UNITED States President Donald Trump has more than once expressed his desire to get the coveted Nobel Peace Prize, and the recent talk of Pakistan recommending his name must have made him happy.

However, Trump miserably failed to curb his jingoistic instincts when he authorised a direct American hit on three key nuclear facilities inside Iran. As such, Trump’s nomination for any peace award, considering his track record, is a stretch.

Moreover, when it comes to the brutal assault on Palestine, there is no dearth of people who feel he did not do anything to stop it. In fact, the US even recently used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block a ceasefire resolution, which speaks volumes about its stance on the conflict.

Second, as a matter of fact, Trump has been an unapologetic supporter of Israel’s military might, often seen as fuelling, rather than calming, the fires in the Middle East region, such as the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. How can someone so aligned with a ‘war machine’ be considered for a prize that is meant to promote global peace and understanding? This remains the most fundamental of all questions.

The Nobel Peace Prize honours those who genuinely strive for ‘fraternity between nations’ and the ‘promotion of peace congresses’. Given his actions and policies, particularly his unwavering support for Israel’s military actions, it is hard to see how Trump’s record even remotely aligns with these noble principles.

In these turbulent times, with conflicts brewing and global powers vying for influence, Pakistan’s foreign policy needs to be exceptionally thoughtful. We cannot afford short-term optics that might lead us down a path where we are bound to find ourselves caught between two superpowers; the US and China.

All our decisions must always be about what truly benefits the Pakistani people in the long run. It is time for an extensive thought process that may give birth to carefully crafted strategies which truly put Pakistan as well as its people first.

Anwar Sayab Khan
Bannu

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2025