War and Peace

President Barack Obama said he was grateful and humbled to receive the Nobel Peace prize, and acknowledged his accomplishments are slight when compared to past honorees. But in his acceptance speech in Oslo, Norway, President Obama had to balance the role of a wartime president with his recognition as a man of peace.

The United States is engaged in two wars and President Obama's appearance comes days after he announced a military buildup in Afghanistan. He deftly addressed several audiences, including the American public and European nations both wary of the continuing Afghan War. His speech amounted to a declaration of an Obama Doctrine, "I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people."

He eschewed idealistic passages of peace for the hardened rhetoric of war, "There will be times when nations - acting individually or in concert - will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified." He then warned, "Evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms."

President Obama, who has been criticized by conservatives for being too apologetic in past speeches overseas, made no apologies in Oslo. "Whatever mistakes we have made," he said, "The plain fact is this: the United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms."

He noted that, while there was no longer fear of a nuclear war between two superpowers, "The old architecture is buckling under the weight of new threats." He continued, "Modern technology allows a few small men with out-sized rage to murder innocents on a horrific scale."

He said there have to be new standards for the use of force that apply to all nations. "I - like any head of state - reserve the right to act unilaterally if necessary to defend my nation," he said. "Nevertheless, I am convinced that adhering to standards strengthens those who do, and isolates - and weakens - those who don't." President Obama also said that force can be justified on humanitarian grounds, saying, "Inaction tears at our conscience and can lead to more costly intervention later."

President Obama, who expressed concern about the proliferation of nuclear weapons, called out Iran and North Korea. "Those who claim to respect international law cannot avert their eyes when those laws are flouted" he said. "The same principle applies to those who violate international law by brutalizing their own people." The president noted that he had prohibited torture, ordered the prison at Guantanamo closed and reaffirmed America's compliance with the Geneva Convention.

The president did speak of alternatives to violence in dealing with nations that break rules and laws. He said that the international community must stand together as one against rogue nations; that their words must be backed up by tough sanctions. “Intransigence must be met with increased pressure,” he said, “and such pressure only exists when the world stands together as one.” He praised NATO for its support in Afghanistan and called for a strengthening of UN and regional peacekeeping.

President Obama was fond of saying "dream big dreams" during his presidential campaign. But after nearly one year as president his outlook has been tempered by his deliberations over worldly problems such as war and human suffering. Now a more pragmatic and realistic man has stepped forward onto the world stage.

Nobel Deeds

When the Nobel committee awarded President Barack Obama its Peace Prize a gaggle of right wing conservative critics screamed bloody murder. They sounded like a bunch of eighth graders, "Oh how come he won, he's an idiot."

One thing for sure, none of Obama's critics could, even in their wildest dreams, ever be recognized for such an award. Rather, they could best qualify for a Nobel Prize for "Snarkiness," or "Divisiveness," or "Destructiveness," or even the "Just Say No" prize.

Obama is ushering in a new era for America, one of global partnership and diplomacy. His foreign policy is about collaborating not being a cowboy. He has set the right tone and the foreign policy wheels are slowly turning in our favor. American exceptionalism is being replaced by US leadership through well thought out actions. This leadership is especially important in the areas of nuclear nonproliferation, the global economy, the environment and human rights.

Just look what the contrary tactics hath wrought. An invasion of Iraq by President George Bush, and his trusty side kick Dick Cheney, based on faulty and overblown assumptions. One blowhard dictator down, making it all better, priceless (literally). Add to that a failed Afghanistan policy and the failure to stem Al Qaeda and capture Osama bin Laden, all while compromising basic constitutional rights for American citizens. And then there is the collapse of the US economy which had world-wide repercussions and led to enormous American deficits.

I will never forget a pre-Iraq War session my Telemundo news team had with President Bush. The public was being told that no decision had been made to go to war. Many Europeans, especially the French, had been outspoken in their concerns about US threats to invade Iraq.

Upon completing our interview we all stood around and chatted with President Bush. Iraq and possible military action again came up. I asked President Bush, "What about Jacques Chirac?" I was referring to the French President and his vocal opposition to war.

President Bush slapped me on the shoulder with the back of his right hand and said, "Don't worry, he'll come around." My jaw dropped. Immediately I thought to myself, "We are going to war." No wonder many world leaders thought our president was a cowboy. No wonder the global perception of America was seriously damaged during his presidency. He had made a gut decision and there was no one was going to talk him out of it.

In a short period of time President Obama has changed the tone of international diplomacy. Arms control, human rights, immigration, the environment, the global economy, trade and terrorism are complicated issues. For sure, progress will be slow as each country has its own interests. And there will be fits and starts. But progress and solutions will best come through meaningful dialog and understanding.

The Nobel committee clearly believes President Obama's change of approach is critically important and is more likely to pay great dividends in the long run for the well-being of our children and the people of the world.