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State of the Union, Part 5: President announces drawdown of another 34,000 American troops from Afghanistan
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Stronger families.
And stronger communities.
The stronger America.
It is this kind of prosperity.
-- Shared.
Built on a thriving middle class.
That has always been the source of our progress at home.
It's also the foundation of our power and influence throughout the world.
Tonight we stand united in saluting the troops and civilians who sacrifice every day to protect us.
Because of them we can say with confidence.
That America will complete its mission in Afghanistan and achieve our objective of defeating the core of all cut.
Already.
We brought home 33000 of our brave servicemen and women.
This spring our forces will move into a support role.
Well Afghan security forces take the lead.
Tonight I can announce.
That over the next year another 34000.
American troops will come home from Afghanistan.
This draw down will continue and by the end of next year.
-- war in Afghanistan.
Will be over.
Beyond Tony fourteen.
America's commitment to a unified and sovereign Afghanistan.
Will -- normal.
But the nature of our commitment will change.
We're negotiating an agreement with the Afghan government the focus is on two missions.
Training and equipping Afghan forces so that the country does not again slip into chaos.
And counterterrorism efforts -- allow us to pursue the remnants of al-Qaeda and their affiliates.
Today in the organization that attacked us on 9/11.
He's a shadow of its former self.
It's true different al-Qaeda affiliates and extremist groups have emerged.
From the right Reagan peninsula to Africa.
The threat these groups -- is a ball.
But to meet this threat we don't need to send tens of thousands of our sons and daughters abroad.
Occupy other nations.
Instead will need to help countries like Yemen Libya Somalia.
Provide for their own security.
And help allies -- take the fight to terrorists as we have a long.
And where necessary.
-- range of capabilities.
We will continue to take.
Direct action against those terrorists who pose the greatest threat to Americans.
As we do.
We must enlist our values in the fight.
-- that's why my administration has worked tirelessly to forge a durable legal and policy framework.
To guide our counterterrorism efforts.
Throughout.
We have kept congress fully informed of our -- Not recognize that in our democracy and no one should just take my word -- the we're doing things the right -- So in the month ahead I will continue to engage congress to ensure not only.
There are targeting detention and prosecution of terrorists remains consistent with our laws and system of checks and balances.
But that our efforts are even more transparent to the American people and to the world.
-- course.
Our challenges don't end -- all cut.
America will continue to lead the effort to prevent the spread of the world's most dangerous weapons.
The regime in North Korea must know that will only achieve security and prosperity by meeting their international obligations.
Provocations of the -- we saw last night will only further isolate them.
As we stand by our allies strengthen our own missile defense.
And lead the world and taking firm action in response to -- threats.
Likewise the leaders of Iran must recognize the now the time for a diplomatic solution.
Because a coalition stands united in demanding that they meet their obligations.
And we will do what is necessary to prevent that.
From getting a nuclear weapons.
Have the same time.
-- engage Russia to seek further reductions in our nuclear arsenals.
And continue leading the global effort to secure nuclear materials that could fall into the wrong hands.
Because our ability to influence others.
Depends on our willingness to -- And meet our obligations.
America must also face the rapidly growing threat from cyber attacks.
Now.
We know hackers steal -- like Dennis.
Can't infiltrate probably minutes.
We know foreign countries and companies swipe our corporate secrets.
Now our enemies are also seeking the ability to sabotage our power -- Our financial institutions.
Our air traffic control systems.
We cannot look back years from now and wonder why we did nothing in the face of real threats to our security -- our com.
That's why earlier today.
I signed a new executive order that will strengthen.
Our cyber defenses by increasing information sharing and developing standards to protect our national security.
Our jobs and our privacy.
But now now congress.
Must act as well.
By passing legislation to give our government a greater capacity to secure networks.
And deter attacks.
This is something we should be able to get done on a bipartisan basis.
Not even as we protect our people.
We should remember that today's world presents not just dangerous not just threats.
It presents opportunities.
To boost American exports support American jobs.
And level the playing field in the broader market summation.
We intend to complete negotiations on -- trans Pacific partnership.
And tonight I'm announcing that we will launch talks on a comprehensive trans Atlantic trade and investment partnership with the European Union.
Because -- that is fair and free across the Atlantic supports millions of good paying American jobs.
We also don't know that progress.
In the most impoverished.
Parts of our world enriches -- -- Not only because it creates new markets.
More stable.
Order in certain regions the world but also because the right thing to do.
There are many places people live on little more than a dollar a day.
So the United States will join with our allies to eradicate such extreme poverty in the next two decades.
My connecting more people to the global economy.
-- empowering women.
-- giving our young and brightest minds new opportunities to serve.
And helping communities defeat in power educate themselves.
-- saving the world's children from preventable deaths.
And by realizing the promise of an aids free generation which is -- in our reach.
The -- America must remain a -- To all who seek freedom during this period of historic change.
I saw the power -- western -- in Burma.
Went on sung -- -- welcomed an American president into the -- where she had been imprisoned for years.
When thousands of Burmese lined the streets waving American flags including man who said.
There is justice and wall in the United States.
I want our country to be like that.
In defense of freedom.
Will remain the anchor of strong alliances from the American staffer.
From Europe -- Asia.
In the Middle East we will stand with citizens as they demand they're universal rights.
And support stable transitions to democracy.
We know the process will be -- And we cannot presume to dictate the course -- change in countries like Egypt.
But we can and will insist on respect for the fundamental rights of all people.
We'll keep the pressure on a Syrian regime that has murdered -- some people.
And support opposition leaders that respect the rights of every series.
And we will stand steadfast.
-- Israel in pursuit of security and a lasting peace.
You must develop deliver when I travel to Middle East next month.
And all this work depends on the courage.
And sacrifice.
For those who serve in dangerous places it at great personal risk.
Our diplomats.
More intelligence officers.
And the men and women of the United States armed forces.
The longer -- commander in chief we will do what ever we months to protect those who serve their country abroad.
And we will maintain the best military the world has ever -- We'll invest in new capabilities.
Even as we could reduce wasted more time spent.
We will ensure equal treatment for all service members and equal benefits for their families gay and straight.
We will draw upon the courage and skills of our sisters.
And daughters and moms because.
Women -- -- under fire -- that they are ready for combat.
We will keep faith with our veterans investing -- world class care including mental health care.
Four wounded warriors.
Supporting our military families.
Giving our veterans the benefits of education and job opportunities that they have earned.
Don't wanna thank my wife Michelle and doctor Joseph Biden.
For their continued dedication to serving our military families as well they've -- --
