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Obama Awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the prize to U.S. President Barack Obama for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." The choice shocked Nobel observers because Obama took office less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline.
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Obama Awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Committee awarded Obama the prize for his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy.
Policy Experts: Obama's Potential Led To Peace Prize

The Nobel Committee recognized President Obama for his efforts to change the tenor abroad. Here, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, U.S. President Barack Obama, UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon, Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi and the extended members of the G8 world leaders pose for a "family photo" on the third day of the G8 summit on July 10, 2009. Oli Scarff/Getty Images hide caption

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Policy Experts: Obama's Potential Led To Peace Prize

The Nobel Committee's decision to award Obama the prize is primarily for changing the tone of American policy, but real accomplishments are yet to come, several foreign policy observers said.

Obama Accepts Nobel As Momentum, 'Call To Action'

In winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, President Obama noted that the prize sometimes has been awarded to give momentum to great causes. One of those causes for him is reducing nuclear stockpiles.

Obama Accepts Nobel As Momentum, 'Call To Action'

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Special Coverage: Obama's Statement On Nobel

President Obama spoke Friday about the stunning early-morning announcement that he had won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The award comes amid falling approval ratings, a tough fight over health care and — ironically — decisions over whether to escalate the Afghanistan war. Hear Obama's statement, with analysis from NPR's Don Gonyea and Rob Gifford, the Pew Center's Andy Kohut and the Weekly Standard's Matthew Continetti.

Special Coverage: Obama's Statement On Nobel

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Obama's Peace Nobel Comes Early In Presidency

President Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," the prize committee said. It's not unheard of for a sitting American president to win the prize: Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson won while in office — but not in their first year.

Obama's Peace Nobel Comes Early In Presidency

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Around The World, Obama's Nobel Win Surprises

President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for giving the world "hope for a better future" and striving for nuclear disarmament. NPR's Rob Gifford tells Steve Inskeep that reaction to the win around the world is the same as in the U.S.: surprise.

Around The World, Obama's Nobel Win Surprises

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White House, World React To Obama's Nobel Award

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, US President Barack Obama, UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon and Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi pose for a photo on the third day of the G8 summit July 10 in L'Aquila, Italy. Oli Scarff/Getty Images hide caption

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The 2009 Nobel Prizes

White House, World React To Obama's Nobel Award

As congratulations poured in Friday, White House officials said they were surprised by the Nobel committee's decision. Reaction was mixed in parts of the Arab and Muslim world.

Obama's Fellow Laureate Wiesel: 'I Confess Surprise'

President Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his international diplomacy efforts. Steven Inskeep talks with the 1986 winner of the prize, Elie Wiesel, about his new fellow laureate. Wiesel says he was surprised by the Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision.

Obama's Fellow Laureate Wiesel: 'I Confess Surprise'

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Why Did Nobel Committee Choose Obama?

President Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace prize for international diplomacy efforts. He is the third sitting U.S. president to win the prestigious prize, though he's been in office for less than a year. Is it an award for the goals he's laid out? Is it ironic considering he inherited two wars?

Why Did Nobel Committee Choose Obama?

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Analysis

Presidential Historian: Nobel Boosts Obama's Status

President Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for international diplomacy efforts. Steve Inskeep talks with writer and presidential historian Robert Dallek for his analysis of the announcement.

Presidential Historian: Nobel Boosts Obama's Status

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Nobel Committee Cites Obama's Disarmament Efforts

President Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace prize for international diplomacy efforts. The Nobel committee attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

Nobel Committee Cites Obama's Disarmament Efforts

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