As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, a seismic shift in global diplomacy appears to be underway, spearheaded by the White House. The central question now facing international observers is whether President Donald Trump is using his newly established Board of Peace as a vehicle to ultimately replace the UN.
A Corporate-Style Rival to the Global Body
Not yet a month into 2026, the Trump administration has moved decisively to form a potential rival to the established world order. Last week, the White House announced the founding Executive Board of the long-anticipated Board of Peace, a body chaired by President Trump himself. This move follows a year of transformative "America First" policy, deal-making, and the so-called "Don-Roe Doctrine," all of which have redrawn the map of international relations.
The board's original stated purpose was to enact the president's 20-point plan for Gaza and oversee the territory's reconstruction. However, a draft charter leaked to publications including Haaretz and the Financial Times reveals ambitions stretching far beyond the Middle East. The charter text, reportedly sent to around 60 nations for signature, makes no mention of Gaza. Instead, it aims to "restore dependable and lawful governance and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict," positioning itself as a "more nimble and effective" alternative to the UN.
Power Concentrated and a Controversial Cast
The proposed structure grants President Trump extensive authority. According to reports, the charter allows him to appoint and remove member states, a decision only reversible by a two-thirds veto. The Executive Board is composed of Trump's inner circle and influential global figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair's involvement is particularly sensitive given his role in the 2003 Iraq invasion.
They are joined by World Bank President Ajay Banga, private equity billionaire Marc Rowan, and US National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel. The larger Board of Peace includes these members alongside former UN envoys and representatives from Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, and Turkey—key players in Gaza talks. Notably, there are no Palestinian representatives, but one Israeli billionaire, Yakir Gabay, is listed. In a significant development, the Kremlin claims President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation to join via diplomatic channels.
An Open Ambition to Supersede the UN
The scale of Trump's ambition is laid bare in invitation letters sent to world leaders. A letter to Argentine President Javier Milei, which he published online, states the board will "establish a New International Organisation and Transitional Governing Administration." This language strongly suggests the creation of a parallel global institution.
President Trump's disdain for the UN is well-documented. At its 80th General Assembly in September, after technical mishaps, he delivered a blistering speech questioning the body's purpose. He claimed credit for ending seven wars without UN help and accused the organisation of often "creating new problems for us to solve." His administration has acted unilaterally, vetoing six UN Security Council resolutions calling for a Gaza ceasefire since 2023.
While a UN Security Council mandate in November authorised the Board of Peace, it strictly limited its focus to Gaza and set an expiry date of 2027. Critics fear Trump is exploiting this limited approval to build a powerful, permanent body under his control, challenging not just the UN but other pillars of the post-1945 order like NATO and the ICC. As one former NATO deputy secretary general warned, Trump seems intent on destroying the law-governed order enshrined in the UN Charter. The world now watches to see if the UN itself is in his sights.
