"What has he done to deserve it?” That was the refrain taken up by detractors, almost from the moment it was announced that Barack Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize. A moment of disinterested reflection might suggest at least one good reason Obama deserves the honor.
President Obama can say very little about the specifics of the ongoing reformation of Islam. But modestly voicing support for those brave Muslim champions of Islamic diversity and civiilizational richness would actually be saying a lot.
Negotiating with the Taliban will require great caution and discrimination -- but it may also succeed in winning over leaders who would willingly work within the system if they thought it would help their people.