Should I write a blog post about Obama's Nobel Prize? I don't know if I have anything worthwhile to contribute beyond the huge amount of articles that have already been written. The Economist gives a reasonable and typical reaction.
Obama deserves credit for the progress he has made in rebuilding America's tattered international relations. A lot of what he has achieved however, is just partial repair of the damage Bush inflicted on the US's foreign relations. It remains to be seen how successful Obama's approach will ultimately be. Renewed friendship with Europe has not led to significant commitments to support the war in Afghanistan and Obama's policy in that war may end up in a quagmire. The precedents of history in both foreign involvement in Afghanistan and America's involvement in Vietnam, don't bode well for peace in Afghanistan. In Iraq, troop withdrawal might ultimately lead to a failed state. His stance and work towards a nuclear free world is admirable and is gaining some traction with Russia, however little progress has been seen in North Korea or Iran. His dealings with Iran have been balanced a soft touch with tough talk, but it will be many years before its clear whether his approach is the correct one.
While I support and admire Obama's work and his positions and I do sincerely hope that he is right, there are certainly alternative more hawkish positions. It is far too early to tell to say that Obama's approach is the right one.
There is the counter-argument that the prize is more rewarded for effort rather than results. I take this as a criticism of the Nobel Prize committee. The article cites Carter and Arafat/Rabin. I'd rather go with the more 1973 award: Henry Kissinger - Nobel Prize laureate; Accused war criminal.
The Nobel Prize for Peace stands in contrast to other Nobel Prizes for Literature and Physics that only make awards decades after a recipient's work has been validated.
The reactions from the right, have been so over the top as be not worth commenting on. I thought David Frum made an interesting point, that the prize may hamper Obama.
