Trump's Board of Peace: A Gathering of Authoritarians and Strongmen

The inaugural meeting of Donald Trump's Board of Peace is set to take place in Washington, bringing together representatives of repressive regimes from around the world. The body, created to implement Trump's vision for Gaza's future after it was destroyed by Israel, has been widely criticized for its membership, which includes authoritarian leaders and strongmen.

According to reports, the Board of Peace will feature representatives from countries with questionable human rights records, including those known for suppressing dissent and promoting racist ideologies. This has sparked concerns that the body will promote a worrying trend of white supremacism and authoritarianism, echoing the Islamophobia that gripped the West after the US-led "war on terror".

Shada Islam, a prominent commentator, has expressed fears that the US is dragging Europe back to a darker era, where racism and hatred for Muslims, refugees, and racialized minorities were normalized. Islam points to a recent speech by Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference, in which he called for defending white, Western, Christian civilization against supposedly contaminating racialized migrants. The speech received a standing ovation from European elites, sparking concerns that European leaders are playing along with the US's shift towards authoritarianism.

The Board of Peace has been touted by Trump as "the most consequential international body in history", but critics argue that its membership and goals are a far cry from promoting peace and stability. Instead, they see it as a platform for authoritarian leaders to promote their interests and ideologies.

The meeting of the Board of Peace comes at a time when the world is grappling with rising nationalism and xenophobia. The US, under Trump's leadership, has been accused of promoting a divisive and discriminatory agenda, which has emboldened far-right groups and leaders around the world.

The participation of European leaders in the Board of Peace has also raised eyebrows, with many questioning why they are willing to associate themselves with authoritarian regimes. Critics argue that this is a sign of a broader trend of European leaders compromising on their values and principles in order to maintain good relations with the US.

The consequences of this trend are far-reaching and worrying. If the US and Europe continue to promote authoritarianism and white supremacism, it could lead to a rise in racism and xenophobia, undermining the very foundations of democracy and human rights.

As the world watches the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, it is clear that the stakes are high. Will the US and Europe continue down a path of authoritarianism and division, or will they reaffirm their commitment to democracy, human rights, and the values of inclusivity and diversity? Only time will tell.

Sources:

• "Authoritarians, strongmen and dictators: who is on Trump’s Board of Peace?" (The Guardian)
• "The US is dragging Europe back to the days of white supremacism. Our leaders are playing along" (The Guardian)