News

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump convened the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace on Thursday, bringing together representatives from over two dozen nations to address reconstruction efforts and the formation of an international stabilization force for Gaza. The meeting comes as a fragile ceasefire persists in the region, and despite skepticism from some U.S. Allies regarding the board’s scope and potential impact.

Trump announced earlier this week that member nations have collectively pledged $5 billion towards rebuilding Gaza, a figure significantly lower than the estimated $70 billion needed to address the widespread devastation following two years of conflict. Participants are likewise expected to outline commitments of personnel for the proposed international stabilization and police forces intended to maintain security in the territory.

“We have the greatest leaders in the world joining the Board of Peace,” Trump stated to reporters. “I consider it has the chance to be the most consequential board ever assembled of any kind.”

Initially conceived as part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, the board’s mandate has expanded to encompass a broader ambition: not only achieving lasting peace between Israel and Hamas but also contributing to the resolution of global conflicts. This expanded vision has raised concerns among some that the Trump administration is attempting to establish a parallel organization to the United Nations.

Skepticism from Allies and UN Concerns

More than 40 countries and the European Union confirmed their participation in Thursday’s meeting, according to a senior administration official. However, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland are among over a dozen nations attending as observers, having not joined the board itself. This hesitancy reflects broader concerns about the board’s structure and potential overlap with existing international bodies.

The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, originally scheduled for Thursday, to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and Israel’s actions in the West Bank. The timing was adjusted to avoid conflicting with Trump’s Board of Peace meeting, which officials feared would complicate travel arrangements for diplomats. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin emphasized that the United Nations should be the primary body managing international crisis situations, a sentiment echoed by some U.S. Allies.

The Trump administration defended the board’s legitimacy, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “This president has a very bold and ambitious plan and vision to rebuild and reconstruct Gaza, which is well underway as of the Board of Peace. This is a legitimate organization where You’ll see tens of member countries from around the world.” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz added that the board is “not talking, it is doing,” dismissing criticism as stemming from those resistant to fresh approaches.

Disarming Hamas and International Force Deployment

A central focus of Thursday’s discussions is the creation of an armed international stabilization force tasked with maintaining security and ensuring the disarmament of Hamas, a key demand from Israel and a cornerstone of the ceasefire agreement. However, as of now, Indonesia is the only nation to have made a firm commitment to providing personnel for this force. Hamas has offered little indication of willingness to disarm, presenting a significant challenge to the board’s objectives. The administration acknowledges these challenges but remains “encouraged by what mediators have reported back,” according to a U.S. Official speaking on background.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged close collaboration with other Islamic nations invited by Trump to “join in the endeavors to try to achieve lasting peace in Palestine.” He acknowledged the obstacles ahead but expressed a commitment to making a concerted effort, stating, “We recognize there are still obstacles to be overcome, but at least my position is at least we have to try, and we have to do our best,” during an event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Updates from the Gaza Executive Board, the operational arm of the Board of Peace, are expected on Thursday regarding efforts to establish a functioning government and essential services within Gaza. In addition to Trump, scheduled speakers include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the executive board’s high representative Nickolay Mladenov, and Ambassador Waltz.

Michael Hanna, U.S. Program director at the International Crisis Group, suggested that the skepticism from some allies is warranted. “Without any clear authorization for the expansion of its mandate beyond Gaza, it is unsurprising that many U.S. Allies and partners have chosen to decline Trump’s offer to join the board,” Hanna said. “Instead, many of the states most invested in Gaza’s future have signed up with the hope of focusing U.S. Attention and encouraging Trump himself to use the influence and leverage he has with Israel.”

The success of the Board of Peace hinges on navigating these complex geopolitical dynamics and securing concrete commitments from member nations. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the board can translate its ambitious goals into tangible progress on the ground in Gaza and beyond.

What remains to be seen is whether the Board of Peace can overcome the existing skepticism and deliver on its promises of reconstruction and lasting stability. Further developments are expected as the board continues its work, and Archyde.com will continue to provide updates as they become available.

Share your thoughts on the Board of Peace in the comments below.

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Teck Resources Limited reported unaudited fourth quarter results for 2025, citing strong financial performance driven by higher copper prices and progress toward a proposed merger with Anglo American plc. The company’s president and CEO, Jonathan Price, highlighted the results as demonstrating “strong momentum” and positioning Teck to deliver on its business plans and the integration of the two mining giants.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter reached $1.5 billion, a $678 million increase year-over-year, according to Teck. Profit from continuing operations before taxes was reported at $792 million. The results were bolstered by copper prices averaging US$5.03 per pound during the fourth quarter, closing at US$5.67 per pound at year-end.

A key development during the quarter was shareholder approval of the merger with Anglo American on December 9, 2025, and subsequent regulatory approval from the Government of Canada under the Investment Canada Act on December 15, 2025. The merger, intended to create a new global critical minerals champion headquartered in Canada, is still subject to approvals in multiple jurisdictions, Teck stated.

Progress was also reported on the Quebrada Blanca (QB) Operations site, with copper production reaching 55,400 tonnes in the fourth quarter, a 15,800-tonne increase from the previous quarter. This improvement was attributed to the ongoing development of the tailings management facility (TMF) and operational stability initiatives. Molybdenum production at QB also reached a record high of 690 tonnes for the quarter.

Teck noted that development of the QB TMF is proceeding as planned, with improvements in sand drainage rates and dam construction. The company completed the replacement of cyclone technology to reduce ultra-fines in the sand and implemented refined sand placement improvements. Shiploader repairs at QB’s port facility were completed in January 2026, with normal operations resuming in early February.

The company’s annual High-Potential Incident (HPI) frequency rate improved to 0.06, the best result achieved for Teck-controlled operations and a 50% decrease from the previous year. Teck was also recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for the ninth consecutive year.

Looking ahead, Teck reaffirmed its 2026 guidance for all operated sites, with updated zinc in concentrate production guidance for Antamina set between 35,000 and 45,000 tonnes. Jonathan Price, who was appointed President and CEO of Teck in November 2023, previously served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, joining the company in October 2020, according to company information. Prior to Teck, Price held positions at BHP from 2006 to 2020, including Chief Transformation Officer.

The proposed merger is expected to deliver annual pre-tax synergies of approximately US$800 million, with 80% realized within two years of completion. Anglo Teck will also aim to optimize the value of the Collahuasi and Quebrada Blanca assets to realize US$1.4 billion in annual average underlying EBITDA from 2030-2049.

Washington – The White House is signaling a willingness to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear program, while simultaneously reinforcing a strong military posture in the Middle East. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Wednesday that “Iran would be exceptionally wise to produce a deal with President Trump and with his administration,” acknowledging “many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran” but emphasizing diplomacy as the president’s first option. This comes as discussions continue regarding a potential timeline for military action, with officials indicating the possibility of strikes as early as Saturday, though a final decision has not been made.

The delicate balance between diplomatic overtures and military preparedness underscores the high stakes involved in the ongoing standoff. Indirect talks between U.S. And Iranian negotiators took place Tuesday in Geneva, mediated by Oman, focusing on Tehran’s nuclear program. While no immediate breakthrough was reported, both sides indicated some progress had been made toward establishing “guiding principles” for future negotiations. The situation remains fluid, with the administration weighing the risks of escalation and the potential consequences of both action and restraint.

Geneva Talks Yield Limited Progress

According to statements from both Washington and Tehran, the Geneva talks represented a step in the right direction, though significant disagreements remain. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that work still needs to be done to reach a comprehensive agreement. The U.S. Acknowledged “progress was made,” while Badr Albusaidi, Oman’s foreign minister, described the negotiations as concluding with “good progress” on common aims and technical issues. However, Leavitt cautioned that the two countries are still “far apart” on key issues, and that Iran is expected to provide further details in the coming weeks.

The core of the dispute centers on Iran’s nuclear program, with the U.S. And its allies suspecting Tehran is moving towards developing a nuclear weapon – a claim Iran consistently denies. Iran has expressed a desire to focus discussions on its nuclear program and the potential lifting of economic sanctions, while the U.S. Has previously indicated it wants Iran’s ballistic missile development to be included in any potential agreement.

Military Posture Strengthened Amidst Negotiations

Alongside the diplomatic efforts, the U.S. Is demonstrably increasing its military presence in the region. The Pentagon is reportedly moving some personnel temporarily out of the Middle East – primarily to Europe or back to the United States – ahead of potential action or counterattacks by Iran, according to multiple officials. This is standard practice ahead of potential military activity and doesn’t necessarily signal an imminent attack, one source noted. A second U.S. Aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is being redeployed to the Middle East, joining an already substantial American presence. This movement places formidable firepower within range of Iran at a time of heightened tension.

President Trump previously signaled his support for potential Israeli strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile program during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December. Internal discussions within the U.S. Military and intelligence community have also begun to contemplate the possibility of supporting a fresh round of Israeli strikes, focusing on how the United States might assist, including providing aerial refueling and securing overflight permissions. However, countries like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have publicly stated they would not allow their airspace to be used for strikes on Iran.

Past Actions and Future Considerations

Leavitt referenced a “very successful operation in June that targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities,” though specific details of that operation were not provided. The White House is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to assess the path forward based on Iran’s response to the ongoing negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in approximately two weeks for further discussions, indicating continued close coordination between the two allies.

The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether a diplomatic resolution can be reached or if the situation will escalate further. The administration’s approach appears to be a calculated combination of pressure and diplomacy, aiming to secure a favorable outcome while minimizing the risk of a wider conflict. The next steps will likely hinge on the details Iran provides in response to the initial discussions in Geneva and the ongoing assessment of the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program.

What comes next remains uncertain, but the administration has made clear its willingness to pursue both diplomatic and military options. Share your thoughts on this developing situation in the comments below.