Tangle Podcast: The Nobel Peace Prize Debate

Host: Isaac Saul
Date: October 15, 2025
Featured Staff Commentary: Senior Editor Will Kabeck
Episode Theme:
A comprehensive, balanced debate and analysis of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado—exploring the political controversy, diverse reactions across the political spectrum, and implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations.

Episode Overview

This episode of Tangle dives into the political, ethical, and geopolitical complexities surrounding the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Maria Corina Machado. The discussion examines the Nobel Committee’s rationale, the surrounding controversy (including Trump’s reaction), and critiques and praises from the right, left, and Latin American writers. Senior Editor Will Kabeck delivers an in-depth "My Take" on the decision’s significance and potential consequences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: The Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado

• Quick Recap: The Norwegian Nobel Committee selected Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, for her work promoting democracy and seeking a peaceful transition away from Nicolás Maduro’s regime (08:18).
• Controversies:
  • Machado’s recent statements have advocated for the “credible threat” of international force against Maduro, raising questions about her commitment to nonviolence (08:18).
  • Her associations with controversial leaders—including El Salvador’s Bukele, Brazil's Bolsonaro, and Israel’s Netanyahu—have sparked debate.
  • She has publicly dedicated her award to Donald Trump—further stirring U.S. political tensions (09:35).
  • Maduro’s regime responded harshly, with Maduro calling Machado a “demonic witch” and severing diplomatic ties with Norway (09:35).

2. The Political Reaction Breakdown

A. The Right’s Perspective (12:20–15:44)

• Overall Sentiment: Supportive of Machado; generally supportive of Trump’s desire for the Prize, but most agree 2025 was Machado’s year.
• Washington Examiner (Christopher Trimogli):
  • Lauds Machado’s opposition to “a bloodthirsty communist leader,” calling her efforts worthy of the Prize.
  • On Trump: “Trump has made monumental and groundbreaking achievements. However, they occurred within his first year, not his first 12 days… these fantastic achievements don't really play into consideration for this year's Nobel Peace Prize evaluation” (13:40).
• The American Conservative (Joseph Addington):
  • Frames Machado’s Nobel as “one more weapon of war,” hinting at the irony of rewarding activism that now includes calls for credible threats.
  • Suggests Trump could deserve the next Nobel if his Gaza peace efforts succeed.

B. The Left’s Perspective (15:44–18:37)

• Overall Sentiment: Divided—some see Machado’s commitment as genuine; others say her methods contradict the Prize’s spirit.
• Common Dreams (Michelle Elnor):
  • Harshly critiques Machado, calling her "the smiling face of Washington's regime change machine... [her] politics are steeped in violence."
  • Cites her appeals for "foreign intervention... sanctions, that silent form of warfare whose effects have killed more people than war" (16:10).
• The Atlantic (Anne Applebaum):
  • Praises Machado as a beacon of democracy and nonviolence, despite relentless repression.
  • Notes: “Venezuelans fight violence with nonviolence and oppose corruption through bravery… At this moment, when citizens in many of the world’s most successful liberal democracies are giving up… [Machado] continues to be a fierce, uncompromising optimist” (17:40).

C. Latin American Writers’ Views (18:37–21:17)

• Split Views: Some hail Machado as a heroic resister of tyranny; others express alarm at her closeness with the U.S. and her dedication of the award to Trump.
• El Nacional (Carlos Perez Ariza):
  • Celebrates Machado as “a symbol of people who have managed to resist at a very high cost. The greatest tyranny ever imposed on Venezuelans” (19:00).
  • Emphasizes the symbolic international support this brings for Venezuela’s democratic struggles.
• El Universal (Adolfo Perez Esquivel, 1980 Nobel Laureate):
  • Writes an open letter to Machado critiquing her for dedicating the prize to Trump.
  • Warns: “I am troubled by your social and political decisions... You must know that [the U.S.] has no allies or friends, only interests” (20:10).
  • He urges Machado to reflect on her alignment and reminds her “We the people resist and fight for the right to be free and sovereign, not to be a colony of the United States.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Isaac Saul:

• “Even though I didn’t do the take yesterday, I thought it’d be fun to let Will tackle this one... I don’t want it to just be the Isaac show” (05:00).

Christopher Trimogli (Washington Examiner):

• “I would argue that people who are quick to denounce Machado winning the award are not familiar with her efforts in resisting the left wing communist government of Nicolas Maduro. If they were, they might be more receptive to her win” (13:55).

Michelle Elnor (Common Dreams):

• “Machado’s politics are steeped in violence. She has called for foreign intervention, even appealing directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu… to help liberate Venezuela with bombs under the banner of freedom…” (16:23).

Anne Applebaum (The Atlantic):

• “At this moment, when citizens in many of the world’s most successful liberal democracies are giving up, even questioning whether popular participation in politics has any value, Venezuelans fight violence with nonviolence and oppose corruption through bravery” (17:55).

Adolfo Perez Esquivel (El Universal; translated):

• “I am troubled by your social and political decisions... You must know the [U.S.] has no allies or friends, only interests... I am concerned that you didn’t dedicate the Nobel Prize to your people, but rather to the aggressor...” (20:15).

Will Kabeck’s "My Take" (21:17–28:33)

Main Points:

• Trump was not “snubbed”—the nomination deadline was far too early in his second term for recent actions to be considered (21:23).
• Historical perspective: The Nobel Peace Prize “has a checkered history,” having been awarded to controversial figures. The Machado decision is a conspicuous one, particularly against “the backdrop of rising US aggression toward Venezuela” (21:45).
• Concerns about Machado:
  • Her public endorsement of U.S. military pressure and statements like, “You cannot have peace without freedom and you cannot have freedom without strength”, and, “the regime in Venezuela is a criminal structure” signal a comfort with escalation, not pure nonviolent resistance (22:42).
  • “She evidently wants the US to continue its military buildup around Venezuela, which could quickly spiral into open war” (23:20).
• Defense of Machado’s activism in 2024: Recognizes her political courage, effort to mobilize the opposition, unify activists, and ensure election transparency despite risk and persecution.
  • “This kind of perseverance and bravery are exactly what the Nobel Peace Prize should honor” (24:32).
• The paradox: “The loudest campaigner for the Peace Prize and its actual recipient may be bringing their two countries to the brink of war” (26:18).
  • U.S. military intervention against Maduro could be disastrous in historical context (“U.S. involvement led to an even more brutal leader [as with] Chile and Brazil”) (26:50).
• Best path forward: Genuine change must come from within Venezuela, though it will be slow and costly. “The US can and should offer support... but there are other tools than the sword—targeted sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and humanitarian assistance” (27:55).
• The irony: “The added legitimacy offered through the Nobel Peace Prize could actually increase the odds of a direct U.S.-Venezuela confrontation” (28:18).

Important Timestamps

• Main story intro & Nobel background: 07:45–11:00
• The Right’s perspective: 12:20–15:44
• The Left’s perspective: 15:44–18:37
• Latin American Commentary: 18:37–21:17
• Will Kabeck's Commentary ("My Take"): 21:17–28:33

Episode Tone & Style

• Isaac Saul & Tangle’s Style: Non-partisan, inclusive, transparent about the editorial process; eager to elevate multiple perspectives—"big tent" approach.
• Will Kabeck’s Take: Analytical, measured, sympathetic to the immense pressures facing Venezuelan opposition but wary of escalation and U.S. military intervention.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode offers a nuanced, multifaceted look at Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize—balancing applause for her democratic advocacy with critical scrutiny of her tactics and alliances. The Tangle team takes care to present the full spectrum of political, ethical, and regional perspectives, drilling into the complicated intersection of peace, international pressure, and regime change. Will Kabeck's commentary brings thoughtful, historically informed skepticism about both U.S. interventionism and the true impact of the Nobel Prize, while still acknowledging the courage and resilience of democratic actors within Venezuela.

If you’re looking for a clear, in-depth breakdown of a controversial international issue—with all sides represented and key context explained—this episode delivers.