Good evening. Today I authorized two operations in Iraq -- targeted airstrikes to protect our American personnel, and a humanitarian effort to help save thousands of Iraqi civilians who are trapped on a mountain without food and water and facing almost certain death. Let me explain the actions we’re taking and why. 晚上好。今天，我授权在伊拉克开展两项行动：实施定点空袭，保护我们的美国人员；开展人道主义救援，帮助数千名被困山上、缺乏食物和饮水、几乎必死无疑的伊拉克平民。我来说明我们正在采取什么行动，以及为什么采取这些行动。
First, I said in June -- as the terrorist group ISIL began an advance across Iraq -- that the United States would be prepared to take targeted military action in Iraq if and when we determined that the situation required it. In recent days, these terrorists have continued to move across Iraq, and have neared the city of Erbil, where American diplomats and civilians serve at our consulate and American military personnel advise Iraqi forces. 首先，我在六月说过，随着“伊拉克和黎凡特伊斯兰国”这一恐怖组织开始在伊拉克推进，如果我们认定形势需要，美国将准备在伊拉克采取有针对性的军事行动。最近几天，这些恐怖分子继续在伊拉克各地推进，逼近埃尔比勒。我们的外交官和平民在那里的领事馆工作，美国军人在那里为伊拉克部队提供顾问服务。
To stop the advance on Erbil, I’ve directed our military to take targeted strikes against ISIL terrorist convoys should they move toward the city. We intend to stay vigilant, and take action if these terrorist forces threaten our personnel or facilities anywhere in Iraq, including our consulate in Erbil and our embassy in Baghdad. We’re also providing urgent assistance to Iraqi government and Kurdish forces so they can more effectively wage the fight against ISIL. 为了阻止他们向埃尔比勒推进，我已指示军方：如果该组织的车队向城市逼近，就对其实施定点打击。我们将保持警惕；如果这些恐怖分子威胁到我们在伊拉克任何地方的人员或设施，包括埃尔比勒领事馆和巴格达大使馆，我们将采取行动。我们还在向伊拉克政府军和库尔德武装提供紧急援助，帮助他们更有效地抗击该组织。
Second, at the request of the Iraqi government -- we’ve begun operations to help save Iraqi civilians stranded on the mountain. As ISIL has marched across Iraq, it has waged a ruthless campaign against innocent Iraqis. And these terrorists have been especially barbaric towards religious minorities, including Christian and Yezidis, a small and ancient religious sect. Countless Iraqis have been displaced. And chilling reports describe ISIL militants rounding up families, conducting mass executions, and enslaving Yezidi women. 其次，应伊拉克政府请求，我们已开始行动，救助被困在山上的伊拉克平民。该组织横扫伊拉克时，对无辜的伊拉克人发动了残酷的暴力行动。他们对宗教少数群体尤为野蛮，其中包括基督徒和历史悠久、人数不多的雅兹迪教派。无数伊拉克人流离失所。令人毛骨悚然的报道描述，该组织武装分子围捕一家家平民，大规模处决，并奴役雅兹迪妇女。
In recent days, Yezidi women, men and children from the area of Sinjar have fled for their lives. And thousands -- perhaps tens of thousands -- are now hiding high up on the mountain, with little but the clothes on their backs. They’re without food, they’re without water. People are starving. And children are dying of thirst. Meanwhile, ISIL forces below have called for the systematic destruction of the entire Yezidi people, which would constitute genocide. 最近几天，辛贾尔地区的雅兹迪妇女、男人和儿童为逃命而离开家园。如今，成千上万、或许数以万计的人躲在高山上，除了身上的衣服几乎一无所有。他们没有食物，没有饮水。有人正在挨饿，孩子正在因口渴而死。与此同时，山下的恐怖分子扬言要有计划地消灭整个雅兹迪族群；那将构成种族灭绝。
So these innocent families are faced with a horrible choice: descend the mountain and be slaughtered, or stay and slowly die of thirst and hunger. 因此，这些无辜家庭面临可怕的选择：下山遭屠杀，或者留在山上，因饥渴而缓慢死去。
I’ve said before, the United States cannot and should not intervene every time there’s a crisis in the world. So let me be clear about why we must act, and act now. When we face a situation like we do on that mountain -- with innocent people facing the prospect of violence on a horrific scale, when we have a mandate to help -- in this case, a request from the Iraqi government -- and when we have the unique capabilities to help avert a massacre, then I believe the United States of America cannot turn a blind eye. We can act, carefully and responsibly, to prevent a potential act of genocide. 我以前说过，美国不可能、也不应该每逢世界某处发生危机就介入。因此，我要清楚说明我们为何必须行动，而且必须现在就行动。当我们面对眼前这座山上的情形：无辜者可能遭受骇人规模的暴力；我们获得了援助授权，在此就是伊拉克政府的请求；而我们又拥有阻止大屠杀的独特能力，我相信美利坚合众国就不能视而不见。我们能够谨慎、负责地行动，防止可能发生的种族灭绝。
That’s what we’re doing on that mountain. 这正是我们在那座山上所做的事。
I’ve, therefore, authorized targeted airstrikes, if necessary, to help forces in Iraq as they fight to break the siege of Mount Sinjar and protect the civilians trapped there. Already, American aircraft have begun conducting humanitarian airdrops of food and water to help these desperate men, women and children survive. Earlier this week, one Iraqi in the area cried to the world, "There is no one coming to help." Well today, America is coming to help. We’re also consulting with other countries -- and the United Nations -- who have called for action to address this humanitarian crisis. 因此，我已经授权在必要时实施定点空袭，帮助伊拉克部队突破辛贾尔山的围困，保护被困平民。美国飞机已经开始空投食物和饮水，帮助这些陷入绝境的男女老幼活下去。本周早些时候，当地一名伊拉克人向全世界哭喊：“没有人来帮助我们。”而今天，美国正在伸出援手。我们还在同其他国家以及联合国磋商；它们都呼吁采取行动，应对这场人道主义危机。
I know that many of you are rightly concerned about any American military action in Iraq, even limited strikes like these. I understand that. I ran for this office in part to end our war in Iraq and welcome our troops home, and that’s what we’ve done. As Commander-in-Chief, I will not allow the United States to be dragged into fighting another war in Iraq. And so even as we support Iraqis as they take the fight to these terrorists, American combat troops will not be returning to fight in Iraq, because there’s no American military solution to the larger crisis in Iraq. 我知道，你们许多人对美国在伊拉克采取任何军事行动，包括这样有限的空袭，抱有合理的担忧。我理解这一点。我竞选总统，部分就是为了结束我们在伊拉克的战争、迎接士兵回家；我们已经做到了。作为三军统帅，我不会让美国被拖入另一场伊拉克战争。因此，即使我们支持伊拉克人抗击这些恐怖分子，美国战斗部队也不会重返伊拉克作战，因为伊拉克更广泛的危机没有美国的军事解决方案。
The only lasting solution is reconciliation among Iraqi communities and stronger Iraqi security forces. 唯一持久的解决办法，是伊拉克各群体实现和解，并建立更强大的伊拉克安全部队。
However, we can and should support moderate forces who can bring stability to Iraq. So even as we carry out these two missions, we will continue to pursue a broader strategy that empowers Iraqis to confront this crisis. Iraqi leaders need to come together and forge a new government that represents the legitimate interests of all Iraqis, and that can fight back against the threats like ISIL. Iraqis have named a new President, a new Speaker of Parliament, and are seeking consensus on a new Prime Minister. 不过，我们能够、也应该支持可以为伊拉克带来稳定的温和力量。因此，在执行这两项任务的同时，我们将继续推行更广泛的战略，帮助伊拉克人自行应对危机。伊拉克领导人需要团结起来，组建一个代表所有伊拉克人正当利益、能够抵御该组织等威胁的新政府。伊拉克人已经选出新总统和新议长，正在就新总理人选寻求共识。
This is the progress that needs to continue in order to reverse the momentum of the terrorists who prey on Iraq’s divisions. 要扭转利用伊拉克分裂牟利的恐怖分子的势头，这样的进展必须持续下去。
Once Iraq has a new government, the United States will work with it and other countries in the region to provide increased support to deal with this humanitarian crisis and counterterrorism challenge. None of Iraq’s neighbors have an interest in this terrible suffering or instability. 伊拉克组建新政府后，美国将与之以及地区其他国家合作，提供更多支持，应对这场人道主义危机与反恐挑战。伊拉克的邻国都不愿看到如此严重的苦难或动荡。
And so we’ll continue to work with our friends and allies to help refugees get the shelter and food and water they so desperately need, and to help Iraqis push back against ISIL. The several hundred American advisors that I ordered to Iraq will continue to assess what more we can do to help train, advise and support Iraqi forces going forward. And just as I consulted Congress on the decisions I made today, we will continue to do so going forward. 因此，我们将继续与朋友和盟友合作，帮助难民获得他们急需的住所、食物和饮水，并帮助伊拉克人击退该组织。我派往伊拉克的数百名美国顾问将继续评估，我们今后还能如何训练、指导和支持伊拉克部队。正如我就今天的决定与国会进行了磋商，今后我们也会继续这样做。
My fellow Americans, the world is confronted by many challenges. And while America has never been able to right every wrong, America has made the world a more secure and prosperous place. And our leadership is necessary to underwrite the global security and prosperity that our children and our grandchildren will depend upon. We do so by adhering to a set of core principles. We do whatever is necessary to protect our people. We support our allies when they’re in danger. We lead coalitions of countries to uphold international norms. 美国同胞们，世界正面临许多挑战。虽然美国从来无法纠正每一件错事，但美国使世界变得更加安全、更加繁荣。我们的领导作用，是子孙后代所依赖的全球安全与繁荣的重要支撑。我们通过遵守一套核心原则来发挥这种作用。我们采取一切必要措施保护自己的人民；盟友遇险时，我们予以支持；我们领导多国联盟，维护国际准则。
And we strive to stay true to the fundamental values -- the desire to live with basic freedom and dignity -- that is common to human beings wherever they are. That’s why people all over the world look to the United States of America to lead. And that’s why we do it. 我们也努力忠于人类不论身在何处都共同拥有的基本价值：在基本自由和尊严中生活的愿望。这就是世界各地的人们期待美利坚合众国发挥领导作用的原因，也是我们挺身而出的原因。
So let me close by assuring you that there is no decision that I take more seriously than the use of military force. Over the last several years, we have brought the vast majority of our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. And I’ve been careful to resist calls to turn time and again to our military, because America has other tools in our arsenal than our military. We can also lead with the power of our diplomacy, our economy, and our ideals. 最后，我向各位保证，没有任何决定比使用武力更令我慎重。过去几年，我们已将驻伊拉克和阿富汗的绝大多数部队接回国。我一直谨慎抵制一再诉诸军队的呼声，因为美国除军事力量外，还有其他手段。我们也能凭借外交、经济和理想的力量发挥领导作用。
But when the lives of American citizens are at risk, we will take action. That’s my responsibility as Commander-in-Chief. And when many thousands of innocent civilians are faced with the danger of being wiped out, and we have the capacity to do something about it, we will take action. That is our responsibility as Americans. That’s a hallmark of American leadership. That’s who we are. 但是，当美国公民的生命面临危险时，我们会行动。这是我作为三军统帅的责任。当成千上万无辜平民面临被消灭的危险，而我们有能力采取措施时，我们也会行动。这是我们作为美国人的责任，是美国领导力的一个标志，这就是我们这个国家的本色。
So tonight, we give thanks to our men and women in uniform -— especially our brave pilots and crews over Iraq who are protecting our fellow Americans and saving the lives of so many men, women and children that they will never meet. They represent American leadership at its best. As a nation, we should be proud of them, and of our country’s enduring commitment to uphold our own security and the dignity of our fellow human beings. 所以今晚，我们感谢身着军装的男女军人，尤其是在伊拉克上空执行任务的勇敢飞行员和机组人员。他们保护我们的美国同胞，也拯救许多素未谋面的男女老幼的生命。他们体现了美国领导力最好的一面。作为一个国家，我们应当为他们感到骄傲，也应当为我国始终致力于维护自身安全和人类同胞尊严而骄傲。
God bless our Armed Forces, and God bless the United States of America. 愿上帝保佑我们的武装部队，愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国。