Obama to U.N.: Don't Expect America to Fix It All

President Obama delivered a stern message in his first address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, urging the rest of the world to join the United States in "a new era of engagement based on mutual interest and mutual respect." He emphasized the "magnitude" of the world's problems, and reminded foreign leaders of their responsibility to participate in the solutions.

"Make no mistake: This cannot solely be America's endeavor," Obama said. "Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world's problems alone." Obama acknowledged that the world has fallen short in its efforts to deal with problems like nuclear proliferation and climate change, and drew applause when he said his administration banned torture as soon as he took office.

He also faced-down several foreign leaders with whom he is currently involved in diplomatic efforts, including Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and Moammar Gaddafi of Libya. Obama called out Iran and North Korea by name, saying their nuclear ambitions should be resisted and their suppression of democracy was intolerable. "True leadership will not be measured by the ability to muzzle dissent, or to intimidate and harass political opponents at home," he said. "The people of the world want change. They will not long tolerate those who are on the wrong side of history."

Obama Challenges World Leaders in U.N. Speech [Washington Post]