🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:
Response:
Calculated Shard: 55 (from laksa153)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:
Response:

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:
Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:
Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄
INDEXABLE
CRAWLED
12 hours ago
🤖
ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

FilterStatusConditionDetails
HTTP statusPASSdownload_http_code = 200HTTP 200
Age cutoffPASSdownload_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH0 months ago
History dropPASSisNull(history_drop_reason)No drop reason
Spam/banPASSfh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0ml_spam_score=0
CanonicalPASSmeta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsedNot set

Page Details

PropertyValue
URLhttps://www.brookings.edu/articles/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/
Last Crawled2026-04-13 00:18:57 (12 hours ago)
First Indexed2023-06-28 16:35:02 (2 years ago)
HTTP Status Code200
Meta TitleObama and the Nobel Peace Prize | Brookings
Meta DescriptionPresident Barack Obama’s 2009 Nobel Peace Prize immediately triggered strong reactions worldwide. Hady Amr and Steven Barnes write that the prize presents President Obama an opportunity to build on his recent efforts to foster dialogue between America and people of all faiths around the globe.
Meta Canonicalnull
Boilerpipe Text
Commentary Op-ed October 12, 2009 5 min read Content from the Brookings Doha Center is now archived . In September 2021, after 14 years of impactful partnership, Brookings and the Brookings Doha Center announced that they were ending their affiliation. The Brookings Doha Center is now the  Middle East Council on Global Affairs , a separate public policy institution based in Qatar. President Barack Obama’s 2009 Nobel Peace Prize immediately triggered strong reactions worldwide, particularly highlighting the major challenges Obama faces in Muslim-majority states and communities, from the Mideast peace process, to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Yet the Prize also presents President Obama a key opportunity to build on his recent efforts to foster dialogue between America and Muslims around the globe. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, explaining their decision to award the president the Prize, praised Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Further, the Committee noted that for the Obama administration, “Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts.” From day one of his presidency, going all the way back to a landmark speech he gave as a candidate in August 2007, the president declared that he would engage Muslims around the world with the concept “Your future is our future.” And he built on that with a more powerful message in Cairo in June 2009 where he evoked the Quran, the Bible and the Talmud, when he said, “The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work on earth.” But with the US fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the Mideast peace process stalled, immediate responses to the Peace Prize announcement from the Mideast and Muslims around the world ranged from hopeful, to muted, to skeptical. For example, Saad Al-Ajmi, Kuwait’s former minister of information, told the New York Times he hoped Obama “will take some concrete actions with regards to the Middle East crisis by bringing about the awaited two-state solution.” Highlighting the current stalemate in talks between Israelis and Palestinians, Al-Ajmi observed, “creating reality is not achieved by good intentions; it is by good actions.” Yet from the outset of his presidency, Obama has made the Mideast peace process an urgent foreign policy priority. Moreover, breaking with the past administration, the Obama White House has reached out to Iran and Syria to conduct direct talks, in the interests of reducing heightened tensions between the US and these states and stabilizing the region. The Nobel Committee endorsed Obama’s appeal during his September address before the UN General Assembly, where the president told delegates, “Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.” The key to Obama’s statement is the phrase “all of us.” Obama has created a forum for dialogue and cooperation on issues ranging from Afghanistan, to Iran, to Israel/Palestine, despite seemingly overwhelming practical and policy challenges – such as, divided leadership in the Palestinian territories; an Israeli government that does not see eye-to-eye with Obama on the issue of settlements; and of course, two ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. On the one hand, elements of the Israeli coalition government reacted enthusiastically to Obama being named the Peace Prize winner. Shimon Peres, president of Israel and former co-recipient of the Peace Prize, said “Obama [has] captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future.” Indeed, he added, “Under [Obama’s] leadership, peace became a real and original agenda.” But Khaled Al-Batsh, a leader of the radicalized Islamic Jihad in Gaza, told Reuters the day of the announcement, “Why should Obama be given a peace prize while his country owns the largest nuclear arsenal on earth and his soldiers continue to shed innocent blood in Iraq and Afghanistan?” Such a statement rings hollow, however, in light of Obama’s broad outreach to Arabs and Muslims and the president’s efforts to foster dialogue and cooperation during his initial nine months in office. In short, cooperation is a two-way street. Leaders from Muslim-majority states who truly seek a way forward can and should engage with the US and other partners for peace in the Mideast, in Afghanistan, and in Iraq. For example, for seven years all members of the Arab League have endorsed a peace plan for Israel and Palestine; yet the League has made none of the effort Obama has in terms of reaching out to Israelis in a credible way to explain the benefits of their plan. As individuals based, respectively, at a think-tank in the Middle East and a school of public policy in the US – institutions that support policy research and encourage open dialogue and debate – we’ve seen the positive impacts of Obama’s message on young people engaged in global policy questions, and who seek to make a difference in the world. The day of the announcement the president said he viewed the award as “call to action – a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.” The Nobel Committee, in awarding the Peace Prize to Obama, has at once underscored both the tremendous importance of the mindset and language of dialogue that he exemplifies, along with a deep desire to see the translation of these words into deeds. And in this respect, President Obama, the Nobel Committee, and people of all faiths around the world have a lot in common. The Brookings Institution is committed to quality, independence, and impact. We are supported by a diverse array of funders . In line with our values and policies , each Brookings publication represents the sole views of its author(s).
Markdown
- [Experts](https://www.brookings.edu/experts/) - [Events](https://www.brookings.edu/events/) - [Research Programs](https://www.brookings.edu/research-programs/) - [Research & Commentary](https://www.brookings.edu/research-commentary/) - [Newsletters](https://www.brookings.edu/newsletters/) - [For Media](https://www.brookings.edu/for-media/) - [About Us](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/) - [Leadership](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/leadership/) - [Careers](https://www.brookings.edu/careers/) - [Our Commitments](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/#commitments) - [Our Finances](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/finances/) - [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion](https://www.brookings.edu/dei-report-2025/) - [BI Press](https://www.brookings.edu/all-books/brookings-institution-press/) - [Donate](https://www.brookings.edu/support-brookings/) [Home](https://www.brookings.edu/) - [Iran](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iran/) - [Taxes](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/federal-fiscal-tax-policy/) - [Immigration](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/immigration-5/) - [Housing](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/housing/) - [Tariffs and Trade](https://www.brookings.edu/tags/tariffs/) - [Topics](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/) - [![Business & Workforce](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-business-and-workforce.svg) Business & Workforce](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/business-industry/) - [![Cities & Communities](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-cities-and-communities.svg) Cities & Communities](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/cities-communities/) - [![Climate & Energy](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-climate-and-energy.svg) Climate & Energy](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/climate-energy/) - [![Defense & Security](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-defense-and-security.svg) Defense & Security](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/national-security/) - [![Education](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-education.svg) Education](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/education-2/) - [![Global Economy & Development](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-global-economy-and-development.svg) Global Economy & Development](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/global-inequality/) - [![Health Care](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-health-care.svg) Health Care](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/health-care-2/) - [![International Affairs](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-international-affairs.svg) International Affairs](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/international-affairs/) - [![Society & Culture](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-society-and-culture.svg) Society & Culture](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/social-issues/) - [![Technology & Information](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-technology-and-information.svg) Technology & Information](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/technology-innovation/) - [![U.S. Economy](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-us-economy.svg) U.S. Economy](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/u-s-economy/) - [![U.S. Government & Politics](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/topic/icon-topic-us-government-and-politics.svg) U.S. Government & Politics](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/u-s-politics-government/) - [Regions](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/) - [![Africa](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/region/icon-region-africa.svg) Africa](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/africa/) - [![Asia & the Pacific](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/region/icon-region-asia.svg) Asia & the Pacific](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/asia-the-pacific/) - [![Europe & Eurasia](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/region/icon-region-europe.svg) Europe & Eurasia](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/europe-eurasia/) - [![Latin America & the Caribbean](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/region/icon-region-latin-america.svg) Latin America & the Caribbean](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/latin-america-the-caribbean/) - [![Middle East & North Africa](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/region/icon-region-middle-east.svg) Middle East & North Africa](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/middle-east-north-africa/) - [![North America](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/themes/brookings/assets/svg/icons/region/icon-region-north-america.svg) North America](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/north-america/) [Search](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#overlay-search) [Home](https://www.brookings.edu/) - [Iran](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iran/) - [Taxes](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/federal-fiscal-tax-policy/) - [Immigration](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/immigration-5/) - [Tariffs](https://www.brookings.edu/tags/tariffs/) - [Housing](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/housing/) - [All Topics](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/) - [All Regions](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/) - [Experts](https://www.brookings.edu/experts/) - [Events](https://www.brookings.edu/events/) - [Research Programs](https://www.brookings.edu/research-programs/) - [About Us](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/) - [Research & Commentary](https://www.brookings.edu/research-commentary/) - [Newsletters](https://www.brookings.edu/newsletters/) - [Careers](https://www.brookings.edu/careers/) - [For Media](https://www.brookings.edu/for-media/) [Home](https://www.brookings.edu/) #### Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize - [Share](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/) - Share - [Bluesky Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Obama+and+the+Nobel+Peace+Prize%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brookings.edu%2Farticles%2Fobama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize%2F%3Fb%3D1) [Search](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/#overlay-search) [Sections](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/) Sections - [Share](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/) - Share - [Bluesky Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Obama+and+the+Nobel+Peace+Prize%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brookings.edu%2Farticles%2Fobama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize%2F%3Fb%3D1) Commentary Op-ed # Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize ##### [Hady Amr](https://www.brookings.edu/people/hady-amr/) and [![Hady Amr, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, The Brookings Institution](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/fp_20170215_hady_amr.jpg?quality=50&w=189)](https://www.brookings.edu/people/hady-amr/) [Hady Amr](https://www.brookings.edu/people/hady-amr/) [Steven W. Barnes](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/) [SWB]() Steven W. Barnes October 12, 2009 - 5 min read - [Bluesky Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Obama+and+the+Nobel+Peace+Prize%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brookings.edu%2Farticles%2Fobama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize%2F%3Fb%3D1) Print Sections Toggle section navigation Sections Print Follow the authors - Hady Amr [Bluesky Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com](https://bsky.app/profile/hadyamr.bsky.social) - [See More](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/) ##### More On [International Affairs](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/international-affairs/) [Middle East & North Africa](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/middle-east-north-africa/) Program [Foreign Policy](https://www.brookings.edu/programs/foreign-policy/) **Content from the Brookings Doha Center is now archived**. In September 2021, after 14 years of impactful partnership, Brookings and the Brookings Doha Center announced that they were ending their affiliation. The Brookings Doha Center is now the [Middle East Council on Global Affairs](https://mecouncil.org/), a separate public policy institution based in Qatar. President Barack Obama’s 2009 Nobel Peace Prize immediately triggered strong reactions worldwide, particularly highlighting the major challenges Obama faces in Muslim-majority states and communities, from the Mideast peace process, to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Yet the Prize also presents President Obama a key opportunity to build on his recent efforts to foster dialogue between America and Muslims around the globe. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, explaining their decision to award the president the Prize, praised Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Further, the Committee noted that for the Obama administration, “Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts.” From day one of his presidency, going all the way back to a landmark speech he gave as a candidate in August 2007, the president declared that he would engage Muslims around the world with the concept “Your future is our future.” And he built on that with a more powerful message in Cairo in June 2009 where he evoked the Quran, the Bible and the Talmud, when he said, “The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work on earth.” But with the US fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the Mideast peace process stalled, immediate responses to the Peace Prize announcement from the Mideast and Muslims around the world ranged from hopeful, to muted, to skeptical. For example, Saad Al-Ajmi, Kuwait’s former minister of information, told the New York Times he hoped Obama “will take some concrete actions with regards to the Middle East crisis by bringing about the awaited two-state solution.” Highlighting the current stalemate in talks between Israelis and Palestinians, Al-Ajmi observed, “creating reality is not achieved by good intentions; it is by good actions.” Yet from the outset of his presidency, Obama has made the Mideast peace process an urgent foreign policy priority. Moreover, breaking with the past administration, the Obama White House has reached out to Iran and Syria to conduct direct talks, in the interests of reducing heightened tensions between the US and these states and stabilizing the region. The Nobel Committee endorsed Obama’s appeal during his September address before the UN General Assembly, where the president told delegates, “Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.” The key to Obama’s statement is the phrase “all of us.” Obama has created a forum for dialogue and cooperation on issues ranging from Afghanistan, to Iran, to Israel/Palestine, despite seemingly overwhelming practical and policy challenges – such as, divided leadership in the Palestinian territories; an Israeli government that does not see eye-to-eye with Obama on the issue of settlements; and of course, two ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. On the one hand, elements of the Israeli coalition government reacted enthusiastically to Obama being named the Peace Prize winner. Shimon Peres, president of Israel and former co-recipient of the Peace Prize, said “Obama \[has\] captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future.” Indeed, he added, “Under \[Obama’s\] leadership, peace became a real and original agenda.” But Khaled Al-Batsh, a leader of the radicalized Islamic Jihad in Gaza, told Reuters the day of the announcement, “Why should Obama be given a peace prize while his country owns the largest nuclear arsenal on earth and his soldiers continue to shed innocent blood in Iraq and Afghanistan?” Such a statement rings hollow, however, in light of Obama’s broad outreach to Arabs and Muslims and the president’s efforts to foster dialogue and cooperation during his initial nine months in office. In short, cooperation is a two-way street. Leaders from Muslim-majority states who truly seek a way forward can and should engage with the US and other partners for peace in the Mideast, in Afghanistan, and in Iraq. For example, for seven years all members of the Arab League have endorsed a peace plan for Israel and Palestine; yet the League has made none of the effort Obama has in terms of reaching out to Israelis in a credible way to explain the benefits of their plan. As individuals based, respectively, at a think-tank in the Middle East and a school of public policy in the US – institutions that support policy research and encourage open dialogue and debate – we’ve seen the positive impacts of Obama’s message on young people engaged in global policy questions, and who seek to make a difference in the world. The day of the announcement the president said he viewed the award as “call to action – a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.” The Nobel Committee, in awarding the Peace Prize to Obama, has at once underscored both the tremendous importance of the mindset and language of dialogue that he exemplifies, along with a deep desire to see the translation of these words into deeds. And in this respect, President Obama, the Nobel Committee, and people of all faiths around the world have a lot in common. **The Brookings Institution is committed to quality, independence, and impact.** We are supported by a [diverse array of funders](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/annual-report/). In line with our [values and policies](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/research-independence-and-integrity-policies/), each Brookings publication represents the sole views of its author(s). More On Program [Foreign Policy](https://www.brookings.edu/programs/foreign-policy/) Region [Middle East & North Africa](https://www.brookings.edu/regions/middle-east-north-africa/) [Has America ever lived up to ‘all men are created equal’?](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/has-america-ever-lived-up-to-all-men-are-created-equal/) !["all men are created equal"](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260408_DIQ_S3_EP2_hero.png?quality=50&w=500) [U.S. Democracy](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/us_democracy/) Has America ever lived up to ‘all men are created equal’? William A. Galston, Keon L. Gilbert, Kathryn Dunn Tenpas April 9, 2026 [Generative AI as a weapon of war in Iran](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/generative-ai-as-a-weapon-of-war-in-iran/) ![A woman displays an AI-generated image of Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military uniform on her cellphone screen during a pro-government rally in downtown Tehran, Iran, on April 6, 2026.](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-06T000000Z_995221545_MT1NURPHO000OOQQUR_RTRMADP_3_WAR-SUPPORT-RALLY.jpg?quality=50&w=500) [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/artificial-intelligence/) Generative AI as a weapon of war in Iran Valerie Wirtschafter April 8, 2026 [Rebalancing world order in an age of fragmentation: A conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb](https://www.brookings.edu/events/rebalancing-world-order-in-an-age-of-fragmentation-a-conversation-with-finnish-president-alexander-stubb/) Upcoming Event April 13 2026 [International Affairs](https://www.brookings.edu/topics/international-affairs/) Rebalancing world order in an age of fragmentation: A conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb The Brookings Institution, Washington DC Monday, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT Get the latest from Brookings - [twitter](https://twitter.com/BrookingsInst) - [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/brookings) - [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-brookings-institution) - [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/user/BrookingsInstitution) - [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/brookingsinst/) Brookings equips decisionmakers with nonpartisan research and policy strategies to create a more prosperous and secure country and world. [Donate](https://www.brookings.edu/support-brookings/) - [Research Programs](https://www.brookings.edu/research-programs/) - [Governance Studies](https://www.brookings.edu/programs/governance-studies/) - [Economic Studies](https://www.brookings.edu/programs/economic-studies/) - [Foreign Policy](https://www.brookings.edu/programs/foreign-policy/) - [Global Economy and Development](https://www.brookings.edu/programs/global-economy-and-development/) - [Brookings Metro](https://www.brookings.edu/programs/brookings-metro/) - [About Us](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/) - [Leadership](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/leadership/) - [Careers](https://www.brookings.edu/careers/) - [Brookings Institution Press](https://www.brookings.edu/all-books/brookings-institution-press/) - [Contact Brookings](https://www.brookings.edu/contact-brookings/) - [Cookie Preferences]() - [Research & Commentary](https://www.brookings.edu/research-commentary/) - [Experts](https://www.brookings.edu/experts/) - [Events](https://www.brookings.edu/events/) - [Books](https://www.brookings.edu/all-books/) - [Podcasts](https://www.brookings.edu/podcasts/) - [Newsletters](https://www.brookings.edu/newsletters/) - [Privacy Policy, Updated August 2024](https://www.brookings.edu/brookings-institution-privacy-policy/) - [Terms of Use, Updated August 2024](https://www.brookings.edu/terms-of-use/) Copyright 2026 The Brookings Institution ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=345085416233014&ev=PageView&noscript=1)
Readable Markdown
Commentary Op-ed ##### October 12, 2009 - 5 min read **Content from the Brookings Doha Center is now archived**. In September 2021, after 14 years of impactful partnership, Brookings and the Brookings Doha Center announced that they were ending their affiliation. The Brookings Doha Center is now the [Middle East Council on Global Affairs](https://mecouncil.org/), a separate public policy institution based in Qatar. President Barack Obama’s 2009 Nobel Peace Prize immediately triggered strong reactions worldwide, particularly highlighting the major challenges Obama faces in Muslim-majority states and communities, from the Mideast peace process, to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Yet the Prize also presents President Obama a key opportunity to build on his recent efforts to foster dialogue between America and Muslims around the globe. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, explaining their decision to award the president the Prize, praised Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Further, the Committee noted that for the Obama administration, “Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts.” From day one of his presidency, going all the way back to a landmark speech he gave as a candidate in August 2007, the president declared that he would engage Muslims around the world with the concept “Your future is our future.” And he built on that with a more powerful message in Cairo in June 2009 where he evoked the Quran, the Bible and the Talmud, when he said, “The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work on earth.” But with the US fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the Mideast peace process stalled, immediate responses to the Peace Prize announcement from the Mideast and Muslims around the world ranged from hopeful, to muted, to skeptical. For example, Saad Al-Ajmi, Kuwait’s former minister of information, told the New York Times he hoped Obama “will take some concrete actions with regards to the Middle East crisis by bringing about the awaited two-state solution.” Highlighting the current stalemate in talks between Israelis and Palestinians, Al-Ajmi observed, “creating reality is not achieved by good intentions; it is by good actions.” Yet from the outset of his presidency, Obama has made the Mideast peace process an urgent foreign policy priority. Moreover, breaking with the past administration, the Obama White House has reached out to Iran and Syria to conduct direct talks, in the interests of reducing heightened tensions between the US and these states and stabilizing the region. The Nobel Committee endorsed Obama’s appeal during his September address before the UN General Assembly, where the president told delegates, “Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.” The key to Obama’s statement is the phrase “all of us.” Obama has created a forum for dialogue and cooperation on issues ranging from Afghanistan, to Iran, to Israel/Palestine, despite seemingly overwhelming practical and policy challenges – such as, divided leadership in the Palestinian territories; an Israeli government that does not see eye-to-eye with Obama on the issue of settlements; and of course, two ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. On the one hand, elements of the Israeli coalition government reacted enthusiastically to Obama being named the Peace Prize winner. Shimon Peres, president of Israel and former co-recipient of the Peace Prize, said “Obama \[has\] captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future.” Indeed, he added, “Under \[Obama’s\] leadership, peace became a real and original agenda.” But Khaled Al-Batsh, a leader of the radicalized Islamic Jihad in Gaza, told Reuters the day of the announcement, “Why should Obama be given a peace prize while his country owns the largest nuclear arsenal on earth and his soldiers continue to shed innocent blood in Iraq and Afghanistan?” Such a statement rings hollow, however, in light of Obama’s broad outreach to Arabs and Muslims and the president’s efforts to foster dialogue and cooperation during his initial nine months in office. In short, cooperation is a two-way street. Leaders from Muslim-majority states who truly seek a way forward can and should engage with the US and other partners for peace in the Mideast, in Afghanistan, and in Iraq. For example, for seven years all members of the Arab League have endorsed a peace plan for Israel and Palestine; yet the League has made none of the effort Obama has in terms of reaching out to Israelis in a credible way to explain the benefits of their plan. As individuals based, respectively, at a think-tank in the Middle East and a school of public policy in the US – institutions that support policy research and encourage open dialogue and debate – we’ve seen the positive impacts of Obama’s message on young people engaged in global policy questions, and who seek to make a difference in the world. The day of the announcement the president said he viewed the award as “call to action – a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.” The Nobel Committee, in awarding the Peace Prize to Obama, has at once underscored both the tremendous importance of the mindset and language of dialogue that he exemplifies, along with a deep desire to see the translation of these words into deeds. And in this respect, President Obama, the Nobel Committee, and people of all faiths around the world have a lot in common. **The Brookings Institution is committed to quality, independence, and impact.** We are supported by a [diverse array of funders](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/annual-report/). In line with our [values and policies](https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/research-independence-and-integrity-policies/), each Brookings publication represents the sole views of its author(s).
Shard55 (laksa)
Root Hash11646626373533845055
Unparsed URLedu,brookings!www,/articles/obama-and-the-nobel-peace-prize/ s443