"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal"......Martin Luther King Jr.
My first reaction to the news was "what? then "why?" but I was in bed and my brains was deactivated. Then, as I floated between sleep and awareness, I realised that the Nobel committee was more astute and perceptive. They had made a brilliant decision and for all the good reasons.
Eight years of toxic relations under Bush has given way to hope under Obama. He changed the tone and the thrust of the debate on war and peace. While placing his trust on diplomacy, he did not back away from robust actions when needed, like the drone attacks on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border or sending more troops to Afghanistan. In Cairo he delivered a strong message to the players in the Middle East. He faced off against Netanyahu and his settlements building and footdragging while making Abbas and the Palestinians aware of his concern for their shortcomings and their responsibilities. He sent a strong message to Ahmadinejad on Iran's nuclear programme but continued to pursue dialogue. The North Koreans were made to understand that they have to behave if they want to avoid sanctions and America's economic help. He scrapped the defense shield that Bush had promised to Eastern Europe and thus eaesd concerns in Russia, whose help will be needed with Iran and North Korea and Syria. He made Europe and Nato a full partner in Afghanistan and ended the frosty relaations with France and Germany, who had opposed Bush's unilateral actions in Iraq and in other areas of international relations. He ended the undermining of the American Constitution, decided to close Guantanamo and have prisoners brought to trial and his economic package, in concert with other countries, has resulted in the economic meltdown being reversed and some control being placed on rapacious corporations banks and investment houses. He will get a Health bill passed and millions of Americans will get the health care so long denied them.
The world is a safer place because of his approach and his policies. America's stature has been won back and gradually it is being trusted again.....no more 'cowboy" diplomacy. The Nobel will further enhance him and his position and it will also make him even more committed to pursue America's interests in conjunction with those, of other nations. We live in a very interconnected world, whether it is HINI, TERRORISM, NUCLEAR PROGRAMMES. MIDDLE EAST PEACE, CLIMATE CHANGE, TSUNAMI, FLOODING IN THE PHILLIPINES OR DEFORESTATION IN BRAZIL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION OR THE ECONOMIC CRISIS ETC.. Local and national have become international and even though America has lost some of its military and economic clout. it remains the major player and its leadership is needed.
Congratulations Mr. President Obama, the award is fully deserved. It will make your enemies choke on their vitriol and they will cast doubts on its merits, but that is so much sour grapes. Enjoy the moment and then back to work ....Medicare and al Qaaeda awaits.
