Thread by @jseldin

Happening now: @CENTCOM Change of Command Ceremony

Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie handing over command to Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla

#Ukraine "on everyone's mind" per @SecDef Lloyd Austin at @CENTCOM Change of Command ceremony

"#Putin’s invasion of his sovereign neighbor is unprovoked & unjust. And the Ukrainians are fighting bravely to defend their lives, their democracy, & their freedom"

"#Russia’s invasion isn’t just a mortal threat to #Ukraine. It’s a challenge to the rules-based international system" per @SecDef "We’ve rushed them security assistance. We’ve rallied our @NATO allies. & we’ve reinforced @NATO’s Eastern Flank w/more combat power..."

#ISIS - "The threat remains" per @SecDef at @CENTCOM ceremony

"The attempted prison break at #Hasakah earlier this year proved that. CENTCOM cannot let its guard down. Not for one second"

#Iran "has been expanding its nuclear program & investing in its military capabilities, especially ballistic missiles" per @SecDef "It has cultivated dangerous proxies...using unmanned aerial systems to threaten us & our partners"

"There’s no quick fix for this region’s security challenges, especially when it comes to #Iran" per @SecDef

"The United States is committed to preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon" per @SecDef "But regardless of the outcome of the nuclear talks, we’ll keep working closely together w/our many partners to confront the threats from #Iran"