The Board of Peace: Between Ambition and Distraction

June 2026

Also published in Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
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About the Authors
Ghaith al-Omari
Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship.

Articles & Testimony

An in-depth look at why the board’s lack of progress in Gaza makes it unlikely to serve its envisioned role of resolving conflicts around the world.

The following is an excerpt from an essay originally published in Whither the Board of Peace? Perspectives from Washington and the Gulf, a special report by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). To read the full essay, download the PDF on this page.

The Board of Peace was conceived as a forum for ending the Gaza war and managing the post-conflict reality in the coastal strip. However, it soon became clear that President Trump aspires for the BoP to play a more expanded role in addressing conflicts across the globe. This controversial goal has raised serious questions regarding the wisdom and practicality of this approach, and is generating reactions ranging from scepticism to fierce opposition. The Iran conflict has only exacerbated matters. Even if the US administration were to continue pursuing this ambitious goal, its chances of success are minimal without demonstrating its ability to make progress regarding the conflict for which it was originally created, namely, Gaza. Neither the BoP’s February 2026 inaugural meeting—whether in terms of attendance or substantive progress—nor recent developments in Gaza bode well for its ambitions...

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