Obama: ISIL Doesn’t ‘Threaten Our National Existence’

President Obama, in the section of his State of the Union speech discussing ISIS, said something that American politicians don’t usually say: that while ISIS “pose a direct threat to our people”, they “do not threaten our national existence”. The only hope they cling to is that we will survive the next year without a major economic calamity or another terrorist attack.

Mr Obama drew a portrait of a world in which U.S. interests are not primarily challenged by aspiring global powers but by failing states where extremist groups have filled the political vacuum. Citing Pope Francis, the president mocked Mr. Christie’s campaign slogan, “telling it like it is”, and said insulting Muslims is “just wrong”.

“If this Congress really wants to deliver a note to the soldiers and also the globe, and is seriously interested in earning this battle, you need to lastly authorize military force’s use. It’s a matter of understanding what makes us strong”, he said. “Our answer needs to be more than tough talk or calls to carpet bomb civilians”, he said, “That may work as a TV sound bite, but it doesn’t pass muster on the world stage”.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who is delivering the Republican Party’s response toObama’s address, will knock his record on fiscal and foreign policy while delivering a not-so-subtle jab at Republican presidential candidates such as Trump.

The invitation and Obama’s speech Tuesday stood in contrast to the many Republicans who have called for the United States to stop accepting refugees from the conflict-prone Middle East over concerns that potential terrorists might sneak into the country by posing as refugees. Americans can also expect a comprehensive plan from the White House on the steps it intends to take in order to close Guantanamo down, where the remaining prisoners will be sent, and how much that effort will cost.

“During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices”. The event gave Republicans further fodder to criticise Obama’s nuclear deal with Tehran. But he urged them not to fall prey to the periodic temptation that has emerged throughout history to alienate minorities and resist social change. “And it betrays who we are as a country”.

He noted areas where compromise was possible with Republicans in Congress including criminal justice reform, trade and poverty reduction. “Now with another presidential race around the corner, many voters are also concerned about terrorist threats and domestic security”, said Diao Daming, an assistant research fellow at the Beijing-based Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Ultimately, however, that plan – whenever it’s finally released – will not receive the kind of political support from Republicans that is needed to begin making Obama’s dream into a concrete reality.