In a bold move that has rattled the diplomatic world, former US President Donald Trump has vowed to contribute $10 billion from the United States to his self-styled "Board of Peace" - a body he envisions as a counterweight to the United Nations. What this really means is that Trump is leaning further into a grandstanding global role, seeking to reshape international conflict resolution on his own terms.
Lofty Pledges, Lingering Questions
The inaugural meeting of Trump's Board of Peace, held in Washington DC, was full of lofty pledges. The president announced that nine nations had committed over $7 billion in aid for the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza. He also said the US would contribute $10 billion to the board's efforts, though the specifics of how that money will be used remain unclear.
Trump framed the board as a model for "responsible sovereign nations" to work together on global challenges, even saying it would "almost be looking over the United Nations." The bigger picture here is that Trump appears to be positioning himself and his pet project as an alternative to established international institutions.
Concerns Over Ulterior Motives
Critics have already raised concerns that Trump's Board of Peace is a thinly veiled attempt to undermine the UN and expand his own influence on the global stage. As CNN reported, "the event in Washington, DC, Thursday was meant to mark a major moment in global governance" - but there are major questions about how these plans will actually work in practice.
One key issue is that many of America's closest allies have so far rejected invitations to join the board, suggesting deep skepticism about Trump's true intentions. The former president's history of disrupting international cooperation and disdain for multilateral institutions have not been forgotten.
Ultimately, Trump's $10 billion gambit for the Board of Peace seems less about actually solving global conflicts, and more about the former president's personal quest to reassert his influence on the world stage. Whether this move succeeds in reshaping international order remains to be seen, but it's clear Trump is determined to leave his mark - for better or worse.