31st Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Views From Capitol Hill

Congressman McCall explained the difference between the U.S. Congress and parliamentary systems, noting that unlike in parliamentary governments, U.S. legislators cannot simultaneously serve in the executive branch. He emphasized Congress’s constitutional role under Article One as the “people’s house,” responsible for foreign policy and national security alongside the executive. Drawing on his experience as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, he reviewed key global issues. He criticized the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it poorly executed and a betrayal of allies, particularly Afghan partners and women, while stressing that radical extremists, not Islam as a faith, remain the threat. He discussed Ukraine, arguing that Afghanistan’s fall signaled weakness that emboldened Putin, but U.S. wartime support helped Ukraine resist and showed the need for strong, enforceable security agreements. In the Indo-Pacific, he highlighted China’s ambitions under Xi Jinping, the strategic importance of Taiwan’s semiconductor production, and the role of the AUKUS alliance in deterrence through nuclear submarines and AI-enabled weapons. On the Middle East, he noted the strengthening of alliances with Israel and Saudi Arabia, Iran’s weakened influence, and the potential for normalization between Arab states and Israel, while cautioning about rising anti-Semitism and extremist threats. In the Western Hemisphere, he raised concerns over China, Iran, and Russian influence in Latin America, emphasizing the importance of border security and countering the fentanyl crisis. He concluded that projecting strength, supporting democracy, and leading globally are essential responsibilities, and that democracy, though messy, remains the best system to pass down a safer, freer world to future generations.