The Digest:
US President Donald Trump inaugurated a new international “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, with 19 nations joining as members. According to TheCable, the board is intended to resolve conflicts and promote stability in regions affected by war, starting with governance in Gaza. However, nearly half of the participating countries, including Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Egypt, and Morocco, are currently subject to US immigrant visa restrictions imposed last week over welfare dependence concerns. Nigeria, also under the visa pause, was not invited to join the board.
Key Points:
- The simultaneous launch of a peace board and visa restrictions creates a diplomatic contradiction that may undermine the initiative’s credibility.
- Affected nations may perceive the US as offering a symbolic partnership while imposing tangible barriers to travel and migration.
- The board’s $1 billion fee for a permanent seat could favor wealthier states, influencing which countries sustain long-term influence.
- This structure signals a shift toward ad-hoc, US-led multilateral frameworks that could challenge existing UN-led diplomatic systems.
- Nigeria’s exclusion highlights strategic alignment choices in US foreign policy, potentially affecting bilateral relations with key African nations.
