Obama offers new security strategy at West Point speech

President Barack Obama has offered a glimpse of a new national security doctrine that virtually repudiated his predecessor's emphasis on unilateral
American military might as he pledged to shape a new "international order" based on diplomacy and engagement.

Distancing his administration from that of George W Bush's policy of preemptive war, Obama, in a speech to the graduating class at the elite US Military Academy at West Point, said America will not retreat against enemies while seeking "national renewal and global leadership."

While Obama never mentioned his predecessor's name in his speech, he has spoken frequently about creating new alliances, and of attempts to repair the US image abroad after Bush's approach was viewed with suspicion in many quarters, especially in the Muslim world.

Unlike Bush, who traveled to West Point in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks to announce his American-centered approach to security, Obama yesterday emphasised his belief in the power of those alliances.

"Yes, we are clear-eyed about the shortfalls of our international system. But America has not succeeded by stepping outside the currents of international cooperation," he said.

"We have succeeded by steering those currents in the direction of liberty and justice -- so nations thrive by meeting their responsibilities, and face consequences when they don't," Obama was quoted as saying by Washington Post.

In his speech, Obama, the commander in chief, who is leading two foreign wars, expressed his faith in cooperation to confront economic, military and environmental crises.

"The international order we seek is one that can resolve the challenges of our times," he said.

He identified countering violent extremism and insurgency, stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and securing nuclear materials, combating a changing climate and sustaining global growth as the major tasks ahead.

Recalling his decision announced here six months ago to send 30,000 reinforcements to Afghanistan, Obama said difficult days were ahead, but added, "I have no doubt that together with our Afghan and international partners, we will succeed in Afghanistan."

But he warned of a "tough fight" ahead as the United States helps the Afghan people rebuild civil institutions and a security system so they can battle the Taliban and other extremists on their own.