Peacemaker with a warning to annihilate: The major contradictions in Trump's UN speech

Donald Trump used much of his address at the UN to list his achievements. (AP photo)

US President Donald Trump returned to the United Nations podium Tuesday wearing two very different hats. One moment he was the global peacemaker who had "ended eight wars", the next he was threatening to wipe out Iran.The gap between these two versions captures the uncertain order Trump has built, or perhaps enabled, during his second term in the White House.Trump used much of his address to the General Debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly to list his achievements, much as he did a year ago when he cast himself as the standout contender for the Nobel Peace Prize. This year, though, the prize went unmentioned. Instead, his tone hardened, with attacks on the International Criminal Court (ICC), the UN's climate agenda and Unesco.Trump also pointed to his effort to launch a "Board of Peace" in January, which appeared another swipe at the UN, with him at one point suggesting his new creation might end up replacing it.

Ironically, within a month of the board's creation, the US and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran, one that has continued in some form since."Since I took office, it has been my great honour to settle eight wars, and in so doing, become friendly with the leaders of many of those countries.

It was a great honour to do it. Numerous of these wars have gone on for many years and even decades," he told the assembled leaders.He credited his success to what he called "very special relationships", along with the use and threat of tariffs.Among the conflicts he claimed to have resolved were the disputes between Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, and Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the war in Gaza.He repeated a claim India has long rejected, that he brokered peace between India and Pakistan last year."The Prime Minister of Pakistan, terrific man, said that Donald Trump was responsible for saving 30 million lives and probably many more than that," Trump said.India has always maintained the ceasefire came from direct talks between the two countries' military operations chiefs, with Pakistani DGMO seeking the truce amid Operation Sindoor.He also mentioned Russia and Ukraine, saying his team is "working very closely" with both sides. "We will get that one done. It's going to happen, I think, more quickly than people understand," he said.

Peacemaker to annihilator

Having spent much of the speech basking in the image of a dealmaker, Trump turned to Iran, warning that Tehran must either negotiate with Washington or face destruction.Iran would never be allowed to have nuclear weapons, he said, adding that he faces "a big decision to make.""Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before, maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world? Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic, and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?"He went further still, asking, "Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?" He then predicted a deal was more likely once the midterm elections were over, since Iran was "waiting to see how I do in the midterm election," despite Trump not being on the ballot himself.Lo and behold, Trump's speech offered a portrait of a President who saw no contradiction in claiming the mantle of peacemaker while reserving the language of annihilation for those who resist his terms.