Obama, Earn Your Peace Prize in Sudan

Finally, President Obama has a chance to earn that Nobel Peace Prize. "He can prevent war from igniting in Sudan," suggests the Christian Science Monitor in an editorial. Sudan "is again on a knife-edge. A referendum is scheduled for Jan. 9 in which the oil-rich south is expected to vote for secession." The US government's intention seems to be to "make sure the vote takes place and that any aftermath is peaceful," and that's good—as long as Obama sticks with his preference of using "diplomatic engagement and incentives more than pressure and threats."

Obama has appointed a new envoy for Sudan and plans to attend a UN meeting on Sudan this month. His "efforts, however, have been stymied by administration delays, notably an internal dispute over whether to use more incentives than threats against the regime of President Omar al-Bashir." For now, "Obama has wisely chosen the incentives route." Sudan has many good reasons to restore "normal ties with the US." The country's "leaders are a practical lot, and with Obama’s hands-on attention and the right incentives, they might be won over." For the latest news on Sudan, click here.