_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

President Donald Trump inaugurated his Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, a body conceived to oversee Gaza reconstruction but now framed as a replacement for the United Nations as a global conflict resolution organization.

An eclectic mix of around 20 countries signed the founding charter at the ceremony, including Qatar, Egypt, Brazil, Turkey, Hungary, and Pakistan. Most of Europe declined to join.

Several European nations expressed concern that the board would undermine or replace the UN, despite Trump's assurances that it would work "in conjunction with" the international body.

_THE FACTS_

  • Trump declared the board "has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created" during the signing ceremony.

  • Founding members include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Turkey, Hungary, Pakistan, Morocco, Jordan, Armenia, Bulgaria, and others.

  • The draft charter offers three-year memberships, with permanent seats reserved for countries willing to pay at least $1 billion in the first year. Trump will serve as the board’s chairman.

  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated he intends to join, though he was not present in Davos due to the Swiss government threatening to arrest him.

  • France declined the invitation, arguing the charter "goes beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions" about UN principles.

  • Britain has "concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace."

  • Sweden, Slovenia, Germany, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, and Norway also declined to join.

  • Trump invited Pope Leo XIV to join, but the Vatican says it needs time to consider the offer.

  • The UN Security Council approved the peace framework, including the board, in November.

_INSIGHTS_

Even within the GOP, the Board of Peace is sending mixed signals about what kind of stability it is meant to deliver. Some Republicans have warned that inviting authoritarian regimes like Russia and China risks undermining American and Israeli security rather than strengthening it.

Others, like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), argue the project puts the cart before the horse by talking about rebuilding Gaza before Hamas is fully disarmed and defeated. Together, these criticisms point to a deeper tension at the heart of the board: whether it is actually meant to enforce security in the region, or a makeshift plan to replace the UN with more questionable allies.

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Fred Scott10 months ago

Frankly, the Board of Peace would be a welcome change to the United Nations! That organization is so corrupt and maligned by Islamists and Globalists that we should expel it from the United States and remove our financial support of funding! Then, tear down the building or convert it to usable space for apartments and offices in New York. - Fred

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James G.10 months ago

Lol! Ya we have that 'building problem' here is Cali, specifically Sacramento. There are SO MANY empty Gov't structures not being used....Yet, Newsom/Newscum is building more! I'm going to officially rebrand him as "Newscam."

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Jim Harmon10 months ago

Yes, the Board of Peace will be beneficial to our national security interests. Of course, demilitarization of Hamas is a high hurdle for the board, but with so many nations willing to participate, Hamas has a lot of pressure on them. Regarding the BoP usurping the UN's purpose, they are a worthless organization in my opinion and would have little chance of achieving success in Gaza.

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Don G10 months ago

Keep your friends close, your enemies closer. The UN has shown the organization is not capable of doing much except spending money. UN troops do little to stop anything. I do not support letting any military force control American military forces.

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James G.10 months ago

Good point.

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sharon smith10 months ago

I'm sorry, but I don't think that where the Middle East is concerned, there is a chance of lasting 'Peace'. The first step to peaceful ideology is to return to the original Koran, not the bastardized version embraced by radicals left over from the last century.

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James G.10 months ago

Agree. It starts with education. I was awakened to this by the 2007 book: "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver. Check it out. It's a good read, but cowritten by a 'journalist' (Oliver), i.e. there are some 'questionable fluff pieces.' Overall it's a great book!

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Scott Connell10 months ago

I second Fred Scott's statement about how corrupt the UN is. Trump has to say that the Board of Peace will work in conjunction with the UN, otherwise it wouldn't get the support needed to even start. Also, having with a smaller group of countries make up the board allows for a second voice to be heard instead of just the corrupt UN. As for China and Russia joining, great, Trump will be in a better position to challenge them on how they will achieve peace, i.e. Putin sign a peace deal with Ukraine or get the hell out! China stop threatening Taiwan get the hell out!

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James G.10 months ago

Basically what you've opened my eyes to is: Pre Trump is creating a system of checks and balances within the UN! Hmmm. I didn't catch that. TY!!! Wow. OK. I like this move even more.

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Michael Raab10 months ago

Potential is there, we will find out if Hamas is disarmed and tunnels destroyed

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claude chase10 months ago

The U.N. is controlled by China & Russia, the best way to get around that fact without using open physical conflict is to sidestep the U.N. and form a counter balance of some sort, and this Board of Peace seems like a worthy effort in that direction to me!

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Bonnie Hissom10 months ago

It seems it is worth a try.

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James G.10 months ago

Exactly!

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Photo Man10 months ago

"Is the Board of Peace beneficial to US security interests?" I do not like the fact of all the Muslim countries involved. But at same token, the primary Gaza inhabitants are such. Sometimes, it is difficult to know what Trump is really thinking, let alone his reasons. I believe this is that situation. Perhaps the real motive is to help quell the constant Mideastern countries chaos? And ultimately to secure the US Muslim vote in future elections for the Republicans? At this juncture of time, the only real answer to the Upward question is: only time will tell the real story.

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James G.10 months ago

Nice! I wasn't thinking in terms of 'securing votes.' Good point. Similar to Pres Reagans 'Trickle Down Effect,' but politically. Hmmm...?

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Chris Carbott10 months ago

It is not clear to me what the charter of such a board would be, and how it would be any different or better than the UN. God only knows, the world does not need another body as expensive, bloated, and useless as the UN!

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James G.10 months ago

It looks to my like the foundation of a body Outside the UN, i.e. the first steps Away from them. A 'new' World Order, if you will. One with a system of checks and balances. We'll see!

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Chuck Bee10 months ago

Russia and China (and any other countries with a track record showing they're anything but peaceful) should have to earn their memberships by PROVING that they're committed to peace, not just saying it.

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Doug Ebbecke10 months ago

Certainly should be an improvement over the do nothing UN. Interesting that much of Europe declined since NATO couldn’t even deal with the Ukraine, Russia mess on their own turf. And that several Middle East countries did, as thats always seems to be a bit of a powder keg waiting to go off.

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Steve S10 months ago

Do nothing UN would be an improvement over the relentlessly bash Israel UN.

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Bernie Peer10 months ago

It will eventually turn into a UN, no to forming and stay out of WHO and UN

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Mary Verkuilen10 months ago

Yes, I believe it will be beneficial to our national security interests and provides a new model for solving issues between countries.

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Fred Rogers10 months ago

Yes! The Board of Peace is a pragmatic tool for assertive US leadership and a more effective way to handle specific crises.

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James G.10 months ago

Since Pres Ronald Reagan, I have Not seen any US President make an actual move towards peace in that region. Whether it "works" or not should not be the focus. At least Pres Trump is making moves, getting world leaders on board and even has the approval of the UN. That says a lot! Esp in an are known for violence. At Least It's A Move FORWARD!!!!!

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Dave Densmore10 months ago

Without seeing the charter of the Board of Peace I can’t know, but it seems like Pres Trump could continue as the chairman after his presidency, giving him a world voice after his tenure as US Pres has ended.

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Jim Harmon10 months ago

Some congress members are opposed to the Board of Peace usurping the UN's role because they are just as useless as the UN. Far be it for them to support something that makes sense.

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Steve S10 months ago

Trump taking a risk that the only way to get hamas to disarm is if Qatar and Turkey insist hamas disarm, so invites them to join this Board of Peace. Israel runs the risk these nations continue to support and run interference for hamas.

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David Hooten10 months ago

Yes, they should. The UN is feckless and ineffective. They work against peace many times because they back the wrong people. The UN should replace the security council with the Board of Peace.

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