Trump's Nomination for Nobel Peace Prize Expanded: Cambodia Included in the Consideration List
In a surprising turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, a prestigious honour bestowed upon individuals who have significantly contributed to peace efforts around the world.
The nomination, submitted by Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia, comes after Trump's alleged role in ending the armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand. According to Manet, the nomination was made in accordance with the wishes of the Cambodian people, both inside and outside Cambodia, and to express their sincere appreciation for Trump's initiative and support.
The nomination process for the Nobel Peace Prize is highly selective, open to certain figures such as parliamentarians, government members, international judges, representatives of peace organizations, university professors, and past Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Trump's nomination is not the first time he has been considered for the prize, with previous nominations coming from Pakistan, Israel, Congo, and a Ukrainian MP.
Trump's nomination is seen as a strategic move to strengthen ties with Washington and reduce dependence on Beijing. The nomination follows a brief military escalation at the border between Cambodia and Thailand, resulting in at least 35 deaths and over 260,000 displaced. The conflict ended within 48 hours following a phone call from President Trump to the leaders of both countries, with a threat of no more trade deals with Washington.
However, the nomination has not been without controversy. Critics argue that a ceasefire obtained under threat is still an imposed peace, and therefore unstable. Charles A. Ray, former U.S. ambassador to Cambodia, stated that the nomination does not address the root causes of the conflict. Trump's doctrine is more aligned with transactional realism than with idealistic peace principles.
Vice President J.D. Vance describes Trump's approach as: "We clearly define American interests, negotiate hard, use force if necessary, and leave before it becomes another endless war." This approach has resulted in Trump contributing to signing at least six ceasefire agreements in the first six months of 2025, in various conflict areas including the Korean Peninsula, Central Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East.
The long-awaited Nobel Peace Prize could become the crowning achievement of the narrative of the strong but fair leader who imposes order on chaos. However, the selection remains highly secretive and competitive, with the Norwegian Nobel Committee evaluating nominees through a rigorous, confidential process lasting about eight months. Only time will tell if Trump's nomination will result in the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The White House claims Trump is a global peacemaker and a figure of order in a world perceived as increasingly chaotic. Trump himself has cited the Nobel Peace Prize in speeches, contrasting it with the "premature" recognition given to Barack Obama in 2009. As the world watches, we await the decision of the Nobel Peace Prize committee.
In response to the nomination submitted by Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, some view the proposed awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump as a strategic move to improve ties with Washington, potentially reducing dependence on Beijing. However, critics claim that Trump's methods, such as his transactional realism and imposing peace through threats, do not address the root causes of conflict and are unstable in the long run. The future remains uncertain as the Norwegian Nobel Committee rigorously evaluates nominees over a confidential eight-month process before revealing the recipient.
