Unshakable Support: America Stands with Ukraine & Israel Against Aggression
Channel: Defense Now
Date: 2023-12-12

Secretary Austin was honored to host President Zelenskyy yesterday at the National Defense University and provide introductory remarks.  As Secretary Austin said, America's commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression is unshakable.  He also said that, quote, "Ukraine matters profoundly to America's security and to the trajectory of global security in the 21st century.  That's why the United States has committed more than $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine's brave defenders," end quote.

The Department of Defense will continue to work closely with our allies and partners worldwide to support Ukraine as it fights for freedom and to meet the clear objectives set out by President Biden: a free and sovereign Ukraine that can defend itself today and deter more Russian aggression in the future.

The department also continues to stay actively engaged in our objectives related to the current situation in the Middle East region, which are protect U.S. forces and citizens, support Israel's inherent right to defend itself, work closely with Israel to help secure the release of hostages from Hamas and ensure the crisis doesn't escalate into a broader regional conflict.

In support of these objectives, Secretary Austin will travel to the Middle East region next week to meet with leaders in Bahrain, Qatar and Israel.  He also will have an opportunity to meet with some of our forces deployed to the region to thank them for their service and for all that they and their loved ones do for our nation.  We'll have more details to announce regarding the secretary's trip in the near future.

Shifting to the Indo-Pacific region, Secretary Austin spoke this morning with his Japanese counterpart, Ministry of Defense Kihara, to express his thanks and gratitude for Japan's support with search-and-recovery operations following the recent tragic CV-22 mishap.  The two leaders also plotted progress on accelerating U.S.-Japan-Republic of Korea trilateral security cooperation and exchanged views on maritime security in the Middle East.  A readout of the discussion has been posted to the DOD website.

And finally, I'd like to take a quick moment to recognize one of the department's senior leaders who will be departing next week after three years here in the Pentagon.  Dr. Mara Karlin has served in multiple critical roles, to include acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, later, as assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans and capabilities, and most recently as performing the duties of deputy under secretary of defense for policy.  During her tenure, Dr. Karlin has managed the writing and ongoing implementation of the National Defense Strategy, a pivotal document in guiding the department, particularly in linking strategy to resources even amid evolving global crises.

As she embarks on her next chapter, on behalf of Secretary Austin and all of us here at DOD, we wish her the very best and are confident that her impact on national security will continue to resonate for years to come.

And with that, happy to take your questions.  We'll start with Associated Press, Lita.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder briefs the news media at the Pentagon.
Scheduled from Dec 12 2023 1:45 PM EST to Dec 12 2023 2:27 PM EST


Defense Now - December 2023
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