On April 24, U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth made the following remarks during a press conference addressing the situation with Iran: "There's an organization that should win the Nobel Peace Prize every single year—the U.S. military. Because we not only safeguard the security of our own nation, but also ensure the safety of countless people around the world."

We may have encountered many shameless and boundary-pushing individuals, but who has ever seen someone like Hegseth publicly desecrating the Nobel Peace Prize (even if the award is sometimes flawed in its judgment)?

In the context of war, the United States is currently launching a military operation against Iran under the name "Epic Wrath." It is especially ironic for Hegseth to claim a peace prize at such a moment.

This statement was prompted by a leading question from a TMZ reporter, known for its sensationalist style.

Hegseth proudly calls himself the "Secretary of War," advocating for inflicting "maximum violence" on enemies—a hardline stance that has previously sparked widespread controversy.

His remarks are logically absurd: the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded for contributions to peace, not granted to any national military. By referring to the U.S. military as the "guarantor" of global security, Hegseth further deepens cognitive dissonance.

Once spoken, the comment drew immediate backlash from both American political parties and international public opinion. Democrats expressed outrage, calling the U.S. actions toward Iran "unauthorized wars" reminiscent of the Trump administration. International media mocked the statement, with some netizens and outlets joking that "the drunken ramblings of the War Minister are funnier than anything on Saturday Night Live." Meanwhile, the majority of Chinese public discourse criticized it as "framing aggression as protection and glorifying hegemony as stability."

This is a textbook example of the realpolitik doctrine of "Peace Through Strength." Its logic rests on maximizing military deterrence to prevent conflict, thereby justifying the U.S. military’s indispensable role in securing both national and global safety.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863386107859980/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.