 --> 18:51.508 from Russia to move its assets for 18:51.508 --> 18:53.563 glide bombs beyond the 300 kilometer 18:53.563 --> 18:55.730 range was that made after May when the 18:55.730 --> 18:57.897 initial restrictions were loosened for 18:57.897 --> 18:59.897 Ukraine from the US . When did that 18:59.897 --> 19:02.063 occur ? I don't know when they started 19:02.063 --> 19:04.286 moving that . Um But all I can tell you 19:04.286 --> 19:06.341 is that we know that there have been 19:06.341 --> 19:09.150 airfields uh positioned outside of the 19:09.160 --> 19:12.219 the attacks range and secondarily on uh 19:12.229 --> 19:14.173 the delivery of the last 6 million 19:14.173 --> 19:16.173 pounds of aid . Does that then mean 19:16.173 --> 19:18.396 that the remaining J Lots personnel who 19:18.396 --> 19:20.451 were there in the region will now be 19:20.451 --> 19:22.673 heading directly home or are they still 19:22.673 --> 19:22.000 waiting on other parts of the mission ? 19:22.290 --> 19:24.512 Uh to my knowledge , the only remaining 19:24.512 --> 19:26.568 part and component of the J Lots was 19:26.568 --> 19:28.568 that Cape Trinity ? So they will be 19:28.568 --> 19:30.790 heading home . Um I'm not tracking that 19:30.790 --> 19:32.957 there are any other uh remaining parts 19:32.957 --> 19:35.920 or pieces uh you know , associated with 19:35.930 --> 19:37.763 J LO or personnel , I should say 19:37.763 --> 19:39.819 associated with J Lots still left in 19:39.819 --> 19:42.469 the region . Yes . In the back on 19:42.479 --> 19:46.099 second of September 2 US , security 19:46.109 --> 19:48.220 personnel were attacked by a group of 19:48.220 --> 19:51.229 15 people in Turkey . Those people 19:51.239 --> 19:54.579 belong to Nationalist Party . Of Turkey . 19:54.670 --> 19:56.910 How concerning is this for the United 19:56.920 --> 19:59.359 States such exposure of us military 19:59.369 --> 20:02.670 person personnel to such kind of 20:02.680 --> 20:05.180 nationalist group in terms of security 20:05.189 --> 20:07.390 of the US security persons abroad . 20:08.819 --> 20:10.875 So I , I don't have much more to add 20:10.875 --> 20:12.875 than to what General Ryder spoke to 20:12.875 --> 20:15.369 earlier this week . Um You know , I , I 20:15.380 --> 20:16.959 think it should tremendous 20:16.969 --> 20:20.079 professionalism um on , on the part of 20:20.089 --> 20:22.200 our marines that , that were attacked 20:22.200 --> 20:24.680 there . Um You know , we fully support 20:24.689 --> 20:26.633 the local police looking into this 20:26.633 --> 20:28.522 incident . Um I believe the naval 20:28.522 --> 20:30.522 criminal investigative services are 20:30.522 --> 20:32.245 also cooperating with lo local 20:32.245 --> 20:34.400 authorities on this incident . Um So 20:34.410 --> 20:36.577 we're happy that everyone is safe that 20:36.577 --> 20:40.189 everyone um is back on , on that . Um m 20:40.689 --> 20:44.219 um on the AM but again , I just don't 20:44.229 --> 20:46.229 have more to add as it's an ongoing 20:46.229 --> 20:48.396 investigation with local authorities . 20:48.396 --> 20:50.396 Great . Yes . In the back , a quick 20:50.396 --> 20:52.719 question on uh first uh Armenian 20:52.729 --> 20:55.810 American military drills that were held 20:55.819 --> 20:58.880 recently in Armenia Eagle partner 2024 . 20:58.890 --> 21:00.668 I was wondering if you have any 21:00.668 --> 21:02.834 comments on these drills and in a more 21:02.834 --> 21:05.057 broader context about the current stage 21:05.057 --> 21:07.223 of military cooper with the country of 21:07.223 --> 21:09.557 Armenia or the perspectives . I'm sorry , 21:09.557 --> 21:11.723 I don't , I'm not aware of the drill , 21:11.723 --> 21:13.779 so I don't have anything to offer on 21:13.779 --> 21:15.946 this one . Uh I , I would refer you to 21:15.946 --> 21:18.112 the cocom . I just don't have anything 21:18.112 --> 21:20.057 more to add Constantine . Thanks , 21:20.057 --> 21:22.168 Sabrina . Um Going back to the sailor 21:22.168 --> 21:24.459 in Venezuela . Um Just so the last time 21:24.520 --> 21:26.298 a US service member was sort of 21:26.298 --> 21:28.353 detained or connected with Venezuela 21:28.353 --> 21:30.500 was Jordan Goodreau who was a special 21:30.510 --> 21:32.566 forces operator looking to basically 21:32.566 --> 21:34.939 lead a small coup . Um Are there any 21:34.949 --> 21:37.719 concerns that this is this sailor being 21:37.729 --> 21:40.140 detained as part of something more 21:40.150 --> 21:43.119 significant deeper ? I I 21:44.260 --> 21:46.689 not going to speculate but I , I don't 21:46.699 --> 21:48.920 think so . Um That being said , you 21:48.930 --> 21:51.160 know , I have very little details . Um 21:51.170 --> 21:53.709 as this sailor was on personal travel 21:53.719 --> 21:55.979 to Venezuela , um this wasn't something 21:55.989 --> 21:58.100 that was authorized and as you know , 21:58.100 --> 22:00.045 um the State Department recommends 22:00.045 --> 22:02.224 against traveling there . Um So , you 22:02.234 --> 22:04.494 know , the , the US Navy working 22:04.505 --> 22:06.616 closely with the State Department , I 22:06.616 --> 22:08.616 have very little details um on this 22:08.616 --> 22:10.783 incident . Um Of course , we'd like to 22:10.783 --> 22:12.727 see the sailor returned home , but 22:12.727 --> 22:14.672 again , I'd refer you to the State 22:14.672 --> 22:16.727 Department for any , for any further 22:16.727 --> 22:16.625 questions and of course , don't want to 22:16.635 --> 22:18.746 go down the rabbit hole speculating . 22:18.746 --> 22:20.968 Yeah . Yes , we'll go in this round . I 22:20.968 --> 22:23.260 have a question about if you can talk a 22:23.270 --> 22:25.560 little bit more about the presence of 22:25.569 --> 22:29.479 the US militaries um off the coast of 22:29.489 --> 22:31.600 Israel , you know , the two ships and 22:31.600 --> 22:33.800 still if the submarine is still there 22:34.199 --> 22:36.270 and um if you can talk a little bit 22:36.280 --> 22:38.502 more about the presence of the military 22:38.502 --> 22:40.449 and if um there is some sort of 22:40.459 --> 22:43.689 coordinating with some European forces 22:43.699 --> 22:46.880 to support the US in case of 22:46.890 --> 22:48.890 escalation and then I have a second 22:48.890 --> 22:51.170 question about Ukraine . Ok . Um So 22:51.180 --> 22:53.013 nothing has changed in our force 22:53.013 --> 22:55.530 posture uh in the Eastern Mediterranean . 22:55.619 --> 22:58.109 Um The US S Georgia is still in the 22:58.229 --> 23:01.839 Ucom area of responsibility . Um We 23:01.849 --> 23:03.905 still have our destroyers , we still 23:03.905 --> 23:07.380 have um the ar that's there . Um It's , 23:07.670 --> 23:09.892 I would say still sending a very strong 23:09.892 --> 23:12.180 message of deterrence in the region and 23:12.189 --> 23:15.650 also , you know , should Israel uh 23:16.050 --> 23:18.161 come under attack ? That's what the , 23:18.161 --> 23:20.328 that that force posture is there to do 23:20.328 --> 23:22.439 is to help defend Israel . Um if they 23:22.439 --> 23:24.661 were to be attacked , like they were on 23:24.661 --> 23:26.717 April 13th . Um but I don't have any 23:26.717 --> 23:28.606 changes to announce for our force 23:28.606 --> 23:30.770 posture . Are you guys asking for any 23:30.780 --> 23:32.613 support from the , let's say the 23:32.613 --> 23:35.050 Italian new South of European forces 23:35.849 --> 23:39.329 forces like um to be to support the 23:39.339 --> 23:41.770 American ships . And you know , like 23:41.780 --> 23:45.479 having like European militaries also in 23:45.489 --> 23:47.650 the , in the region , supporting the 23:47.660 --> 23:49.382 Americans , not being only the 23:49.382 --> 23:51.382 Americans taking care of the area . 23:51.382 --> 23:53.549 We're always working with our partners 23:53.549 --> 23:55.771 and allies in the region . It is uh you 23:55.771 --> 23:58.104 know , the in the Eastern Mediterranean . 23:58.104 --> 24:00.271 So I think you would expect that there 24:00.271 --> 24:02.438 are um countries with a naval presence 24:02.438 --> 24:04.549 um tied to Europe that are constantly 24:04.549 --> 24:06.771 operating there . Um You know , we , we 24:06.771 --> 24:08.938 do regular exercises with our European 24:08.938 --> 24:11.390 allies . Um I don't have anything to 24:11.400 --> 24:13.456 read out from here , but of course , 24:13.456 --> 24:15.678 we're always coordinating with them and 24:15.678 --> 24:18.660 working with them on a daily basis . If 24:18.670 --> 24:21.390 you can talk a little bit more about 24:21.650 --> 24:23.810 the traveling of the secretary in 24:23.819 --> 24:27.810 Germany about what can we 24:27.819 --> 24:30.041 expect if you know what they going to , 24:30.400 --> 24:32.289 you know , you probably have some 24:32.289 --> 24:34.456 information that you can share with us 24:34.456 --> 24:36.456 about what they're planning to talk 24:36.456 --> 24:38.456 when we expect coming out from this 24:38.456 --> 24:40.678 meeting . Well , I'm just going to have 24:40.678 --> 24:42.900 to tell you to tune in tomorrow . But , 24:42.900 --> 24:45.122 um , look , I don't have more to really 24:45.122 --> 24:47.456 provide than what I read out at the top , 24:47.456 --> 24:49.622 which is that this is the 24th meeting 24:49.622 --> 24:51.789 of the Ukraine defense contact group . 24:51.789 --> 24:53.733 We know defenses is one of the top 24:53.733 --> 24:55.900 priorities for the Ukrainians . That's 24:55.900 --> 24:58.067 certainly something that's going to be 24:58.067 --> 25:00.289 discussed tomorrow . We know fires . So 25:00.289 --> 25:02.400 155 millimeter rounds also a priority 25:02.400 --> 25:02.060 for the Ukrainians . That's something 25:02.069 --> 25:04.790 that I'm sure will come up . Um , but I , 25:04.800 --> 25:06.856 you know , not going to get ahead of 25:06.856 --> 25:09.078 the secretary , but , uh , you know , I 25:09.078 --> 25:11.189 think you can expect some of those um 25:11.189 --> 25:13.356 conversations and then , you know , as 25:13.356 --> 25:15.189 I mentioned , um there are eight 25:15.310 --> 25:17.366 capability coalitions that have been 25:17.366 --> 25:19.469 stood up as part of the U DC G . Um 25:19.479 --> 25:21.590 Those capability coalitions including 25:21.590 --> 25:23.479 the air coalition is one that the 25:23.479 --> 25:25.590 United States co leads . So that will 25:25.590 --> 25:27.701 be an opportunity to talk about other 25:27.701 --> 25:29.757 additional needs that the Ukrainians 25:29.757 --> 25:31.923 have . Yes , thank you so much as know 25:31.923 --> 25:34.090 about the Middle East crisis . What is 25:34.090 --> 25:36.589 the latest assessments of the Pentagon 25:36.800 --> 25:40.520 regarding any potential action by 25:40.599 --> 25:43.030 Iran against Israel ? 25:44.890 --> 25:47.057 Really don't have much more to provide 25:47.057 --> 25:49.223 than what we've said before , which is 25:49.223 --> 25:51.279 that , you know , we've maintained a 25:51.279 --> 25:53.612 very robust force posture in the region . 25:53.612 --> 25:55.723 You know , we have two carrier strike 25:55.723 --> 25:59.010 groups , um , you know , right there , 25:59.140 --> 26:01.770 um , has that factored into Iran's 26:01.780 --> 26:03.989 decision making process . Um , I think 26:04.000 --> 26:06.222 it's certainly got into their headspace 26:06.222 --> 26:09.329 but , um you know , beyond that , uh 26:09.869 --> 26:11.869 we're maintaining our force posture 26:11.869 --> 26:13.980 there , we're there . Uh Of course to 26:13.980 --> 26:16.313 defend our forces and should we need to , 26:16.313 --> 26:18.536 we will come to the defense of Israel . 26:18.800 --> 26:21.133 Thank you very much for the opportunity . 26:21.133 --> 26:23.411 It's been reported from last Wednesday . 26:23.411 --> 26:26.060 Some of the Arab military Iraqis met 26:26.069 --> 26:28.150 here in Pentagon with us defense 26:28.160 --> 26:30.920 officials specifically regarding the 26:31.099 --> 26:33.699 possible Iranian attack on Israel or 26:33.709 --> 26:35.820 something like that . But my question 26:35.820 --> 26:37.750 is regarding the uh us , possible 26:37.890 --> 26:39.501 measures are something under 26:39.501 --> 26:41.501 consideration with your Arab allies 26:41.501 --> 26:43.612 like QE Qatar where you have military 26:43.612 --> 26:45.668 presence and Saudi Arabia as well is 26:45.668 --> 26:48.750 very next to Yemen as ye are like 26:48.819 --> 26:51.540 calling mobilization cars each day . So 26:51.550 --> 26:53.989 uh you have done enough with your Saudi 26:54.000 --> 26:57.670 counterparts , uh Qatar and ye on the 26:57.680 --> 27:00.390 possible yum and any type of 27:00.400 --> 27:03.800 retaliation to come to that . So I 27:03.810 --> 27:05.989 think what you're asking is just on if 27:06.000 --> 27:08.222 I'm understanding and please correct me 27:08.222 --> 27:11.780 if I'm not . Um just asking about what 27:11.790 --> 27:13.957 is our response and how are we working 27:13.957 --> 27:16.068 with Arab partners in the region when 27:16.068 --> 27:18.123 it comes to the Houthis and how they 27:18.123 --> 27:21.170 respond . Yeah , in Yemen . Ok . So um 27:21.180 --> 27:24.650 the , the Houthis continue 27:24.660 --> 27:27.170 to disrupt shipping lanes within the 27:27.180 --> 27:29.790 Red Sea and , and , and the B AM um 27:29.819 --> 27:32.579 that has caused environmental , 27:32.589 --> 27:35.510 economical problems . Uh That is not 27:35.520 --> 27:38.349 just a problem for the region that this 27:38.359 --> 27:40.359 is a global problem , this disrupts 27:40.359 --> 27:42.670 shipping for all around the world . Um 27:42.680 --> 27:44.989 And so when you create to use the 27:45.000 --> 27:47.750 example of the So Union , which is 27:47.760 --> 27:51.469 carrying 1 million barrels of oil , if 27:51.479 --> 27:54.790 those fires spread to those oil barrels 27:54.800 --> 27:56.869 and those oil barrels start leaking 27:56.880 --> 27:59.119 into the Red Sea , you are going to 27:59.130 --> 28:02.530 have an ecological catastrophe . 28:03.219 --> 28:06.560 So just taking a broader step back , 28:06.719 --> 28:10.199 this isn't just a um United States , 28:10.209 --> 28:13.089 you know , Arab partners problem . This 28:13.099 --> 28:16.589 is an international problem um because 28:16.599 --> 28:18.377 just think about and I'm not an 28:18.377 --> 28:20.488 environmentalist but just think about 28:20.488 --> 28:23.079 the actual environmental , economical 28:23.089 --> 28:26.069 financial degradation that's going to 28:26.079 --> 28:28.180 happen just from that one ship and 28:28.189 --> 28:30.420 they're doing it almost daily . So you 28:30.430 --> 28:32.374 have so , so it's not just an Arab 28:32.374 --> 28:34.597 partner , it's not just an Arab country 28:34.597 --> 28:36.652 problem or a United States problem . 28:36.652 --> 28:38.819 It's a global problem which is why the 28:38.819 --> 28:42.489 secretary um late last year convene or 28:42.500 --> 28:44.389 um establish operation prosperity 28:44.389 --> 28:47.709 guardian and aides is another coalition . 28:47.969 --> 28:51.329 Um a European coalition that is also um 28:51.339 --> 28:53.117 works with operation prosperity 28:53.117 --> 28:55.283 Guardian and other like minded nations 28:55.283 --> 28:57.395 that believe in upholding the freedom 28:57.395 --> 28:59.617 of navigation . Um So this is something 28:59.617 --> 29:02.400 that we continue to work together um uh 29:02.410 --> 29:04.354 with many of our allies around the 29:04.354 --> 29:06.688 world and we're gonna continue to do so . 29:06.688 --> 29:08.910 Uh Department of Justice and Department 29:08.910 --> 29:11.290 of State uh release uh about the 29:11.300 --> 29:13.665 possible from the Russian side and the 29:13.675 --> 29:16.275 other security threats . We , we have 29:16.285 --> 29:18.174 seen that from June , a number of 29:18.174 --> 29:20.007 arrests have been made by border 29:20.007 --> 29:22.214 security officials and some of the 29:22.224 --> 29:24.775 South and Central Asian nations people . 29:24.785 --> 29:27.255 Uh uh they , they've been arrested 29:27.265 --> 29:29.376 because of their strong ties with the 29:29.376 --> 29:31.714 is , is , so the question is regarding 29:31.724 --> 29:34.795 the election in the US , do you have 29:34.805 --> 29:37.094 some request from Department of Home 29:37.155 --> 29:39.377 Security for the co specific to counter 29:39.377 --> 29:41.599 these threats ? So when it comes to 29:41.609 --> 29:43.720 election security , you know , that's 29:43.720 --> 29:45.887 something that uh you saw the attorney 29:45.887 --> 29:48.109 general speak to . So I would refer you 29:48.109 --> 29:50.250 to DOJ and the State Department um to 29:50.260 --> 29:52.540 really speak to how , you know , they 29:52.550 --> 29:56.310 are um monitoring election threats and , 29:56.319 --> 29:58.486 and , and handling election security . 29:58.486 --> 30:00.849 That's just not something that dod , um 30:00.890 --> 30:02.946 you know , was part of that . And so 30:02.946 --> 30:05.112 I'd refer you to those two agencies to 30:05.112 --> 30:07.223 speak to that , Jared . I really just 30:07.223 --> 30:09.334 wanted to check if there's any update 30:09.334 --> 30:11.334 on the um any clarification on this 30:11.334 --> 30:13.501 apparent strike by the Houthis on this 30:13.501 --> 30:15.501 Saudi owned tanker , the um jet . I 30:15.501 --> 30:14.680 know there was some conflicting 30:14.689 --> 30:16.911 information about whether or not it was 30:16.911 --> 30:19.022 hit or targeted or I'm still tracking 30:19.022 --> 30:21.245 that , that the Hum Jet was hit , but I 30:21.245 --> 30:23.078 believe she was able to continue 30:23.078 --> 30:25.133 underway . But for more , you know , 30:25.133 --> 30:27.245 I'd refer you to the actual company . 30:27.245 --> 30:29.411 Yes , over here and then in the back . 30:29.411 --> 30:31.522 Yeah , go ahead . Thank you very much 30:31.522 --> 30:33.578 about Syria . According to the local 30:33.578 --> 30:36.339 news reports on Monday , the Pydypg in 30:36.380 --> 30:40.150 your word SDF released 50 ISIS members 30:40.160 --> 30:43.579 from prison . Uh So the United States 30:43.589 --> 30:45.930 always says that it is partnering 30:45.939 --> 30:49.780 YPGSDF to counter ISIS . But in 30:49.790 --> 30:52.380 that case , the Sdfypg released ISIS 30:52.390 --> 30:54.719 prisoners from prison . So that's a big 30:54.729 --> 30:57.010 contradiction . So what is the reaction 30:57.020 --> 30:59.280 by the Department of Defense on this 30:59.290 --> 31:01.457 matter ? Yeah , I'm not , I'm not sure 31:01.457 --> 31:03.679 if there was a confusion in some of the 31:03.679 --> 31:05.901 facts . But if you're referring to what 31:05.901 --> 31:07.901 happened a few days ago , there was 31:07.901 --> 31:10.050 what I understand uh a breakout from 31:10.060 --> 31:12.171 one of the prisons and we worked with 31:12.171 --> 31:14.116 the SDF to actually get those ISIS 31:14.116 --> 31:16.479 militants back in , in custody . So um 31:16.540 --> 31:18.540 Cen Central Command put out a press 31:18.540 --> 31:20.873 release on that . I'd refer you to that . 31:20.873 --> 31:22.762 Yes , in the back . And then last 31:22.762 --> 31:25.040 question . Did you not have a question ? 31:25.040 --> 31:27.096 I thought you did . I'm sorry if you 31:27.096 --> 31:29.096 did not then never . Ok . So thanks 31:29.096 --> 31:32.069 Sabrina , this 6 million pounds of 31:32.079 --> 31:35.140 humanitarian aid that Trinity 31:35.150 --> 31:37.800 transported to the port of Ashdod . Uh 31:38.060 --> 31:41.420 were there originally planned to be 31:41.430 --> 31:44.540 transported through the JL Project ? 31:45.410 --> 31:48.959 Um If I'm remembering 31:48.969 --> 31:51.025 correctly , this was some of the aid 31:51.025 --> 31:54.109 that when um uh the J Lots mission had 31:54.119 --> 31:55.952 concluded , this was some of the 31:55.952 --> 31:58.189 original uh or remaining aid that was 31:58.199 --> 32:00.579 still in Cyprus that was loaded on to 32:00.589 --> 32:02.756 the Cape Trinity and was waiting to be 32:02.756 --> 32:05.079 downloaded in Ashdod at the appropriate 32:05.089 --> 32:07.256 time that they were able to do it . Um 32:07.256 --> 32:09.478 So this was not aid that I was tracking 32:09.478 --> 32:11.700 that was supposed to go over JLO , this 32:11.700 --> 32:13.756 was already , um , being moved to go 32:13.756 --> 32:15.922 through the Ashdod corridor since they 32:15.922 --> 32:17.978 are coming through Cyprus . I assume 32:17.978 --> 32:19.922 that they already went through the 32:19.922 --> 32:22.175 security check . Will they need another 32:22.185 --> 32:24.655 additional security check in Israel or 32:24.665 --> 32:26.895 there will be transferred faster than 32:26.905 --> 32:29.016 the rest of the aid ? So , we've been 32:29.016 --> 32:31.425 transferring aid through Ashdod for a 32:31.435 --> 32:33.546 bit of time , you might remember . So 32:33.546 --> 32:35.915 there is a , uh , once it is checked at 32:35.925 --> 32:37.814 Cyprus , it can move through ASHD 32:37.814 --> 32:39.814 pretty quickly . All right , thanks 32:39.814 --> 32:39.834 everyone .