The Nobel Peace Prize — once a globally revered symbol of humanity’s highest ideals — is increasingly becoming a lightning rod for criticism. Most recently, the nomination of Donald Trump by both Pakistan and Israel has once again raised questions about the credibility and political neutrality of this prestigious award. But Trump is hardly the first controversial figure to be associated with the prize. From wartime leaders to political figures accused of grave human rights violations, the list of Nobel Peace Prize recipients is littered with names that have sparked global outrage.
Pakistan and Israel, in their nomination of Trump, cite his efforts in brokering peace agreements and defusing tensions in several conflict zones. Supporters credit him with initiating the Abraham Accords, opening peace talks in Korea, and attempting troop withdrawals from Afghanistan. Yet many others view U.S. foreign policy under his leadership — including economic sanctions, abrupt withdrawals, and inflammatory rhetoric — as a source of instability rather than peace. Critics argue that Trump’s domestic and international policies have often fueled division, economic upheaval, and unrest.
This nomination has reignited a long-standing debate: should the Nobel Peace Prize be awarded to individuals whose legacies are mixed at best, or whose actions directly contradict the spirit of peace? More importantly, can such awards be reversed once history paints a darker picture?
A History of Controversial Laureates
Trump’s nomination is merely the latest chapter in a long history of contentious decisions by the Nobel Committee. Perhaps the most surprising award in recent times was the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize given to then-U.S. President Barack Obama — just nine months after taking office. With little concrete diplomatic achievement at the time, the award seemed premature to many. Critics pointed out that under Obama’s leadership, the United States remained deeply involved in military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. His use of drone strikes and continued detention at Guantanamo Bay further fueled doubts about the decision.
Going further back, the 1994 Peace Prize awarded to Yasser Arafat, along with Israeli leaders Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin, remains one of the most divisive in the award’s history. While it recognized efforts to reach peace through the Oslo Accords, Arafat’s past involvement in guerrilla warfare and violent struggle led many to question his suitability for such an honor.
The 1973 award to Henry Kissinger, the former U.S. Secretary of State, drew fierce backlash from intellectuals and activists alike. Though recognized for helping negotiate a ceasefire in the Vietnam War, Kissinger’s involvement in bombing campaigns in Cambodia, and his support for authoritarian regimes in Latin America, painted a starkly contradictory image.
More recently, Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, was hailed for ending a long-standing conflict with neighboring Eritrea and was awarded the Peace Prize in 2019. However, just a year later, he ordered a military offensive in the Tigray region, leading to a devastating civil war. The irony wasn’t lost on observers who questioned how quickly peace could turn into war — even from a laureate.
Then there’s Aung San Suu Kyi, once the icon of democratic resistance in Myanmar, awarded the Peace Prize in 1991. Years later, her near silence over the military’s persecution and alleged genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority drew international condemnation. Her fall from grace is one of the most striking reminders of how political legacies can evolve over time — and how a Nobel medal doesn’t guarantee moral leadership.
Can the Nobel Peace Prize Be Revoked?
Despite mounting criticism and changing historical perspectives, the Nobel Peace Prize — once awarded — is final. There is no mechanism in place within the Nobel Foundation’s statutes or Alfred Nobel’s will to rescind a prize, regardless of how a recipient’s reputation evolves. This immutability has frustrated many who believe that the prize should reflect not just intentions but lasting outcomes aligned with peace and justice.
In fact, there have been instances where members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee have resigned in protest over certain laureates, as was the case with Kissinger. Yet even that level of dissent has not been sufficient to prompt any changes to the rules.
A Prize at a Crossroads
The Nobel Peace Prize continues to carry immense prestige — but with that prestige comes scrutiny. As the world grapples with increasingly complex conflicts and shifting political landscapes, the challenge of selecting truly deserving recipients becomes more daunting. While the prize aims to honor efforts toward peace, critics argue that it must also uphold moral accountability.
Until the rules evolve, one thing remains clear: once a Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, it is forever — regardless of how history judges the laureate.
By Piyali Bakshi
Published: 14 July Monday
