Historically, State of the Union addresses are notably short on foreign-policy references (one analysis of the 2010 and 2011 speeches by Eric Ostermeier of the University of Minnesota found that international statements accounted for just 14 to 16 percent of the total number of sentences). So when President Barack Obama delivers his 2015 State of the Union tonight, no one should expect a significant focus on foreign affairs, despite the recent terrorist killings in Paris, the deepening U.S. military involvement in Syria and Iraq, and ongoing concerns over Russia’s intentions in Ukraine.
Nevertheless, what he chooses to say or not say …read more
Source: Foreign Policy
