President Bush says America must remain engaged around the world, and reject what he called "the false comforts of isolationism".
In his annual State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday evening, Mr. Bush laid out his goals for energy independence, foreign affairs, the economy and the war on terrorism. The president had harsh words for the Iranian government, saying Iran is now being held hostage by a "small clerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people."
Speaking on the war in Iraq, Mr. Bush said America has only one option: to stand behind U.S. troops in their mission.
On domestic policy, Mr. Bush highlighted an agenda to keep America competitive in a dynamic world economy. He said keeping the United States competitive requires more open markets, affordable health care and affordable energy. He also called on Congress to make his tax cuts permanents. The president said America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. He said the best way to overcome this is through new technology. He announced a new initiative to increase research in clean and safe energy.
The speech comes at the start of an election year in the United States, as Mr. Bush's Republican Party battles to keep control of Congress.