[laughter] you can watch this hearing and all confirmation hearings on our website cspan. Org. We will leave the last few minutes to take you live to the pentagon. This is the Briefing Room as we await the start of everything by defense secretary james mattis and joseph dunford. This is the first joint news conference. They are expected to provide an update on the war against isis and counterterrorism efforts. It should get underway in just a few moments. Live coverage on cspan2. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I returned last week from a meeting in copenhagen with the ministers of defense from 14 nations to coordinate our political way ahead in the defeat of the isis campaign. Chairman dunford returned yesterday from a chief of defense meeting in brussels with 28 nato nations plus his counterpart in a dozen additional nations. They discuss the military aspects of that campaign. President Trump directed the department of defense to lead a complex overview of the campaign. We submitted that report and after his review he then ordered an accelerated operation against what does that mean . Significant changes resulted from present review of our findings. First he delegated authority to the right level progressively and in a timely manner move against enemy vulnerabilities. Secondly he directed a tactical shift from having ice out of locations in an attempt to fight to surrounding the enemy in the stronghold so we can annihilate. The intent is to prevent a return home of escaped foreign fighters. I want to emphasize here there has been no change to our rules of engagement. There has been no change to our continued extraordinary efforts to avoid innocent civilian casualties. Despite needing to go into populated areas, and trying to break hold on their caliphate, despite ice pursed purposely in sitting in a slide by refusing to allow civilians to evacuate and we continue to pursue all possible efforts to protect the innocent. Youre all aware the human cost has exacted, killed, wounded, refugees merciless control over those regions they hold. The cost to turkey, jordan, lebanon, syrian, iraqis have been displaced. In response to ice militia for unforgettable treatment in the world has responded. I emphasized that is a coolish effort. Began in 2014 we had expanded. The International Team is fully committed at the political and military level for that section of Isis Coalition of the eight members, 65 nations with more joining as we speak in full, European Union and arab League United in opposition. Sharing intelligence providing troops in funds for combat and of no less important for the post combat recovery. In late march our secretary of state gathered the dramatic colleagues in washington where they discussed how we would deal with the post combat aftermath. Perfect. Tillerson, mr. Mcgirt, and the colleagues from the coalition tightly focused most of their effort on how this ravaged region can recover from the depredations after we free it. Twentysix of our Coalition Nations contribute militarily including more than 4009 us troops on the ground and in the air. Our recent Coalition Meetings in brussels, copenhagen, and elsewhere reflect a energized Campaign Among treating patients partnering with of course the Iraqi Security forces in iraq and the counter forces in syria. What have we achieved we have fought the elements from Southeast Asia to africa. Collaboration among many nations , Intelligence Services continue to complicate and blunt isis operation. Even if isis continues to pursue and conduct the tax against the United States and our allies to centralize directed plot that also to inspire in. From the philippines to europe and beyond while isis remains dangerous they are no longer carrying an air of strength. In afghanistan, two weeks ago, president said he killed the leader of isis plus two thirds of their strength were killed during very tough operations mostly in. [inaudible] province. Francis led a twoyear Ongoing Campaign in the late todd beeson and west africa to throw isis off balance with 4000 of their troops on the ground to support our african allies. In libya we start a significant presence in january of this year our attack against the constituted strength was highly effective and isis did not own any major territory any longer there. Elsewhere there have been a success. In iraq and. Lies the core area of isis, of its geographical caliphate. Recent attacks in a sample, paris, brussels were planned and coordinated out of isis, socalled capital, iraq. Additional imminent threat to many causes with urgency against all stronghold in their hands. Each module has fallen after fighting by the Security Forces with us and coalition support. Since january it is returned a bit normal with business reopening, clean up under way and kids back in school. West muscle in tactics changed by President Trump is surrounded and our iraqi partners are ready to fight. There is no escape for isis. Even while we do all that is humanly possible to separate the innocent out of harms way. [inaudible] which lies to the west is also surrounded and other pop pockets of isis exist elsewhere. [inaudible] we will continue to fully support the Iraqi Security forces and Prime Minister abadie s government in isolating and destroying isis throughout iraq. In this period we support. Forces that recently seek mandates and have taken. [inaudible] and are currently attacking the Great Success to isolate rock. Isis has eight additional strength scattered down the Euphrates River to the iraq border. We will not stop until they too are destroyed. I want our chairman, general. To to provide details to let me sum up. We are leading a comprehensive International Campaign to crush isis claim of invincibility, to deny isis a geographic haven from which to attach murder, eliminate isis ability to eliminate and eradicate their ability to recruit and finance terrorist operation. Thanks to the leadership and authorities granted by President Trump, thanks to the spirit of dozens of nations committed to the fight, thanks to the nations whose troops have gone toe to toe with this terrorist group, with a deep sympathy for the families that have lost sons and daughters in this fight and with the greatest respect for the families caught up on the battlefield that we know our military in fields. We have retaken over 5 of isis territory there in the core. Over 4 Million People have been liberated and not one into territory feast from isis has been recaptured from them excuse me, recaptured by them. Let me turn it over to chairman Erdogan Dunford and are. Thanks for the opportunity to join secondary matters to update you on our progress against our update on isis. Our import approach has brought significant progress. We reduce isis held territory, limited their freedom and movement, destroyed a great deal of their leadership, reduced the foreign firefighters in into from the region, administered Financial Resources and, i think , most probably, weve undermined the ability that it is a physical caliphate in iraq and syria. The secretary spoke on the territory gains of the coalition in addition Coalition Airstrikes and ground operations have struck approximately 2600held gas and oil targets, 1500 tanker trucks and as a result in isis having the lowest revenue at evan point since 2014. Polish also removed key isis leaders from the battlefield. These losses have limited isis ability to plan and direct external attacks, recruit foreign fighters, broadcast their narrative and fund their brand of terror. In iraq we partnered with the iraqi street forces. Us and Coalition Forces are providing equipment and intelligence, conducting airstrikes and advising military leaders. Support and emphasize the fighting interactions been done by iraqi forces and they performed remarkably and it is also sacrificed. David suffered approximately 980 killed and over 6000 wounded. I just comment on the side, in addition to the confidence that they demonstrated in the sacrifice of the one thing ive seen over time in the 15 months ive been back and forth visiting in iraq in this particular assignment is the confidence of the iraqi leaders. Some of you in the fall of 2015, its very you when you go to clear theres confidence of the commanders in their ability to lead and in their soldiers ability to fight is remarkably different than it was a short time ago. In syria working alongside our troops ally and Partner Forces weve cleared isis from the turkish, Syrian Border that stemming the flow of foreign fighters, weapons and money to isis frontline. We estimate that at its peak foreign fighters was 1500 fighters. Month. Today we estimate that those numbers are less than 100. Month. In addition. Democrat forces are completing their isolation of erotica. Rock has been the center as equity matter mentioned in the attacks in paris and berlin. Were also taking the fight to isis outside iraq in syria, attacking their affiliates and any groups that claim allegiance isis is a trans regional threat and we have a global approach. Secretary spoke about my recent meeting in nato. Thats one of many meetings that we had routinely and im working close with more than 60 of my counterparts to expand the coalition that we had in dealing with isis. In our priority clarity is present tax against the homeland. We want to cut the activity between isis affiliates and associates and that specifically the foreign fighter flow. Our objective is to drive down isis capabilities to a point where local forces with tailored support from the International Community is able to provide security. We are doing today in libya, somalia. , yemen, and afghanistan. The Factory Management and the president directed us to find ways to accelerate the campaign and weve identified opportunities to do that for example, we recommended secretary and president have approved the decision to equip this. Democrat forces in iraq and to allow the advisors to a company down to the battalion level particularly in operations where our proximity to iraqi partners has enabled us to provide better support. Were going to continue to look for opportunities to accelerate the campaign in the future. Before i take questions the progress we have made today is reflection of professionalism and confidence of our men and women in uniform, our diplomats, intelligence personnel and were also fortunate to have a Strong Coalition integrate partners on the ground. Ive already mentioned the iraqi and syrian sacrifices as we approach memorial day we should also reflect on the sacrifices of young americans. Most recently, rangers Joshua Rogers and Cameron Thomas in afghanistan. First lieutenant wesley in iraq and senior chief Kyle Milliken in amalia. Again, thank you. Ill be followed by a special envoy mcgirt. Thank you for the opportunity describe how are the dramatic effort are working alongside with the military campaign to destroy isis and its swear he cannot return. Secretary turman mentioned 55000 square kilometers of territory to polish and backed forces. Isis has retaken none of the grounds. The reason for that record is close cooperation between the military and billions department and agencies, between the Global Coalition of 68 members, all supporting partners of influencing the capacity on the ground. The second he mentioned i just returned from the region this morning including trips outside mosul and rocco. I met some of the brave syrians who were living under the terabytes months ago. Today operations have freed more than 4 Million People from areas that have been controlled by isis. This is a remarkable record and were now working to accelerate these effects with pressure on isis capital of rocca and their dwindling areas still under control in iraq and syria. My recent trip i again witnessed how their were integrated. They want to fill president comes to destroy isis and make sure he cant return. As you can see, i wish everyone could see that the men and women are doing it for any Work Together with our crate the plants on the ground in these areas. When secretary to listen posted 58 Coalition Members it was significant that he was joined throughout present today by secondary matters, second nguyen , doctor coates and other representatives from across interagency. This demonstrated that our united full of government approach is directed by the president. This operation is enabling an anaconda like approach to suffocate isis from its territories, finances, propaganda and ability to move foreign fighters. To give you some examples before partner wants the military operation with extensive diplomatic and political work at the local levels to try to look at conditions for isis. Mosul was a central example of this. We see our president cooperation between iraqi forces working together, fighting together and taking casualties together. Operation has enabled closer political coordination between local, regional, National Governments and to help return people to their homes after the battles are one through an innovative post conflict based on empowering people at the local level to restore life to their communities. We call this stabilization. Its one of the primary focus of our Global Coalition led by germany, italy, france, ulee, uk and other key leaders. Civilization is not nationbuilding but were not attempting to dictate political outcomes nor is it longterm reconstruction. Projects are chosen by outside with no connection to the local community and this is not what were trying to do. Instead stabilization is a lowcost, singable citizen driven effort to identify the key projects that are essential to returning people to their homes. Such as grain silos, electricity , local security structures, like peace. The initial focus on the mining these facilities because isis plans explosives in all of these facilities is to ensure that people cant return is a critical facet of our goal. They have now cleared 32 tons of material from these areas. Local workers from the local areas, syrians and iraqis, restore abilities and enable life to return. This is not glamorous work but its working. In iraq 1. 7 million iraqis are now back in their homes. No longer are they displaced or refugees or migrate to sleep. That record is historically unprecedented in the conflict of this nature and we give tremendous credit to the government of iraq and local leaders will work properly to stabilize local areas into return local population. In mosul is the as was mentioned , the battle is not over. Is approaching its final stages thanks to the heroic back force of the iraqi forces. Isis is not resorting to their tactics. In areas of the city that have been cleared, however, life is starting to return, thanks in no small measure to the stabilization project more than 200 that have been supported by a coalition by the United Nations and iraqi government. I visited one of these projects last week, a Water Treatment plant have been destroyed by isis and since it has been the mind, stored by local workers and with limited polish report it is now popping freshwater 200,000 homes. 250 boys and girls are back in school and working to ensure that these lines continue. Rocco is the same otto. I just visited a town north where they are organizing for the day at prices and working with local syrians as we did before the mosul operation weve identified hundreds of critical sites and targets for stabilization products. After isis will work to support that the mining of those abilities and Rapid Restoration aligning local workers who know the area and how things get done. That rocker campaign will take time but our corporate will hold after the battle, local pedal from the area will be in charge of the city and enable them to return life to the streets and invite people to return. A few days ago i met a arab leader from the kind of talk of a stronghold of isis for over three years just west of rocca. He described to us the thousands of foreign fighters from far away as to the data into fargo who Terrorize Community enslaving women, brainwashing children and completing public executions. He also said he believes most of these foreign fighters are now that. He is working to organize the mining initiatives and to ensure the streets are safe for people to return and enable the people of talk of to restore their communities. It will be no different. Syria forces are difficult in a rack and we want the government to work with and we will never work with the assad regime. Will require much more from our Coalition Partners and from the International Community. When secretary tillerson called on the coalition to support stabilization initiatives back in march, he received an impressive 2. 6 billion, much of which is being spent. More will be required from our coalition. We will look for partners to maintain at least three quarters of stabilization for every us dollar. The battle for rocca is about making the world safer for isis and we ask much of our Coalition Partners to support this effort. President trump will have the opportunity on may 205th to discuss these issues with our nato partners all of whom are native allies, all of who are members of our coalition. Very briefly, on counter finance , counterparty fighters, counter messaging, no matter where you are in the world if you join isis or recruit prices or distribute propaganda prices, the globalnet is closing in. The newest member of our coalition is interval. More than 60 countries are now providing data to interpol to build a global database of known foreign fighters who have worked with isis. That database had 40 people a few years ago and now is 14000 and continues to grow. In sum, working as united team, President Trumps direction to destroy isis and to protect our homeland and the record is encouraging. Nearly 60000 square kilometers have been liberated and none of been retaken by isis. 4. 1 million freed, 1. 7 million iraqis have now returned to their homes, propaganda output is down significantly to lowest level to date, finances down to the lowest level to date, foreign fighters unable to travel to syria and those who are in syria are more likely than ever to die there. This enemy remains adaptive and the threat will not end with the battle for mosul and rocca but at the send caliphate is coming and to site. The pressure is only starting. We will Work Together as united team to make sure we do everything we can to defeat isis on the battlefield but also in the financial realm, propaganda and to make sure they can never return to areas to retake. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Mcgurk. Its an international coalition. Its government here in washington and across our governments. They been thrown on the back foot, tough fighting lies ahead. They are still dangerous and it will be over soon. We are going to continue to press. With that can we take your questions. Secretary, you described to changes that you said the president made in the general approach of the isis campaign. One you said was a tactical shift having to do with surrounding isis and their strongholds. Could you explain a little bit about the significant of that and say how will that apply to becoming fights in the mid euphrates valley between. [inaudible] and in the same vein, in that same area, the Syrian Government has said they are going to reassert their authority out in that direction and that theyre going to challenge Opposition Forces in the south. Im wondering, given that the Russian Support for them, how will you navigate that sort of battleground without giving further embroiled in the civil war. Navigating this battleground, is challenging. We in the conflict as you know with russia maintaining and open the confliction line with them thats used constantly. If i was to talk to the tactic, if they impact your second question, by taking the time up front to surround these locations instead of simply shoving them from one to another and actually reinforcing them as they fall back, based on the recommendation made in the direction that President Trump took we now take the time to surround them and why do we do it . Because the foreign fighters are the strategic right should they return home to call him for, to paris, to detroit, to wherever. Those foreign fighters are a threat. By taking the time to the conflict the surrounding and then attack we carry out the Annihilation Campaign so we dont simply transplant this problem from one location to another. Thats the approach we take that basically threads the needle on a very complex battlefield. Go ahead please. How will you apply that out in the valley when you have tha ill leave that to the generals who know that kind of thing. We dont direct that front from here. They know where the foreign fighters and i leave it to their skill, their funding to get carry that out. To follow up on that, you said we will not stop after rocca. You moved onto the roof 80s river valley. You have small numbers are moving that way and then to the west you have. [inaudible] which you have airstrikes hit some Shiite Militias and you have us trainers, the russians struck their last year so given those two areas are you worried about entente continuing to be a place where the militia and the russians will continue to strike under threat and what do you do as your head down over the raiders read do you bypass them . Do you create with the russians . How do you deal with those troops sitting there, syrian troops. In first, were precluded by law from coordinating with the russians. Having said that we have for many months now worked very hard to the conflict our operations and the primary purpose is to ensure the safety of our airmen, personnel on the ground and allow us to continue to campaign i am confident that we made progress in that regard over the last couple months. I spoke with my counterpart, russian counterpart, as recently as last night. We spoke routinely when we need to to the decompression. Weve opened up a three star level channel where a joint staff routinely corresponds and tunicates with his counterpart in moscow. We have a pretty robust operational one when he gets on the ground from our combined air Operations Center and cutter to the russians on the ground. We are looking for the russians to work with the regime to the conflict our operations. I think what youre highlighting is absolutely a fair point which is the ground is becoming increasingly complex and constrained. To date, we have been able to do conflict operations. We have a proposal that working out with the russians right now and i can share the details but my sense is that the russians are enthusiastic as we are to the conflict operations in ensure that we can continue to take the campaign isis and ensure the safety of our personal. Will that proposal deal with the it will. Weve talked about that is a specific area that requires the collection. With what didnt work yesterday and the day before when you call the russians and said get those militias to stop and they didnt, did you strike them mark. Yes. To be clear that was a force protection strike. Their rules of engagement allow them to do that. Weve gone back and had a conversation at every level now to ensure that those kind of incidences to take place again. Last night, i made a commitment that they wouldnt happen again if our forces werent bread and everybody understood what the rules were. Thats what will prevent it in the future. Id like to ask the two veterans of the Obama Administration if the decision at the end of the Obama Administration to hold off on arming the turks in russia, did that have any effect on delaying the assault on mosul . I can answer that question rightly. It did not. One of the preconditions for seizing rocca was the isolation of rocca. This included recently and very difficult threat in an area called. [inaudible] youre familiar with that. The Syrian Democratic forces had a hundred killed in that battle alone. We are just about the point where the seizure of rocca would have taken place in normal course of event. It has not delayed the seizure of rocca. The only delay was in providing a commitment to the Syrian Forces so they could go into the fight. We were prepared for this decision, we had stockpiled equipment in the event that President Trump made the decision that he did and we been very quickly able to feel that a commitment to Democratic Forces with out an operational pause, that is a delay in seizing rocca former Administration Officials had said that at the time in january when this decision was made the opinions of both joint staff and centcom was that the Syrian Democratic forces would be ready to begin the assault on rocca in mid february. Here we are in midmay. David, because were getting any more political area where we try to keep our apolitical military let me just say, any timelines that are given in wartime should be taken with a degree of skepticism. We will try to preview, will try to give you an idea of operations we are dealing with a fundamentally unpredictable situation. Only now are we complaining the insurgents of rocca and theres been no delay in the effort to do that other than the normal. [inaudible] of the battles field. So far they have been defeated by the sds in every single battle they been in but has been a very tough fight. They were not able to move more quickly into the attack on rocca for purely tactical and battlefield reasons. General, you said that you armed the sds. If i did, i misspoke. Weve been stockpiling the permit and were prepared to do that to my knowledge, it should happen very soon. Can you give me information on the fallout with turkey and i like to address us to ill target from a military perspective. First and foremost we have gone in with the first people that turkey is an important ally in our longterm relationship with turkey was critical. We wanted to protect it. As you may know, as a result, i got to turkey nine times this year and met with my counterpart over 15 times this year to make sure that we maintain a Close Military to military relationship. We did have a different perspective on the best way to seize rocca and in our view the only option that was viable was the Syrian Democratic forces and we are now taking place, taking measures on the ground to mitigate their concerns. For example, when weapons getting into the pkk were moving into turkey and were taking steps to ensure they have transparency on what were doing and measures to take place at the apartment were providing to the sds is appropriate for only operations in rocca and then it doesnt find its way somewhere else. I could ask mr. Mcgurk. Ive been to turkey more than any other country than a rack since i started this job. We cannot defeat isis without turkey and i consult with our colleagues there all the time. There are talks right now in geneva about the political way ahead in syria because as were prosecuting a military campaign theres a parallel diplomatic track that is incredibly complex. Particularly the post rock phase which i talked about stabilization thats something that ill be closely coordinating turkey. The quick answer to your question is cant do this without turkey. We work with them every single day. We have some differences as we do with every Coalition Partner but there a close ally and we consult all the time. They were he was on the record regarding many Coalition Partners, i have Great Respect for foreign minister. Hes a close colleague and close contact, secretary tilson has seen him quite a bit and we look forward to that relationship continuing. One for you mr. Secretary. I have to ask you about this latest north Korean Missile launch. By all accounts it is more susceptible than anything theyve done so far. It went so very high and came back down into earths atmosphere. Question for you is how has this Missile Launch impacted your thinking in your assessment about the north Korean Missile threat and if i may, on Counterterrorism Operations you yourself describe it. Us forces down at a lower level, putting them out front, reside in a and sadly with the navy seals killed, it seems like there no longer behind. Talk about why Counterterrorism Forces are out there and the. [inaudible] i want to talk to lee today about the counter isis crisis. North korea and were all aware of the provocative actions theyve taken and theres been cautions given them on nations from around the world and they clearly arent listening. There has been some impacts by the chinese working here. Its not honestly perfect when they launched a missile which you actually described about going higher and reentry capabilities. At the same time, were going to continue to read the same kind of pressure internationally that we been trying to. We will continue to work the issue that you know if this goes to a military solution, it will be a tragic on an unbelievable scale and so our effort is to work with the un, work with china, work with japan, work with south korea to try to find a way out of the situation. We press on. There are many different efforts underway. We have a full government approach to this as well. I spent as much time with the secretary of treasury as i do the secretary of state as we try to craft a sustainable policy forward. Let me ask the chairman to address your other question. Thanks for giving me the chance to clarify. First of all, we havent changed the broad guidance to our forces that are working with partners underground. That is they stay at the last covering field position short of the objective in that they dont actually close the enemy. Specific case that i mentioned was in the past we have partnered in advising and the against level director because of the complex train inside of the city of mosul, the commander felt that the brigade level didnt allow them to be at the point where they can provide the kind of advice and combined arms support necessary. We allow them to partner at the battalion level. That doesnt change the fundamental rule that applies to all of our forces and conducting partner ops. Fundamentally, we partnered operations it is the partners were actually closing and destroying the enemy. In somalia, the navy seals that you mentioned were killed and the department publicly said that his teammates were alongside the Somali Forces and that they were not behind. When you are on patrol, barbara, you cant always be in a safe position. The lads know they are not part of a Life Insurance corporation. They are trained for this and they go out and do their job the best they can. I am confident that our military forces are carrying out the intent which is they do not put themselves forward to do the job that the Partner Forces want to do but they need our support in doing. So, thank you. Can i ask one more there was a press Conference Today by the north Korean Ambassador and he was saying that the us has a provocative action where you said they made provocative action. He went on to say that there were tests by the United States on may 3rd and april 26 and 1 of them traveled over 6000 kilometers across the ocean can you confirm any of these icbm missiles and is there any truth to this and then 15 to isis is going to be paying for the government in rocca in the Security Forces in rocca . Ill take the first one. I can confirm that we did test icbm and had nothing to do with north korea. It was in a message or pointed in that direction in order for us to make sure we have a safe, reliable and effectively turning , we were test our icbm with the protocols and perspective regimes that are part of those particles. It wasnt supposed to be provocative to north korea. For north korea to compare what they have been doing, to threaten and intimidate their neighbors as well as United States, to our routine and military exercises advertised wellin advance with full transparency being an unfair comparison. That is a great question. When you talk to folks involved in the rocca in, unanimously, no one wants the Syrian Regime to come back. Regina military forces, symbols, in terms of administrative services, teachers, hospitals, peso salaries. That is something where syrians will have to work that out. We are not in the business as i said, of nationbuilding operations. As you list layover syria, we see a lot of this happening in areas where opposition controls the teacher salaries, basic worker salaries, paid by the government and its very centralized states. These are things that have to be worked out. What they are unanimous about is the no return of the regime. This reflects reality when the reconstruction cost of syria are so high in a multiple, multiple billions of dollars. Unlike iraq, when theres a government recognized with full global support, the un is on the ground, you have a huge outpouring of International Support to help communities recover reality in theory is that until theres a a credible political horizon, the International Community is not going to come to the aid, particularly the aid under control of the regime in these areas have been truly destroyed by many of the perfect tab tactics. Thats the reality. Until we find a critical, credible political horizon you wont see that support pour in. You will held a conference to reinforce that conference a month ago. Will be doing the work in parallel with the military. The Assad Government will be paying the bills, wont the state department be forced to work along side of him with the rocket reconstruction or you just say now it wont be reconstructed until assad has left . We are prepared to do stabilization. Hundreds of products are identified and it will be a perfect example. The dam is one of the most provides electricity in syria. It was seized and now controlled was controlled by isis prices for years but now controlled by Syrian Forces. We are working to the mine the dam. Local forces and local workers that we trained to do this the mining. Then the workers all back to the dam to work. Theres no regime presence there whatsoever. In terms of these overall relationships within syria it is more complex than most people realize when you lift the hood and see whats going on. Rbc, that will be worked out. This battle for rocca has something to go and in parallel were working on a civilian and diplomatic aspects. You mentioned annihilation with isis. What would that look like in isis iraq in syria there will always be a residual threat from this group in both countries and given the fact that these followons, threats from isis in syria like other areas does that mean the American Public should expect a longterm presence of american troops in syria . This threat is a longterm bet thats why so many nations have signed up. You dont see a close and decide if it some shortterm threat or a small regional threat. This is a transnational longterm threat. I visit, will move against their other concentrations and forces and you say what does it look like what will it look like we say we have success what we will see is the local Security Forces , please, that sort of organization can handle it. In other words we drive them down to a point where the locals can handle that and its no longer a transregional, transnational threat. You have to drive them down to a point if please can handle it. Please can handle a if they have thousands of fighters and mobile vehicles that allow them to range far and wide. We have to drive them down to a point that Police Elements can handle it. Can you address the question of the american troop presence in syria for smarts we expect to be there for you to come . I am not willing to say that right now. That is not our intent. We are there to drive isis to its knees and its mr. Mcgurk pointed out theres got to be a political solution to the larger issues there. It wont be us troops at the point of a gun making it happen. Secretary matters, have you made any recommendation on more us troops to afghanistan and the decision been made about how many troops will be going to afghanistan for smart subtly, did President Trump when he met with the russians in the oval office, has he. On the number of troops, no i have not made a recommendation. Ive gone to indecision, met with president , met with the nato representative and i met with our commander in the field. Ive also been in brussels and also on the side in copenhagen talks with my counterparts they are. To collect allied input. That recommendation is being put together by the chairman in myself and i expect it will go to decision very soon. No, it is not been made yet. And about the conversation in the oval office with the russians. I was not there. I know what i read in the newspaper. I will tell you this, i have not been asked this week and ive been on the phone or hosted in washington either nine or 11, losing track of time, nine or 11 foreign counterparts or spoken with secretarygeneral on the phone and the issue has never come up. At a quick followup for each of you. When you said you been able to quickly field equipment to the sdf, what did you mean by that. I misspoke. What i really meant to say it was we had stockpiled equipment and we were prepared to quickly field it to the sdf. We havent started to provide it yet. That equipment is in the form of small arms, ammunition, machine guns and is well as equipment that will allow them to deal with the ieds, improvised expensive devices. We havent actually started to provide that equipment to the Syrian Diplomatic and over last couple months in anticipation of that decision or in anticipation of us having his pride support to our even if it wasnt the Syrian Forces we will stockpiled from it and be prepared to issue that out. Will do a quick transition as they finished the isolation of rocca in transition into seizing rocca will be able to take the presence and quickly get the equipment to the sdf. Thanks for the chance to clarify the secretary matters, were you confirming that the north Korean Missile launch last weekend did have a controlled reentry back into the atmosphere . No, i was not. It went to a high note walk and when it came down from that altitude they learned a lot from that but im not willing to characterize that beyond that right now. Mr. Mcgurk, i wanted to be clear. Are you confirming that the obama ministration had made the decision to arm to one of the earlier questions. It was put out there but no one ever really answered it. Can you confirm that the obama ministration know, that decision was made by President Trump. Back row go ahead. I saw your tie earlier. I wanted to make sure i got it [ that annihilation change if i could talk about incumbency cities. Is that something that will accelerate timelines or is that something that will have more force needed. Will that delay timelines . Potentially, because its such a force generated will they be fired up more trainers and supporters. It is a change in tactics that we now surround these locations and concentrations of enemy. Any indication that i gave a timeline, i want to make sure that i understand, i dont put timelines and forces in the fields. They know what the mission is, they do with their professional judgment tells them is possible and what reality delivers to them in terms of thinking enemy on the battlefield. Thats proven because they lost every battle they been fighting now since the coalition has engaged them. We will continue that tactic. I do do not think it relates to a longer campaign. There may be tactical incidences that take longer and i defer to the chairman on that but the bottom line is the foreign fighters dont get out, its not our intent that their greatly reduced in numbers to get back home again to bring their hate and discontent back. That sums it up next saturday, one last time to the sdf. There may be a misunderstanding. Theres a kurdish component to the Syrian Democratic forces and theres an arab component. We have been providing equipment , weapons, to the arab component for some months. Thats been going on. The decision that President Trump made was to provide equipment to the kurdish component of the Syrian Democratic forces. I wanted to clarify that. Its clear in my mind and i just want to make sure its clear and yours. Thanks. I want to go back to the operation that took place yesterday. Could you confirm that the target Shiite Militia was a rainy and smart do you see any interest in the us and coalition [inaudible] let me take a stab at this. That was, as the chairman pointed out, selfdefense of our forces. It was necessitated by ostensive movements with offenses capabilities by what we believe were iranian directed. I dont know that i there were iranians on the ground but by iranian directed forces inside an established and agreed upon the confliction zone. We believe they moved into that zone against the advice of the russians or apparently against the advice of the russians. I cant confirm that either but it looks like the russians tried to dissuade them. Expression. Bottom line is is is a major change of the war or is this an extension of whats been happening already. What are you referring to . Is whats new on the ground. The new delegation of authorities, the division to surrounding operations and said previous ones because President Trump campaigned on the idea that the isis wart wasnt working under obama or fast enough for him that there would be a major change even considered firing generals and here we are now with your first comments. Should the American Public think this is a major difference or this is a natural progression of what should happen anyway based on last years. Im not quite sure of your progression. I explained to you that we went to him with the situation as we saw it. There were suggested changes and he discussed these changes with us with the whole of government, not just the department of defense and we made the decision , he made the decision, we took the decision and executed for an accelerated campaign of one that includes surrounding the enemy so they cant get out and all of the ramifications and implications of that. Those are the changes that were going forward. The campaign designed and state remains the same. To destroy isis. No longer will we have slowed decision cycles because washington dc has to authorize tactical movements on the ground i have absolute confidence, as does the president , commander in chief, and the commanders in the ground as proven by delegating the authority to me to further delegated and carried it out aggressively. Yes, maam. I like to follow up about the iranian acts, are you concerned say in iraq, that Certain Armed units have risen in all of this fighting and what the iranian backed popular mold mobilization or the pkk and the situation has allowed these armed groups to emerge and to be visible to control after words . The Iranian Regime has been unhelpful as you all know, some years ago when the Syrian People went rose up against the side, they would have been successful except for the iranian reinforcements will support for assad. Thats the reason he was able to withstand that difficult time and still be in position now. Irans activities have not been helpful. They have been hurtful. They have extended a war that should have ended long ago. Ive been in a lot of refugee camps over my years on active duty from the dalmatian coast to africa and other places, seeing both people pulled out of the water off vietnam, i have never seen refugees as traumatized as i have seen coming out of syria. Never. Iran there is no little responsibility for that situation. Yes, go ahead. Please clarify a couple things. You given the impression that under President Trump 55000 or 60000 square kilometers have been freed and 1. 7 million refugees. Can you give a sense of what was actually accomplished under the Trump Administration before they took Office Perspective can you give the impression rightly or wrongly that all this has happened since Trump Took Office i think the secretary mentioned in the chairman mentioned that the delegation of authority which has made a difference in terms of the speed of execution, i think taco was an example of that. We saw an opportunity, military people on the ground sans opportunity to surprise isis and moving them by helicopter and behind and they seized the town. I have that happened very fast. They took advantage of a moving situation on the ground because our commanders saw that situation. I think the speed of execution is significantly and the delegations have made a difference. The numbers in the data are aggregate. We will take one more question. As always, but ladies and gentlemen let me be clear about this. We were talking about the campaign since 2014 and thats what were talking about. At that point, isis was on the attack and he had the initiative they were shattering every force in their past. Since then, it has been reversed we have accelerated, thats how i characterize it, tony, i didnt say it all started with us. We continue to, theres been a lot of countries in this for a long time and were going to keep right at it. We have changed tactically however going to carry about it. Weve accelerated the campaign and thats show up clearly and are tactical reports that are coming in. Lets take one more question. This will be rough here. Go ahead, please. One more on afghanistan. In your latest trip were you able to secure it later for more play more forces and what their responsibility to expand into the counterterrorism realm. Nor did i seek to get commitments for Additional Forces because the other day that will be made by their heads of state in nepal. As Zachary Dennis said President Trump will be in brussels and you meet with his counterparts and then ill expect well see some commitments. My focus in dealing with my counterparts was to say that if political decisionmakers decide on the 25th of may to increase the forces that are in afghanistan, then will be prepared to provide those as quickly as possible. The other point that i discussed with my counterparts was that we have some unfulfilled, as general mickelson has said, that theres unfulfilled requirements , obtaining today. I encourage them to meet those requirements. What i did receive was that they live within their capability to do more in afghanistan. I was very encouraged that the tone in brussels and around the room. Its fair to say that 28 nations sitting on the table all were committed to an enduring presence in afghanistan and continued support, particulate president donnie and his plan for security. We are waiting for a signal from President Trump if you missed any of this briefing will be able to watch it again on our website cspan. Org. Just type in defense secretary matus in the Video Library search bar. This is from the defense news military us lawmakers believe the pentagon needs a major boost above us President Donald Trump s budget but its Unlikely Congress will oblige this year. Comes 2018 budget requests is itself a place holder at 603 billion, 18. 5 billion more than the Obama Administration projected for 2018. On the high end is the 640 billiondollar target advanced by the house and Senate Armed ServicesCommittee Chairman which they say is needed to repair a military readiness crisis obama left behind. Powerful House Appropriations subcommittee chair kay granger says thursday that the 603 billiondollar bill is reasonable and that 640 billion which exceeds budget cast by roughly 90 billion wont be reached unless something dropped from heaven. Read more at defense news. Com. The president and first lady leaving for saudi arabia this afternoon. They had stopped in israel, rome and the vatican including a meeting with pope francis and its on to brussels for a nato meeting and then to sicily for a meeting of the g7. Tonight at 8 00 p. M. Is encore q a with roger ailes who died this week. In this 2004 interview, the founder and former chairman of fox news talks about journalism, his former career in politics and success of the fox news channel. Whether youll be a dentist or a lawyer or a teacher or an accountant, let your Guiding Principles the truth and service. Success is not an entitlement it has to be earned and earned every day through the lens of humility. Our greatest passions in life often foster face challenges in surmountable. You can conquer these challenges and they will shape and strengthen your character. Saturday night at 8 00 p. M. Eastern 2017 commencement speeches. This weekend speakers include senator Pamela Harris at Howard University in washington dc. Education secretary betsy devos at the june cookman in Daytona Beach florida. Ceo and president of aerojet rocket time eileen drake at university of alabama in huntsville. Executive chairman of starbucks, Howard Schultz at Arizona State university. Senator Elizabeth Warren at university of massachusetts amherst. And senator rob portman at Ashland University in ohio. This saturday night at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan and cspan. Org. Yesterday the fcc voted to 212 party lines to start the process of repealing regulations on Internet Service providers known as Net Neutrality rules. The vote is the first step and review process that could end the classification of home and mobile Internet Service providers as common carriers. Current rules mandate that all internet traffic must be treated equally and fairly and stop internet providers like verizon and comcast from blocking access