Donald Trump has officially established himself as the Chairman of the Board of Peace, an organization he has created to potentially compete with the United Nations.
Although the UK has declined to join the Board, reports indicate that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is involved as an executive member.
Initially aimed at promoting peace in the Middle East, concerns are arising that Trump may be forming an authoritative alternative to the United Nations. The proposed constitution grants him a lifelong chairmanship and full control over the $1 billion membership fee required from permanent members.
Many of the current signatory nations are governed by right-wing authoritarian leaders, including Argentina, Bahrain, Egypt, Hungary, Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Notably absent are America’s traditional European allies, such as France, Italy, Sweden, and the UK.
The Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, expressed reservations about Russian involvement in the group led by the US President, highlighting concerns about Putin’s commitment to peace, particularly in Ukraine.
Out of the 20 countries reportedly on board, only Argentina and Israel are classified as “free” according to the Freedom House report. The majority of the remaining nations have restrictions on political and civil liberties, with some categorized as “partly free.”
The executive committee of the Board includes figures like US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Tony Blair, and World Bank President Ajay Banga.
During the launch event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump emphasized the potential for the Board of Peace to address various global issues beyond the Israel-Hamas conflict. He mentioned collaboration with the United Nations but criticized its historical performance, suggesting that their combined efforts could be transformative for global peace.