‘In a normal world, Tony Blair would not be at the centre of a Middle East peace process’

Read time: 3 mins

In brief…

• Under Donald Trump’s peace proposal for the end of the war in Palestine, Tony Blair would be part of a ‘Board of Peace’ which would take interim control of the country if Hamas agrees to disband and give up power.
• The News Agents describe Blair as “one of the most gifted politicians of our age” but say his involvement is part-motivated by wanting to preserve his own legacy.
• Despite this, they say he has a “long-term commitment” to the Middle East, and his “Messianic sense of self” is supported by both Trump and Gulf states.

What’s the story?

Tony Blair is more often remembered for his involvement in the Iraq War than any achievements he made as Prime Minister.

During his time in Downing Street he introduced the national minimum wage, increased spending on healthcare and education, and introduced civil partnerships for LGBTQ+ people.

But he also supported George W. Bush in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, under the belief that leader Saddam Hussein was developing weapons of mass destruction.

An estimated 150,000 people were killed in the war, including 100,000 civilians, and no WMDs were found.

Now, Blair is a part of Donald Trump’s plan for peace in Palestine, which would see a transitional body – a ‘Board of Peace’ which would run the country if Hamas agrees to its terms and disbands – take control while it lacks a government.

Emily Maitlis describes Blair’s involvement in Trump’s peace plan as “making it a little harder to swallow”.

“If you had to pick one man in the world who does not have a great reputation for bringing peace to the Middle East, it would have to be Tony Blair,” she says.

Emily says Blair gets a tick for many of his achievements while leading his Labour government – but these are overshadowed by his involvement in the Iraq war, describing this as “the biggest stain on his entire legacy.”

Why does Blair want to get involved in the Middle East again?

Jon Sopel describes Blair as “one of the most gifted politicians of our age” – but admits that it is often the stains which stay in the memory, not the successes.

Margaret Thatcher, he says, will be remembered for the miner’s strike or the Falklands war, Bill Clinton for his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Tony Blair, Jon adds, knows this.

But does his long term commitment stem from genuine interest, or does he simply want to protect how he is remembered?

“I don't think you have to be a psychotherapist to work out this is about Blair's legacy, that the stain of Iraq on his legacy is either in his subconscious – or maybe much closer to the surface,” says Emily.

“He wants to be remembered for bringing peace to Palestine and Israel, rather than everything that happened in Iraq.

“It seems to be pretty darn obvious that in a normal world, it would not be Tony Blair that was at the centre of a Middle Eastern peace process.”

Can Blair succeed?

Trump’s plan – which some have argued heavily favours Israel, who will not need to fully withdraw its troops from Palestine – has been approved by Benjamin Netanyahu and leaders of leading Gulf states, and the Palestinian Authority.

Jon says Blair has a “Messianic sense of self” which Trump, and the Gulf nations also seem to believe in.

“Ever since he stopped being Prime Minister, he has maintained this interest in the Middle East, since he stopped being Prime Minister, and he has toiled for years,” Jon adds.

“Blair has maintained close relationships with the Gulf nations, and sees this as a way to apply pressure and bring peace to the Middle East.

“I think he has a long term commitment to this.”

Listen to the latest episode of The News Agents.