Nobel Peace Prize

Nobel Peace Prize
Main article: 2009 Nobel Peace Prize
On October 9, 2009 the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that Obama had won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".[236] As specific examples of the work that led to the award, the Nobel Prize Committee highlighted his efforts to promote nuclear nonproliferation (particularly in Iran),[237] and the fostering of a "new climate" in international relations, especially in reaching out to the Muslim world.[238]

Obama is the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He is the third to become a Nobel laureate during his term in office, and the first to be recognized in the first year of his presidency.[239] Members of the Nobel Committee award stated that it could be seen as an early vote of confidence intended to build global support for the policies of his young administration.[240] The award was a surprise to many, including Obama himself.[241] The award drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.[242][243] Members of the selection committee defended their choice against criticism that the award was premature.[244]