Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

In Surprise, Nobel Peace Prize to Obama for Diplomacy - New York Times [link]

• The Nobel Committee announced Friday that the annual peace prize was awarded to Barack Obama, just nine months into his presidency, “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
• The award cited in particular Mr. Obama’s effort to reduce the world’s nuclear arsenal. “He has created a new international climate,” the committee said
• “We are not awarding the prize for what may happen in the future, but for what he has done in the previous year,” [Thorbjorn Jagland, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee]  said. “We would hope this will enhance what he is trying to do.”

Pulitzer, White House... Nobel Peace Prize - Laura Rozen in Politico [link]

• White House spokesman Robert Gibbs informed Obama after learning from reporters this morning that POTUS had won the Nobel Peace Prize "for ‘his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.’”
• World reaction, via the BBC -- the Taliban condemns, Islamic Jihad complains it shows the prize is political, rumored other candidate Nicolas Sarkozy praises, and a spokesman for Iran's Ahmadinejad says they are not upset.

President Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize - Associated Press [link]

Senate Sounds of Silence on Nukes - Nukes of Hazard [link]

• After a thorough survey of press activity, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation concludes that only the sounds of silence have been heard from the Senate – except for Republicans’ predictable disavowal of reformulated plans for missile defense in Europe.
• With the exception of Afghanistan, foreign policy is not at the top of the agenda right now for Senate Democrats. The lack of communication on international affairs is largely attributable to health care sucking all of the oxygen out of the cloakroom. While understandable, this congressional inaction is regrettable.
• It is time for Senate Democrats to speak out forcefully in support of President Obama’s nuclear weapons priorities.

 New Missile Plan Would Link Allies' Radar, Other Systems - Washington Post [link]

• The undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, Ellen Tauscher, , said discussions are already underway with Poland to base missiles there, and talks have begun with the Czech Republic about making it the headquarters for command and control elements associated with the system. 
• "Remember, this is a NATO-wide European missile defense system as opposed to a bilateral missile defense system," she said. Tauscher also said there would be additional opportunities for allied countries to participate in missile defense. 

The Lighter Side

How Did NASA Manage to Make a Moon Bombing Boring? - Gizmodo [link]

• This is what it looks like when Man bombs the moon at 5,600mph??
• We rammed a whole Lunar CRater Observing and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) straight into our closest galactic buddy. And all we got was this stinkin' YouTube clip.