President Barack Obama has put an improving US economy and foreign policy achievements at the centre of his sixth State of the Union address.

With only two years left in office it was a chance to take credit for past policies and introduce new plans such as a tax hike on the rich and raising the minimum wage. But he knows he is up against it with a Republican controlled Congress.

“We’ve seen the fastest economic growth in over a decade, our deficits cut by two thirds, a stock market that has doubled and healthcare inflation at it’s lowest rate in 50 years. So the verdict is clear… These policies will continue to work, as long as politics don’t get in the way,” warned Obama.

On foreign policy Obama revived a promise he made when he first took office – to close the US military prison at Guantanamo bay. But his main target was a threat which hadn’t even been on the radar back then:

“In Iraq and Syria, American leadership – including our military power – is stopping ISIL’s advanc