Obama encourages Europe to stay united

HANOVER, Germany - President Barack Obama challenged European nations on Monday to resist the forces that would divide their increasingly fragile union, calling their cooperation with one another and the U.S. essential to combating a new wave of economic and security trials.

Speaking in Germany on the final day of a three-nation international trip, Obama revived a theme he first expounded on when he visited this country as a candidate eight years ago and spoke of a more collaborative approach to the world's challenges that would rely on strong European partners. His vision has helped navigate the global economic collapse, forge an international climate agreement and launch a diplomatic approach toward curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions, Obama said.

'None of those things could have happened if I, if the United States, did not have a partnership with a strong and united Europe,” he argued.

But in the wake of the recent attacks on European capitals by Islamic State, the continued instability of the Middle East that resulted in a refugee crisis that has hit Europe hardest and continued economic insecurity for many, Obama acknowledged a tendency 'to withdraw” that increasingly is common on both sides of the Atlantic. Such detachment could only offer 'false comfort,” Obama warned.

'This is a defining moment. And what happens on this continent has consequences for people around the globe,” Obama said. 'If a unified, peaceful, liberal, pluralistic, free-market Europe begins to doubt itself, begins to question the progress that's been made over the last several decades, then we can't expect the progress that is just now taking hold in many places around the world will continue.”

On Monday, Obama announced the United States would send another 250 military personnel to Syria to assist in fighting against Islamic State, days after a similar announcement with regard to Iraq.

Monday's speech appeared to be directed more at fellow European leaders from whom Obama seeks continued cooperation, and historians Obama will ultimately rely on for validation of his legacy, than at a U.S. audience.