By: Irbaz Jadoon
To understand global politics, one recurring theory comes to light “Realism”. According to this view, peace is only possible when a balance of power exists. As soon as one state becomes excessively powerful, others either form alliances against it or align themselves with it. History offers examples; Napoleon’s conquest of Europe or Nazi Germany’s military dominance both eventually faced collective resistance. The purpose of invoking Realism here is to ask a simple question: Is Donald Trump truly striving for peace, or is it just a power game masked as diplomacy?
Everyone desires peace, but not everyone makes genuine efforts to achieve it. Some leaders use peace not as a sincere goal, but as a political tool. Donald Trump is a prime example, frequently mentioning the Nobel Prize in press conferences and declaring himself its rightful recipient.
The question isn’t whether Trump deserves the Nobel Prize, but rather; How real are his claims of peace? He has claimed to mediate in conflicts like Israel–Iran, Pakistan–India, and Palestine–Israel, yet evidence of these efforts is scarce. For instance, Trump claimed credit for the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, but the reality was a bit different. Only Pakistan acknowledged his role, while India outright rejected it. According to Indian media, the ceasefire was the result of direct military-level talks between the two nations, not a third-party intervention.
While Trump talks about peace, he simultaneously fuels conflict. The U.S. strike on Iran labeled a “warning” was not a peace initiative. The question arises; Why was Iran targeted in the name of peace, but not Israel? Israel also violated ceasefires. It routinely launches attacks on Yemen, Syria, and other regions. Do the so-called guardians of peace not see this?
The tension between Iran and Israel isn’t new, it dates back decades. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the two nations have been open adversaries. Iran supports Palestinian resistance groups, while Israel considers Iran a threat to its existence. The U.S., meanwhile, has consistently stood by Israel. In 2018, Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action(JCPOA) . He justified the JCPOA exit by calling it a flawed deal that empowered Iran’s aggression, yet offered no sustainable alternative, raising the question: was it truly about peace, or about posturing? He also imposed harsh sanctions on Iran. In January 2020, he ordered the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, escalating tensions dangerously.
Trump repeatedly claims he will bring peace to the Middle East. But one must ask; Was the Middle East not relatively peaceful before U.S. interventions and strikes? What peace is Trump referring to? one that was first destroyed and then promised to be restored?
And if we talk about ending wars and bringing peace, how can we ignore Palestine? Trump claimed he would broker a ceasefire there too, but the reality is that innocent Palestinians continue to be martyred. People are dying of hunger and thirst, yet Trump seems blind to it. Should peace only exist where one’s own interests lie? Trump claimed he warned Israel to stop its attacks, but no concrete action has ever followed. If you truly deserve the Nobel Prize, bring real peace first, then chase the nobel peace award.
Trump also claimed to take steps to end the Russia–Ukraine war, but these efforts proved largely performative. The war not only continued, it intensified. According to a report by The Guardian, Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged him to stop the war. When that failed, he threatened economic warfare. In response, Russia escalated its airstrikes on Ukraine. As per a 2023 Al Jazeera report, Trump offered military aid to Ukraine on the condition that Ukraine would supply rare minerals to the U.S. However, Ukrainian President Zelensky rejected the offer, stating that security guarantees must precede any peace deal.
At one point, Trump even claimed he could bring peace to Russia and Ukraine within just 24 hours. But analysts labeled these efforts as “showcase diplomacy” which translates to grand statements, photo ops, and meetings, but lacking real pressure or lasting solutions.
As The Guardian aptly noted:
“Trump wants to write his own history, but he’ll need consistent strategy, not just announcements.”
In the end, the question remains: If peace could be achieved through statements, photo sessions, and Nobel aspirations, the world would have been calm long ago. But when declarations replace action, and self-interest replaces justice, peace remains a distant dream. Is Trump truly a seeker of peace, or simply seeking a place in the pages of history?
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