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WASHINGTON - In a stirring speech, US President Barack Obama has vowed to doggedly hunt down terrorists from “Pakistan to the streets of Paris,” as he called on Congress to approve new war powers against the Islamic State.
“We stand united with people around the world who’ve been targeted by terrorists – from a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris,” Obama said in the annual State of the Union address, his sixth, to a joint session of Congress.
“We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks, and we reserve the right to act unilaterally, as we’ve done relentlessly since I took office to take out terrorists who pose a direct threat to us and our allies,” said Obama.
Obama, whose approval rating is climbing back to 50 percent in latest polls mainly on account of successful economic recovery, emphasised that in recent years a smart American leadership, through alliances and a combination of military and diplomatic prowess, is making a difference in the world.
He said the US had learnt lessons from its war against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
”Instead of Americans patrolling the valleys of Afghanistan, we’ve trained their security forces, who’ve now taken the lead, and we’ve honoured our troops’ sacrifice by supporting that country’s first democratic transition.
”
“Instead of sending large ground forces overseas, we’re partnering with nations from South Asia to North Africa to deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten America,” he added.
Obama said the US military leadership in Iraq and Syria is stopping the Islamic State’s advance and asked lawmakers to “show the world that we are united in this mission” by passing a resolution to authorise the use of force against the militant group.
Obama denounced the “anti-Semitism” that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world.
He also stressed “we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims, the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace.
” The US leads best when it combines military power with strong diplomacy, he said, adding “That’s exactly what we’re doing right now and around the globe, it is making a difference.
We’re upholding the principle that bigger nations can’t bully the small by opposing Russian aggression, supporting Ukraine’s democracy, and reassuring our NATO allies,” he said.
In view of the recent hacking into the network of Sony Pictures, Obama said, “No foreign nation, no hacker, should be able to shut down our networks, steal our trade secrets, or invade the privacy of American families, especially our kids.
” He said the US will integrate intelligence to combat cyber threats, “just as we have done to combat terrorism.
”
The president asked the Congress to pass the legislation that the US needs to better meet the evolving threat of cyber-attacks.
”If we don’t act, we’ll leave our nation and our economy vulnerable.
If we do, we can continue to protect the technologies that have unleashed untold opportunities for people around the globe,” Obama said.
Stating that Americans cherish their civil liberties, Obama said he has prohibited torture and asked for constrained use of drones.
He also reiterated his call to close down the Guantanamo Bay detention centre.
”As Americans, we have a profound commitment to justice so it makes no sense to spend three million dollars per prisoner to keep open a prison that the world condemns and terrorists use to recruit.
Since I have been president, we’ve worked responsibly to cut the population of GITMO in half.
“Now it’s time to finish the job.
And I will not relent in my determination to shut it down.
It’s not who we are,” Obama said.
”As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we’re threatened, which is why I’ve prohibited torture, and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained.
”We need to uphold that commitment if we want maximum cooperation from other countries and industry in our fight against terrorist networks,” he said.
Obama also promoted his administration’s efforts to revive relations with Cuba after 50 years of hostility.
“Our shift in Cuba policy has the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere; removes a phony excuse for restrictions in Cuba; stands up for democratic values; and extends the hand of friendship to the Cuban people,” he said.
“And this year, Congress should begin the work of ending the embargo [on Cuba],” he added.
The US president also warned Congress in the address that any move to impose new sanctions on Iran could undermine negotiations aimed at reaching a complex nuclear deal.
“New sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails,” Obama said.
“Our diplomacy is at work with respect to Iran, where, for the first time in a decade, we’ve halted the progress of its nuclear programme and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material.
Between now and this spring, we have a chance to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that prevents a nuclear-armed Iran.
”
“That is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress,” Obama said.
Obama also noted that United States’ substantial support for Ukraine, which is facing of growing threat from Russian-backed separatists, has further demonstrated the country’s strong place in the international community.
“We’re upholding the principle that bigger nations can’t bully the small - by opposing Russian aggression, supporting Ukraine’s democracy, and reassuring our NATO allies,” he said.
Obama also devoted a large portion of the speech to the various domestic issues he has dealt with in his two terms as president.
“We can’t slow down businesses or put our economy at risk with government shutdowns or fiscal showdowns.
We can’t put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance or unraveling the new rules on Wall Street or refighting past battles on immigration when we’ve got to fix a broken system.
” he warned Republicans.
“And if a bill comes to my desk that tries to do any of these things I will veto it.
”
He also outlined a number of progressive policies, although the likelihood of them being realised in his remaining time in office appears slim.
Republican lawmakers have said they are prepared to work with him to pass such a measure, if he sends a proposal up to Capitol Hill.
Obama vows to hunt down terrorists from ‘Pakistan to Paris’
“We stand united with people around the world who’ve been targeted by terrorists – from a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris,” Obama said in the annual State of the Union address, his sixth, to a joint session of Congress.
“We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks, and we reserve the right to act unilaterally, as we’ve done relentlessly since I took office to take out terrorists who pose a direct threat to us and our allies,” said Obama.
Obama, whose approval rating is climbing back to 50 percent in latest polls mainly on account of successful economic recovery, emphasised that in recent years a smart American leadership, through alliances and a combination of military and diplomatic prowess, is making a difference in the world.
He said the US had learnt lessons from its war against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
”Instead of Americans patrolling the valleys of Afghanistan, we’ve trained their security forces, who’ve now taken the lead, and we’ve honoured our troops’ sacrifice by supporting that country’s first democratic transition.
”
“Instead of sending large ground forces overseas, we’re partnering with nations from South Asia to North Africa to deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten America,” he added.
Obama said the US military leadership in Iraq and Syria is stopping the Islamic State’s advance and asked lawmakers to “show the world that we are united in this mission” by passing a resolution to authorise the use of force against the militant group.
Obama denounced the “anti-Semitism” that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world.
He also stressed “we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims, the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace.
” The US leads best when it combines military power with strong diplomacy, he said, adding “That’s exactly what we’re doing right now and around the globe, it is making a difference.
We’re upholding the principle that bigger nations can’t bully the small by opposing Russian aggression, supporting Ukraine’s democracy, and reassuring our NATO allies,” he said.
In view of the recent hacking into the network of Sony Pictures, Obama said, “No foreign nation, no hacker, should be able to shut down our networks, steal our trade secrets, or invade the privacy of American families, especially our kids.
” He said the US will integrate intelligence to combat cyber threats, “just as we have done to combat terrorism.
”
The president asked the Congress to pass the legislation that the US needs to better meet the evolving threat of cyber-attacks.
”If we don’t act, we’ll leave our nation and our economy vulnerable.
If we do, we can continue to protect the technologies that have unleashed untold opportunities for people around the globe,” Obama said.
Stating that Americans cherish their civil liberties, Obama said he has prohibited torture and asked for constrained use of drones.
He also reiterated his call to close down the Guantanamo Bay detention centre.
”As Americans, we have a profound commitment to justice so it makes no sense to spend three million dollars per prisoner to keep open a prison that the world condemns and terrorists use to recruit.
Since I have been president, we’ve worked responsibly to cut the population of GITMO in half.
“Now it’s time to finish the job.
And I will not relent in my determination to shut it down.
It’s not who we are,” Obama said.
”As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we’re threatened, which is why I’ve prohibited torture, and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained.
”We need to uphold that commitment if we want maximum cooperation from other countries and industry in our fight against terrorist networks,” he said.
Obama also promoted his administration’s efforts to revive relations with Cuba after 50 years of hostility.
“Our shift in Cuba policy has the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere; removes a phony excuse for restrictions in Cuba; stands up for democratic values; and extends the hand of friendship to the Cuban people,” he said.
“And this year, Congress should begin the work of ending the embargo [on Cuba],” he added.
The US president also warned Congress in the address that any move to impose new sanctions on Iran could undermine negotiations aimed at reaching a complex nuclear deal.
“New sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails,” Obama said.
“Our diplomacy is at work with respect to Iran, where, for the first time in a decade, we’ve halted the progress of its nuclear programme and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material.
Between now and this spring, we have a chance to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that prevents a nuclear-armed Iran.
”
“That is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress,” Obama said.
Obama also noted that United States’ substantial support for Ukraine, which is facing of growing threat from Russian-backed separatists, has further demonstrated the country’s strong place in the international community.
“We’re upholding the principle that bigger nations can’t bully the small - by opposing Russian aggression, supporting Ukraine’s democracy, and reassuring our NATO allies,” he said.
Obama also devoted a large portion of the speech to the various domestic issues he has dealt with in his two terms as president.
“We can’t slow down businesses or put our economy at risk with government shutdowns or fiscal showdowns.
We can’t put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance or unraveling the new rules on Wall Street or refighting past battles on immigration when we’ve got to fix a broken system.
” he warned Republicans.
“And if a bill comes to my desk that tries to do any of these things I will veto it.
”
He also outlined a number of progressive policies, although the likelihood of them being realised in his remaining time in office appears slim.
Republican lawmakers have said they are prepared to work with him to pass such a measure, if he sends a proposal up to Capitol Hill.
Obama vows to hunt down terrorists from ‘Pakistan to Paris’
