Nuclear Peace Prize 2005

Well, in yet another questionable move, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee has chosen Mohammed El-Baradei, AKA Mr Atomic Energy, and his association as the joint winners of the prize this year. The Committee has had a history of recognizing major nuclear energy anniversaries by awarding the Peace Prize to individuals whom it thinks take a stance against nuclear war -- this year was the 60th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Is this a move toward placating El-Baradei in his position as the UN's authority against Iran's alleged nuclear weaponry? Or is it the opposite: a slap in the face to the US -- the most vocal opponent of El-Baradei (they'll never forgive him for that whole 'weapons of mass destruction' Iraq fiasco)? The latest news on the whole Iran situation seems to indicate the former: in recent months his closed meetings with Condoleezza Rice have proven to put the smile back on that Cheshire cat's face and have paved the way for US success in convincing the UN that Iran is the next biggest threat to the world as "we" know it.