Pentagon on @POTUS' proposed $715 billion FY 2022 @DeptofDefense budget

It "will ensure the Department’s resources are matched w/our strategy & policy to defend the nation & take care of our people, while revitalizing the key alliances & partnerships" per @SecDef Lloyd Austin

$715 billion budget request prioritizes "the need to counter the pacing threat from #China" per @DeptofDefense, and "...deterring nation-state threats emanating from #Russia, #Iran, & #NorthKorea"

. @DeptofDefense says the $715 billion budget request also addresses "threats to readiness, including hate group activity within the military, and prioritizing strong protections against harassment and discrimination"

No more #OCO - @POTUS budget request "discontinues requests for #OverseasContingencyOperations as a separate funding category, instead funding direct war costs and enduring operations in the DOD base budget" per White House

US Shipbuilding: Per White House, the $715 billion budget request for FY 2022 "proposes executable & responsible investments in the @USNavy fleet...and invests in remotely operated and autonomous systems"

NEW: "We believe it provides a robust funding level for the military forces needed to deter war & ensure our nation's security" per @PressSec on proposed $715 billion defense budget

#China military exercises around #Taiwan - "We're not looking for confrontation w/ #China" per @PressSec

Says US has expressed its "growing concerns" to #Beijing "clearly, publicly & privately"

#China's military activity in the #Taiwan Strait "potentially destabilizing" per @PressSec "So we are watching that closely"

#Afghanistan: "The president's commitment is to bring a responsible end to the conflict, removing out troops from harm's way & ensuring Afghanistan can never again become a haven for terrorists that would threaten the United States" per @PressSec

. @POTUS "has been clear that is operationally challenging to get troops out by May 1" per @PressSec "But I certainly expect you will hear from him on what his decision in in advance of that time"

#SolarWinds hack- #Russia: "There will be consequences, some unseen & some seen" per @PressSec "We will hope to have more about those soon"

US, allies in close consultation w/allies on #Russia escalation along border w/ #Ukraine, per @PressSec

"There's ongoing diplomatic engagement"

This earlier from @StateDept re #Ukraine - #Russian https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1380573255866667008?s=20

And tweets, now, from @SecBlinken himself on the calls w/ #France #Germany and the discussions on #Ukraine & #Russia