by Gary Betts

Created on: October 09, 2009   Last Updated: July 18, 2011

I was both shocked and puzzled to learn that President Obama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009. What has President Obama done to deserve this great honor? Israel and the Palestinians have not been in peace talks for months and there is no sign that either side really wants to talk peace. North Korea, while still baiting the United States, has not resumed talks on nuclear disarmament. And Iran, while painted into a corner recently at the United Nations, is still trying to develop nuclear weapons.

There is still genocide around the world such as in Darfur, but President Obama has done absolutely nothing to help these desparate people. What about lawlessness in Somalia, which is a breeding ground for al Qaeda and pirates - both a threat to the United States? Except to send in a few navy ships, President Obama has done very little there.

This award was based on his attempts to bring peace to the world, his desire to reduce nuclear weapons worldwide, and his out reach to Muslims around the world. But President Obama has only been in the White House for about nine months and, given the prize's February 1st nomination deadline, the nomination would have been put forward while he was in office for less than two weeks. How did the Nobel Committee know anything about the new President Obama? Or were they just hoping that he would turn out to be deserving of the honor?

This award was definitely premature. President Obama has been in office a very short time and has not accomplished anything of great value. Why not give this man a couple of years to truly see if he deserves the Peace Prize? What was the rush? Could there be something political about awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to an unproven President Obama very early in his first term?

Despite being very popular around the world, President Obama has big troubles in the United States. These include a battered economy and a brutal healthcare debate that have lowered his once-towering ratings. Not to mention that he has to make a decision about Afghanistan that will make some Americans unhappy, no matter what it turns out to be. Could international politics have entered the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize?

"Sure, we'll help you, Mr President. Just make sure you don't forget us!"

Nothing like a prestigious honor like the Nobel peace Prize to improve the standing of a beleaguered president under fire from all directions.

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