On July 23, 2007, former British prime minister Tony Blair paid his first visit to the Middle East as the new peace envoy for "the Quartet," the four leading outside powers hoping to negotiate a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian impasse and a lasting peace in the region.
The Quartet, consisting of the U.S., the European Union, Russia and the UN, had first put forward its so-called road map for peace in 2002. But the Middle East problem is one that goes back several decades.
Blair's job at this point is simply to take the pulse of the region and report back to U.S. President George W. Bush and the other members of the Quartet in September.
But there are some who believe his job will evolve more into that of a shuttle negotiator, based on his previous experience with the Northern Ireland peace process.
The British and European media are pessimistic about Blair's chances, particularly in light of Britain's role in invading Iraq, which inflamed tensions across the Muslim world. Israel also seems lukewarm on the notion of Blair as a direct negotiator.
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What would it take for Blair to push the "Quartet" and the key players, Israel and The Palestinians, to solve the problem?
More...
The Quartet, consisting of the U.S., the European Union, Russia and the UN, had first put forward its so-called road map for peace in 2002. But the Middle East problem is one that goes back several decades.
Blair's job at this point is simply to take the pulse of the region and report back to U.S. President George W. Bush and the other members of the Quartet in September.
But there are some who believe his job will evolve more into that of a shuttle negotiator, based on his previous experience with the Northern Ireland peace process.
The British and European media are pessimistic about Blair's chances, particularly in light of Britain's role in invading Iraq, which inflamed tensions across the Muslim world. Israel also seems lukewarm on the notion of Blair as a direct negotiator.
Read more
What would it take for Blair to push the "Quartet" and the key players, Israel and The Palestinians, to solve the problem?
More...