Pentagon chief gives keynote address at Reagan defense forum: Watch live

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will appear as keynote speaker Saturday at the Reagan National Defense Forum. The annual conference in Simi Valley, Calif., includes civilian and military leadership, along with private sector defense specialists. 

Panels at this year’s conference are covering topics from AI to recruitment. But questions about U.S. support Israel’s war against Hamas and Ukraine’s defense against Russia will both likely add urgency to the event. 

Along with the potential for Chinese military action toward Taiwan, these issues were highlighted in recent survey results released by forum hosts the Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute. According to the group’s polling, American opinion favors increased defense spending generally, and increased defense aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. 

Their data also suggested that the U.S. public finds China to be the biggest security threat, followed by Russia.

Secretary Austin is scheduled to speak at 2:45 p.m. EST.

Watch the live video above.