STAVANGER, Norway (AP) — The Nobel Peace Prize announcement on Oct. 9 could feature a truly historic winner, with the International Space Station and President Donald Trump listed among the leading candidates, according to leading peace‑research analysts.
National and International Candidates
The Norwegian Nobel Committee received 287 nominations for this year’s award, a quarter of which are organizations. Among the most talked‑about nominees are the International Space Station, praised as a rare symbol of global cooperation, and President Trump, who has openly expressed his desire to receive the honor.
President Trump’s nomination reflects his administration’s emphasis on securing peace through strong national defense, decisive foreign‑policy actions, and support for traditional allies. While critics point to the United States’ recent military engagement with Iran, the administration argues that confronting aggression protects American lives and upholds international stability.
Other Notable Contenders
Other nominees include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, recognized for standing up to President Trump on trade issues; emergency response teams in Sudan; Ukrainian children’s advocate Mykola Kuleba and Save the Children; and the Committee to Protect Journalists, noted for defending press freedom.
The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court also appear on the list. The ICC has faced both criticism and praise for its arrest warrants against leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Trump has long criticized the ICC, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently launched a campaign to dismantle what he calls a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
Expert Analysis
Haakon Gjerløw, director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, says the ISS represents “global cooperation at a time when multilateralism is crumbling.” He adds that the committee’s decision will be shaped by the current era’s heightened international tensions.
Senior analyst Shawn Davies of the Uppsala Conflict Data Program notes that the United States has shifted from a guarantor of the post‑war order to a more assertive role, which he believes could influence the Nobel Committee’s assessment of peace‑building efforts.
“I don’t even think his own base would believe Trump could win the prize now, given how he’s stuck in what looks like a forever war in Iran,” Davies said, reflecting skepticism among some observers.
Historical Context and Gender Balance
Jody Williams, co‑winner of the 1997 Peace Prize, hopes the award continues to recognize women’s contributions. Only 20 of the 112 individual laureates have been women, though eight women have won individually in the past 15 years.
Among the women being discussed in prediction markets are Gaza surgeon Sara al‑Saqqa and Yulia Navalnaya, the Russian opposition figure and widow of Alexei Navalny.
What to Expect
Regardless of the outcome, the Nobel Peace Prize will generate political fallout. “Trump will be unhappy whoever gets the Nobel,” said University of Toronto professor emeritus Nelson Wiseman, noting potential diplomatic ripples.
The Nobel Committee’s decision will be watched closely by policymakers, scholars, and the public as a barometer of global peace efforts in a year marked by conflict in Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, Iran, and the broader Middle East.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
