By Helen Regan, CNN
(CNN) — US President Donald Trump is struggling to attract Western allies to his “Board of Peace,” but has, so far, garnered the support of Middle Eastern monarchs, the man known as Europe’s last dictator, and at least one leader wanted for alleged war crimes.
Trump has invited dozens of countries to join the board that seeks to resolve global conflicts, but its remit has alarmed several US allies, as has the US leader’s comment that it “might” replace the United Nations.
The board, indefinitely chaired by Trump, was originally conceived as a limited body tasked to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, which was decimated by Israel’s two-year war. But its purpose has since expanded to tackle conflicts the world over, and the charter draft, which was sent along with the invitations to join, does not even reference Gaza.
US adversaries Russia and China, as well as longtime repressive state Belarus, are among those invited to join the board, offering permanent seats for a $1 billion price tag. European allies, oil-rich gulf states, former Soviet republics and even the Pope have also received offers to join.
About 35 of the 50 invited nations are expected to attend a signing ceremony Thursday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos, according to a senior administration official.
Here’s what to know about the board and who is, and isn’t, joining.
What is the Board of Peace?
Trump had initially floated the Board of Peace as part of a second phase of the US-brokered 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan in September.
The United Nations Security Council backed the plan in November – giving it international legitimacy – with a mandate for the board to oversee the demilitarization and rebuilding of Gaza.
But Trump had longer-term plans. The charter draft, obtained by CNN, describes the Board of Peace as an “international organization” promoting stability, peace and governance “in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
Trump will serve as indefinite chairman of the board, possibly holding the post beyond his second term as president, according to the charter.
The “Board of Peace” will sit above a “founding Executive Board” that includes Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Who has accepted?
The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, Turkey, Hungary, Morocco, Kosovo, Argentina and Paraguay have accepted Trump’s invitation. As have the central Asian states of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and Southeast Asian nations of Indonesia and Vietnam.
Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu is also on board, even though he has fumed at the inclusion of Turkish and Qatari officials on the Gaza executive board and faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
Armenia and Azerbaijan, which signed a US-brokered peace agreement last year in a deal that would give the US exclusive development access to a critical transit corridor in the region, have also agreed.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, often described as Europe’s last dictator and a key ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has signed up.
“I have some controversial people on it,” Trump told CNN, referring to his claim that Putin has agreed to join. The Russian leader is yet to confirm his decision, although he has floated