Thread by @jseldin

#Russia in #Libya "What the Russians have done is overtly, they've support the UN, GNA..." per @USAfricaCommand's Gen Waldhauser, accusing #Moscow of supporting the LNA "behind the scenes" w/weapons & training

"When the music stops, they want to be on the winning side," @USAfricaCommand's Waldhauser says of #Russia in #Libya, saying #Moscow is playing for influence on all sides

#Russia in #CAR "very concerning" per @USAfricaCommand's Gen Waldhauser "They have the paramilitary group, the Wagner group, who's heavily involved there not only in training but involved in the highest levels of the government" to leverage resources

#Russia and US withdrawal from #Syria - "They looked at this as an opportunity to fill the void that we had provided" per @CENTCOM's Gen. Votel "They looked to gain and perpetuate what he #Assad regime is doing... It solidifies their presence"

@RepAdamSmith: "What is the timeline for withdrawal from #Syria & what do the numbers look like?"

@CENTCOM's Votel: "What is driving withdrawal of course is our mission, which is defeat of #ISIS...there is not pressure on me to meet a specific date at this particular time"

"I hear what you saying in terms of what you're working on" per @RepAdamSmith "But in terms of the public perception, the int'l perception is that prior to that tweet [by @POTUS] it wasn't planned"

Tweets, comments from @POTUS do cause acute concerns for US allies, per @CENTCOM's Gen Votel

"Some of the rather sharp announcements here are things that have their attention & we've had to talk about that" per Votel, noting #JCPOA did the same at its inception

"Everybody knows that the #Syria tweet was somewhat of a surprise" per @DeptofDefense's Kathryn Weelbarger "I did call the core group of the [defeat #ISIS] coalition to make sure they understood what it was but also what it wasn't. It wasn't they're all leaving tomorrow"