Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

The story of the Presidency of Barack Obama took another unexpected turn today. In a unexpected result, Obama has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

It certainly came as a surprise to most as arguably after 8 months in office, Obama has failed to deliver on many of his election campaign promises. But the peace prize is about peace, which in all fairness is perhaps what he has succeed at the most. Well, international peace, but not domestic peace.

The Nobel Committee said he won it for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples. Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future”. It’s a fair point. Could you imagine an American President reaching out directly to the Muslim world back in 2004 or even 2007 for that matter?

The committee also highlighted Obama’s efforts to support international bodies and promote nuclear disarmament. Another huge subtle but equally massive step towards peace. Not only did he agree to reduce the amount of active nuclear warheads in the US, but convinced Russia to do the same after “resetting” their international relationship at the start of his presidency.

He also reached out directly to Iran, calling for a new relationship based on mutual respect. In light of these things and remembering the previous administrations foreign policy, the peace prize in my opinion is a just reflection of Obama’s work on the international stage. Work which may have resulted for a safer and more peaceful world for most of us, but has perhaps side tracked him from staying on the ball domestically.

Paul Reynolds of BBC News has summed the situation up perfectly:

The award is certainly unexpected and might be regarded as more of an encouragement for intentions than a reward for achievements. 

Well said that man. Lets hope his intentions are fulfilled, then the award will unquestionably be deserved.

Here is MSNBC reporter Rachel Maddow’s report on the Peace Prize awarding:

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