https://www.scmp.com/rss/525411/feed In September 2025, US President Donald Trump proposed the ‘Board of Peace’, an international organisation led by the US with the stated purpose of promoting peacekeeping around the world. Countries that wish to be permanent members of the board must pay US$1 billion into a fund controlled by Trump. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia’s decision to accept a deputy commander post in the United States-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza has placed it in a position to play a prominent role in the mission as it prepares to deploy thousands of troops to the war-torn enclave. While the Indonesian government has stressed that its personnel would focus on protecting civilians and supporting humanitarian efforts, analysts say the ISF’s broader objectives – including the disarmament of Palestinian armed... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3344477/why-indonesias-lead-role-gaza-peacekeeping-force-carries-high-political-risk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3344477/why-indonesias-lead-role-gaza-peacekeeping-force-carries-high-political-risk?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:31:59 +0000 Tom Hussain Tom Hussain US President Donald Trump declared the war in Gaza “over” at his inaugural “Board of Peace” meeting on Thursday, even as regional analysts warned that Israeli military operations could resume within weeks. At the gathering in Washington, attended by senior officials from more than 20 countries, promises of reconstruction and a “bright future” for Gaza were coupled with blunt US warnings that the alternative to disarmament would be a return to war. Outside the meeting, Israeli officials... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3344087/trump-says-gaza-war-over-analysts-warn-fighting-could-resume-within-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3344087/trump-says-gaza-war-over-analysts-warn-fighting-could-resume-within-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:33:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse US President Donald Trump on Thursday promised US$10 billion and Muslim-majority nations offered funding and troops for Gaza as he inaugurated his “Board of Peace”, a new institution whose ultimate mission has drawn questions. Trump brought together allies from around the world - many authoritarians, with few Western democrats who traditionally ally with the United States - to hail his peacemaking just as he sends US military might near Iran and threatens war. Presiding with a gavel over the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3344048/trump-kicks-his-board-peace-war-clouds-loom-over-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3344048/trump-kicks-his-board-peace-war-clouds-loom-over-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:06:55 +0000 Reuters Reuters Hamas is cementing its hold over Gaza by placing loyalists in key government roles, collecting taxes and paying salaries, according to an Israeli military assessment and sources in the Palestinian enclave. Hamas’ continuing influence over key Gaza power structures has fuelled widespread scepticism about the prospects of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, which requires the militant group to give up its weapons in exchange for an Israeli military withdrawal from the territory. Trump’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3344014/can-trumps-board-peace-succeed-while-hamas-still-runs-gaza?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3344014/can-trumps-board-peace-succeed-while-hamas-still-runs-gaza?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:47:12 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times South Korea will take part as an observer in the inaugural meeting of the US-led “Board of Peace”, dispatching a former envoy to Thursday’s session in Washington, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Kim Yong-hyun, former ambassador to Egypt, will attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace scheduled for February 19, as the South Korean representative,” the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. A ministry official said that South Korea would attend as a non-member observer... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3343904/south-korea-signals-cautious-support-trumps-board-peace-attending-observer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3343904/south-korea-signals-cautious-support-trumps-board-peace-attending-observer?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:45:35 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisations appear to be recalibrating their stance on Palestine by softening earlier criticisms of President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to join US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace”, in what analysts describe as a shift from prioritising Palestinian independence to broader security issues. The adjustment, which followed a closed-door meeting at the presidential palace earlier this month, has fuelled a debate on whether major Muslim groups are being nudged... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343365/why-indonesias-muslim-groups-are-revisiting-palestinian-issue-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343365/why-indonesias-muslim-groups-are-revisiting-palestinian-issue-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:00:19 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The Philippines “will consider” an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join his proposed “Board of Peace”, Manila’s envoy to Washington said, a move that has drawn scepticism from critics who warn Manila could be embarrassed by signing up to what they see as a volatile, personality-driven initiative. Trump had personally invited President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr to be part of the board, but the Philippine leader had not yet decided whether to accept, Jose Manuel Romualdez said. While... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3342946/manila-will-consider-joining-trumps-board-peace-philippine-envoy-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3342946/manila-will-consider-joining-trumps-board-peace-philippine-envoy-us?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:13:05 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The presidents of Argentina and Romania said on Sunday they have been invited to attend the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s controversial “Board of Peace” in Washington on February 19. Originally designed by Trump as a mechanism to oversee the Gaza truce and post-war reconstruction, the board’s mandate has since expanded, prompting concerns among critics that it could evolve into a rival to the United Nations. Writing on his Facebook page, Romania’s President Nicusor Dan said... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3342854/romania-argentina-leaders-invited-trumps-board-peace-meeting-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3342854/romania-argentina-leaders-invited-trumps-board-peace-meeting-us?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 19:29:27 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is unlikely to pose a credible challenge to the United Nations, analysts say. They also warn that legal ambiguity, as well as doubts over credibility and funding, make the initiative’s long-term viability uncertain. Beijing was likely to respond cautiously but might also see some advantages if Washington’s attention was diverted elsewhere, leading to China potentially taking on a more proactive role in some regional security matters, they said. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342092/trumps-peace-board-no-match-un-and-possible-boon-china-analysts-find?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342092/trumps-peace-board-no-match-un-and-possible-boon-china-analysts-find?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:00:11 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang Israel’s ambassador to China has hailed the historical connections between the two countries and called for closer socioeconomic ties in a rare column for Chinese state media. Eli Belotserkovsky’s signed Chinese-language article for state news agency Xinhua comes amid global conversation over the Board of Peace, US President Donald Trump’s newly created body to tackle the Palestinian issue. The Jewish and Chinese civilisations had amassed rich historical wisdom and knowledge over millennia,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342002/israels-china-envoy-calls-deepen-historical-ties-rare-state-media-outreach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342002/israels-china-envoy-calls-deepen-historical-ties-rare-state-media-outreach?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:29:56 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia’s decision to join US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” has raised eyebrows at home, with critics zeroing in on how it deviated from Jakarta’s values by serving the interests of only the US and Israel instead of Palestine. Some observers, however, argue that the move is “consistent” with Indonesia’s proactive foreign policy stance and allows it access to major powers. President Prabowo Subianto was among several world leaders flanking Trump at Thursday’s signing of the board’s... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3341420/indonesias-move-join-trumps-board-peace-stirs-debate-foreign-policy-shift?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3341420/indonesias-move-join-trumps-board-peace-stirs-debate-foreign-policy-shift?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:52:57 +0000 Reuters Reuters US President Donald Trump withdrew on Thursday an invitation for Canada to join ‌his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts. Trump’s about-face follows Canadian Prime ‍Minister Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he openly decried powerful nations using economic integration as weapons and tariffs as leverage. “Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its ⁠invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining, what... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340937/trump-withdraws-invitation-canadas-carney-join-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340937/trump-withdraws-invitation-canadas-carney-join-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 05:15:44 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press US President Donald Trump on Thursday inaugurated his “Board of Peace” to lead efforts at maintaining a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas, insisting that “everyone wants to be a part” of the body that could eventually rival the United Nations – despite many US allies opting not to participate. In a speech at the World Economic Forum, Trump sought to create momentum for a project to map out a future for the war-torn Gaza Strip that has been overshadowed this week, first by his threats to seize... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340873/world-trump-launches-his-board-peace-some-see-rivalling-un?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340873/world-trump-launches-his-board-peace-some-see-rivalling-un?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:43:33 +0000 Agencies Agencies US President Donald Trump showcased his new “Board of Peace” on Thursday, a day after backing off his own threats against Greenland. Trump abruptly announced on Wednesday that he was scrapping tariffs against Europe and ruling out military action to take Greenland from Denmark, partially defusing a crisis which has shaken the meeting of global elites. On his second day at the Swiss ski resort, Trump sought to promote the “Board of Peace”, his controversial body for resolving international... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340860/watch-trump-showcase-his-board-peace-davos-after-greenland-climbdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340860/watch-trump-showcase-his-board-peace-davos-after-greenland-climbdown?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:02:24 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A Palestinian baby died from hypothermia on Tuesday in the Gaza Strip, underscoring the grim humanitarian conditions in the territory as world leaders were gathering at a Swiss resort where US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan is high on the agenda. Shaza Abu Jarad’s family found the 3-month-old on Tuesday morning in their tent in the Daraj neighbourhood of Gaza City. “She was freezing, and dead,” the baby’s father, Mohamed Abu Jarad, who spoke by phone after a funeral, said. “She... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3340706/palestinian-baby-dies-cold-gaza-tent-trump-talks-board-peace-davos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3340706/palestinian-baby-dies-cold-gaza-tent-trump-talks-board-peace-davos?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:34:32 +0000 Kolette Lim,Aidan Jones Kolette Lim,Aidan Jones Southeast Asian countries invited to join Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” should think carefully before entering what looks like a “more exclusive version” of the United Nations Security Council with the US president in ultimate control, analysts caution. Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam are among about 60 countries that have reportedly received invitations, alongside South Korea and India. The initiative, presented by Trump as a new international body to promote global... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340651/why-southeast-asia-wary-trumps-pay-play-global-peace-board?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340651/why-southeast-asia-wary-trumps-pay-play-global-peace-board?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:30:10 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg US President Donald Trump could still lead his proposed Board of Peace after he leaves the White House, a US official has said. The chairmanship would be Trump’s to hold until he resigns it, the official said on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity. A future US president could choose to appoint or designate the official US representative to the board, the official added. The possibility of a chair-for-life status for Trump was the latest wrinkle in the creation of the signature diplomatic... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340634/trump-could-lead-his-board-peace-life-after-leaving-white-house-us-official-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340634/trump-could-lead-his-board-peace-life-after-leaving-white-house-us-official-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:45:36 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim China has confirmed that it received an invitation from the United States to join Donald Trump’s “board of peace for Gaza”. When asked about China’s position on the US president’s proposal on Tuesday, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the invitation had been received but he did not say whether Beijing would accept. Trump has invited dozens of world leaders to join the initiative as part of his efforts to push forward his 20-point plan to resolve the conflict in Gaza. The board was... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3340562/china-confirms-invite-join-trumps-gaza-peace-board-wont-say-if-will-accept?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3340562/china-confirms-invite-join-trumps-gaza-peace-board-wont-say-if-will-accept?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:30:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters US President Donald Trump threatened to hit French wines and champagnes with 200 per cent tariffs in an apparent effort to cajole French President Emmanuel ‍Macron into joining his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts. Trump’s initiative, which would start by addressing Gaza and then expand to deal with other conflicts, raises questions about the role of the United Nations and a source close to Macron said the French president intended to decline the invitation to... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340517/trump-threatens-200-wine-tariff-push-france-join-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340517/trump-threatens-200-wine-tariff-push-france-join-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 06:21:54 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Key allies reacted coolly on Monday to US President Donald Trump’s invite to pay US$1 billion for a permanent spot on his “Board of Peace” for resolving international conflicts, with analysts likening it to a pay-to-play version of the UN Security Council. The White House has asked various world leaders to sit on the board, chaired by Trump himself, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian premier Viktor Orban and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The board’s charter, seen by... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340480/allies-tepid-trumps-board-peace-invited-leaders-wondering-how-it-will-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340480/allies-tepid-trumps-board-peace-invited-leaders-wondering-how-it-will-work?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 22:16:21 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” aimed at resolving conflicts globally and overseeing governance and reconstruction in Gaza, the Kremlin said on Monday. Moscow for years tried to balance relations with all major players in the Middle East – including Israel and the Palestinians. But since the Israel-Gaza war and Russia’s assault on Ukraine, Putin has moved away from Israel, boosting ties with its foes like Iran. Moscow has... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3340456/putin-invited-trumps-board-peace-gaza-and-global-conflict-kremlin-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3340456/putin-invited-trumps-board-peace-gaza-and-global-conflict-kremlin-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:31:45 +0000 Reuters Reuters Governments reacted cautiously on Sunday to US President Donald Trump’s invitation to join his “Board of Peace” initiative aimed at resolving conflicts globally, a plan that diplomats said could harm the work of the United Nations. Only ‍Hungary, whose leader is a close Trump ally, gave an unequivocal acceptance in response to the invitations, which have been addressed to some 60 nations and began arriving in European capitals on Saturday, according to diplomats. Other governments appeared... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340349/world-leaders-show-caution-trumps-broader-board-peace-amid-fears-un?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340349/world-leaders-show-caution-trumps-broader-board-peace-amid-fears-un?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 17:43:10 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg The Trump administration is asking countries that want a permanent spot on his new Board of Peace to contribute at least US$1 billion. According to a draft charter for the proposed group seen by Bloomberg, US President Donald Trump would serve as its inaugural chairman and would decide on who is invited to be members. Decisions would be taken by a majority, with each member state present getting one vote, but all would be subject to the chairman’s approval. “Each Member State shall serve a term... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340288/trump-wants-nations-pay-us1-billion-stay-his-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340288/trump-wants-nations-pay-us1-billion-stay-his-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 23:45:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on ‍Saturday that this week’s Trump administration announcement on the composition of a Gaza executive board was not coordinated with Israel and ran counter to ⁠government policy. It said Foreign Minister Gideon Saar would raise the issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The statement did not specify what part of the board’s composition contradicted ‍Israeli policy. An Israeli government spokesperson declined to comment. The board, unveiled... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3340285/israel-objects-composition-trump-led-gaza-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3340285/israel-objects-composition-trump-led-gaza-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:05:11 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse US President Donald Trump on Friday gave a key role in post-war Gaza to former British prime minister Tony Blair and appointed a US officer to lead a nascent security force. Trump named members of a board to help supervise Gaza that was dominated by Americans, as he promotes a controversial vision of economic development in a territory that lies in rubble after two-plus years of relentless Israeli bombardment. The step came after a Palestinian committee of technocrats meant to govern Gaza held... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3340233/trump-names-blair-and-rubio-gaza-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3340233/trump-names-blair-and-rubio-gaza-board-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 23:36:30 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A former UN Middle East envoy has been chosen to direct US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel’s prime minister said on Thursday, as at least eight more deaths from Israeli strikes were reported there. The appointment of Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov marks an important step forward for Trump’s Middle East peace plan, which has moved slowly since delivering an October ceasefire ending more than two years of fighting between Israel and... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3339278/israel-says-bulgarian-diplomat-direct-trumps-board-peace-gaza?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3339278/israel-says-bulgarian-diplomat-direct-trumps-board-peace-gaza?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 05:12:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The horrors of the war in Gaza have so shocked the whole world that anything is better than allowing it to continue. The fragile ceasefire has significantly slowed but not ended the killings and is itself in danger of imminent collapse. The United States-backed peace plan, now adopted by the United Nations Security Council, at least offers a way to end the killings and bring some stability and safety to the Palestinian territory. But while it has been hailed as a major diplomatic win for the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3333525/flawed-us-gaza-peace-plan-better-more-palestinian-suffering?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3333525/flawed-us-gaza-peace-plan-better-more-palestinian-suffering?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2025 22:45:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The Trump administration’s blueprint to secure and govern Gaza won strong approval at the United Nations on Monday, a crucial step that provides international support for US efforts to move the devastated territory towards peace following two years of war. The US resolution that passed the UN Security Council authorises an international stabilisation force to provide security in Gaza, approves a transitional authority to be overseen by US President Donald Trump and envisions a possible future... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3333175/un-approves-us-plan-authorising-international-stabilisation-force-gaza?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3333175/un-approves-us-plan-authorising-international-stabilisation-force-gaza?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 23:25:37 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia has backed US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to end the war in Gaza, presenting it as a constructive step towards resolving the two-year conflict and easing humanitarian suffering in the besieged enclave. But the decision has stirred backlash at home, with analysts suggesting that Indonesia – long a vocal supporter of Palestinian statehood – may have stepped into a “diplomatic trap” that benefits Israeli and US interests more than those of Palestinians. “The government’s... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3328242/did-indonesia-fall-diplomatic-trap-over-trumps-gaza-peace-plan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3328242/did-indonesia-fall-diplomatic-trap-over-trumps-gaza-peace-plan?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 10:30:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday the two leaders have agreed to a plan to end the war in Gaza, but it is unclear whether Hamas will accept the terms. Trump on Monday laid out a 20-point plan for ending the Israel-Gaza war and establishing post-war governance in the war-battered Palestinian territory. Trump’s plan would establish a temporary governing “Board of Peace” that would be headed by Trump and include former British prime minister Tony... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3327289/trump-meets-israels-netanyahu-white-house-pivotal-talks-gaza-peace-proposal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3327289/trump-meets-israels-netanyahu-white-house-pivotal-talks-gaza-peace-proposal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:37:21 +0000