The Monocle Daily Do you believe in signs? The Year of the Horse gets under way
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Feb 16, 2026 Chris Phillips, a Middle East scholar and author, offers insight on US-led initiatives and regional reactions. Rainbow Murray, a politics professor, examines European responses and social polarization. They discuss the Board of Peace, Gaza reconstruction pledges, Marco Rubio’s Hungary visit and great-power election influence. Conversation also turns to horoscopes, the Year of the Horse and China’s shifting geopolitical room.
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A New Political Platform, Not A UN Replacement
- The Board of Peace is positioned as Trump's vehicle to centralise his influence over international peacemaking.
- It lacks UN-like infrastructure and credibility to implement large-scale reconstruction.
Pledges Fall Far Short Of Reconstruction Needs
- A $5 billion pledge for Gaza reconstruction is tiny compared with UN estimates of around $70 billion.
- Pledges have yet to be delivered and the board lacks capacity to distribute funds effectively.
Europe Keeps A Foot In The Door — Carefully
- European states are cautious about legitimising the Board of Peace while seeking a seat at the table.
- Italy and the EU prefer observer roles to avoid handing over autonomy or undermining the UN.
