(photo: whitehouse.gov)

In his State of the Union speech tonight, President Barack Obama addressed many of the most pressing issues on the world stage including the tense diplomatic situations in Iran and North Korea and the War on Terror in Afghanistan.

On the campaign trail, President Obama vowed to pull all American troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014. However, shortly after the election, the White House said they would not be able to commit to a specific withdrawal schedule in Afghanistan. Addressing the nation tonight, President Obama returned to his campaign promise and said the remaining U.S. troops in that country would be withdrawn in the next 22 months.

"Already, we have brought home 33,000 of our brave servicemen and women," President Obama said. "This spring, our forces will move into a support role, while Afghan security forces take the lead. Tonight, I can announce that over the next year, another 34,000 American troops will come home from Afghanistan. This draw-down will continue.  And by the end of next year, our war in Afghanistan will be over."

Though he promised to pull American forces out of Afghanistan, President Obama said some form of U.S. military "commitment" will continue there in the years ahead, as will our battle against al-Qaeda.

"Beyond 2014, America’s commitment to a unified and sovereign Afghanistan will endure, but the nature of our commitment will change," he explained. "We are negotiating an agreement with the Afghan government that focuses on two missions: training and equipping Afghan forces so that the country does not again slip into chaos, and counter-terrorism efforts that allow us to pursue the remnants of al-Qaeda and their affiliates."

President President Obama followed his discussion of the War on Terror by addressing another potential national security threat, North Korea, which alarmed many observers with a nuclear weapons test earlier this week. For his part, President Obama vowed to take "firm action" as a result of North Korea's provocations.

"Of course, our challenges don’t end with al Qaeda," said President Obama. "America will continue to lead the effort to prevent the spread of the world’s most dangerous weapons. The regime in North Korea must know that they will only achieve security and prosperity by meeting their international obligations. Provocations of the sort we saw last night will only isolate them further, as we stand by our allies, strengthen our own missile defense, and lead the world in taking firm action in response to these threats."

North Korea isn't the only corner of the world where nuclear weapons are an issue. President Obama continued by talking about the potentially radioactive situation in Iran.

"Likewise, the leaders of Iran must recognize that now is the time for a diplomatic solution, because a coalition stands united in demanding that they meet their obligations, and we will do what is necessary to prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon," said the president.

He also said the White House will undertake diplomatic efforts to contain nuclear weapons in countries that aren't as directly antagonistic with the U.S. as North Korean and Iran.

"At the same time, we will engage Russia to seek further reductions in our nuclear arsenals, and continue leading the global effort to secure nuclear materials that could fall into the wrong hands," President Obama said.

Along with Afghanistan, North Korea and Iran, the president previewed some of the messages he plans to broadcast on his upcoming trip to the Middle East.

"In the Middle East, we will stand with citizens as they demand their universal rights, and support stable transitions to democracy," the president said. "We will keep the pressure on a Syrian regime that has murdered its own people, and support opposition leaders that respect the rights of every Syrian. And we will stand steadfast with Israel in pursuit of security and a lasting peace."

President Barack Obama on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama took some heat for not scheduling a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while the latter leader was in the United States for the U.N. General Assembly this week. The president (sort of) addressed that criticism today by making time to meet Mr. Netanyahu (via telephone). According to a "readout" of the conversation distributed by the White House Press Office, "the two leaders discussed a range of security issues, and the President reaffirmed his and our country’s unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security."

"The two leaders underscored that they are in full agreement on the shared goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The Prime Minister welcomed President Obama’s commitment before the United Nations General Assembly to do what we must to achieve that goal," the readout said.

Both men also apparently pledged to continue their "regular consultations" on the Iranian nuclear threat in the future.

"The two leaders took note of the close cooperation and coordination between the Governments of the United States and Israel regarding the threat posed by Iran--its nuclear program, proliferation, and support for terrorism--and agreed to continue their regular consultations on this issue going forward," the readout said.

The White House also went the extra mile and distributed a photo of the president on the phone with Mr. Netanyahu.

Yesterday, in his speech before the U.N. General Assembly, Mr. Netanyahu used visual aids to express his desire the U.S. will join him in efforts to establish a "clear red line" with the Iranian government before they amass "enough enriched uranium to make a nuclear weapon."

The two leaders at Gracie Mansion.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined forces this afternoon on the steps of Gracie Mansion where they discussed something Israel and New York have in common--a high risk of terrorism.

"Like Israel, New York City has remained a target for terrorists who seek to destroy them," Mr. Bloomberg said. "In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the people of Israel stood with us in solidarity knowing that terrorists are only victorious if they frighten people to give up their beliefs, their values, their way of life. That will never happen with Israel and and it will never happen in the United States."

And although the meeting might be considered a slight to Mr. Obama's lack of making time for Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Bloomberg specifically praised the president's "excellent speech" at the U.N. this week and gave Mr. Obama credit for taking a tougher stance with Iran.

"The fact is the most painful and tragic lessons of the 21st-Century is regimes based on racial superiority and religious hatred can't be trusted to keep their word to the international community," he said. "When we say, 'Never again,' we must mean it. It requires us to to draw certain lines before we reach the point of no return."

For his part, Mr. Netanyahu thanked Mr. Bloomberg and stressed the close relationship his country has with the United States.

"We're in close consultations with the United States about this issue: How we can practically prevent Iran from moving ahead and make them abandon their nuclear weapons program," he said. "We believe it's achievable working towards that goal."

He added, "I can think of no better place of what it means to have a free civilization and what are the potentials of a free people than here in Gracie Mansion Next to Mayor Bloomberg and all of you."

And with that, they walked inside to talk away from the reporters with cameras and audio recorders.

President Obama boarding Air Force One this morning at Andrew Air Force Base. (Photo: Getty)

Air Force One had a close encounter of the Ahmadinejad kind on the way to a campaign event in Ohio this afternoon. According to the press pool report, President Barack Obama's plane passed by the jet being used by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at Andrews Air Force base in Maryland.

"As Air Force One taxied down the runway at Andrews, plane passed Iran Air, which is parked at the air base, presumably waiting there before spiriting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad home. The Iranian plane is a handsome-looking white 747," wrote pool reporter Helene Cooper of The New York Times.

Mr. Ahmadinejad is on American soil to attend the U.N. General Assembly where he delivered a fiery, messianic speech this morning in which he criticized the U.S. government for "following an international policy of bullying" and predicted the world will soon witness "the arrival of the ultimate savior," the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, a holy figure to Twelver Shi'ia Muslims.

After Air Force One took off, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney and President Obama's campaign press secretary, Jen Psaki, discussed the U.N. General Assembly with reporters. President Obama has been taking heat for not scheduling more meetings with world leaders who are here for the annual confab, particularly Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ms. Cooper noted the pair of press secretaries had  "nothing to say on any possible meeting with Netanyahu Friday."

Newt Gingrich holding a baby tiger in 1995. (Photo: Getty)

Former Speaker of the House, Republican presidential candidate and noted zoo enthusiast Newt Gingrich is traveling in Italy and he took some time today to visit the Bioparco in Rome. Mr. Gingrich tweeted a few observations about the zoo's large hairy armadillos.

Bioparco was built in 1911 and is billed as "one of Europe’s oldest zoological gardens." The Bioparco's collections include Pygmy Hippopotami, Asiatic Lions and Siberian Tigers. Based on his Tweets, Mr. Gingrich appears to have particularly enjoyed the exhibits with European Bison and the Large Hairy Armadillo:

The rome zoo's large hairy armadillos (their name, honest) are very active today -natives of argentina

—
Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) July 03, 2012

European bison was down to 54 animals in zoos none in wild after world war one. Conservation efforts have 1800 in wild and 1400 in zoos

—
Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) July 03, 2012

Rome has nice european bison exhibit and nice Italian biodiversity building

—
Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) July 03, 2012

Mr. Gingrich's wife, Callista, has also been tweeting updates from their European trip.

Last week, Mr. Gingrich was in Paris where he spoke to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, a group of Iranian exiles headed by Maryam Rajavi. In addition to her work with NCRI, Ms. Rajavi is also the head of Mujahadeen-e-Khalq or MEK, a leftist group dedicated to overthrowing the Iranian regime that is officially designated as a terrorist group by the United States.

Joe Biden (Photo: Getty)

Earlier today, Vice President Joe Biden spoke before the annual convention of the Rabbinical Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia where he gave his thoughts on the potentially nuclear situation in Iran.

"When we took office, let me remind you, there was virtually no international pressure on Iran. We were the problem," Mr. Biden said. "We were diplomatically isolated in the world, in the region, in Europe."

Lanhee Chen, policy director for the Romney campaign, quickly pounced on Mr. Biden's remark with a statement calling it "reckless" and "a new low" for the Obama administration.

"All too often, President Obama and his administration have sought to blame America first, yet Vice President Biden’s reckless statement today blaming America for--of all things--the progress of Iran’s nuclear weapons program, has reached a new low," Mr. Chen said.

Mr. Chen went on to explain what he thinks the real issues are in Iran and why he thinks President Obama's approach to the Iranian regime is "naïve."

"The problem is not America. It is the ayatollahs who oppress their people, threaten their neighbors, and are pursuing nuclear weapons," Mr. Chen said. "President Obama’s naïve approach to Iran has given the regime valuable time to get closer than ever before to a nuclear weapons capability. Vice President Biden’s comments are wrong and completely inappropriate."

Mr. Chen ended his statement by promising Mr. Romney will take a tougher tack with respect to Iran.

"Mitt Romney will stand up for America and our allies, and he will not apologize for America’s leadership role in the world," he said.

Although Mr. de Blasio's office is asking many car companies to boycott Iran, he is focused on Nissan specifically because of the company's new taxi contract with the city. Indeed, today's event was in front of the Jacob Javits Center where Nissan will soon be touting its "Taxi of Tomorrow" car.

"Our Mayor was celebrating with Nissan last night, and today Nissan is in Iran selling its products ... through companies associated with the Iranian military and helping to prop up the Iranian regime no matter how bad its activities," Mr. de Blasio said.

Further highlighting the issue, Mr. de Blasio pointed to pictures of Nissan's new taxi juxtaposed with pictures of Iranian militants riding around in Nissan vehicles.

While calling on consumers to pressure Nissan, Mr. de Blasio also kept his focus on Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"There will be some people who try and sweep this under the rug. I think this will be a very telling moment for our mayor, whether he responds to this or not," he said. "It will be a very telling moment for Nissan, whether they continue their celebrations today."

For their part, Nissan said in a statement that they have "no direct investments in Iran," something Mr. de Blasio found laughable at today's conference when asked about it, again saying the car manufacturer partners with an Iranian company controlled by the government's Revolutionary Guard.

(Nissan's relationship with Iran is well established.)

At today's press conference, Assemblyman Dov Hikind also spoke to the importance of the issue, saying, "This is an issue of morality. This is an issue of justice. This is an issue of human life."

Watch Mr. Hikind and Mr. de Blasio speak below:

Bill de Blasio (Photo: Facebook)

Now that the city has given Nissan a $1 billion contract to manufacture New York's "Taxi of Tomorrow," public advocate and likely 2013 mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio has launched an offensive against the automaker for doing business with Iran. Mr. de Blasio sent out a statement and a string of Tweets today demanding the car company stop selling its wares to the Iranian regime.

"You cannot do business with the people of New York City with one hand, and prop up the dangerous regime in Tehran with the other," Mr. de Blasio said in his statement. "For our billion dollars, taxpayers and taxi riders deserve a guarantee that Nissan will stop selling its vehicles to Iran."

Nissan is one of the companies on Mr. de Blasio's "Iran Watch List," which highlights 12 automakers that do business with the Iranian regime. According to the watch list, which was launched in partnership with the advocacy groups Iran180 and United Against Nuclear Iran, Nissan has produced more than 7,500 cars in Iran through a partnership with local manufacturer Pars Khodro.

In addition to his statement and the watch list, Mr. de Blasio started a "Tweet-a-thon" this afternoon to put pressure on Nissan to end operations in Iran.

"Do you want the #taxiofIran to be the face of NYC?" he wrote.

As of this writing Nissan has not responded to request for comment on this story.

Dan Halloran holding a Paul campaign sign. (Photo: Facebook)

Councilman Dan Halloran has an interesting dilemma.

On one hand, he declared his campaign for congress with a laser-like focus on strengthening the United States' relationship with Israel and the Democratic-leaning Queens district's Jewish voters. On the other hand, he's a prominent local supporter of Ron Paul, who opposes foreign intervention.

Mr. Paul's beliefs, of course, are hardly consistent with what pro-Israel American politicians typically advocate. For example, he has said Israel should be left to its own devices if Iran attacks it.

After Mr. Halloran's campaign announcement yesterday, the Queens Tribune's Ross Barkan asked him about this apparent inconsistency. He responded by saying he's on record having opposed Mr. Paul's foreign policy views.

"Ron and I have been at odds about Israel for a long time, it's very public, it's all over my Facebook, I've made numerous comments," he said. "Look, Ron is great on domestic issues, I fully support the notions he has on the domestic agenda."

Mr. Halloran went on to aggressively define the need to defend Israel from Iran.

"Israel is our most important ally in the Middle East, it's the only secure democracy in the Middle East, and more importantly than that, ... Israel stands 1,100 miles away from Iran and the potential for a nuclear threat," he continued. "There is nothing I would like to see more than to make sure Iran is neutralized and will not be a threat to that country who stood with us over the years in every respect."

Watch Mr. Halloran make his comments below:

Senator John Kerry (Photo: Getty)

Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, said he believes there "absolutely" should be a parade for the troops who have returned from Iraq in New York or Washington, D.C. Though there have been calls for a ticker tape parade honoring Iraq veterans in Manhattan, Mayor Bloomberg has said Pentagon officials don't want New York City to hold a parade now because they think it would be "premature while we still have so many troops in harm's way around the world." The Politicker asked Mr. Kerry his thoughts on whether there should be an Iraq War parade in Manhattan after his appearance at New York Law School yesterday.

"Absolutely, I think there ought to be a parade if not there, in Washington," Senator Kerry said. "I think Iraqi war veterans, all veterans, I think they deserve to have the nation's gratitude and I think it'd be wonderful to do something like that."

Over the years, New York City has held ticker tape parades for veterans of the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the first Gulf War.

The Iraq War may be over, but there is increasing concern we may be headed toward a new war in Iran. At a fundraiser in Manhattan Thursday night, President Barack Obama was heckled by a woman who shouted "No war with Iran!"

"Nobody has announced a war, young lady," President Obama said. "You're jumping the gun a little bit there."

We asked Senator Kerry, who's a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, if he thinks a war with Iran is likely.

"I don't want to talk likelihoods of war right now," Senator Kerry said. "What I want to talk about is my hope that the Iranians will see the opportunity to negotiate."