Welcome to the Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 edition of the Daily Article podcast from Denison

Forum. I'm Chris Elkins' narrator. Dr. Ryan Denison, senior editor for Theology, authored today's

daily article. When President Trump takes the stage in Davos, Switzerland, later today, for his speech at this year's World Economic Forum, it will mark the first time he's visited the conference in person in six years.

He appeared via video conference at last year's event to call for a quick end to the war in Ukraine and to foreshadow the tariffs and other economic policies

he would unleash in the months to come.

Overall, the speech set the tone for his first year in office,

even if it came in contrast to their theme, collaboration for the intelligent age.

And most expect today's speech to follow along similar lines. The theme of this

year's conference is a spirit of dialogue and expectations are mixed on how much genuine dialogue

will occur. A White House official said the president is expected to focus on affordability

while calling on Europe to fall in line on both Greenland

and the policies he will argue, quote, propel the United States to lead the world in economic growth.

But while the world waits to see what he will say, it's the meetings behind the scenes

that could end up being the most significant aspect of the event.

President Trump is taking some of his cabinets most important and busiest people with him.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, and Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff,

are all expected to attend the conference alongside the president.

Their presence has many speculating that Trump intends to accomplish far more than simply

address the world during his time in Switzerland.

Among those expected endeavors, the most important are thought to be a meeting with

Ukrainian president, Vladimir Zelensky, where some believe they will sign new security guarantees that could pave the road for a ceasefire with Russia.

The first meeting of the newly formed Board of Peace, which has grown more controversial in recent days after a draft of its charter revealed its members intend to, quote, secure enduring peace in areas

...