UN General Assembly
2014

manner of groups who failed to come to power through public support. But in this century, we have faced a more lethal and ideological brand of terrorists who have perverted one of the world’s great religions. With access to technology that allows small groups to do great harm, they have embraced a nightmarish vision that would divide the world into adherents and infidels — killing as many innocent civilians as possible and employing the most brutal methods to intimidate people within their communities. I have made it clear that America will not base its entire foreign policy on reacting to terrorism. Instead, we have waged a focused campaign against Al-Qaida and its associated forces — taking out their leaders and denying them the safe havens they rely on. At the same time, we have reaffirmed again and again that the United States is not and never will be at war with Islam. Islam teaches peace. Muslims the world over aspire to live with dignity and a sense of justice. And when it