Obama Tells Cadets U.S. Must Refocus on Terrorism

In a commencement speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, the U.S. president proposed a $5 billion fund for military counterterrorism operations. He also said he’ll work with Congress to expand support for Syrian rebels, without committing publicly to U.S. military training for groups seeking to topple Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

“America must always lead on the world stage,” Obama said. “But U.S. military action cannot be the only -- or even primary -- component of our leadership in every instance. Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail.”