Edward Snowden News: Former NSA Analyst Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize

Edward Snowden, the ex-NSA analyst turned whistleblower, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. A pair of politicians from Norway's Socialist Left Party, Baard Vegar Solhjell and Snorre Valen, wrote a letter nominating Snowden, stating that his revelations "contributed to a more stable and peaceful world order." Nominations for the prize are due February 1st - Snowden will likely be among dozens of nominations this year. However, the idea of Edward Snowden winning the same prize as President Obama is intensely ironic.

"There is no doubt that the actions of Edward Snowden may have damaged the security interests of several nations in the short term. We do not necessarily condone or support all of his disclosures," said the statement by Solhjell and Valen. "We are, however, convinced that the public debate and changes in policy that have followed in the wake of Snowden's whistleblowing has contributed to a more stable and peaceful world order. His actions have in effect led to the reintroduction of trust and transparency as a leading principle in global security policies."

Previous Nobel Prize winners besides President Obama include former South African President Nelson Mandela, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and former US Vice-President Al Gore. Snowden is currently in Russia, where he was granted one year's asylum. He recently wrote an open letter to Brazil asking for asylum in that country following revelations of NSA operations in Brazil. He faces charges of espionage and theft of government property in the United States.