US to Host First ‘Board of Peace’ Meeting Amid Mandate Uncertainty
The United States is set to convene its first ‘Board of Peace’ meeting on February 19 in Washington, D.C. This gathering, led by former President Donald Trump, comes amid uncertainties regarding the organization’s mission and the complexities of international relations.
‘Board of Peace’ Overview
The Board of Peace was initially focused on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip following the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, it has broadened its scope to address global conflicts, as outlined in the charter draft sent with the invitations. Surprisingly, the draft does not mention Gaza, signaling a significant shift in its objectives.
Details of the Meeting
- Date: February 19, 2023
- Location: U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington, D.C.
- Chair: Donald Trump
- Purpose: Partially a fundraiser and to discuss the mission of the board.
Invitations were sent out last Friday, and attendance from around two dozen countries is expected. Notably, most European allies of the U.S. have not committed to joining, leading to skepticism about the board’s future.
International Participation
Countries that have joined the Board of Peace include:
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Egypt
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Pakistan
- Turkey
- Hungary
- Morocco
- Kosovo
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Argentina
- Paraguay
- Kazakhstan
- Mongolia
- Uzbekistan
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
Israel has not yet formally signed the charter, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s expressed interest. He is scheduled to meet Trump on the same day as the board meeting to discuss negotiations with Iran.
Context and Challenges
As the meeting approaches, significant concerns remain regarding the peace initiative’s effectiveness. The Trump administration is also working on the next phase of its Gaza ceasefire plan, announced in mid-January. However, there are no detailed strategies for critical issues like Hamas’ demilitarization.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, previously presented an elaborate plan for Gaza’s redevelopment at the World Economic Forum, emphasizing a vision that relies entirely on Hamas’ compliance with demilitarization. Despite these ambitions, the absence of a fallback plan raises questions about the feasibility of the proposed solutions.
As the ‘Board of Peace’ prepares for its inaugural meeting, the world watches closely to see how this initiative will unfold against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and skepticism regarding its mandate.
