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Obama: America Is Stronger and More Respected Today

December 16, 2016

President Obama claimed at a press conference Friday that America is stronger and more prosperous now than when he first took office in 2009.

While discussing his foreign policy legacy with reporters at the White House, Obama mentioned that troop levels in Iraq are lower than when he entered office, Osama bin Laden is dead, and he obtained a deal with Iran to curtail its nuclear program. He did not address the growth of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or Iran's continued support of terrorism in his response.

"Almost every country on Earth sees America as stronger and more respected today than they did eight years ago," Obama said. "In other words, by so many measures, our country is stronger and more prosperous than it was when we started."

"It's a situation that I'm proud to leave for my successor," Obama continued.

Supporters of the president argue that his foreign policy was a success by keeping the country out of difficult military engagements in the Middle East, while critics say foreign adversaries have felt emboldened by inaction from Obama's White House to address threats abroad.

Donald Trump, who in part campaigned against Obama's foreign policy, will become the next president on Jan. 20.