News outlets discuss a speech by President Barack Obama regarding the withdrawal of troops from the West Africa Ebola response and the U.S.’s continued efforts to eliminate the disease.

Associated Press: Obama says U.S. has ‘risen to the challenge’ of fighting Ebola
“President Barack Obama heralded a ‘new phase in the fight’ against Ebola on Wednesday and said progress against the outbreak in West Africa will allow the U.S. to withdraw nearly all American troops sent to Liberia last fall…” (Kuhnhenn, 2/11).

Foreign Policy: Ebola’s Toll Was Horrific. It Could Have Been Much Worse
“… ‘Our focus now is getting to zero. Every case is an ember that could light a fire,’ Obama said at a celebratory news conference Wednesday praising the U.S. troops and doctors who had traveled to Africa to help fight the disease … ‘We’re shifting from fighting the epidemic to extinguishing it’…” (Francis, 2/11).

The Hill: Obama: U.S. has risen to the challenge of Ebola
“… ‘We have risen to the challenge,’ Obama said at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. ‘And remember, there was no small amount of skepticism about our chances. People were understandably afraid, and if we’re honest, some stoked those fears’…” (Sullivan, 2/11).

NBC News: U.S. Ebola Fight Moves to New Phase
“…[Obama] said the American aid effort, by far the largest single country’s contribution, set an example and made other countries confident to step up and help…” (Fox, 2/11).

New York Times: Withdrawing Troops, Obama Calls for Vigilance on Ebola
“…Mr. Obama praised the military effort, which he said had become a ‘hope multiplier’ that persuaded other nations to join in the effort to stop the spread of the disease. And he thanked the volunteers who rushed to the continent at great personal risk when the threat from the disease became clear…” (Shear/Davis, 2/11).

Reuters: Obama says world needs to learn from Ebola ‘wake-up call’
“…Obama said the outbreak was a ‘wake-up call’ for the world, and that wealthy countries needed to invest to ensure that poor nations have basic health systems to detect and fight diseases. ‘This is not charity,’ he said in a speech at the White House. ‘The investments we make overseas are in our self-interest’…” (Rampton, 2/11).

Wall Street Journal: Barack Obama Marks End of U.S. Military’s Ebola Response
“…According to the White House, U.S. efforts resulted in the construction of 10 Ebola treatment units. Those units will be handed over to aid groups, international organizations or government contractors” (Tau, 2/11).