Deep Dive: Qatar, Saudi Arabia among nine countries joining Trump’s ‘board of peace’

From a geopolitical analyst's perspective, the inclusion of Qatar and Saudi Arabia in Trump’s ‘board of peace’ signals a potential realignment in Middle Eastern diplomacy, where these Gulf powers, historically rivals since the 2017 blockade led by Saudi Arabia against Qatar, may now converge on a U.S.-led peace framework. Trump's initiative, likely tied to his past Abraham Accords success, aims to leverage these actors' influence in regional conflicts like Gaza and Yemen, but the vagueness of the 'board' raises questions about its mandate versus existing UN or Arab League structures. The international affairs correspondent lens reveals cross-border ripple effects: nine countries' involvement could amplify U.S. sway in global hotspots, affecting migration flows from conflict zones and trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz, where Qatar and Saudi Arabia hold key LNG and oil stakes. Stakeholders include the U.S. seeking to counter China-Iran ties, while Europe watches for energy security implications amid reduced Russian supplies. Regionally, intelligence highlights cultural and historical frictions: Saudi Arabia's Wahhabi roots and Qatar's Al Jazeera platform often clash ideologically, yet shared Sunni interests against Iran and Israel normalization pressures foster pragmatic cooperation. This board could reshape proxy wars, benefiting local populations through de-escalation but risking sidelining smaller states like Oman or Kuwait if dominated by the big two. Looking ahead, success hinges on defining the board's scope—mediation, funding, or enforcement?—with implications for broader Global South dynamics, where Trump's outsider appeal might draw in African or Asian nations wary of multilateralism. Failure could entrench divisions, prolonging humanitarian crises.