Trump’s Board of Peace: Ambitions and Military Preparations

On February 19, 2026, former President Donald Trump convened the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C. The event featured notable attendees, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who praised Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza, describing it as a genuine vision for peace in the region. Trump announced that the United States would contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, which aims to oversee peace efforts in Gaza and work closely with the United Nations, despite some nations, including the Vatican, opting not to join due to concerns about the board's potential to undermine the UN's authority.

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The Board of Peace is reportedly planning to establish a 5,000-person military base in Gaza, intended to support a future International Stabilization Force (ISF). This base will include various military facilities and is designed to secure Gaza's borders and maintain peace. The construction plans have raised concerns regarding the legality of building a military installation on Palestinian land without government approval. Critics, including Palestinian-Canadian lawyer Diana Buttu, have labeled this as an act of occupation.

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During the meeting, Trump emphasized the need for a meaningful deal with Iran, reiterating that the country must not possess nuclear weapons. He acknowledged ongoing diplomatic efforts led by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but expressed that significant challenges remain. Reports indicate that the U.S. military is prepared for potential strikes on Iran, with substantial naval resources already deployed in the region. The Trump administration has warned that military action could be imminent if diplomatic negotiations fail.

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Critics have raised concerns about the Board of Peace's legitimacy, suggesting it serves as a façade for U.S. interests rather than a genuine international effort. Experts have described the board as lacking a clear governance structure and funding mechanisms, with some contractors noting that discussions with U.S. officials often occur through private messaging apps rather than official channels. Furthermore, the military buildup in the Middle East has prompted fears of escalating tensions, with Iranian officials asserting that they will not negotiate under duress.

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There are conflicting reports regarding the status of negotiations with Iran. While Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described recent talks as constructive, U.S. officials have characterized them as unproductive. The timeline for potential military action against Iran remains uncertain, with some sources indicating that preparations could extend beyond the immediate future.

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• “This is a vision of Gaza as part of the Middle East at peace, not a phoney piece of declarations no one means, and agreements no one intends to keep,” — Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister of the UK

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• “You can’t have peace in the Middle East if they have a nuclear weapon.” — Donald Trump, Former President of the United States

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• “The Board of Peace is a kind of legal fiction, nominally with its own international legal personality separate from both the UN and the United States, but in reality it’s just an empty shell for the United States to use as it sees fit,” — Adil Haque, Professor of Law at Rutgers University

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As the Board of Peace moves forward, the implications of its actions and the ongoing tensions with Iran will be closely monitored by international observers.

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