Analysis: Many won’t like it – but Tony Blair is an experienced Middle East power broker
By Jon Craig, chief political correspondent
Tony Blair has been one of the “key architects” of the peace plan, including visiting the White House in recent months.
His history in the Middle East – the invasion of Iraq in 2003 – hangs over him, but the former PM does have experience in the area.
Going back to the 1990s, nearly 30 years ago, he was involved in talks with PLO leader Yasser Arafat and others to try to bring peace to the Middle East.
When he left Downing Street in 2007, he became a Middle East envoy for what was known as the quartet – the EU, US, Russia and the UN.
He gets on well with Benjamin Netanyahu – that’s another crucial factor.
While many in the UK Labour Party will not be happy with Blair’s involvement, it is clear to see why the likes of Netanyahu and Trump will approve of it.
This is because Blair is an experienced negotiator and power broker in the region.
Think back to the Good Friday Agreement, his role in Kosovo and Sierra Leone – he’s always wanted to tackle these seemingly intractable international problems.
