Obama's Summit on Confronting 21st Century Threats

Earlier today, Senator Obama joined a experts on nuclear non-proliferation, bio security and cyber security, as well as Indiana Senator Evan Bayh and former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana to discuss security issues in a changing world. Following his opening remarks, the panel spent over an hour discussing the dangers of what the 9/11 Commission called our “failure of imagination,” and the need to stay one step ahead of the threats of the 21st century.

As Barack explained ...

It’s time to update our national security strategy to stay one step ahead of the terrorists – to see clearly the emerging threats of our young century, and to take action to make the American people more safe and secure. It’s time to look ahead — at the dangers of today and tomorrow rather than those of yesterday. America cannot afford another president who doesn’t understand the threats that confront us now and in the future.

Today, we will focus on nuclear, biological, and cyber threats – three 21st century threats that have been neglected for the last eight years. It’s time to break out of Washington’s conventional thinking that has failed to keep pace with unconventional threats. In doing so, we’ll better ensure the safety of the American people, while building our capacity to deal with other challenges – from public health to privacy.

Pictures From the Summit