Tough Guy: A Signal That Indonesia Is a Decisive Player in the Board of Peace?
Not every high-level global meeting makes history. Many pass as little more than opportunities for group photographs and diplomatic smiles. Yet this time, despite being wrapped in Donald Trump's characteristic showmanship, a new strategic direction has emerged: the map of global influence is being redrawn, and Indonesia is no longer merely sitting in the audience.
The inaugural Board of Peace (BoP) summit for Gaza, held in Washington on 19 February 2026, truly marked the beginning of a new chapter. The initiative, first launched on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on 22 January, has continued to evolve and assert its existence. In Washington, the moment was plain to see — Indonesia was invited to sit at the main table.
An affirmation then came from President Trump's own mouth, in words now widely quoted across international media: "A man that I really like a lot... he is definitely tough, I don't want to fight him, President Prabowo of Indonesia."
To the casual listener, the "Tough Guy" remark might sound like Trump's typically personal and theatrical banter. However, in the grammar of diplomacy and power politics, a superpower leader's quips are often codes of recognition. It was a signal that President Prabowo Subianto — and Indonesia — is acknowledged as strong enough to share the burden of the world's most complex crisis: Gaza.
So what exactly is the Board of Peace, and why is Indonesia's position within it so crucial? The BoP is positioned as a consortium of nations tasked with overseeing the post-conflict transition in Gaza. Its agenda spans ceasefire enforcement, security stabilisation, reconstruction, and the restoration of civilian governance.
From the inaugural meeting in Washington, at least three critical decision axes emerged.
First, massive funding commitments. The United States pledged US$10 billion, followed by commitments worth billions of dollars from Middle Eastern nations. This encompasses the design of a reconstruction fund management framework involving global financial institutions.
Then, stabilisation forces. This is the point at which Indonesia assumes its most strategic role. Indonesia declared its readiness to deploy more than 8,000 personnel for an international security and stabilisation force — taking on a real operational burden on the ground.
Next, governance design. Many post-war reconstruction projects fail not for lack of funding, but due to fragile civilian governance. The BoP is designed to restore public services, train local security forces, and rebuild legal corridors during the transition period.
Indonesia's involvement in these pillars also runs parallel to economic manoeuvres. On the same day in Washington, a reciprocal tariff agreement was signed by Presidents Trump and Prabowo. Additionally, a series of business deals worth tens of billions of dollars were concluded with various American business entities. The pattern is clear: the Indonesia-US relationship is now framed within an architecture of concrete interests, not mere diplomatic rhetoric.
**Why Has Indonesia Become a "Decisive Player"?**
It is certainly not out of historical romanticism that Indonesia finds itself at the main table, but rather through geopolitical calculation. There are three fundamental reasons why Indonesia holds a trump card in Gaza.
Moral legitimacy in the Muslim world. When many major actors are suspected of harbouring hidden agendas, Indonesia's position remains relatively clean and trusted. Indonesia's historical consistency in supporting Palestinian independence enables it to serve as a "communication bridge" — a role often absent from Western nations.
Real capacity. The commitment of 8,000 personnel transforms Indonesia's status from mere "moral supporter" to "executing actor". In international diplomacy, those who place resources on the table are those entitled to help determine the rules of the game.
Locking in an exit strategy. Conflicts often drag on because transitions lack a clear endpoint. Indonesia is present to ensure that the BoP does not stop at physical reconstruction alone, but continues to push the political path towards a Two-State Solution.
This stance was articulated unequivocally by President Prabowo following the BoP summit in Washington. He firmly stated that Indonesia and Muslim nations would not compromise on Palestine's status. "For us, the real, the only long-lasting solution is the Two-State Solution," Prabowo declared.
He also reminded the world that although the road ahead is full of obstacles, the forum's primary intent must not be derailed. "We must be determined to achieve success, for the sake of the Palestinian people."
This statement and commitment send a crystal-clear message: Indonesia is present at the BoP not to simply acquiesce to other parties' agendas, but to ensure the Two-State Solution remains the guiding compass for peace.
Of course, we must not turn a blind eye to the sharp criticism accompanying this initiative. Scepticism has emerged regarding the BoP's legitimacy, with concerns it may undermine the United Nations' role, as well as a peace design that appears elitist and top-down.
This is where the real test lies for Indonesia. Indonesia's entry into the BoP is not about pawning off principles, but about locking them in. With its track record in humanitarian diplomacy, Indonesia bears the moral burden of being the "guardian of direction".
Indonesia must ensure that Gaza's reconstruction is not reduced to merely a colossal property and business venture. This reconstruction must be a project of justice. Security stabilisation must not morph into a new form of occupation, and the Palestinian people must not be positioned merely as objects of a project.
In Washington, Trump's "tough guy" praise brought smiles. But that toughness must now be proven on the real battlefield.
The question is no longer "Is Indonesia relevant?" but rather: can Indonesia, under Prabowo Subianto's leadership, use this stage to ensure Gaza is not merely rebuilt, but has its dignity restored?
If the answer is yes, then the Board of Peace could become the channel through which Indonesia proves that peace is not platitude, but a decision worth fighting for. History will be the judge.
The inaugural Board of Peace (BoP) summit for Gaza, held in Washington on 19 February 2026, truly marked the beginning of a new chapter. The initiative, first launched on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on 22 January, has continued to evolve and assert its existence. In Washington, the moment was plain to see — Indonesia was invited to sit at the main table.
An affirmation then came from President Trump's own mouth, in words now widely quoted across international media: "A man that I really like a lot... he is definitely tough, I don't want to fight him, President Prabowo of Indonesia."
To the casual listener, the "Tough Guy" remark might sound like Trump's typically personal and theatrical banter. However, in the grammar of diplomacy and power politics, a superpower leader's quips are often codes of recognition. It was a signal that President Prabowo Subianto — and Indonesia — is acknowledged as strong enough to share the burden of the world's most complex crisis: Gaza.
So what exactly is the Board of Peace, and why is Indonesia's position within it so crucial? The BoP is positioned as a consortium of nations tasked with overseeing the post-conflict transition in Gaza. Its agenda spans ceasefire enforcement, security stabilisation, reconstruction, and the restoration of civilian governance.
From the inaugural meeting in Washington, at least three critical decision axes emerged.
First, massive funding commitments. The United States pledged US$10 billion, followed by commitments worth billions of dollars from Middle Eastern nations. This encompasses the design of a reconstruction fund management framework involving global financial institutions.
Then, stabilisation forces. This is the point at which Indonesia assumes its most strategic role. Indonesia declared its readiness to deploy more than 8,000 personnel for an international security and stabilisation force — taking on a real operational burden on the ground.
Next, governance design. Many post-war reconstruction projects fail not for lack of funding, but due to fragile civilian governance. The BoP is designed to restore public services, train local security forces, and rebuild legal corridors during the transition period.
Indonesia's involvement in these pillars also runs parallel to economic manoeuvres. On the same day in Washington, a reciprocal tariff agreement was signed by Presidents Trump and Prabowo. Additionally, a series of business deals worth tens of billions of dollars were concluded with various American business entities. The pattern is clear: the Indonesia-US relationship is now framed within an architecture of concrete interests, not mere diplomatic rhetoric.
**Why Has Indonesia Become a "Decisive Player"?**
It is certainly not out of historical romanticism that Indonesia finds itself at the main table, but rather through geopolitical calculation. There are three fundamental reasons why Indonesia holds a trump card in Gaza.
Moral legitimacy in the Muslim world. When many major actors are suspected of harbouring hidden agendas, Indonesia's position remains relatively clean and trusted. Indonesia's historical consistency in supporting Palestinian independence enables it to serve as a "communication bridge" — a role often absent from Western nations.
Real capacity. The commitment of 8,000 personnel transforms Indonesia's status from mere "moral supporter" to "executing actor". In international diplomacy, those who place resources on the table are those entitled to help determine the rules of the game.
Locking in an exit strategy. Conflicts often drag on because transitions lack a clear endpoint. Indonesia is present to ensure that the BoP does not stop at physical reconstruction alone, but continues to push the political path towards a Two-State Solution.
This stance was articulated unequivocally by President Prabowo following the BoP summit in Washington. He firmly stated that Indonesia and Muslim nations would not compromise on Palestine's status. "For us, the real, the only long-lasting solution is the Two-State Solution," Prabowo declared.
He also reminded the world that although the road ahead is full of obstacles, the forum's primary intent must not be derailed. "We must be determined to achieve success, for the sake of the Palestinian people."
This statement and commitment send a crystal-clear message: Indonesia is present at the BoP not to simply acquiesce to other parties' agendas, but to ensure the Two-State Solution remains the guiding compass for peace.
Of course, we must not turn a blind eye to the sharp criticism accompanying this initiative. Scepticism has emerged regarding the BoP's legitimacy, with concerns it may undermine the United Nations' role, as well as a peace design that appears elitist and top-down.
This is where the real test lies for Indonesia. Indonesia's entry into the BoP is not about pawning off principles, but about locking them in. With its track record in humanitarian diplomacy, Indonesia bears the moral burden of being the "guardian of direction".
Indonesia must ensure that Gaza's reconstruction is not reduced to merely a colossal property and business venture. This reconstruction must be a project of justice. Security stabilisation must not morph into a new form of occupation, and the Palestinian people must not be positioned merely as objects of a project.
In Washington, Trump's "tough guy" praise brought smiles. But that toughness must now be proven on the real battlefield.
The question is no longer "Is Indonesia relevant?" but rather: can Indonesia, under Prabowo Subianto's leadership, use this stage to ensure Gaza is not merely rebuilt, but has its dignity restored?
If the answer is yes, then the Board of Peace could become the channel through which Indonesia proves that peace is not platitude, but a decision worth fighting for. History will be the judge.