The chances of a Nobel Peace Prize for US President Donald Trump are "slim" but not completely out of reach, a history of war expert has told Behind the Story.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Venezuela's opposition leader and democracy activist Maria Corina Machado.
Ms Machado was honoured "for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy".
US President Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire to win this year's prize – amid a claim that he has stopped eight wars.
It comes as a ceasefire took effect in Gaza after as part of a 20-point plan put forward by President Trump.
Assistant Professor in the History of War at UCD, Ed Burke, said the chances of a prize for Trump are slim.
"I think because of his trashing of the United Nations, his attacks on the European Union – who also was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – the chances of him actually ever being awarded this are very slim," he said.
"Not least because if you look at this much-trumpeted Gaza plan, he's also been an instigator of much of the conflict in the Middle East".
Read more: Gazans trek to ruined homes as Israeli forces pull back
Prof Burke said President Trump’s moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and his "carte blanche" approach to settler expansions in the West Bank are unlikely to ingratiate him.
"We can’t say that he’s coming in here like Switzerland, trying to sit between two sides, he’s very much shown his hand early on and that’s led to more violence".
Prof Burke said President Trump’s approach to international politics is different as he does not rely on diplomats.
"Trump relies upon his real estate partners [such as] Steve Witkoff and people like that.
"He doesn’t reply on professional diplomats.
"You don’t see the return of people like Richard Haas – people associated with Republican administrations but [who] are very impressive, professional diplomats".
Prof Burke said President Trump does deserve some credit for ending a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"It’s not a peace deal, it doesn’t resolve the conflict, it freezes it for a time, [but] I think the Trump administration deserves some credit for its diplomacy there," he said.
However, he said President Trump has since been mocked for mixing up Albania and Armenia.
"Obviously he’s been incredibly caught up in the detail of this to the point that he can’t remember the country he’s been negotiating on behalf of," he suggested.
Asked could a Nobel Prize be in President Trump’s future, Prof Burke said: "If he brings peace to Israel and Palestine, I’ll be the first to jump on the couch and say, all is forgiven".
And amid a shake-up of RTÉ’s Radio 1 schedule, Katie reflects on her new job behind a different mic – and what it could mean for Fran.
You can listen to Behind the Story which is available on the RTÉ Radio Player.
You can also find episodes on Apple here, or on Spotify here.
