President Bush has delivered a wartime State of the Union address to the United States Congress. It seeks to draw domestic support and inspiration from the international campaign the US is waging against terrorism.
By emphasising that this war is only beginning and by saying North Korea, Iran and Iraq and their allies are an "axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world", Mr Bush has clearly signalled the opening of a second phase of that campaign.
The patriotic enthusiasm with which his plain-spoken and confident address was received, signals that this message must be taken very seriously.
Mr Bush has grown enormously in authority and stature at home and abroad since the September 11th attacks, and this showed clearly in his address. He has mastered his international brief, overcome doubts about his diplomatic skills and used a powerful supporting team to advantage.
He will need these resources even more if he is to deliver on the commitments and threats made in this speech. A US attack on any of the states mentioned would gravely affect the international coalition to fight terrorism.
Without clear evidence, an express mandate from the United Nations and the concurrence of its allies, any attack would be a foolhardy and dangerous exercise in unilateralism. Mr Bush should not assume the successful military operation in Afghanistan legitimises such an escalation, despite his dramatic claim that tens of thousands of "dangerous killers, schooled in the methods of murder, often supported by outlaw regimes, are now spreading throughout the world like ticking time bombs, set to go off without warning".
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Mr Bush announced three major objectives for the coming year: to "win the war, protect the homeland, and revitalise our economy". His forthcoming budget will boost military expenditure, airport and border security and improved intelligence. He promises this will prepare the US for any threats while also dealing with welfare, unemployment, education, the environment and other domestic policy priorities. In a mid-term election year, this is a strong hint to Democrats that they will oppose such expenditure at their electoral peril.
Turning to the economy, Mr Bush vowed to "defeat this recession". He said Americans who have lost their jobs need unemployment benefits and health- care coverage, while those whose pensions have been affected, would also need protection. He went on: "When America works, America prospers, so my economic security plan can be summed up in one word: jobs". Millions of people in Europe, as well as the US, will follow closely how Mr Bush's administration proposes to deliver on that promise. Ireland is particularly affected. They might also ponder his interesting suggestion that September 11th affords a glimpse of a new "culture of responsibility" in the US, after so long embracing a culture that said "if it feels good, do it".