Tuesday's global agenda: Obama talks to the world

Your morning global affairs speed-read

The world will be watching President Obama's economy-themed State of the Union address tonight for any clues about how he intends to deal with the looming threat of sequestration. Afghanistan, meanwhile, hopes to see the president announce the next steps for concluding the U.S.-led mission and hint at the size of a residual U.S. troop presence after 2014.

Hagel gets a vote: The Senate Armed Services Committee could vote as early as this afternoon on Chuck Hagel's nomination for secretary of Defense, setting up a floor vote for later this week if Republican opposition can be overcome. And the Senate Intelligence Committee continues its grilling of John Brennan to head the CIA with a closed hearing focusing on al Qaeda offshoots in northern Africa.

Kim's spoiler: North Korea dampened the mood ahead of the SOTU by testing a nuclear weapon. Republicans immediately pounced on Obama. 

What's next in Libya: Wendy Sherman, the under-secretary of State for Political Affairs, leads the U.S. delegation to the Libya Ministerial Meeting in Paris. The talks, hosted by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and attended by his Libyan counterpart Mohamed Abdulaziz and a slew of western leaders, focus on security in Libya.

Right to trade arms: Oxfam America is launching an ad push Tuesday ahead of new negotiations this spring at the United Nations on a gun trade treaty. The group also has a briefing document for lawmakers to counter NRA arguments against the treaty.

In other news: 

Thailand tightened security at the U.S. consulate in Chiang Mai in the wake of al Qaeda threats. [The Wall Street Journal]

The Pentagon favors a three-year drawdown in Afghanistan. [The Washington Post]

Lobbying and regulations: Susan Roth has been hired by Norway's embassy to “communicate with members of the media (such as the Washington Post, local TV stations) via telephone and email to provide information on Embassy-related events with the goal of securing media coverage of these events.”

Global Affairs news you might have missed: 

Catholic lawmakers praise pope for having "courage" to resign

Obama OKs $50 million to support French operation in Mali

Carney: No proposal to cut nuclear arsenal in State of the Union

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