Tony Blair: no thanks
In the UK ex-PM Tony Blair has a very mixed reputation. The current Labour Party IMHO would prefer he kept quiet, as his speeches invariably remind potential supporters what he did at home and abroad. The LibDems detest him for the Iraq War, but like him for his unwavering pro-EU stance. As for the Tories he is a painful reminder what 'new' Labour did and just might do again. Coming in maybe soon in the European Parliament elections (22nd May 2014) is UKIP, a nationalist party who hate the EU and virtually everything Tony Blair stands for - including enabling large-scale immigration (from the EU and beyond).
Tony Blair somehow is a Middle East Peace Envoy, I think for the EU, but what is contribution is very unclear. Partly as he is a consistent friend of Israel and supporter of generals, kings and the like in power.
This passage struck me as rather odd:A number of European countries would ask what is this partnership. Not Israel's frankly weird aprticipation in the annual Eurovision singing contest, but 'partnership'. Yes there is cooperation in a number of spheres, but for a long time now Europe has questioned openly Israeli policies and I doubt any Israeli thinks its European partners are 'allies'.Third, in the centre of this maelstrom, is Israel. Its alliance with the USA, its partnership with leading countries of Europe....
I have read his speech now, which I expect he was well paid for.
I simply don't know where to start, both in his description of the situation in the Middle East (which appears to have rather elastic boundaries) and what the 'West' should do. Preaching more commitment is the answer in 2014 is - well - politically stupid.
Yes we, the UK, have national interests in the region and a good number of them in effect lead to official UK support for regimes that are unpleasant to their own people. Supporting the generals in Egypt in their repression, thankfully not with gold, just a few weapons, is a mistake.
Nor should the UK overlook the long-term aims and current practices of those who follow the Wahabi faith, whose version of Islam is to say the least conservative in virtually every sphere of life.
As one neo-con group here advocated Tony Blair is "in bed" with the Muslim Brotherhood already, having two of them as advisers. There's nothing like a "cat fight" between Tony Blair and the Henry Jackson Society. See:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/poli...ist-group.html
So your speech is noted Tony Blair, you can keep it. Let's move along now. Should we sacrifice our principles to sit with the generals and sheikhs as we have done? Using "quiet diplomacy" to advance our principles as we are reassured so often.
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