Q: Why, according to the committee, did it gave the prize to President Barack Obama?
A: Committee members cited “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” They wanted to encourage his efforts to reach out to other countries and the United Nations to jointly address global issues. They singled out nuclear disarmament but also said that thanks to Obama, the United States is playing a more constructive role in efforts to fight climate change.
Q: Is the Norwegian Nobel Committee, by giving the award to Obama, trying to discourage him from sending more troops to Afghanistan?
A: Committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland told The AP that it was not explicitly trying to influence any change in Obama’s thinking about committing more troops to Afghanistan.
Q: Could the Nobel committee be trying to influence other aspects of U.S. foreign policy?
A: Yes, even if it is not trying explicitly to do so. The Nobel Prize carries a certain aura and is bound to make Obama more relevant on the world stage, particularly when it comes to scaling back nuclear weapons amid concerns that Iran might be pursuing them. Iran maintains that it wants nuclear power only for peaceful purposes.
Q: Does the award typically have more to do with past accomplishments or with encouraging future efforts related to peace?
A: Both. The committee often uses the award to encourage and promote a cause or campaign. The awards to Al Gore and the U.N. panel on climate change in 2007, or in 1997 to anti-land-mine activists, would fall into that category.
Q: Will Obama collect the prize in person?
A: Yes, the president plans to travel to Oslo in December to accept the award.
Q: What is Obama going to do with the $1.4 million in prize money?
A: White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president will donate the cash award to charity. He said more than one charity will likely share the windfall, though Obama, 48, hasn’t yet chosen specific ones.
