7am Is Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ a power grab?
Jan 22, 2026
Maya Ungar, a UN analyst at the International Crisis Group, dives into Trump’s newly proposed ‘Board of Peace.’ She reveals how this initiative could potentially challenge the UN's authority and discusses its implications for international diplomacy. Ungar raises concerns about Trump's aims, suggesting the Board may serve more as a power grab than a genuine peace endeavor. The conversation also touches on Australia's invitation and the reactions from other global leaders, emphasizing the risks of fostering division rather than unity in addressing conflicts.
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Charter Centers Trump’s Personal Authority
- The Board of Peace charter institutionalizes Donald Trump as a lifelong chairman of a new international body.
- Its text is broad and framed to address threats to international peace without specifically mentioning Gaza.
Not Designed To Replace Core UN Functions
- The charter reads less like a Gaza-specific mechanism and more like a potential founding document for a new international institution.
- It does not show how it would replicate core UN functions like peacekeeping, sanctions or humanitarian mandates.
Parallel Body Not Official Replacement
- U.S. officials say the Board would act in parallel to the UN rather than replacing the Security Council.
- Trump frames the move as a response to UN ineffectiveness, advancing unilateral leadership over multilateral consensus.