James Mattis - U.S. Secretary of Defense
Thank you, Dr. Chipman, as well as Excellencies, Ladies as well as Gentlemen. It's genuinely a pleasance to live dorsum hither at the Manama Dialogue. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 special give thank yous you for the unusual government minister of Bahrain for its traditional as well as well-known warm hospitality to borrow the words of a quondam U.S. ambassador to the Court of St. James as well as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral William Crowe, Bahrain has as well as I quote here, "pound-for-pound." So, give thank yous you really much to Bahrain for its continued leadership inwards this regard. Hosting the Manama dialogue is I think a prime number instance of Bahrain's leadership making clear that the size of a nation's territory does non decide the impact of its commitment to regional security. And directly inwards its 14th iteration this worthwhile forum, the Manama Dialogue, brings together from across the Middle East as well as across the globe those committed to crafting a amend hereafter as well as exchanging ideas as well as sharing best practices.
We owe thank yous to IISS as well as to all the people of this kingdom for the chance to piece of work together for peace. As I was falling asleep concluding night, I was thinking nearly what the King of Jordan's words conveyed to all of us at dinner inwards that really short, really succinct but really hard-hitting laid of remarks that were delivered inwards his behalf.
And he said that hope when working for sustainable peace cannot live unilateral. We must piece of work together to offering hope to all to ship out our collective responsibility. And I think that to do peace, it's our obligation to the side past times side generation as well as inwards the spirit of a multilateral hope that is how I desire to offering my views today on the U.S. operate inwards the changing Middle East.
I think to a greater extent than importantly I come upwardly to withdraw heed to your perspectives because piece I oftentimes see this region, many of yous alive hither as well as I am a goodness listener. When yous receive got ideas, I pick out notes. So, I'll speak for a few minutes before leaving fourth dimension for questions as well as I would expression frontward at that dot to hearing your query but especially your insight on how nosotros tin together farther bolster cooperation to run into our shared challenges inwards the region.
Today, to quote quondam Secretary of State George Shultz, "The globe is awash inwards change." The Middle East sits at the pump of an increasingly complex safety environs impacted past times the homecoming of groovy might contest as well as enduring threats from actors that seek to undermine the rules-based international order.
While some do non part our vision for a peaceful, prosperous, as well as stable region, the U.S. remains committed. I am hither today, the U.S. is hither inwards the Middle East, as well as nosotros are committed to working amongst like-minded partners to reinforce durable as well as dynamic international responses to regional challenges.
For nosotros sympathise a stable Middle East underpins a stable world. Instability does non abide by national borders. It grows as well as spreads if left unchecked. This part is critical to the international economy. While America may non require Middle Eastern fossil oil for its ain internal economy, our markets rely heavily on it, as well as beyond economical factors, the people of this part deserve peace just similar everyone else.
Like-minded nations hither today do non seek state of war or conflict, yet, nosotros cannot ignore the malign influence as well as destabilizing conduct pursued past times trigger-happy extremist organizations as well as past times Iran's "outlaw regime" to borrow U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo's recent words.
And so, therefore, today, I reiterate the U.S. stands against Iran's proliferation of advanced conventional weapons as well as its provision of fiscal as well as technical assistance to lethal militants amid proxy terrorists as well as others across the part they support. Their impact existence on display inwards Yemen, inwards Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, as well as fifty-fifty hither inwards the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In Yemen, Islamic Republic of Iran continues to export missiles rockets as well as unmanned aerial systems to Houthi militants inwards violation of UN strictures. Over the past times xviii months, Houthis receive got launched to a greater extent than than 100 missiles at Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including civilian targets similar the King Khalid International Airport.
Iran support, prolongs, as well as expands the conflict inwards Yemen, adds to humanitarian suffering, threatens critical waterways, as well as disrupts efforts for sustainable peace. In addition, al-Qaeda leadership's utilisation of Islamic Republic of Iran every bit a prophylactic haven widely acknowledged amongst extremists is unacceptable to the international community as well as senseless inwards price of what is inwards the best involvement of the unfortunate Iranian people saddled with the regime focused on creating pandemonium as well as violence beyond its borders.
We stand upwardly against Iran's unsafe fifty-fifty reckless conduct inwards the maritime domain similar the July attacks on international transportation past times Iranian-supplied Houthis inwards the Bab el-Mandeb. These behaviors flout liberty of navigation as well as disrupt maritime safety as well as global trade. We stand upwardly against Iran's conducting destructive as well as costly cyber attacks against sovereign nations as well as corporations.
We stand upwardly against its testing as well as proliferation of missile systems inwards contravention of international mandates irresponsibly spreading these threats to Syria, Lebanon, Republic of Yemen as well as elsewhere. The fact they operate through proxy forces does non lessen the Iranian regime's culpability nor volition it lessen their accountability past times the international community.
We volition non stand upwardly idly past times whatsoever exertion past times the Iranian regime to pursue a nuclear weapon. As President Trump has made clear, the U.S. recognizes the Iranian regime does non speak for the Iranian people, who receive got a correct to alive as well as prosper inwards a safe, secure, as well as peaceful region.
An Iranian regime that ignores the needs of its citizens feels costless to escalate as well as initiate costly conflicts that serve no one's interest. Nothing is to a greater extent than emblematic of Iran's maligned activities inwards the Middle East than its back upwardly for Assad's murderous regime. This back upwardly coupled with Russia's repeated vetoes of UN Security Council resolutions is the leading argue Assad remains inwards power.
Russia's opportunism as well as willingness to overlook Assad's criminal activities against his ain people evidences its lack of sincere commitment to essential moral principles. Today, I brand clear Russia's presence inwards the part cannot supersede the long-standing, enduring, as well as transparent U.S. commitment to the Middle East. One that I reiterate today without reservation.
We stand upwardly with our partners who favor stability over chaos as well as nosotros back upwardly unity of exertion amidst our nation's militaries inwards reply to shared threats as well as challenges for inwards such unity is the existent might to laid as well as to maintain peace. This year, the U.S. released its showtime national defence strategy inwards to a greater extent than than a decade.
In add-on to prioritizing the threats nosotros human face inwards today's complex landscape, the strategy highlights the critical importance of strengthening existing alliances as well as partnerships piece also forging novel relationships with like-minded nations. Our logic is simple, nations with allies as well as partners thrive piece those who watch others only every bit vassals or dependents to live exploited wither.
Within this part as well as beyond fifty-fifty inwards the midst of electrical flow challenges, in that location is immense chance for cooperation amongst those who part a vision for a peaceful, prosperous, as well as costless world. One underpinned past times the dominion of law at habitation as well as internationally.
Over to a greater extent than than 4 decades inwards uniform, I never fought inwards a exclusively American formation. I ever served inwards coalitions inwards most cases amongst troops from the nations gathered hither today. Those experiences made clear to me, nosotros are stronger when nosotros piece of work together, as well as nosotros tin amend deter maligned conduct when unified, as well as if conflict does occur, nosotros tin halt it to a greater extent than swiftly when nosotros collaborate.
As Winston Churchill in 1 trial said, there's only 1 thing harder than fighting with allies as well as that is fighting without them. Although, nosotros may disagree on many issues at times, efforts to do peace are stronger when nosotros piece of work together edifice productive, reliable, as well as resilient partnerships. It's non ever easy, but it is necessary, as well as I would fifty-fifty say it is noble work.
Within this framework nosotros consider a path to stability that begins with an effective regional safety architecture. One that increases cooperation as well as interoperability, 1 that builds our respective defence institutions as well as streamlines data sharing, as well as 1 that supports harmonious political resolution.
The solving of internal debates amidst our GCC partners is vital for realizing this vision. Without it, nosotros weaken our safety at a fourth dimension when U.N. Special Envoy Martin Griffin inwards Republic of Yemen as well as Staffan de Mistura as well as his successor inwards Syrian Arab Republic volition demand our aligned total support, as well as they volition demand it most at this time.
That is why the U.S. supports ongoing discussions to explore the formation of an inclusive Middle East Strategic Alliance, what nosotros telephone telephone "MESA." Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 concept born hither inwards this part as well as 1 that brings together all partners to productively as well as effectively address shared challenges.
The U.S. is committed to working by, with, as well as through allies as well as partners across the part to brand this concept a reality as well as reinforce deterrence of hostile actions. The might of collaboration is evident as well as all nosotros receive got accomplished as well as proceed to attain together to counter destabilizing conduct from the maritime, cyber, air, as well as missile domains, as well as to counter proliferation as well as counterterrorism.
There receive got been successes nosotros know. In the maritime domain, the U.S. volition proceed to piece of work amongst your nations to ensure liberty of navigation as well as transit of international waters. And hither I must banker's complaint that Bahrain Navy's command before this yr of the combined counter piracy Task Force 151 exterior the Gulf.
Our 5th fleet based hither inwards Bahrain as well as our coalition maritime partners remain resolute inwards our conclusion to hold the seas costless from illegal interference as well as illicit trafficking inwards weapons, inwards drugs, as well as inwards people past times patrolling together inwards these waters as well as conducting articulation maritime safety operations to permit peaceful commercial utilisation past times all nations engaged inwards lawful pursuits.
In the cyber domain, the Department of Defense volition proceed to part with our partners the cyber lessons that nosotros receive got learned every bit nosotros piece of work together to strengthen your resilience against destructive cyber attacks on critical systems. Further, nosotros stand upwardly laid to back upwardly our partners as well as allies should nefarious actors assault them inwards the cyber domain.
In the air as well as missile domain, the U.S. volition proceed to strengthen partner defenses past times sharing our best engineering scientific discipline permitting these nations to defend their populations. We volition aid disrupt malign proliferation of missiles as well as related technologies, seat as well as part opportunities to heighten counter unmanned aerial systems efforts, as well as retain capable air as well as naval aviation aircraft inwards the part to detect, deter, as well as if necessary, human face upwardly aggression.
I should banker's complaint hither that several nations on the frontline confronting air as well as missile threats receive got shared their invaluable lessons learned with us, so this is clearly a mutually beneficial effort. Our combined air functioning pump inwards Qatar with representatives from 17 countries serves every bit a spotter against air as well as missile threats inwards the region.
And nosotros volition proceed to piece of work with other parties to bolster missile defence to a greater extent than broadly. For inwards this domain similar so many others, no nation tin protect its population lone when a missile tin swiftly move past times over numerous borders to strike. In the counter-proliferation domain, the U.S. remains committed to working with our partners to ensure weapons of majority devastation rest out of the hands of destabilizing as well as your irresponsible actors far likewise probable to utilisation them.
Across the region, nosotros volition piece of work to bolster the capabilities of our regional partners as well as allies to human face upwardly enduring as well as emerging terrorist threats, sharing news as well as xiv nations that leverage terrorism, showing contempt for your sovereignty as well as their bid to undermine regional stability inwards pursuit of their radical ideologies.
In that pursuit, the defeat ISIS coalition continues to brand critical strides past times working together inwards supporting the Iraqi military. They receive got liberated ISIS-held territory, as well as the physical caliphate inwards Syrian Arab Republic has diminished less than 2 pct of the dry reason - in 1 trial controlled.
Yet, the combat is non over, as well as nosotros must non grow complacent. In Syria, the 17-nation coalition volition proceed to origin out ISIS remnants as well as expand infinite for our diplomats to negotiate for long-term peace inwards that war-torn dry reason where Assad remains inwards might only due to the back upwardly of Russian Federation as well as the Iranian regime.
We volition remain engaged inwards the combat against extremists every bit long every bit they nowadays a clear as well as nowadays danger to our safety as well as allied interest, but the Syrian conflict requires a political resolution, as well as nosotros appreciate our partners tireless efforts to guide the Geneva procedure nether the U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254.
We are deeply aware of the sacrifices many of our partners receive got made inwards this exertion as well as proceed to brand inwards dealing with the effects of Assad's violence against his ain people. Our nation has keenly recognized that whatsoever battlefield is also a humanitarian land for the innocent caught upwardly inwards war.
I commend those nations especially Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, which receive got offered prophylactic haven to millions of refugees piece proactively countering radicalization amidst the displaced as well as vulnerable Syrian people. Thank yous for your ongoing efforts to promote stability as well as to confine farther human suffering amidst people who receive got suffered far likewise much for far likewise long.
The U.S. also seeks to bolster weather condition for peace inwards the Republic of Yemen conflict. As a stair towards stabilization, nosotros strive to construct the capacity of legitimate Yemeni safety forces piece strengthening our regional partner’s defensive capabilities. I reiterate U.S. back upwardly for our partner's correct to defend themselves against Iranian supplied Houthi attacks on their sovereign territory at the same fourth dimension telephone telephone for an urgent halt to the fighting.
Going dorsum to what the King of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan said past times inwards his words concluding black inwards pursuit of this worthy as well as necessary goal, nosotros resolutely back upwardly respected U.N. Special Envoy Martin Griffith's efforts to secure a political solution to the war. All wars must eventually end, as well as the tragedy of Republic of Yemen worsens past times the day. Enough fourth dimension has been spent on the subordinate issues. Now is the fourth dimension to displace frontward on stopping this war.
In November, nosotros must start negotiating the kernel of the issues, compromise must supersede combat, as well as the people must receive got peace to heal. In Republic of Iraq as well as Afghanistan, the U.S. stands with NATO as well as the world's strongest nations, which remained committed to edifice national safety forces capable of defending their populations against threats to their people as well as their sovereignty.
Both nations receive got conducted elections this yr when so-called experts said that would non laissez passer on inwards the human face of terror, when skeptics doubted inwards Republic of Iraq as well as Afghanistan, the people prevailed inwards the human face of it all as well as the terrorism's efforts. Imperfect the elections may receive got been, but against the odds the people all the same prevailed.
Over many years, international troops receive got fought shoulder to shoulder with Republic of Iraq as well as Afghan forces. We witness everyday the sacrifices the combined forces brand to convey safety as well as stability to their homelands. And if the international community volition proceed to stand upwardly amongst them inwards this effort, they volition proceed the long hard journeying to peace at home.
When opposing voices tin live heard inwards a political procedure adapted to each nations culture, 1 that permits peaceful opposition past times giving vocalisation as well as human rights to all, a nation becomes to a greater extent than secure. When people tin speak as well as live heard calling for peace as well as for abide by for all, the terrorist message of hatred as well as violence is non embraced.
With our collective involvement inwards peace as well as unwavering abide by for human rights inwards mind, the murder of Jamal Khashoggi inwards a diplomatic facility must concern us all greatly. As U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo stated, "the U.S. does non tolerate this variety of ruthless activeness to quiet Mr. Khashoggi, a journalist, through violence."
Failure of whatsoever 1 nation to adhere to international norms as well as the dominion of law undermines regional stability at a fourth dimension when it is needed most every bit President Trump noted, "we're going to acquire to the bottom of it." So, inside our democratic split upwardly of regime inwards the United States, nosotros recognized it, as well as President Trump has called for congressional involvement inwards the matter.
Due to the gravity of this situation, I volition proceed consulting with our president as well as secretarial assistant of province every bit they consider the implications of this incident inside our broader strategic framework. We volition maintain our twin imperatives every bit stated past times Secretary of State Pompeo protecting America as well as our interests as well as belongings accountable those responsible for this murder.
Our secretarial assistant of province has already revoked visas as well as volition live taking additional measures every bit the province of affairs is clarified. The U.S. shared safety involvement with our Arab as well as Israeli partners inwards this part remain as well as our abide by for the Saudi people is undiminished, a abide by solidified inwards 1945 when President Franklin Roosevelt as well as Saudi King Ibn Saud met inwards Bitter Lake aboard USS Quincy.
We maintain our potent people-to-people partnership knowing that with our abide by must come upwardly transparency as well as Trust every bit indicated past times President Trump, Secretary of State Pompeo, as well as European leaders alike. These 2 principles are vital for ensuring the continued collaboration because nosotros know that to remain committed as well as nosotros are committed.
We are going to receive got to receive got continued transparency as well as safety for all inwards this part as well as it is necessary if we're to receive got a prophylactic as well as prosperous Middle East. And inwards the King of Jordan's words from concluding evening, "stability as well as confidence move mitt inwards hand."
We are stronger when nosotros piece of work together for peace. The U.S. stands laid to proceed to piece of work past times with as well as through our allies as well as partners across the region. Working amongst you, nosotros volition strengthen your efforts to refine an integrated regional safety scheme that is inclusive of all our partners inwards the region. One that volition serve every bit a comprehensive machinery for solving conflict as well as preserving peace into the future.
Today, I expression frontward to working closely with yous to combat maligned influence with partnership to counter destabilizing conduct with cooperation. For without this cooperation, nosotros only strengthen those who mistakenly consider their ain safety inwards the insecurity of others domestically or internationally.
Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1 trial remarked that "lasting peace cannot live secured through the strength of arms alone. The opened upwardly telephone substitution of ideas ultimately is our greatest security," as well as directly inwards that spirit, I expression frontward to that opened upwardly telephone substitution of ideas every bit I pick out your questions. Thank yous really much, Ladies as well as Gentlemen. (Applause.)
JOHN CHIPMAN: Thank yous really much, secretarial assistant of defense, for that splendid statement. We receive got 3 or 4 people who wishing to pick out the floor. I know others wishing to do so every bit well. Make sure that yous move through your 3 steps. If yous are struggling lift your mitt as well as IISS staff fellow member volition aid you.
But showtime from the UAE, Dr. Ebtesam Al Ketbi .
Q: Thank you, John. (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
I'm going to inquire inwards Standard Arabic please.
MR. CHIPMAN: Go ahead.
Q: (Speaking inwards Foreign Language).
MR. CHIPMAN: Thank yous really much. I think we'll pick out a few more. Certainly, this query of how 1 deals with Iran's ain strategy of working past times with as well as who allies inwards their case, non-state actors as well as militias, an of import question.
Francois Heisbourg
Q: Thank you, John. Thank you, Secretary Mattis for your remarkable (inaudible). Jim, I'd similar to press yous on the number of U.S.-Turkish relations as well as to a greater extent than broadly on the operate of Turkey as well as the safety of the part inwards the wake of the Khashoggi murder inwards Istanbul. Turkey has taken on a potent indeed assertive stance.
Turkey has also released an American citizen. Under these circumstances, how do yous consider the hereafter of Turkey's operate both every bit a NATO ally, indeed an ally of the United States, as well as every bit a regional might interacting with the U.S. notably inwards Syrian Arab Republic but also hither inwards the Gulf notably through the defence human relationship betwixt Turkey as well as Qatar. Thank you.
MR. CHIPMAN: Thank you, as well as from the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Majeed Al Alawi.
Q: Thank yous as well as give thank yous you, Secretary of Defense for this potent commitment to the peace as well as safety of the region. I receive got a question. Do yous think announcing Jerusalem every bit the upper-case missive of the alphabet of State of Israel as well as moving the U.S. Embassy in that location contribute the safety as well as stability of the Middle East?
MR. CHIPMAN: Thank yous as well as I'll pick out 1 to a greater extent than inwards this circular from Dr. Chung Min Lee.
Q: Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for your speech.
U.S. efforts to command Iran's nuclear computer program is a cornerstone of the Trump administration's non-proliferation policy inwards the Middle East, but having pulled out of the JCPOA, what are the implications for ongoing U.S.-North Korea negotiations to completely denuclearize North Korea? And the U.S. also just announced its withdrawal from the INF treaty, how volition this influence the U.S. forcefulness posture across the Eurasian rimlands including the Middle East. Thank you.
SEC. MATTIS: Well, nobody said it was going to live easy, right, but this is precisely why I come upwardly to Manama because this is hard work. For the showtime query from United Arab Emirates, it is our destination to receive got Islamic Republic of Iran cease its calculated attacks on others. Again, nosotros do non believe the Iranian regime speaks for the Iranian people. We know in that location are people -- all of us inwards this room know in that location are people inwards Islamic Republic of Iran who desire peace, who desire prosperity, who desire trade, who desire their children to live able to move to universities inwards other countries as well as come upwardly habitation as well as receive got the same liberty at habitation they had when they were inwards other nations.
So, if nosotros tin consider Islamic Republic of Iran rejoining the community of nations responsibly non having proxies as well as surrogates that they arm as well as spreading mischief as well as murder across the part as well as elsewhere, then, of course, the sanctions would change, but it must live conditions-based. It cannot live based on a hope or based on some deceit or denial.
We know what Islamic Republic of Iran is doing as well as I invite all of yous to come upwardly to Washington wherein an aircraft hangar, yes, it takes an aircraft hangar to handgrip the examples of what nosotros receive got collected across the part of Iranian missiles, explosive boats, as well as other accoutrements of state of war as well as combat non of peace.
So, based on the exertion to attempt to convey Islamic Republic of Iran dorsum into alignment with international law, with international principles, as well as then as well as only as well as then would yous consider us willing to accommodate Iran's expectations. We do non accommodate what Islamic Republic of Iran is doing today as well as I would just add together hither on the questions from our Korean colleague, the command of the nuclear programs as well as the nonproliferation of those programs is an international responsibility.
As yous know, nosotros receive got international rules nearly this, so I think that it was the sundown aspect of the JCPOA that said nosotros were inwards effect, non our intent, but nosotros were inwards trial proverb it's okay to move for a nuclear weapon as well as here's the start date. It's a duet of yr downwards the road, as well as then yous tin do this.
That is what nosotros had to address, as well as that inwards itself gives I believe to a greater extent than credibility to what nosotros are doing on the Korean Peninsula, in 1 trial to a greater extent than working through the international community, but nosotros receive got a responsibleness to Pb in that location was well, to ensure that these weapons do non spread as well as nosotros acquire them nether command so that nosotros don't receive got a worsening province of affairs every bit nosotros tried to cut down the number of weapons inwards the world.
On INF, nosotros are inwards unopen collaboration with our European allies, inwards consultations, every bit late every bit yesterday. And nosotros volition proceed to collaborate really closely with a treaty as well as its implications for European security.
Now, a dot to recall hither is 2 American administrations, Democrat as well as Republican, receive got worked for nearly 5 years to convey Russian Federation dorsum into compliance. Remember, there's only 2 nations that signed this treaty as well as 1 of them receive got been out of compliance for years. We receive got met diplomatically as well as it's been unproductive over 2 administrations.
Eventually, nosotros receive got to expression reality inwards the eye. That is to hateful that nosotros are walking away from arms control. But arms command must live to a greater extent than than words on the paper. It must live actions, as well as so I believe that it really strengthens the flat of commitment, because nosotros do non trip the lite fantastic toe or so noncompliance issues as well as expression the other way every bit if everything is fine.
On U.S.-Turkish relations, Turkey is a NATO ally as well as throughout this hard period, every bit tensions receive got been introduced past times the amount of violence inwards Syria, as well as remember, that is the source of the tensions that nosotros are facing today, every bit nosotros bargain with those issues, nosotros receive got had our military machine to military machine alliance has remained really strong, really opened upwardly communications, transparent, trusted. At the same time, fifty-fifty on the broader issues, nosotros receive got to a greater extent than inwards mutual with our NATO ally, than nosotros receive got inwards uncommon the world that is simply non the instance that it would inwards some way dominate.
We do receive got some really vexing issues, but I consider Turkey's operate every bit nosotros displace frontward hither with progress that yous noted inwards a duet of key areas, every bit having to a greater extent than traction for coming dorsum together on those issues, where we've been apart as well as nosotros are committed to doing so.
Dr. Al Alawi,on Bahrain, it was nearly contributing to stability, whether or non the proclamation of an diplomatic mission going to Jerusalem contributed to stability or not.
I think the most of import thing is that nosotros receive got a commitment to the Middle East peace process. That is the of import piece.
Now, nosotros receive got had a consulate inwards Jerusalem for a long fourth dimension as well as I don't discount the symbolism of moving our diplomatic mission to Jerusalem. But it was inwards no way intended to irksome the peace process. It is intended to exhibit the reality of what Jerusalem is. It is also component subdivision as well as parcel, nosotros believe, of how nosotros displace frontward with the Palestinian situation, as well as guarantee them the hope that the Jordanian manly someone monarch spoke of yesterday, that hope cannot live unilateral, it must live multilateral, it must to include the future, a amend hereafter for the Palestinian people.
And inwards that regard, I do non believe that the motility of the diplomatic mission in that location inwards whatsoever way throws off our commitment to convey inwards the Palestinian people habitation to a amend future. We remain committed to that. Right now, it is a routine word inwards Washington, D.C., at the highest levels nearly how do nosotros displace both peoples frontward toward peace as well as stability as well as a positive future.
MR. CHIPMAN: Thank yous really much. I'll pick out some other round, 3 or 4 more. The showtime is Tobias Ellwood, parliamentary undersecretary of defence inwards the Great Britain -- Tobias.
Q: Secretary, really goodness to consider yous hither as well as recommits your energies, United States' energies to this region.
You spoke of the erosion of the rules-based gild as well as yous gave examples of how complex as well as unsafe our globe is becoming, challenges from province as well as non-state actors. It's every bit if we're no longer at war, but we're for sure non at peace. We're almost at constant conflict.
My query is nearly the organizations maybe created after the Second World War whether they're upwardly to date, whether they're capable of dealing with -- legally, dealing with the challenges that nosotros face, many of the attacks that pick out place, cyber attacks as well as so forth, yous could combat is existence sub Article V from a NATO perspective, as well as the UN Security Council that nosotros all expression at as well as wants to back upwardly is thwarted inwards its exertion to handgrip countries to line organisation human relationship because of the veto.
Is it fourth dimension for like-minded nations to expression as well as to update these organizations that nosotros seek to handgrip nations that move rouge to account?
MR. CHIPMAN: Thank you.
And from the United Arab Emirates, (Rasha AlJundi .
Q: Yes. Please, Secretary Mattis, I just desire to inquire if in that location is a formula regarding Republic of Yemen peace process, especially when yous said, yous speak nearly the compromises that should live done to make peace in that location as well as with the Iranian dorsum inwards the Houthis. Do yous think that the Gulf countries tin dorsum a peace computer program inwards the same fourth dimension accomplishing as well as preserving their safety from the Houthi attacks, especially Saudi Arabia? Thank you.
MR. CHIPMAN: Thank you.
And Betsy Mathieson based hither inwards Bahrain.
Q: Good morning. Thank you, Secretary, for your remarks.
Here inwards the Kingdom of Bahrain, nosotros do believe really strongly that religious liberty is the foundation towards peaceful coexistence for all people. I'm the deputy chairman of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, created this yr past times his Majesty King Hamad. He has also written a really powerful as well as no-nonsense document called "The Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration," calling for religious liberty as well as peaceful coexistence for all.
Secretary Mattis, you've mentioned something really important, that stable as well as peaceful nations demand people to receive got the correct to live able to stand upwardly up as well as telephone telephone for peace as well as nosotros consider loathe crimes on the rising or so the world, especially religious themed loathe crimes. And so, nosotros telephone telephone on all people as well as nosotros inquire the United States, volition yous piece of work with the King Hamad Global Center for peaceful co-existence? Will yous read as well as adopt as well as part the words of his majesty inwards the kingdom of Bahrain, calling for this correct for all people?
How of import receive got yous considered this every bit some other weapon? You receive got nuclear weapons, nosotros receive got talked nearly cyber threats, but nosotros often forget that insidious cancer which is the poisonous ideology of terrorists whose voices nosotros allowed to live louder than ours? Thank you.
MR. CHIPMAN: Thank you. And I'll pick out 2 more.
Nabil Fahmy from Egypt? Nabil, move ahead.
Q: Thank you, Secretary Mattis.
A quick comment as well as a question. I receive got to say I pick out number with your explanation that moving the diplomatic mission to Jerusalem does non conduct upon the message nearly your commitment to the Middle East peace process, especially that yous also unopen the consulate inwards East Jerusalem, as well as displace that to your embassy.
But my query really is, could yous elaborate a lilliputian chip on U.S. operate inwards this province of affairs inwards Libya, which is some other work surface area inwards the Middle East? Thank you, sir.
MR. CHIPMAN: Thank you.
And concluding from the United States, Dr. Mara Karlin .
Q: Thank you, Secretary Mattis.
Given the National Defense Strategy's focus on mainland People's Republic of China as well as Russia, as well as inwards lite of recent steps, similar the removal of an aircraft carrier from the Gulf as well as key missile defence systems, could yous part with us your thinking on reshaping U.S. military machine posture inwards the Middle East?
SEC. MATTIS: Well, it doesn't acquire whatsoever easier, does it?
But, first, Tobias, groovy to consider yous here. I would just dot out that the United Kingdom's operate continues to live essential. I'm reminded that the deputy commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet hither inwards Bahrain is a Royal Navy officer. It shows the collaboration the many nations exercise because every bit the crown prince of UAE has said, because the surface area is critical to the international economy, nosotros demand international back upwardly to maintain stability inwards the area.
And U.K. has been at the really forefront of carrying that variety of commitment forward, non just on military, but also on diplomatic, as well as a host of other areas to include the medical collaboration that allows an telephone substitution of the top flying technology, medical technology. Why do I convey it up? Because it's of import nosotros ever expand this work inwards gild to genuinely address it, of safety as well as stability, yous don't desire to address it but as well as Great Britain has been 1 of those with the most mature outlook on this.
But every bit far every bit the post-World War II organizations, the UN coming out of Bretton Wood, nosotros saw the International Monetary Fund as well as World Bank. It was designed for the desperate people as well as economical privation would non plough to Mussolinis. They could plough to the lender of concluding resort.
There are other organizations as well as structures that receive got come upwardly out as well as do nosotros demand to update? Absolutely, they must live admitted. In America, nosotros are directly permitting our folks to invest, our regime to invest basically differently with our unusual aid, rather than having it narrow. That allows us to to a greater extent than broadly address the needs of the changing globe that nosotros see.
So, yes, it needs to live updated, but nosotros must recall the showtime principles. Why did nosotros receive got the IMF? Why did nosotros receive got the World Bank?
And every bit nosotros update these organizations, nosotros receive got to recall in 1 trial to a greater extent than going dorsum to the really goodness word to the manly someone monarch of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan concluding black -- nosotros receive got got to live able to instill hope. We do non desire people feeling hopeless as well as and then wonder why they lash out.
So, nosotros receive got to piece of work together on this through many nations inwards the part that receive got been really generous as well as trying to aid others as well as whether they'd live refugees, or education, that sort of thing, economical support. And I think nosotros receive got to proceed to update all of these organizations which agency nosotros receive got to define the problems of our day. If nosotros do non define the problems well, nosotros volition non update the organizations appropriately.
On the formula for Republic of Yemen -- fantabulous question. We receive got had a lot of talk, ladies as well as gentlemen. They were quite. They receive got gone on for some time.
We came unopen to bringing everyone together as well as and then nosotros receive got someone dorsum out -- the subordinate issues inwards Republic of Yemen had been talked nearly long enough. It is directly fourth dimension to move to the really crux. And for the query that's precisely correspond for our time, what is the formula then?
I think the showtime component subdivision of the formula is that nosotros ensure the borders are demilitarized so that people don't experience they receive got to pose armed forces along borders. There should live cypher to a greater extent than than customs as well as border police clit in that location to expedite the flow of goods as well as people dorsum as well as forth legally.
Secondly, I think the deweaponization, demilitarization on the high scale. I'm talking, there's no demand for missiles anywhere downwards inwards Republic of Yemen correct now. No 1 is going to invade Yemen. We are going to come upwardly dorsum to the U.N.-supported government, 1 that gives the traditional homelands for the traditional peoples, for everyone to live inwards their ain area, no demand to pick out over other parts of the dry reason as well as allow the diplomats piece of work their magic correct now. But it has to start I think along those 2 lines.
And if nosotros do that, I think that the Houthis are also going to find, they volition non break the amend fourth dimension than to engage directly with Martin Griffith as well as his goodness officers at the U.N. special envoy inwards gild to receive got what I believe is inwards their best involvement as well as they would concur inwards their best interest, as well as that is, they're inwards their ain area, they receive got some grade of autonomy or some might to coalesce together as well as receive got their voices heard. They do non demand whatsoever aid from Islamic Republic of Iran to do this. The UN tin laid that framework as well as the formulas, so long every bit it involves no attacking exterior its borders as well as nosotros don't consider Islamic Republic of Iran using other countries every bit highways instead of respecting their sovereignty, using them every bit highways to convey their destabilizing weapons inwards to interrupt commercial traffic inwards the Gulf or firing missiles to civilian targets inwards the kingdom.
That was a groovy opinion, ma'am, nearly his majesty's tilt on religious tolerance as well as I would just dot out to all of us hither something that is well-known to those of us who are familiar with the region, but Bahrain has ever had that flat of tolerance for people's expressing of whatever religion was intimate to them. And I think every bit far every bit the loathe crimes, it's almost similar we're losing our key friendliness toward 1 some other every bit people. We're losing a sense of calm as well as shared destiny on this planet.
And why people are becoming to a greater extent than tribal, why this is becoming manifested inwards religious terms, I think nosotros demand to plough the countries similar Bahrain as well as say this is non the way nosotros receive got been for many, many years, as well as having known the king, met the manly someone monarch showtime inwards 1996, I would just say his reform-minded way of approaching how he listens to his people I think is component subdivision of how nosotros break our way out of this increased tribalism as well as this increasingly unhelpful sort of dialogue, what yous called loathe crimes. And loathe crimes, as well as also loathe speech.
But I think it is really of import as well as yous receive got our commitment that nosotros will, of course, work, as well as this is so consistent what his majesty has laid upwardly with the center. This is so consistent with what America stands for. It is -- release reservation, I say, nosotros back upwardly that.
For Nabil, I sympathise why yous would pick out number with my dot nearly the displace of our diplomatic mission as well as I sympathise it. I would just say, if yous ticker our actions, it is -- that is non a singular action. Watch our other actions, every bit nosotros attempt to in 1 trial once to a greater extent than do what President Clinton tried so hard to do as well as nearly succeeded.
Remind everyone that when Yasser Arafat walked away, that was likely the closest nosotros had been. We had seen the manly someone monarch of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dorsum inwards the early on 2000s come upwardly up with his peace plan. We know that if people of goodwill volition piece of work together that this tin move forward. The Palestinian people demand this as well as nosotros back upwardly as well as President Trump supports that effort.
In Libya, I would just say that the homecoming of Ambassador Bodde this calendar week to service, he had a menage unit of measurement province of affairs with his manly someone raise he needed to attend when he retired from the State Department. He is back. We are working with our -- especially our European as well as North African partners on the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya province of affairs as well as we'll proceed to do so.
There again, we've got to break a way to pose an halt to the conflict. I don't receive got whatsoever goodness ideas on that 1 correct now, but I think the correct people are working it, to arts and crafts what the framing principles should live every bit nosotros move forward.
The concluding query nearly the National Defense Strategy as well as the focus on mainland People's Republic of China as well as Russia. You know, every bit I expression at my responsibility, I often consider where military machine aspects are only component subdivision of a solution. And oftentimes, if yous were to inquire me what my existent project is, yous know, I'm the secretarial assistant of defense. I'm responsible for military machine options as well as collaboration with our partners as well as allies.
But my existent project is attempt to maintain the peace or what passes for peace for 1 to a greater extent than year, 1 to a greater extent than month, 1 to a greater extent than week, 1 to a greater extent than day, so the diplomats tin ship out their responsibilities. And I think that correct now, nosotros had to recognize that times had changed as well as that Russian Federation had chosen a dissimilar path inwards partnership with Europe as well as with NATO.
There was a fourth dimension when nosotros had objective argue to believe nosotros could proceed along that path. Regrettably what has happened inwards Syrian Arab Republic as well as Crimea as well as Salisbury as well as I tin move on, has caused us to recognize that reality.
With China, it is a really dissimilar situation, as well as there, I would just dot out that strategic contest does non imply hostility. I receive got met with my counterpart inwards Beijing a calendar month ago. I met with him in 1 trial to a greater extent than inwards Singapore a calendar week ago. He is coming to Washington side past times side calendar week to proceed our discussions.
And I would tell yous that nosotros are committed to cooperating with China, with Russia, where nosotros can, but nosotros volition non give upwardly liberty of navigation. We do non give upwardly international law as well as no 1 nation tin on its ain alter international law. It has to live a collaboration because we're all together inwards this planet.
So, nosotros worked those issues with them but non every bit yous tin consider from my presence hither today, non through the lack of attending on our alliances as well as partnerships hither inwards the Middle East. The Middle East is critical to the world's economy. The Middle East has been the source of likewise much strife as well as nosotros are going to proceed to rest committed hither as well as inwards no way are nosotros walking away from this.
We didn't pin inwards this administration, to pose it bluntly. We're non pivoting away or towards. We're simply broadening how nosotros expression at the globe without losing whatsoever focus here, as well as I think that you'll consider that inwards our actions hither inwards the future. You volition non receive got whatsoever doubtfulness that nosotros are firmly committed here, is firmly committed every bit the other nations represented hither today.
MR. CHIPMAN: Thank yous really much, Secretary Mattis, for your elegant command of all the strategic questions that yous demonstrated today. And I think all of us inwards this hall wishing yous all the best inwards your enduring mission to combine cool strategy with human warmth. Thank yous really much, indeed.
SEC. MATTIS: Well, give thank yous you. (Applause.)
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