War and Peace, According to Obama

It is rare for a Nobel Peace Prize winner to receive the award while advocating for a “just war” conducted to defend world harmony. In the face of the controversy provoked by his prize — granted even before he had accomplished anything — Barack Obama could not be satisfied with conventional thanks.

A double trap was set for him. First, he had to accept the praise of the prestigious jury gracefully, but without getting hooked by giving the impression of taking advantage of a popularity that is much greater abroad than in the United States. Next, he had to distance himself from the pacifistic aspirations of the Nobel in order to not leave himself open to criticism from those who believe his consensual approach to international problems is naive.

Thus Barack Obama took advantage of the platform that was offered him to deliver one of his trademark seminal speeches. Resorting to force is “not only necessary but morally justified” because “evil does exist in the world,” he explained, responding to those who find his vision of the world too idealistic.

To meet the objective of differentiating himself from his predecessor, he responded to the doctrine of “preventive war” that was so imprudently applied in Iraq by George W. Bush. For Obama, war must be waged while following “certain rules of conduct” that distinguish us “from those whom we fight” and allow the West to defend its values, hence his decisions to prohibit torture and close Guantanamo.

His speech also contained a warning to Iran, though nothing bellicose. “Those regimes that break the rules must be held accountable. Sanctions must exact a real price,” he said, acknowledging that pressure would only be effective when the world is truly united.

The award of the Noble Peace Prize, under controversial circumstances, has allowed Barack Obama to elucidate his thinking on a subject as serious as war and peace. Once again, his comments are unfailingly destined to satisfy everyone a bit, from supporters of human rights to defenders of national security; but after the speech is finished, it is his actions for which Obama will be judged.