President Barack Obama says the “tide of war is receding,” with fewer Americans serving in harm's way.

The president says 100,000 U.S. troops are already out of Iraq and that the “light of a secure peace” can be seen in Afghanistan, with both wars coming to a “responsible end.”

Mr. Obama says the United States must chart “a more centered course, ” responding to threats with a “targeted force” and not necessarily deploying large armies overseas.

He says the U.S. must rally international action, like in Libya, where there is not one single American soldier on the ground.