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 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.