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Trump’s Board of Peace Grows to Two Dozen Nations, Hints at UN Rivalry

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Board Launched as Trump‑Led Mediation Hub President Donald Trump created the Board of Peace to broker a Gaza cease‑fire and later expand to global conflicts, appointing himself indefinite chairman and naming a seven‑member executive team that includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, Apollo CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank president Ajay Banga and deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel [1][6]. The draft charter grants Trump broad powers to invite members, set meeting frequency and dissolve subsidiaries, while a $1 billion contribution can secure a permanent seat [7][6]. Critics note the board lacks legal enforcement authority and could duplicate existing U.S. diplomatic structures [2][6].

Membership Swells to Around Two Dozen Countries By late January the board lists Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Argentina, Paraguay, Bulgaria, Hungary, Belarus, Kosovo, Cambodia, Mongolia and Vietnam as participants, bringing the total to roughly two dozen [1]. Muslim‑majority states form the core of early support, while European powers such as France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain and Ireland have declined [1][3][4][5]. China and Russia have not confirmed participation; Russia ties entry to using frozen assets for a membership fee, and China cites its commitment to the United Nations [1][6].

Legal and Institutional Weaknesses Spark Skepticism Analysts argue the board’s lack of binding enforcement mechanisms mirrors the UN’s limitations but removes any existing accountability, leaving compliance to goodwill [2][6]. The presidentially appointed body operates without congressional oversight, raising concerns about durability across administrations and potential erosion of international trust [2][4]. Observers warn the board could duplicate the work of the State Department, Pentagon and intelligence agencies, creating conflicting diplomatic channels [2][5].

Funding Model Links Influence to Billion‑Dollar Contributions Members serve three‑year terms, but nations contributing over $1 billion in the first year may obtain permanent seats, effectively tying voting power to cash [7][6]. The charter does not mandate a universal entry fee; contributions are voluntary, though a $1 billion permanent seat has been publicized as a way to secure long‑term influence [6][7]. This financing structure has drawn criticism for favoring wealthier states and undermining the board’s claim of equitable peace‑building [6][7].

Trump Positions Board as Potential UN Alternative In public remarks Trump suggested the Board of Peace could eventually replace the United Nations in overseeing Gaza reconstruction and broader conflict resolution [6][1]. He framed the initiative as part of a Nobel Peace Prize campaign and threatened tariffs on French wine after Paris declined the invitation [1][8]. The administration plans to announce a formal member list at the World Economic Forum in Davos, signaling an effort to legitimize the board despite lingering diplomatic pushback [8][5].

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Timeline

Oct 2025 – A U.S.–brokered ceasefire in the Israel‑Hamas war takes effect, establishing the first stage of Trump’s 20‑point Gaza plan and setting the stage for a second‑phase governance framework. [7]

Jan 17, 2026 – Trump expands the Board of Peace from a Gaza‑focused body to a “new International Organization and Transitional Governing Administration” that will address global conflicts, sending invitation letters to leaders such as Argentina’s Javier Milei and Paraguay’s Santiago Peña and noting that the 20‑point plan has UN Security Council endorsement. [14]

Jan 18, 2026 – The White House invites dozens of world leaders to join the Board of Peace, outlines a three‑tier structure (a top council chaired by Trump, a regional executive board, and a Palestinian technocratic committee), and announces the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) led by Ali Shaath; it also publicizes a $1 billion permanent‑seat fee (while denying a mandatory charge) and notes Israel was not consulted. [7]

Jan 19, 2026 – The Kremlin confirms that President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation to the Board of Peace and is reviewing the proposal; Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also receives an invitation, and the board is described as the key component of a UN‑backed plan to demilitarize and rebuild Gaza. [2][6]

Jan 20, 2026 – Trump declares the Board of Peace could eventually replace the United Nations, unveils a founding Executive Board that includes Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and announces that the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have confirmed participation while France declines; a $1 billion contribution would secure a permanent seat, though it is not mandatory. [1][5][11][12][15]

Jan 21, 2026 – Western European nations (France, Norway, Sweden) publicly reject the invitation, whereas Muslim‑majority states (Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) pledge to join; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will join the board, and Trump hints the body “might” replace the UN, with a formal member list slated for announcement at the World Economic Forum in Davos. [10]

Jan 22, 2026 – Critics warn the Board’s structure could duplicate existing U.S. diplomatic channels, lack enforcement power, and erode international trust, while the administration pushes the board beyond Gaza to a global mediation role; the UN Security Council authorizes the board as a transitional body, eight Muslim countries accept the invitation, and several European states (France, Slovenia, Norway, Sweden) decline, leaving about 30 expected members out of roughly 50‑60 invitees. [4][9][8]

Jan 27, 2026 – The Board of Peace expands to roughly two dozen member nations—including Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Argentina, Paraguay, Bulgaria, Hungary, Belarus, Kosovo, Cambodia, Mongolia and Vietnam—while Trump positions the board as a potential UN alternative; the seven‑member executive board now adds World Bank President Ajay Banga, Apollo CEO Marc Rowan and deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel. [3]

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