U.S. President Donald Trump's inaugural Board of Peace meeting, launched amid fanfare in Washington this week, has stumbled out of the gate as key global powers and allies refused to participate. Critics are calling the initiative a "VIP club for wealthy nations" with murky funding and little practical impact. 💸
🚨 Global Rejection: China, Russia, the UK, and France—all permanent UN Security Council members—skipped the event, signaling distrust in the U.S.-led initiative. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and leaders from Germany, Sweden, and Norway also declined invitations. France even disputed the EC's observer role, demanding clarity on its involvement.
💰 Pay-to-Play Controversy: The board’s membership rules, which offer permanent seats for $1 billion donations, sparked backlash. Norway bluntly rejected Trump’s claim it would host related events, while experts like Carnegie’s Aaron David Miller warned the initiative prioritizes "quick wins" over real solutions for Gaza’s governance and humanitarian crises.
🌐 Expanding Mandate, Shrinking Trust: Initially framed as a Gaza reconstruction effort, the board’s scope has widened to address "other global conflicts," raising fears it aims to undermine the UN. With no audit mechanisms for its $10 billion U.S. pledge and unclear funding sources, skepticism about accountability is soaring. 📉
