WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama said "America is back" as a world power.

The President gave a flag-waving defense of American power and influence Monday night (US time) as part of his State of the Union address.

He said world opinions about the United States are on the rise, and he calls America the "indispensable nation" in world affairs.

He talked about extending new ties and influence toward Asia, while claiming that old alliances in Europe and elsewhere are stronger than ever.

Obama also cited the example of Iran, where with U.S. prompting much of the world is now united in applying sanctions over Iran's disputed nuclear program.

Obama left out that the sanctions net has holes, because some of Iran's large oil trading partners won't go along. (AP)