CRI听力:Obama Argues for Restraint from Military Intervention

U.S. President Barack Obama says the US remains the world's most indispensable nation, but argues for restraint before embarking on more military adventures.

The U.S president outlined a broad approach to foreign affairs while addressing the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

CRI's Ding Lulu has more.

During the speech, Obama promised that the US will not create more enemies than what it removes from the battlefield.

 "I would betray my duty to you, and to the country we love, if I ever sent you into harm's way simply because I saw a problem somewhere in the world that needed to be fixed, or because I was worried about critics who think military intervention is the only way for America to avoid looking weak."

The U.S president defends his decision not to intervene militarily in Syria, saying he thinks it is the right decision not to put American troops into the middle of an increasingly sectarian civil war.

Meanwhile, he expresses a willingness to expand assistance to Syrian opposition groups and step up support to Syria's neighbors including Jordan and Iraq.

He also hails the strategy of relying on diplomacy over military intervention in resolving global crises such as Ukraine and Iran.

The statements come as the opposition Republicans in the US Congress have been contending that Obama's approach to global problems is too cautious.

In terms of anti-terrorism, the US president says terrorism remains the most direct threat to American security.

But rather than launching large-scale military efforts, Obama calls for partnering with countries where militant networks seek a foothold.

Such efforts include a new 5 billion U.S. dollar fund to help countries fight terrorism and to expand funding for the US Defense Department.

"Today, as part of this effort, I am calling on Congress to support a new Counter-Terrorism Partnerships Fund of up to 5 billion dollars, which will allow us to train, build capacity, and facilitate partner countries on the front lines. These resources will give us flexibility to fulfil different missions, including training security forces in Yemen who have gone on the offensive against al Qaida; supporting a multinational force to keep the peace in Somalia; working with European allies to train a functioning security force and border patrol in Libya."

But he also says that the administration will continue to take direct action, including drone strikes, when necessary to protect US interests.

Earlier, Obama announced plans to wind down America's lengthy war in Afghanistan by the end of 2016.

For CRI, I am Ding Lulu.