I may be wrong but … although he hasn’t really achieved any tangible outcomes yet, I think Barack Obama does deserve his Nobel Peace Prize.
Like many others, back when the award was announced and then when he received it last week, I had my moments of doubt, for the two standard reasons – he hasn’t actually stopped any wars yet, and is in fact running (and escalating) one now.
I am not at all happy about the war in Afghanistan. I think it’s unjust and unwise, on both conceptual and practical levels. I think the US administration’s strategy is as poorly reasoned and thought through as the previous administration’s strategy in Iraq, and there are not many people left now who think that was a good idea.
But then, I allow myself to let out a cynical sigh and acknowledge a quote I read recently (forgotten by whom) that said something to the effect that sometimes powerful nations need to have war just to remind everyone of who’s in charge.
So why should Obama be recognised for his efforts towards a more peaceful world?
The most important first step that the United States can and should take to make the world a safer place (and not just for Americans) is to talk with, and show a willingness to work with, other nations to those ends. Multilateralism, it’s called.
Given the Bush era policies and the sorry state of chest-beating arrogance of mainstream America which these policies reflected and drove, the change that Obama is leading is indeed significant, even dare I say momentous.
It offers the best chance in years, I believe, for the West to step back from its fighting stance, examine the reasons and drivers behind Islamic and other forms of extremism and terrorism, and form strategies to address them for the good of all, rather than swinging wildly (blindly?) and making things worse.
This doesn’t necessarily mean being a Ghandi-style pacifist, or even removing soldiers from all battle zones and calling truces. It means the US leadership seriously trying to engage with its allies and its enemies, looking for practical solutions rather than ideological victories.
I think Obama’s getting it wrong in Afghanistan at present. But I also think he has a better chance than most recent world leaders of creating a more peaceful world if he can inspire a desire among leaders to talk and engage. I believe he’s sincere in trying to achieve that.
For having the courage to walk down that path, especially in the face of the more ignorant and aggressive among his home constituency, he deserves a peace prize.
Perhaps you should write on the whole thing more often