President Trump has just launched a diplomatic experiment that could reshape how America conducts peace negotiations, and the Indonesian leader will be the first through the door.
Story Overview
- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will attend the inaugural meeting of Trump’s newly created “Peace Council” in Washington this month.
- Indonesia becomes first Southeast Asian country to join Trump’s new foreign policy initiative, marking strategic diplomatic opening
- Prabowo leads the world’s largest Muslim-majority country and brings significant regional influence to the table
- The Board of Peace represents Trump’s second-term approach to bringing together influential leaders for international peace efforts.
Trump’s new diplomatic bet takes shape
President Donald Trump unveiled the “Peace Council,” a new foreign policy mechanism unprecedented in modern American diplomacy. The initiative breaks with traditional multilateral forums by selecting influential world leaders rather than relying on existing international institutions. Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela confirmed Jakarta’s acceptance of the invitation, saying President Prabowo Subianto plans to attend the first meeting. The timeline for the meeting remains vague, with officials only confirming that it will take place this month in Washington.
Why Indonesia makes strategic sense
Prabowo Subianto brings considerable strengths to any peace-focused gathering. He exercises authority over 280 million citizens in the world’s third-largest democracy and largest Muslim-majority nation. His military experience, combined with Indonesia’s traditional non-aligned foreign policy stance, gives him credibility across various geopolitical fault lines. Timing also matters. Prabowo assumed the presidency in October 2024 after a landslide victory, actively seeking stronger ties with major powers while maintaining the diplomatic balance between Washington and Beijing. Its willingness to accept Trump’s invitation speaks to Indonesia’s desire to achieve high status in US foreign policy calculations.
The power play behind the invitation
Trump’s choice of Prabowo as inaugural guest reveals calculated thinking about Indo-Pacific influence. Indonesia straddles critical sea lanes and occupies a central geographic position in Southeast Asia. The Board of Peace framework allows Trump to bypass international bureaucratic bodies that often frustrate U.S. presidents. By creating a hand-picked forum, Trump controls the guest list, the agenda and the narrative. Prabowo also benefits from this arrangement. Its participation raises its international profile and positions Indonesia as a key player in any peace initiatives that emerge from these discussions. Both leaders share the same interest in projecting strength while achieving concrete diplomatic victories.
What remains unclear about this initiative
The concept of the Board of Peace raises more questions than the limited information available answers. No details exist on the council’s mandate, its decision-making authority, or how it interfaces with existing State Department structures. The composition beyond Prabowo remains unknown. Will Trump invite adversary leaders or only friendly governments? Is the board focused on specific regional conflicts or a broader peace architecture? The lack of historical precedent makes predictions difficult. Trump created various advisory councils during his first term, but these were focused on domestic policy. Translating this model into international peace negotiations introduces a complexity that business or public health advisory councils have never faced.
Indonesian president to attend first meeting of Trump’s ‘Peace Council’
– Asharq Al-Awsat English (@aawsat_eng) February 11, 2026
The challenges for American diplomacy
This diplomatic experience could strengthen American influence if Trump succeeds in bringing together respected leaders who deliver a tangible resolution to the conflict. Alternatively, it risks appearing as political theater if the board only produces photo ops without substance. Indonesia’s participation gives initial credibility to the initiative, but sustainability depends on results. Prabowo will evaluate whether continued involvement advances Indonesian interests or simply serves as window dressing for U.S. foreign policy. The coming weeks will reveal whether the Peace Council represents a true diplomatic innovation or simply another unconventional Trump initiative that fades after the initial headlines. For now, one fact is clear: Indonesia has accepted the invitation and Prabowo plans to attend.
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Indonesian president to attend first meeting of Trump’s ‘Peace Council’
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