This was because he urged global cooperation to combat nuclear proliferation, climate change and other problems that go beyond the borders of any one country.

CNN: Zakaria: Nobel rewards Obama's 'big, bold gambit'

But a program to end the austerity in Greece and restore that country to stability would have benefits for Europe that would go well beyond Greek borders.

FORBES: Standoff on Greece Driven by Short-Sighted Europolitics