Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Venezuela
    • China
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • Syria
  • Analysis
    • Research
    • Q&A
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Grand strategy / Trump wants a Nobel prize. But his record as a peacemaker is mixed at best.
Grand strategy, Africa, Middle East

December 28, 2025

Trump wants a Nobel prize. But his record as a peacemaker is mixed at best.

By Daniel DePetris

If there is a common theme in President Donald Trump’s foreign policy this year, it’s that the commander-in-chief is desperate for the Nobel Peace Prize. In his inauguration address, Trump proclaimed that “my proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and a unifier.” Foreign leaders and FIFA have tried to curry favor by nominating him for the Nobel and praising Trump’s peacemaking credentials. Trump routinely hails his own ability to get warring parties to settle their differences diplomatically.

The administration’s National Security Strategy, released in December, credits Trump with resolving eight wars in the first eight months of his second term and designates the task of stopping local conflicts from spiraling into global problems as a core principal of U.S. foreign policy.

But does the state of the world actually support Trump’s vision of himself as a peacemaker in chief? And do Trump’s accomplishments actually square with his own rhetoric?

Read at MSNBC

Author

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Africa

In the mediaCounterterrorism, Africa, Middle East

So this is what ‘America first’ looks like

Featuring William Walldorf

December 11, 2025

op-edAfrica, China, Counterterrorism

Instead of U.S. military ops in Nigeria, consider China’s playbook

By William Walldorf

December 4, 2025

op-edAfrica, Counterterrorism

Trump should end the ‘forever war’ in Somalia

By Alex Madajian

July 10, 2025

In the mediaAfrica

The future of Africa Command

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh and Benjamin Friedman

June 3, 2025

In the mediaAfrica

Is This The End Of The US Africa Command?

Featuring Mike Sweeney

March 25, 2025

In the mediaAfrica, Basing and force posture, Military analysis

Why isn’t AFRICOM in Africa? Here’s a look at the command’s history and its uncertain future

Featuring Mike Sweeney

March 20, 2025

Events on Grand strategy

See All Events
virtualGreat power competition, Balance of power, China, Grand strategy, Middle East

U.S.-China competition and the value of Middle East influence

June 10, 2025
virtualChina, Alliances, Balance of power, Diplomacy, Grand strategy, Russia

China-Russia: Cooperation or a no-limits alliance?

April 3, 2025
virtualSyria, Balance of power, Basing and force posture, Counterterrorism, Middle East, Military analysis

Syria after Assad: Prospects for U.S. withdrawal

February 21, 2025

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Research
  • Experts
  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved