Thread by @jseldin

NEW: "With the PRC [#China] as the department's pacing challenge, #Taiwan is the department's pacing scenario" @DeptofDefense Asst Sec for #IndoPacific Affairs @elyratner tells HASC

"We aim to deter & deny PRC aggression thru a combination of Taiwan's own defenses, its partnership w/the #UnitedStates & growing support from like-minded democracies" per @DeptofDefense's @elyratner

#NorthKorea's Kim Jung Un-"I think he is focused solely internally, on protecting his regime & that what this nuclear testing, the rockets are really about" @USForcesKorea Cmdr Gen Paul LaCamera tells HASC

Countering/deterring #China requires more "integrated & resilient, sustainable ISR [intel-surveillance-reconnaissance] capabilities...a network that links all of that together" per @INDOPACOM Cmdr John Aquilino

"...ability to close those kill chains w/the correct weapons&fires"

NEW: In advance of invasion of #Ukraine, #Russia's forces in the east "pushed out 20 ships & submarines as we can count. They placed them in defensive positions" per @INDOPACOM's Adm Aquilino

"They postured other forces to be able to defend their eastern flank..."

MORE: "We absolutely have seen a change" per @INDOPACOM's Adm Aquilino on #Russia's force posture on its eastern flank during the #Ukraine invasion

New: #Hypersonics-"The real concern is the speed & pace at which they're showing up" per @INDOPACOM's Adm Aquilino

re: #Russia #China #DPRK

#Guam "a strategic hub" for @INDOPACOM "so we have to protect it" per Adm Aquilino

#China's military - "This is the largest military build-up we've seen since World War II coming out of the PRC" per @INDOPACOM's Adm Aquilino

"We shouldn't be surprised to see them advancing their unmanned capabilities in all domains..."

#drones