Obama: US can't intervene in every crisis, but cannot look away when innocents face massacre

President Barack Obama listens during a phone call with Jordan's King Abdullah II in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday in Washington.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the United States can’t and shouldn’t intervene in every world crisis. But he says when innocent people face a massacre and the U.S. has the ability to stop it, the nation shouldn’t look away.

Obama is discussing his rationale for authorizing airstrikes in Iraq in his weekly radio and Internet address. Obama says the U.S. will continue with targeted strikes if necessary.

Obama says he won’t allow the U.S. to be dragged into another war in Iraq. But he says the U.S. will protect Americans and prevent terrorists from having a safe haven.

In the Republican address, Senate candidate Mike McFadden from Minnesota says Obama and Democrats have had their chance to turn the economy around. He says all the economy’s doing is running in place.