Thread by @jseldin

Just in: More than 28% of US military now vaccinated vs #COVID19, per @PentagonPresSec

"We do continue to see that build-up.. we call on #Russia to make their intentions more clear" per @PentagonPresSec "We call on the Russians to cease their provocations"

No comment on EU estimate that Russia has massed 150,000 troops in #Crimea, along #Ukraine border

"In general, we have continue to see this build-up increase...that is concerning to us" per @PentagonPresSec, asked if build-up has plateaued at all

"It is certainly bigger than that one in 2014" @PentagonPresSec says of #Russia's latest military build-up near #Ukraine, again casting doubt on #Moscow's explanation it is for military exercises

#Russia bounty allegations-#Afghanistan: "We certainly agree withe way my colleague at the White House couched this" per @PentagonPresSec,
adding, "Low to moderate doesn't mean non-existent, either"

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1383133967830953987?s=20

"It's not the Pentagon not closing the door" per @PentagonPresSec "There's at least some measure of confidence, perhaps not high but some [by US intelligence]...enough for us to be concerned"

"We'd like to know more"

#COVID19-@DeptofDefense: US military has seen total of 278,686 #COVID cases since the start of the pandemic

388 people - active duty, reservists, civilian, contractors - have died from COVID in that span

#Afghanistan-future US CT ops?

"The president was clear. We are removing all US military personnel from Afghanistan & we will remove them by early September" per @PentagonPresSec "All of them w/the exception of what's going to be required to protect the diplomatic mission"

"I know of no discussions w/the gvt in #Kabul about reinserting counterterrorism forces inside #Afghanistan" per @PentagonPresSec "We will maintain sufficient counterterrorism capabilities in the region to deal w/emanating threats from Afghanistan"

"There's no plans to reintroduce American boots on the ground in #Afghanistan" adds @PentagonPresSec "We have robust counterterrorism capabilities around the world...there's not a parcel of earth that we can't hit if we need to hit it"

.@StateDept declines to elaborate on whether US is negotiating any agreements w/#Afghanistan's gvt that would allow for counterterrorism action if warranted