Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 19, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Trump: Board of Peace ‘most consequential’ group of leaders ever formed, some countries ‘playing cute’ by not joining
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the US Institute of Peace, February 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump begins his remarks at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington by asserting that the panel of world leaders is the “most consequential” ever formed.
He says some countries are “playing cute” by not having joined yet, including some that he doesn’t even want to be on the body, although he did invite them.
Most European countries have refrained from joining due to concerns that the body may usurp the UN while giving Trump ultimate power and the ability to chair the panel for life.
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