In a recent press briefing at the White House, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby provided updates on the discussions held between National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Chinese counterpart, Director Wang Yi, in Bangkok over the weekend.
The meetings between Sullivan and Director Wang aimed to assess the progress made on key issues following the meeting between President Biden and President Xi back in November. One of the main topics discussed was the resumption of military-to-military communication, which has already taken place. Additionally, the officials addressed artificial intelligence safety and risks, and both countries expressed their commitment to advancing bilateral counter-narcotics cooperation. A working group on counter-narcotics is scheduled to be launched tomorrow in Beijing, with Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Doskow leading the U.S. delegation.
The discussions between Sullivan and Director Wang were not limited to bilateral issues but also encompassed global and regional matters. These included the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, North Korea, the South China Sea, and Burma. They also engaged in talks regarding cross-strait issues.
During the briefing, Kirby emphasized that the U.S. government is still working to definitively attribute the attack that targeted U.S. forces. Reporters inquired about the initial reports suggesting that the attack drone that killed the U.S. forces may have been misidentified as a U.S. drone returning to a base. However, Kirby clarified that he could not confirm this information at that time.
When asked about the President's response and potential actions, Kirby stated that President Biden was carefully considering his options. He affirmed that the decision-making process was ongoing and that the President had already met with the national security team multiple times, including just recently. Kirby assured reporters that once a decision was made, it would be communicated to the American people.
Amid concerns over the protection of American troops in the region, Kirby emphasized that force posture changes, if any, would not be discussed openly. He expressed confidence in the Defense Department, led by Secretary Austin, to prioritize force protection issues and ensure the safety of U.S. troops and facilities.
While it remains unclear if President Biden will directly address the American people regarding the recent attack and his response, Kirby expressed no doubt that the President would continue to communicate the importance of ongoing missions and the safety of U.S. troops and facilities.
As the situation develops, the U.S. government will continue to assess the details surrounding the attack and work towards a resolution that prioritizes the safety of U.S. forces.
