Front Burner Who gets to win the Nobel Peace Prize?
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Oct 17, 2025 
This week features Jay Nordlinger, an author and expert on the Nobel Peace Prize, known for his book *Peace They Say*. He discusses the recent award to María Corina Machado, exploring her role as a pro-democracy leader and the implications of U.S. support. Nordlinger tackles controversies surrounding the prize's past winners, including Obama and Kissinger, and examines the selection process of the Nobel Committee. He argues the prize's relevance in today's political climate, highlighting its role in promoting democracy against tyranny.
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Prize Recognizes a Living Opposition Movement
- María Corina Machado leads Venezuela's democratic opposition while living in hiding and facing threats.
- Jay Nordlinger says the Nobel recognised her personal struggle and the broader movement for democracy in Venezuela.
Pro-U.S. Statements As Strategic Outreach
- Machado's public praise of U.S. support is tactical and diplomatic rather than ideological worship.
- Nordlinger frames her U.S. outreach as necessary given unequal international backing for Venezuelan democrats.
Committee Leans Toward Anti-Tyranny Laureates
- The Nobel committee often awards figures engaged in struggle against tyrannies rather than critics of Western democracies.
- Nordlinger calls this a natural bias toward opponents of dictatorships.
