The inaugural meeting of Donald Trump's self-proclaimed "Board of Peace" has convened in Washington, D.C., amidst a swirl of controversy and skepticism. This international body, chaired by the former U.S. president, has set its sights on the reconstruction of the war-torn Gaza Strip - but its broader ambitions have many questioning whether it seeks to supplant or undermine established global institutions like the United Nations.
Who's In, Who's Out?
The Board of Peace's membership roster reads like a geopolitical puzzle, with representatives from Israel, Russia, Turkey, and Qatar all slated to attend the inaugural gathering. Notably absent, however, are many of America's closest European allies, who have kept their distance due to concerns over the board's legal standing and potential involvement of figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin.
What this really means is that Trump has assembled a coalition of nations that are, to varying degrees, at odds with the traditional Western-led international order. The inclusion of leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu and Putin, both the subjects of international war crimes investigations, has further fueled concerns that the Board of Peace is more about advancing Trump's own agenda than achieving genuine peace.
Reconstruction or Ulterior Motives?
At the heart of the board's inaugural meeting is a plan to funnel over $5 billion in reconstruction funds to the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by years of conflict between Israel and Hamas. The bigger picture here is that Trump sees this as an opportunity to position himself and his allies as key brokers of Middle East peace - a role traditionally held by the United Nations and other multilateral institutions.
However, critics argue that the board's true intentions go beyond simply rebuilding Gaza. Some analysts have likened it to a colonial-style administrative authority, with Trump aiming to establish an international body that can bypass the UN and advance his own geopolitical interests.
As the Board of Peace convenes, the world will be watching closely to see whether its lofty rhetoric of peace and reconstruction translates into meaningful, equitable progress - or whether it becomes a vehicle for Trump's continued efforts to upend the global order.