Obama Stresses Need for New 'International Order'

President Obama's commencement speech at West Point today stressed a common theme: the need to "shape an international order than can meet the challenges of our times," reports the Washington Post. "Yes, we are clear-eyed about the shortfalls of our international system," he said. "But America has not succeeded by stepping outside the currents of international cooperation."

As for the duties of that world system: "Countering violent extremism (Marc Ambinder was right about this phrase) and insurgency; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and securing nuclear materials; combating a changing climate and sustaining global growth; helping countries feed themselves and care for their sick; preventing conflict and healing its wounds." Politico has more excerpts of the speech here. (More West Point stories.)