Poisoned chalice
By Dov Zakheim The Norwegian Nobel Committee has long been known as an avid supporter of trendy left-leaning causes and people. Recall that the same committee gave the peace prize to Yasir Arafat. No one is trendier these days than Barack Obama. The fact, of course, is that he had done little except deliver some ...
By Dov Zakheim
By Dov Zakheim
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has long been known as an avid supporter of trendy left-leaning causes and people. Recall that the same committee gave the peace prize to Yasir Arafat. No one is trendier these days than Barack Obama. The fact, of course, is that he had done little except deliver some inspiring speeches — and in fairness, how much could he have done in eight months to resolve some of the world’s toughest crises?
By awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has changed the focus of the prize from one of accomplishment to one of anticipation. Indeed, it has ratcheted up the expectations of what he might accomplish to superhuman levels. Moreover, these expectations center around his role on the international stage, when his acknowledged highest priorities are in fact very much at home, not abroad: the economy, health care, employment.
In addition, his primary international focus is not on peace, but on war — specifically the war in Afghanistan. In these circumstances, it is difficult to see how the president can deliver on the expectations that the prize has certainly magnified. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has done Barack Obama no favors.
More from Foreign Policy

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America
The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense
If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War
Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests
And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.