We Will Destroy ISIS and Any Other Organization That Tries to Harm Us: Barack Obama

Washington: In a rare prime-time address to the nation, US President Barack Obama spoke about the ISIS threat from the Oval Office.

Here are the highlights of his speech:

• As Commander-in-Chief, I have no greater responsibility than the security of the American people.
• This (San Bernardino shooting) was an act of terrorism, designed to kill innocent people. Our nation has been at war with terrorists since al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 Americans on 9/11.
• The threat from terrorism is real, we will overcome it. We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us.
• We're working to stop ISIL's operations - to disrupt plots, cut off their financing, & prevent them from recruiting more fighters.
• Our intelligence and law enforcement have busted countless plots to keep us safe.
• Our military has destroyed many terrorist safe havens, and have killed Osama Bin Laden.
• Here at home, we have to work together to address the challenge. There are several steps that Congress should take right away.
• We also need to make it harder for people to buy powerful assault weapons like the ones that were used in San Bernardino.
• If Congress believes, as do I, that we are at war with ISIL, it should vote to authorize the continued use of military force.
• We should not be drawn once more into a long and costly ground war in Iraq or Syria.
• We cannot turn against one another by letting this fight be defined as a war between America and Islam.
• ISIL does not speak for Islam; they are thugs & killers, part of a cult of death; & they account for a tiny fraction of Muslims.
• Moreover, the vast majority of terrorist victims around the world are Muslim.
• It is our responsibility to reject religious tests on who we admit into this country.
• It is our responsibility to reject proposals that Muslim Americans should somehow be treated differently.
• My fellow Americans, I am confident we will succeed in this mission because we are on the right side of history.
• Let's make sure we never forget what makes us exceptional. Let's not forget that freedom is more powerful than fear.