US President, Barack Obama, is delivering his first State of the Union address of his second term, laying out his agenda and national priorities. The address is the last in a five-month sequence of formal political speeches since the Democratic convention, broadcast on prime-time television.

On foreign policy, Obama is expected to outline steps to unwind involvement in the unpopular Afghan war, and plans to announce that 34-thousand US troops will return home by 2014. He will also address the threat posed by the DPRK following its successful third underground nuclear test. The timing of the DPRK’s nuclear test, just hours before the speech, was seen as a direct challenge to Obama. The president has denounced the move as provocative and dangerous.

On domestic issues, Obama hopes to encourage lawmakers to join him in reforming laws on immigration. He is also calling on Congress to prevent another potential blow to the economy on March 1st, when massive, automatic spending cuts are scheduled to take place.

Obama will also use the address to press for congressional action on climate change and for stricter gun control laws. Immediately following his speech, Obama will hold a conference call for supporters to urge them to pressure lawmakers to back his agenda. He’ll also seek to rally public support with trips this week to North Carolina, Georgia and Illinois. 

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