Trump’s “Peace Council”: An Attempt to Legitimize US Lawlessness

By Serdar Üsküplü, Vice Chairman of the Vatan Party (Türkiye)

The entity announced by US President Donald Trump under the guise of a “Peace Council” is an attempt to legitimize American aggression by co-opting other states. It is a move designed to mask the strategic defeat, deadlock, and decline the United States is facing globally.

The dreams of a unipolar world based on American military and economic might are over. While the US may attempt to project strength through armed aggression, it no longer possesses the power to dictate its projects to the world as it once did.

The US is opening fronts targeting humanity across five continents. However, it lacks the economic and military sustainability to maintain its claims on these fronts. The US economy is in decline, and Asian powers, led by China, are surpassing the US in the global economy. Against US military power stand states with deterrent military capacities, such as China, Russia, Iran, and Türkiye. Furthermore, the US is losing its most vital European allies, and NATO has entered a process of disintegration.

Under these circumstances, the imposition of a “Pax Americana” by the Trump Peace Council is detached from reality. This Council is a plan by a failing American imperialism to disregard international law and render the United Nations dysfunctional. Their goal is to legitimize the Israeli occupation of Palestine and impose surrender by disarming the Palestinian people.

The US is attempting to fabricate an international cover for its lawless brigandage. This council produces neither peace nor law.

1. Global Lawlessness Under the Mask of “Peace”

To understand the purpose of this Council, one need only look at the recent reckless actions of the US. The kidnapping of Venezuelan President Mr. Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, Celia Flores, is a flagrant violation of international law and state sovereignty. This is not a state activity; it is, in the literal sense, lawlessness.

The US seeks to bring Latin America to its knees through threats and is drafting war plans against Iran. It eyes Greenland, fuels the war in Ukraine, and orchestrates provocations in the Taiwan Strait. Most importantly, US, Israeli, and Greek weapon systems are directed at Türkiye, encircling our nation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus, the Aegean Islands, and across the Maritsa River.

A table established by a power that survives through assassinations, embargoes, and abductions is not a peace table; it is a table for the exoneration of crimes.

2. Not an International Council, but a “One-Man” Regulation

The articles of association leaked to the press reveal the true identity of this structure. There is no international equality in this Council:

• Trump selects the members.
• Trump removes the members.
• Trump determines the agenda.
• Trump has the final word in case of a tie.
• Trump holds veto power.
• Trump even appoints his own successor.

This is not an international mechanism where states are represented as equals; it is a hierarchy with America at the apex. This is not a “Peace Council,” but a mechanism of imperialist tutelage.

3. The Neutralization of the United Nations

Article 103 of the UN Charter is clear: UN obligations prevail over all other arrangements. However, Trump’s Council aims to bypass the UN Security Council and existing peace mechanisms.

Because this structure contradicts the UN Charter, it lacks legitimacy under international law. China and Russia—global giants—are absent. Any claim to “global peace” by a structure that excludes global powers is empty propaganda. Furthermore, even Europe has turned its back on this lawlessness. Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and Spain have declared they remain outside this structure. Chancellor Merz of Germany stated that this structure is unacceptable, and France declared the charter in violation of the UN Charter.

Of the 60 countries invited, only 19 attended the signing ceremony in Davos. Among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, only the US is present. The Trump Peace Council is stillborn.

4. A Platform to Liquidate the Palestinian Cause

The Council’s primary target is to strip the State of Palestine of its legitimate right to defense. By stating “Hamas will perish if it does not lay down its arms,” Trump is imposing disarmament on Palestinians defending their homeland. To demand disarmament from the Palestinian nation while the Israeli occupation continues is to demand surrender, not peace.

A state without arms cannot exist. The security of an independent State of Palestine can only be ensured by a Palestinian Army. The only path to peace is the recognition of a fully independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.

5. The Turkish Government Cannot Act as an Officer of Another Head of State

We call upon the Government and the institutions of the Turkish State: The Republic of Türkiye, with its deep-rooted state tradition and character of independence, cannot be a member of a structure under the personal presidency of another head of state.

Türkiye cannot be reduced to a subcommittee member that a US President can “invite, remove, or veto.” International relations are conducted on the basis of “sovereign equality,” not “personal hierarchy.”

The signing of this document by Foreign Minister Mr. Hakan Fidan on behalf of the government is contrary to Türkiye’s interests. While Türkiye is physically encircled by US bases in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, participating in councils that legitimize US lawlessness is unacceptable.

As the Vatan Party, we warn the government: Withdraw this signature immediately. Do not make Türkiye an accomplice to American lawlessness.