Renowned geostrategist Brahma Chellaney on Sunday suggested that the US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites might perversely help Donald Trump move closer to the Nobel Peace Prize. Chellaney said that even though Trump lamented he’d never win the prize for his peace efforts, past winners with violent histories show that the award is often ironic.
In a post on X, Chellaney wrote, “By bombing Iran, Trump has paradoxically advanced his ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize. This not-for-peace prize has, after all, been awarded to several warmongers.”
Warmongers honoured
Chellaney drew attention to Nobel laureates who were also involved in aggressive military policies. His post cited Theodore Roosevelt (1906) who promoted a “Big Stick” policy and Henry Kissinger (1973), who orchestrated the secret bombings of Cambodia and Laos.
He also highlighted Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin (1994), both involved in Israeli military operations, as well as Barack Obama (2009), who oversaw multiple military campaigns across Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Libya. Chellaney argued that these figures show that the Nobel Peace Prize often celebrates leaders with controversial military histories.
By bombing Iran, Trump has paradoxically advanced his ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize. This not-for-peace prize has, after all, been awarded to several warmongers:
— Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) June 22, 2025
• 1906: Theodore Roosevelt — champion of “Big Stick” diplomacy and an aggressive foreign policy, who…
Trump’s nobel frustrations
The comments come after US President Trump complained publicly that despite his contributions to global peace including brokering diplomatic deals, he would never receive the Nobel Peace Prize. His remarks followed sharp criticism from a Pentagon official who accused him of pursuing the prize as part of his political legacy.
Trump reiterated his role in a range of international treaties and agreements, lamenting that these achievements were overlooked.
Pakistan’s nomination
Adding to the debate, the Pakistani government recently nominated Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. In a post on X, they lauded his “decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis.”
The nomination echoes Trump’s long-standing claims that he played a role in preventing all-out war between the nuclear-armed neighbours. The Pakistani government stated that Trump’s diplomatic skills were instrumental in de-escalating tensions that could have led to widespread conflict in South Asia.