Peace prize comes with tests and efforts

Obama was awarded the prestigious prize just eight months into his first term, with the Norwegian Nobel Committee citing “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

The committee rightly praised Obama's barrier-breaking political and racial victories: “only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future…[Obama has] created a new climate in international politics.”

The president, busy spearheading a major overhaul of global diplomacy whilst also attempting to recalibrate U.S. relations with the Muslim world and seeking talks with long-time foes in Iran can now add Nobel laureate to his already crowded plate.

However, the Obama's Nobel Peace Prize could be a premature celebration of his still-unformed legacy and could actually hamper his political efforts.

Alfred Nobel intended the Peace Prize to go to “the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

As a result, historic winners are mostly time-tested peacemakers and champions of freedom with decades of good works under their belt.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the 1984 winner, fought apartheid in South Africa and raised awareness of poverty, AIDS and government abuses in Third World countries.

The 14th Dalai Lama, the 1989 Nobel Peace laureate, bravely leads the struggle of Tibetan liberation through peaceful, rather than violent, means.

Tutu helped end apartheid and while the Dalai Lama has yet to witness the realization of his dream, his teachings have touched millions.

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