White House Photo, Pete Souza, 1/27/10

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State of the Union 2010

Although directed mainly to domestic matters, U.S. President Barack Obama’s first State of the Union address is significant to a global audience for the little that he did say, and that which he didn’t.

What he didn’t say

For all the hoopla about how Pakistan is critical to America’s military and diplomatic initiatives abroad, the country isn’t mentioned even once in the speech.

What he did say

On Afghanistan:

“And in Afghanistan, we’re increasing our troops and training Afghan security forces so they can begin to take the lead in July of 2011, and our troops can begin to come home.  (Applause.)  We will reward good governance, work to reduce corruption, and support the rights of all Afghans — men and women alike.  (Applause.)  We’re joined by allies and partners who have increased their own commitments, and who will come together tomorrow in London to reaffirm our common purpose.  There will be difficult days ahead.  But I am absolutely confident we will succeed.”

On Iraq:

“As we take the fight to al Qaeda, we are responsibly leaving Iraq to its people.  As a candidate, I promised that I would end this war, and that is what I am doing as President.  We will have all of our combat troops out of Iraq by the end of this August.  (Applause.)  We will support the Iraqi government — we will support the Iraqi government as they hold elections, and we will continue to partner with the Iraqi people to promote regional peace and prosperity.  But make no mistake:  This war is ending, and all of our troops are coming home.  (Applause.)”

On North Korea and Iran, following the announcement of diplomatic initiatives for a U.S.-Rusia arms control treaty, and the 44-nation Nuclear Security Summit in April 2010 in Washington, D.C. aimed at “securing all vulnerable nuclear materials around the world in four years”:

“Now, these diplomatic efforts have also strengthened our hand in dealing with those nations that insist on violating international agreements in pursuit of nuclear weapons.  That’s why North Korea now faces increased isolation, and stronger sanctions –- sanctions that are being vigorously enforced.  That’s why the international community is more united, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is more isolated.  And as Iran’s leaders continue to ignore their obligations, there should be no doubt:  They, too, will face growing consequences.  That is a promise.  (Applause.)”

That, more or less, was it on foreign “engagements”—the new-speak for what in an earlier age, with some allowance for details, was called colonization.

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State of the Union 2010