http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6239806.stm

- 'The Quartet - the EU, Russia, the UN and the US - will also discuss making outgoing UK Prime Minister Tony Blair its envoy to the region.'

Official Envoy for the Quartet? Fancy title.. but is this really a good idea? It could perhaps force the Quarter to agree with eachother, and as such present proposals to the Mid East with a unified voice, as opposed to the US and Britain saying one thing, Russia the other, China nothing, and all without any UN voice or backing.

But then, with Tony Blair doing it.. this may seem too anglo-saxonish/western. He may have a high (and in the Mid-East, outside Iran, mostly popular) profile, but for this job, perhaps a more neutral, less popular figure would be ideal?

Still, I like the general idea.

The main problem I see is suspicion of Blair based on his close, subordinate ties to Bush over the past few years. But if he can demonstrate his independence and careful representation of Quartet, then more power to him.

Blair has one pro and two cons.

* He was, along with the Irish prime minister, the most driving factor behind the successful demilitarization of Northern Ireland.
* He's considered a Bush crony.
* He's british (who more or less created the crisis)

In my opinion Blair is an excellent politician and leader. But I think he's the wrong man to set foot in the Middle East. I do believe that he would be an excellent resource to the team for his experiences with Northern Ireland though.

On the plus side, he has nowhere to go but up in the current situation.

True enough, but the palestinian reaction to his presence could be a violent one.

Well who else would you rather see in a position like that? At least he has experience right?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6247720.stm

- Hmm..

edit: Oh, and his appointment as envoy is official now.

Will this breath new life in to the "Road map to peace"?
After all these years of strife there, we finally have an official - a very popular and driven one with wide and high connections - specifically to bring about peace.

I hope for good things from Blair doing this.

Well who else would you rather see in a position like that? At least he has experience right?

how about someone that didnt invade iraq?