From Downing Street to Gaza: Why Tony Blair Is Back in the Headlines

ony Blair, Britain’s former prime minister, has returned to the spotlight after being named in President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.

Blair, who led the UK from 1997 to 2007, is remembered globally for his staunch support of the 2003 Iraq War alongside then U.S. President George W. Bush, a decision later condemned by the Chilcot Inquiry, which found that intelligence about weapons of mass destruction had been overstated.

After leaving office, Blair became the Middle East envoy for the Quartet (the UN, U.S., EU, and Russia), a role that brought both influence and criticism, particularly from Palestinian leaders who questioned his effectiveness.

Today, Blair runs the Tony Blair Institute, advising governments on governance, reform, and technology. Under Trump’s plan, he is the only international figure publicly named so far to serve on a “Board of Peace” that would oversee Gaza’s transitional governance.

The panel would supervise services, security, and reconstruction while excluding Hamas from political authority. Supporters say Blair’s experience makes him a seasoned choice, while detractors point to his divisive legacy in the region.