Davos, Jan 22 (AP): US President Donald Trump is set to formally roll out his ambitious proposal for a “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum here on Thursday, seeking to project renewed American leadership at a time when Washington’s global role is facing growing scrutiny.
The proposed board, which the White House says will be announced through a formal charter on the sidelines of the Davos meet, was initially conceived as a mechanism to oversee the Gaza ceasefire. However, it has since expanded into a broader and more controversial initiative that Trump has suggested could eventually take on roles traditionally performed by the United Nations.
Trump expressed confidence in the project on Wednesday, saying a large number of countries were eager to participate. “We have a lot of great people that want to join. It’s going to be the most prestigious board ever formed,” he said during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. Egypt is among the countries that have confirmed their participation.
According to a senior US administration official, around 35 countries have agreed in principle to join the Board of Peace, while nearly 60 nations have been invited. Some governments, Trump said, have indicated interest but still require parliamentary approval, while others not initially invited have sought entry.
Despite the upbeat messaging from Washington, uncertainty continues to surround the board’s composition and mandate. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow is still consulting its strategic partners before making a decision. Several US allies, including France, Norway and Sweden, have declined to participate so far, citing concerns that the initiative could undermine the UN system.
French officials said while Paris supports peace efforts in Gaza, it is wary of any structure that could seek to replace the UN as the primary forum for resolving global conflicts. Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob also indicated reservations, saying the board’s mandate appeared too broad and could challenge the international order based on the UN Charter.
The United Kingdom, Canada, China, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union’s executive arm have yet to publicly clarify their positions on Trump’s invitation.
The idea of the Board of Peace was first outlined in Trump’s 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan and even received endorsement from the UN Security Council. However, Trump has openly questioned the effectiveness of the UN, saying earlier this week that the new board “might” replace it, while also acknowledging that the world body should continue because of its “great potential.”
Trump received a boost on Wednesday when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel’s participation, despite earlier criticism from his office about the board’s oversight mechanism for Gaza. The humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave continues, with more than two million people affected and sporadic violence persisting despite the ceasefire.
A key challenge to sustaining peace in Gaza remains Hamas’ refusal to disarm, a demand Israel considers non-negotiable. Trump said the coming weeks would be decisive. “If they don’t do it, they’ll be blown away. Very quickly,” he warned.
Trump’s push for peace diplomacy also comes against the backdrop of tensions with Iran, where a violent crackdown on protests earlier this month left thousands dead. While Trump has signalled restraint for now after Tehran reportedly backed away from mass executions of protesters, he argued that US military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last year were instrumental in bringing about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
“If we didn’t do that, there was no chance of making peace,” he said.
Trump is also expected to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, either at Davos or by phone, as he continues efforts to broker an end to the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine. Expressing frustration with both sides, Trump said, “I believe they’re at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done. And if they don’t, they’re stupid — that goes for both of them.”
Category: Breaking News
SEO Tags: #swadesi, #News, Trump is rolling out his Board of Peace at Davos at a time when US leadership is being questioned