President Donald Trump is scheduled to convene the first meeting of his newly created Board of Peace today in Washington, D.C., at the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace.

The administration has described the gathering as a “proof of concept,” intended to demonstrate that a smaller, hand-picked group of nations can reach agreements more quickly than traditional global institutions.

The session is expected to focus heavily on Gaza, including post-war governance, reconstruction, and security arrangements. However, major questions remain unresolved, including who would ultimately control the territory and how humanitarian needs would be addressed.

What Is the Board of Peace?

The Board of Peace is a new international initiative spearheaded by the Trump administration. It is intended to bring together selected countries to address conflicts through direct negotiations rather than through larger multilateral institutions.

Officials describe the body as:

• Smaller and more flexible than the United Nations
  
  

• Focused on practical deals rather than long diplomatic processes
  
  

• Initially centered on Gaza, with plans to address other conflicts later
  
  

The board is expected to play a role in ceasefire arrangements, humanitarian coordination, and long-term political structures if a settlement in Gaza emerges.

Who Is In—and Who Isn’t

Membership in the board has been selective and politically sensitive.

Some Middle Eastern and global partners were invited to participate, while several major countries—particularly in Europe—have expressed caution or declined to take part.

The absence of certain key players, along with questions about Palestinian representation, has fueled criticism that the initiative could sideline important voices in the peace process.

Key Issues on the Agenda

According to diplomatic sources, the first meeting today in Washington is expected to address:

• Post-war governance in Gaza
  
  

• Security arrangements to prevent renewed conflict
  
  

• Humanitarian access and reconstruction
  
  

• The role of regional states in administration and funding
  
  

No final agreements are expected at this initial session, which officials describe as the start of a longer diplomatic process.

Praise, Doubts, and Political Reactions

The White House has portrayed the board as an innovative step toward ending prolonged conflicts.

Supporters say a smaller, more focused diplomatic body could move faster than traditional international institutions.

Critics, however, argue that:

• The initiative lacks transparency
  
  

• Key stakeholders may be excluded
  
  

• It could undermine established international processes
  
  

• Its authority and funding remain unclear
  
  

Analysts say the board’s credibility will depend on whether it can produce concrete results.

What Comes Next

Officials say today’s Washington meeting is only the beginning, with additional sessions expected as negotiations over Gaza and other crises continue.

Whether the Board of Peace becomes a lasting diplomatic platform—or remains a symbolic initiative—will depend on its ability to deliver measurable outcomes in one of the world’s most complex conflicts.

Sources: NPR, CNN, Reuters, Al Jazeera, The Guardian