Happening now: @SecDef Lloyd Austin speaking to reporters following the public release of the unclassified National Defense Strategy (NDS)
Says the main focus is #China as the pacing threat and #Russia as the "most acute" threat"
Says the main focus is #China as the pacing threat and #Russia as the "most acute" threat"
Main message to #China #Russia #DPRK #Iran, others - "The cost of aggression against the #UnitedStates or our allies and partners far outweigh any conceivable gains" per @SecDef
New US National Defense Strategy "advances a strategy focused on the PRC [#China]" per the new document
"...also accounts for the acute threat posed by #Russia"
"...also accounts for the acute threat posed by #Russia"
#Russia invasion of #Ukraine - "We are certainly concerned about escalation" per @SecDef
Potential Russian use of any sort of nuclear weapon "has the potential of changing things" he adds "The talk of the use of the weapon of that sort is dangerous & irresponsible"
Potential Russian use of any sort of nuclear weapon "has the potential of changing things" he adds "The talk of the use of the weapon of that sort is dangerous & irresponsible"
#Ukraine - "They have exceeded most peoples expectations" vs #Russia, per @SecDef
"The Ukrainians must outline their objectives. We won't do that for them"
"The Ukrainians must outline their objectives. We won't do that for them"
"The #Ukrainians can service just about every target they want to service" with their current capabilities, #GMLRS, per @SecDef
Says #Ukraine's biggest need right now remains air defense systems
Says #Ukraine's biggest need right now remains air defense systems
US response should #Russia use nukes - @SecDef won't say except that, "I'm the guy who makes the recommendation to my boss on what we should do and how we should do it..."
Concerns about #Russia using its current nuclear exercises as a cover for potential military action?
"We haven't seen anything at this point" to indicate that, @SecDef says as he leaves the briefing room
"We haven't seen anything at this point" to indicate that, @SecDef says as he leaves the briefing room
More from @SecDef on threat from #Russia:
"The NDS bluntly describes Russia as an acute threat. & we chose the word acute carefully. Unlike #China, Russia can't systemically challenge the United States over the long term"
"The NDS bluntly describes Russia as an acute threat. & we chose the word acute carefully. Unlike #China, Russia can't systemically challenge the United States over the long term"
#China "is the only competitor out there with both the intent to reshape the international order & increasingly the power to do so" per @SecDef
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