Slate Daily Feed What Next - What Even Is Trump’s “Board of Peace”?
Feb 18, 2026
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent at The Economist who reports from Gaza, breaks down the rise and odd makeup of Trump’s so-called Board of Peace. He describes its origins in ceasefire talks. He lays out who joined and why, the curious $1 billion buy-in, life in Gaza now, and why grand rebuilding plans often collide with messy realities on the ground.
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Board Shifting Focus From Gaza
- The Board's meeting agenda may have shifted away from Gaza toward other global conflicts.
- Officials have hinted it could act as an alternative to the UN, addressing issues like Russia-Ukraine talks instead of Gaza.
Origins And Purpose Of The Board
- The Board of Peace was created after the Gaza ceasefire to oversee post-war governance with Trump as chairman.
- It was meant to replace Hamas's governing role with a technocratic government supervised by international backers.
Questionable Membership Base
- Many traditional Western allies refused to join because they feared the board could become an autocratic forum.
- Members include countries like Hungary and Azerbaijan rather than a broad democratic coalition.