In a brief diversion abroad, Obama said North Korea’s nuclear test Tuesday would only further its isolation, and promised to stand by Asian allies, strengthen missile defense and lead the world in a firm response.
Obama said “Iran must recognize that now is the time for a diplomatic solution,” ahead of new talks with world powers this month on Tehran’s nuclear program, which Western nations and Israel believe is aimed at developing nuclear weapons but Iran defends as entirely peaceful.
Arguing Al-Qaeda was a “shadow” of its former self, Obama pledged to help nations like Yemen, Libya, and Somalia provide for their own security, and to aid allies like France, which is fighting extremists in Mali.
Breaking new ground, Obama announced the start of formal talks between the United States and the European Union on a trans-Atlantic trade pact and previewed a new plan to thwart cyberattacks on US infrastructure.
Despite criticism he ignored the slaughter of nearly 70,000 people in Syria, Obama pledged to keep up pressure on Bashar al-Assad’s regime and said he would stand firm in defense of Israel, which he will visit next month.
He also tried to shame Congress into action on climate change.
“We can choose to believe in the overwhelming judgment of science — and act before it’s too late,” Obama said.
Domestically, Obama said he wanted a bill to reform the broken immigration system to give illegal immigrants a path to citizenship within months — the one area where bipartisan compromise seems likely.
Back in campaign mode, Obama will travel to North Carolina, Georgia and his hometown of Chicago to sell his speech this week.
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