Trump's $1B 'Board of Peace' Plan Challenges Global Order

U.S. President Donald Trump has invited around 60 nations to join a new "Board of Peace," a global initiative aimed at resolving international conflicts. The proposal, which includes a $1 billion fee for permanent membership and names Trump as chairman for life, has been met with caution from world governments and sparked concerns among diplomats that it could undermine the United Nations.

While invitations began arriving in European capitals over the weekend, only Hungary, led by close Trump ally Viktor Orbán, has offered an unequivocal acceptance. Other nations have remained publicly silent, with officials anonymously expressing apprehension about the plan's potential impact on established global diplomacy.

How the 'Board of Peace' Would Work

According to a draft charter seen by Reuters, the initiative outlines a clear, if unconventional, structure for international peacemaking.

• Lifetime Leadership: Donald Trump would serve as the board's permanent chairman.

• Initial Focus: The board's first task would be to address the conflict in Gaza, with a mandate to expand its scope to other global disputes later.

• Membership Tiers: Nations can join for three-year terms. However, permanent membership is available to any country that contributes $1 billion to fund the board's activities.

• Stated Mission: A document accompanying the invitation calls for a "more nimble and effective international peace-building body," arguing that durable peace requires "pragmatic judgment" and a departure from "institutions that have too often failed."

The White House described the funding model as a way for partner countries to "demonstrate deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity."

A Challenge to the UN? Global Powers React

The proposal is being widely interpreted as a direct challenge to the authority of the United Nations, which Trump has previously accused of failing to support his conflict-resolution efforts. The inclusion of a formal "charter" has amplified these concerns among European governments.

"It's a 'Trump United Nations' that ignores the fundamentals of the U.N. charter," one diplomat stated. At least three other Western diplomats agreed that the initiative, if implemented, would undermine the UN's work.

Annalena Baerbock, president of the United Nations General Assembly, responded indirectly by emphasizing that the UN is the only institution with the legal and moral authority to bring all nations together. Questioning that foundation, she told Sky News, could lead to "very, very, dark times."

Some leaders offered measured responses. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her country was "ready to do our part," though her comments did not specify whether she was referring to the Gaza conflict or the broader initiative. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney noted he had agreed to the board's Gaza mandate in principle, but details were still under discussion.

The proposal aligns with President Trump's focus on brokering international peace agreements.

Key Appointments and Governance Structure

The White House has already named several high-profile individuals to the board. The plan, which was signed off on by both Israel and Hamas, envisions the board supervising a Palestinian technocratic administration in Gaza for a transitional period.

The Main Board of Peace

The primary board will include:

• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

• President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff

• Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair

• President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner

The Gaza Executive Board

A separate 11-member body will support the technocratic administration on the ground. Its members include:

• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

• U.N. Middle East peace coordinator Sigrid Kaag

• UAE International Cooperation Minister Reem Al-Hashimy

• Israeli-Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabay

• Officials from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates

More members are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Notably, no Palestinians have been named to either board.

Controversy and Geopolitical Pushback

The initiative has drawn immediate criticism. Rights experts have compared the structure of foreign supervision over Gaza to a colonial model. The involvement of Tony Blair has also been criticized due to his role in the Iraq war and the history of British imperialism in the region.

Furthermore, the composition of the Gaza Executive Board has already hit a diplomatic snag. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that the board's makeup was not coordinated with Israel and contradicted its policy. This is likely a reference to the inclusion of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, as Israel objects to Turkish involvement, and the presence of Qatari officials, given Israel's tense relationship with Qatar.

In an interview, Trump confirmed his vision for the board, stating, "It's going to, in my opinion, start with Gaza and then do conflicts as they arise." The president, who has expressed a desire for the Nobel Peace Prize, declared in the invitation letter that his board "will be one of a kind, there has never been anything like it!"