27th Parliamentary-Intelligence Security Forum – Remarks
Congressman Jim Baird welcomed attendees to Washington and highlighted his representation of Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District, home to Purdue University and a strong agricultural and scientific community. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak and emphasized the importance of international dialogue at a time of mounting global instability.
He pointed to ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and violence in the Middle East, as well as the growing coordination among authoritarian powers such as Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong-un, with support from Iran. Baird argued that this alignment presents both a threat and an opportunity for democratic nations to strengthen cooperation and restore peace, stability, and democratic values worldwide.
He stressed that cybersecurity must be a central priority, warning that attacks such as the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack and breaches affecting energy infrastructure demonstrate vulnerabilities in critical systems. The United States and its allies, he said, must enhance their ability to detect and defend against cyber threats, particularly as advanced weapons systems become increasingly technology-dependent.
He also underscored that global security begins at home, calling for stronger border enforcement and action against drug trafficking fueled by precursor chemicals linked to China. Finally, he emphasized American energy independence as a pillar of geopolitical stability, urging that the United States supply its allies rather than allowing dependence on adversarial nations such as Russia and Iran. He concluded that a unified front among allies is essential to overcoming today’s security challenges.
