Oslo, Norway – October 9, 2025 – In a surprising decision, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to former U.S. President Barack Obama for his contributions to international diplomacy, specifically citing his role in supporting the Middle East peace deal spearheaded by former President Donald Trump.

The committee praised Obama for his “extraordinary efforts in fostering dialogue and cooperation,” noting his prior diplomatic initiatives as a foundation for the recent Abraham Accords expansion, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. The citation highlighted Obama’s “behind-the-scenes encouragement” of the Trump administration’s negotiations, which led to the historic agreements.

The decision has sparked debate, as the accords were primarily negotiated under Trump’s administration in 2020, with subsequent expansions credited to his foreign policy team. Critics argue the award overlooks key figures directly involved in the talks, while supporters emphasize Obama’s broader influence on global peace efforts.

Obama, who previously won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, expressed gratitude in a statement, saying, “This honor reflects the collective work of many leaders committed to stability in the Middle East.” He declined to comment on the specifics of his involvement in the Trump-led initiative.

The award ceremony will take place in Oslo on December 10, 2025.

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