Nineteen countries signed up to the Peace Committee established for Gaza, chaired by Trump. Washington had sent invitations to 60 countries, but most countries ignored Trump. Thus, Trump's plan to design the Peace Committee as a replacement for the UN was left up in the air from the outset.

Indeed, China, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, emphasised its commitment to the international system centred on the UN, countering Trump's suggestion that the Peace Council could replace the UN (AA, 21 January 2026). 

When you add the rejection of the Peace Council by the United Kingdom and France, who were also invited by the United States, to China's rejection, the result is that Trump's proposal was a fiasco.

Ankara says 'no-yes' to Trump

Erdoğan said 'no-yes' to Trump's invitation, did not go himself, and sent Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan instead. Erdoğan probably did not want to break his decision to 'never go to Davos again' and thought it would be wrong to sit next to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on the same panel in the current climate. However, with Fidan's signature, Turkey officially joined Trump's committee.

But this reduced the ruling party's policy of "the world is bigger than five" to a mere slogan. For, joining Trump's committee contradicts the demand for reform of the UN Security Council and the defence of greater representation for the Global South.

The "break" observed at Davos

The Trump committee's signing ceremony took place at Davos. But the more prominent topic at Davos was the speeches by speakers, notably Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, pointing to the end of the "rules-based order narrative." 

Carney said, "We knew the story of the rules-based order was partly fake. This fiction was useful. Because there were some 'benefits' provided by American hegemony." But he now states that "that beautiful story is over." More importantly, Carney describes the new era not as a transition but as a break. 

Yes, when US hegemony was at its peak, its allies benefited from its perks. But the US left no perks on the table with its tariffs. Moreover, Trump is pursuing aggressive policies such as making Canada the 51st state and seizing Greenland. 

When the spearhead turned on them, America's allies were forced to admit, "The rules-based order was fake, but it served us well. Now it's gone."

Allies are turning to China

The most interesting point in Carney's speech was this: "We have established a strategic partnership with China." Indeed, the Prime Minister of Canada, one of the US's closest allies and a member of the G7 club of rich nations, was in China and signed a strategic partnership with the US's main rival five days before the Davos speech. Speaking also at Davos, French President Macron said, "We need direct Chinese investment in Europe." 

Yet European countries had been steadily downgrading their relations with China in recent years under US pressure. Italy had even withdrawn from China's Belt and Road Initiative due to pressure. But when the "American spear" touched them, they "discovered" the benefits of cooperation with China. They intend to use this cooperation as leverage against the US. 

The collapse of the system

One of the criticisms of the system at Davos came from Larry Fink, interim chairman of the World Economic Forum. Fink noted that "the wealth created since the fall of the Berlin Wall has gone to the kind of people who attend Davos," essentially pointing out that if the abnormal distribution of wealth continues, the system will collapse on their heads.

In fact, this warning is not new. Three years ago, the world's 205 richest dollar billionaires made an appeal at the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying, "Tax us." This is because the "richest" were concerned that if they did not give up a portion of their earnings, the system would collapse on them. 

However, this is precisely the problem: the insatiability of capitalists and capitalism. Even if some rich people recognise this reality, most will continue to pursue even greater wealth, let alone share it. This is where the system's dilemma lies. 

The system is showing signs of collapse. This is why the Trump administration needs to step on the backs of even its allies.

From Mumcu to Yanardağ

Today is 24 January. It is the anniversary of the assassination of our writer Uğur Mumcu. Twenty-three years have passed, but journalists continue to be targeted by different means. They continue to break the pens that journalists cannot control. For example, they sent Merdan Yanardağ to Silivri and seized the television station he ran!

But what they don't realise is this: The intellectuals and journalists of these lands, inheriting the resolve to "hold the pen high" from Namık Kemal, persist in this determination despite all forms of pressure!