Terror threat

Obama tries to ease anxiety over terrorism with Oval Office address

President Obama said Sunday that the threat of terrorism to the United States has evolved into a new phase in the wake of recent attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., but he vowed that the nation will ultimately defeat the Islamic State and other militant groups.

“The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it,” Obama said during a 14-minute Oval Office address. Using an acronym for the group, he declared: “We will destroy ISIL.”

Obama, who has struggled to calm public fears, hoped the rare prime-time address would help reassure an uneasy nation after a series of deadly terrorist attacks. Aides said he made the decision to speak directly to the nation — only the third time he has used the Oval Office for such a speech — late last week and worked on his remarks through the weekend.