Tony Blair Middle East Envoy

As expected Tony Blair stepped down as the British Prime Minister on June 27th, 2007, and was immediately appointed as the Middle East envoy working on behalf of the US, Russia, the UN and the EU.

While I wish Mr. Blair all the best in his new role on the world center stage I fear that he may be taking on the position as damaged goods. The perception by many on the Palestinian side is that Blair is too close to United States President Bush and to Israel interests to be an impartial envoy.

Still Tony Blair has a lot of experience at the top levels of government. By operating without the restrains of being the British Prime Minister he may be more effective at his envoy position than many now think he will be.

What everyone can agree on, even the Russians, is that Tony Blair’s new job is an extremely difficult one. The interests of the various factions fighting for power in the Mid East are so many and diverse that it will take a super human envoy effort to even come close to solving the major challenges.

The least we can do is to wish Tony Blair good luck as Mid East envoy. He will need it.

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