Abstract
This article aims to analyze the rationale behind the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister’s decision to nominate former U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination is based on Trump’s role in intervening in the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which eventually led to a ceasefire and regional peace. The analysis considers the structure of the conflict, the role of global leadership, the criteria of the Nobel Peace Prize, and the broader international political context, in order to assess the legitimacy of this nomination within the framework of international relations and global peace theory.
1. Introduction
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious awards, given to individuals or organizations with outstanding contributions to peace promotion, international cooperation, and sustainable disarmament. The recent nomination of Donald Trump by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol merits a thorough and multifaceted analysis, particularly concerning the legitimacy of his role in resolving the Thai-Cambodian border conflict.
2. Background: The Thai-Cambodian Border Conflict
The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia in late July to early August 2025 was one of the most violent clashes in over a decade, resulting in over 40 deaths and displacing more than 300,000 people. The severity of the situation threatened the stability of Southeast Asia and had wide-ranging socio-economic and security implications for both nations.
The intervention by the United States, particularly through the efforts of former President Trump, who urged both sides to cease hostilities and facilitated negotiations in Malaysia, was subsequently praised by the Cambodian government and certain segments of the international community.
3. Trump’s Role: Intervention for Peace
Donald Trump’s involvement in the crisis can be interpreted as an exercise of "soft power" and diplomatic influence, pressuring the conflicting parties toward de-escalation. While no official documentation provides detailed accounts of his intervention, statements from the Cambodian government and the White House indicate that Trump played a significant role in bringing both sides to the negotiation table.
It is worth noting that Trump has previously been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his involvement in other international peace efforts, such as the North Korea–South Korea dialogue and initiatives in the Middle East.
4. Nobel Peace Prize Criteria
According to Alfred Nobel’s will, the Peace Prize should be awarded to those who have:
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Reduced or eliminated standing armies
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Promoted international cooperation
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Convened peace congresses
Within this framework, Trump’s role in facilitating ceasefire talks between Thailand and Cambodia may qualify under “promotion of international cooperation,” though the case was situational and regional in scope.
5. Assessing the Reasonableness of the Nomination
Although Trump’s involvement was informal and lacks academic documentation, the fact that leaders from Cambodia, Pakistan, and Israel have previously nominated him reflects the pragmatic impact of his actions on peace efforts in various regions.
However, determining whether he is truly deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize requires consideration of both intentions and outcomes. In the Thai-Cambodian case, while the outcome was a positive ceasefire, questions remain about the sustainability of peace and the depth of Trump’s structural involvement in resolving the conflict.
6. Political and Ethical Considerations
Political: Trump’s nomination may also be interpreted as a reciprocal gesture for economic benefits, such as the reduction of Cambodian garment import tariffs from 49% to 19%. This suggests complex geopolitical motivations that may undermine the perception of “pure peacemaking.”
Ethical: If the Nobel Peace Prize is to uphold its reputation as a recognition of humanitarian values—not just diplomatic results—then awarding it to a leader with controversial human rights records and domestic political tensions may not align with the spirit of the prize.
7. Conclusion
While Donald Trump arguably contributed to ending the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, a development with regional peace implications, a strict interpretation of the Nobel Peace Prize’s criteria raises valid concerns. These include the uncertainty of his direct involvement, the sustainability of the peace achieved, and the motivations behind his actions.
Thus, Trump’s nomination may be diplomatically justified, but remains ethically and principledly insufficient. It should be left to the Nobel Committee to evaluate the case holistically and independently, based on all available evidence and ethical considerations.
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