One dictionary definition of “mafia,” with a lower-case “m,” is:

“ . . . a popular attitude of hostility to legal restraint and to the law, often manifesting itself in criminal acts.”

I’d say that’s close enough for government work.

In this case, the governments to which I refer are the 47 (mostly autocratic) nations that sent representatives to the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump’s brand-new “Board of Peace” in Washington yesterday. While Israel was represented, no Palestinian was in attendance. Also notably absent were many European and other Western allies who have expressed concern about the purpose and scope of the Board’s initiative.

Trump told the meeting that nations had already contributed $7 billion to a Gaza reconstruction fund for work to begin once Hamas has been disarmed. Contributors included Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Uzbekistan. He also said that the U.S. would give $10 billion to the Board, though it was not clear where the money would come from or what it would be earmarked for. [Christina Anagnostopoulos, et al., Reuters, February 19, 2026.]

He added that the United Nations will contribute $2 billion for humanitarian assistance, and —rather incongruously — that FIFA has said it would raise $75 million for soccer-related projects in Gaza. [Id.]

Oh, goody! The people of Gaza are desperate for food, water, medical care, shelter — the basic necessities of existence — but let’s give them soccer to take their minds off of their misery.

In his remarks, Trump characteristically painted a glowing picture for the future of his newest undertaking, telling the assembly:

“This is the mot prestigious board ever put together. You know, I’ve seen some great corporate boards. I’ve seen some great boards, period. It’s peanuts compared to this board.” [Michele Kelemen and Aya Batrawy, NPR, February 19, 2026.]

Then he continued:

“Someday I won’t be here, the United Nations will be, I think, is going to be much stronger. The Board of Peace is going to almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly.” [Id.]

Perhaps in response to recent expressions of concern that he might be attempting to supplant the role of the United Nations, he added that the Board would be working “very closely” with the U.N. — though it sounds more as though he expects the U.N. to be working closely with him.

*. *. *

It’s early days for Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, and it remains to be seen what direction they will take from here. In the meantime, the billions of dollars already contributed will be . . . doing what? Sitting in a bank in Qatar? In whose name? Or perhaps it will be used as start-up funding for son-in-law Jared Kushner’s “New Gaza” development plan, as presented last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

You know . . . the one the people of Gaza won’t be able to afford to live in.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
2/20/26