Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), Sun Chanthol, announced on 1/8 that the country would nominate US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. This nomination recognizes Trump's role in promoting an end to the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict and "saving thousands of lives".

This is likely to further fuel President Trump's long-held dream of winning the Nobel Peace Prize. During his first term, Trump frequently mentioned the prize. "Nobel Peace Prize, can you imagine?", he tweeted in September 2020 after being nominated, retweeting supportive messages 12 times.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has cultivated an image as a "peace president," claiming to have prevented multiple wars and believing himself deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.

He has achieved some success in his peacemaking efforts. The US president used economic pressure to end the recent border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Aides also said he made calls to prevent escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

"We've seen ceasefires happen. If it weren't for me, you'd be seeing six major wars. India would be fighting Pakistan", Trump said during a trip to Scotland this week.

The Trump administration brokered a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Republic of Congo to end their long-running conflict. The White House is also pushing for a new initiative to end the war in Sudan, a conflict that has sparked ethnic cleansing and a humanitarian crisis.

President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on 6/7. Photo: AP

President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on 6/7. Photo: AP

However, Trump currently faces two major obstacles to his Nobel aspirations: resolving the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Paul Stares, a senior fellow in conflict prevention at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, said Trump's efforts are commendable, but resolving conflicts is not easy. "Brokering ceasefires isn't the same as building lasting peace. Peacemaking usually requires more sustained and meticulous diplomatic effort", Stares said.

During his campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to quickly end the war in Ukraine. He recently warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that the war must end by 8/8 or the US would impose strong new tariffs and sanctions on Russia and its major trading partners.

On 31/7, the US leader said he had sent special envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia after his visit to Israel. "I don't know if it's going to work, but we're going to do it", Trump said, referring to the economic measures aimed at pressuring Russia.

Despite US pressure, Russia shows no signs of ending its campaign in Ukraine. Russian leaders have repeatedly stated their intention to achieve their objectives.

Beyond Ukraine, Trump's efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza have also stalled, with the territory facing famine due to the Israeli blockade and prolonged conflict.

A report by the UN-affiliated Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system on 29/7 highlighted the widespread famine, malnutrition, and disease in Gaza, calling for immediate action to end hostilities and allow large-scale humanitarian aid.

Israel unilaterally resumed its Gaza campaign in March, continuing airstrikes and ground attacks.

Gaza isn't Trump's only Middle Eastern challenge. During his presidential campaign, Trump promised a historic deal to curb Iran's nuclear program. But after two months of diplomatic efforts, he ordered airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities.

While the White House says it remains open to direct talks with Iran, Tehran insists it will never agree to Washington's core demand of abandoning uranium enrichment.

Ukrainian howitzers fire towards Russian positions near Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on 22/7. Photo: AP

Ukrainian howitzers fire towards Russian positions near Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on 22/7. Photo: AP

Observers say it's too early to tell whether Trump will fulfill his commitments, having served only over six months of his second term. However, they acknowledge the significant challenges.

"There's a difference between creating a ceasefire and ending a war. A ceasefire stops the fighting, while ending a war requires addressing the root causes of the conflict and promoting agreements to resolve disagreements or at least change both sides' thinking", said Dennis Ross, a senior Middle East peace official in several US administrations.

The current concern is whether the White House is willing to take the tough steps it has announced. "The rhetoric is going in the right direction, but we're not getting results", said Daniel Fried, a former senior State Department official and former US ambassador to Poland.

Trump has threatened high tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas, like India, to pressure Putin. He also agreed to sell Patriot air defense systems and US weapons to European partners for transfer to Ukraine.

However, Trump has also considered withdrawing from his mediating role. Some of his closest allies are unsure how tough the White House can be on Russia.

In Gaza, the biggest question is whether the White House has a grand strategy for peace and its long-term maintenance. Washington has yet to offer a clear plan for post-conflict Gaza governance or which forces would ensure security if Hamas is removed from power.

Black smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in Jabalia city, north of the Gaza Strip, on 16/5. Photo: AP

Black smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in Jabalia city, north of the Gaza Strip, on 16/5. Photo: AP

Despite unfulfilled promises to end conflicts, allies still believe Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote to the Nobel committee last month to nominate Trump, while Pakistan in June also announced his nomination for "decisive diplomatic intervention and crucial role in resolving the recent Pakistan-India crisis".

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on 31/7 that President Trump has "waited long enough" for the Nobel Peace Prize he deserves.

Trump has long complained that his diplomatic efforts haven't received the same international acclaim as those of his predecessor, Barack Obama. Obama received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".

Trump said in June that he wouldn't be recognized regardless of his actions, even if he helped resolve the Russia-Ukraine or Israel-Iran conflicts.

"But the people know, and that's all that matters to me", he emphasized.

Thuy Lam (According to WSJ, Salon)