-Trump’s Board of Peace: Curbing Europe’s Middle Powers?
- Most European countries have either declined invitations to join United States President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" for overseeing the reconstruction of Gaza - or offered polite consideration,...
- Spain, Britain, Poland, Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia initially indicated acceptance.
- Trump notably excluded Denmark, a close US ally, following a prior diplomatic dispute involving a threat to forcibly acquire Greenland, a danish territory.
Most European countries have either declined invitations to join United States President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” for overseeing the reconstruction of Gaza – or offered polite consideration, citing concerns.Hungary and Bulgaria are the only EU nations to have accepted.
Spain, Britain, Poland, Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia initially indicated acceptance. Though, France rejected the invitation, stating the board “goes beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions, in particular wiht respect to the principles and structure of the United Nations, which cannot be called into question.”
Trump notably excluded Denmark, a close US ally, following a prior diplomatic dispute involving a threat to forcibly acquire Greenland, a danish territory.
The charter for the Board of Peace was signed on january 22 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with Trump calling it “one of the most consequential bodies ever created.” Manny invited nations perceive it as an attempt to supersede the United Nations, despite trump’s stated belief in the UN’s continued existence. This perception is reinforced by his past threats to disregard the UN Charter, which prohibits violating national borders, and his invitation to Russia amidst its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
According to Angelos Syrigos, a professor of international law at Panteion University in Athens, “Trump is thinking about the interior of the US. Things aren’t going well. He needs a big win ahead of the November midterms.” Syrigos notes Trump’s pursuit of foreign policy successes, including actions concerning Venezuela, Iran, and Ukraine, as attempts to bolster domestic support.
Membership in the board of Peace requires a $1 billion contribution, with no clear details provided on how funds will be allocated. Jared Kushner, trump’s son-in-law, is a member of the executive board. Questions remain regarding the board’s operational structure and oversight,as Syrigos asks,”How will this thing function? Will Trump and his son-in-law administer it?”
Catherine Fieschi,a political scientist at the European University Institute,suggests a broader geopolitical objective. She believes Trump is deliberately assembling a coalition of middle powers to potentially diminish the influence of larger international bodies.