President Donald Trump is set to host the inaugural meeting of his newly established Board of Peace on Thursday. The event, which will take place at the US Institute of Peace, is anticipated to echo the style of his Cabinet meetings, though instead of his usual cabinet members, he will be accompanied by representatives from various countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Hungary, and Belarus—a country that remains under international sanctions due to its support of Russia in the Ukraine conflict. However, several key allies have opted out of participating in the board.
Notable attendees include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, among others. Each participating country has been allotted a brief window, initially two minutes to speak but now expected to be reduced to 90 seconds. There are plans to discuss critical topics such as security issues, humanitarian efforts, and the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee intended to govern Gaza.
Trump has hinted at significant announcements during the meeting, with expectations of unveiling billions of dollars for Gaza’s reconstruction and the introduction of personnel for an International Stabilization Force. Critics, however, express skepticism about the overarching objectives of the Board of Peace, especially given Trump’s antagonism towards traditional international institutions like the United Nations, even as he noted the intention to work in conjunction with it.
A range of Middle Eastern nations have decided to participate, though many are sending foreign ministers instead of heads of state, partly due to the overlap with the onset of Ramadan.
As the meeting approaches, there is an undeniable shadow of potential military action against Iran, especially with Trump’s stern warnings concerning a nuclear deal. Discussions on Iran’s role in the Middle East are likely to surface, as many attending countries seek to avoid military confrontations in a region where a significant portion of the world’s oil supply is concentrated.
Despite the mixed participation levels, some diplomats view this inaugural gathering as a pivotal opportunity to advance discussions about Gaza’s future. There is a sense of cautious optimism that Trump’s influence may help push key players toward resolution, particularly concerning Israel’s stance.
Indonesia has indicated its willingness to provide approximately 1,000 troops for the proposed International Stabilization Force, which could be a positive development for the Trump administration’s broader peace initiatives. However, final commitments from participating countries regarding troop contributions remain unclear, with ongoing discussions about the delicate matter of demilitarizing Hamas.
While the prospect of collaboration among nations through the Board of Peace faces scrutiny, the dialogue it ignites may represent a crucial first step toward addressing longstanding conflicts in the region. As Trump leads these discussions, there is hope that meaningful progress can be made toward lasting peace and stability in Gaza and beyond.