Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been thrust back into the international spotlight, appointed by United States President Donald Trump to a newly formed body tasked with overseeing post-war Gaza. The announcement, made on Friday, January 17, 2026, marks a significant return to Middle East diplomacy for the 72-year-old political veteran, whose legacy remains deeply intertwined with the controversial 2003 invasion of Iraq.
A Controversial Appointment for a Contentious Figure
President Trump, who declared himself the chair of the fledgling "Board of Peace," unveiled its full membership. Alongside Blair, the board will include Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Steve Witkoff, a business partner of Trump who has taken on international negotiation roles. The White House described the group as "leaders with experience across diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic strategy."
Blair expressed his position on Saturday, stating he was "honoured" to be chosen by Trump and looked forward to working with colleagues to advance the president's vision for peace and prosperity. He also welcomed the commencement of work by a Palestinian committee in Cairo, led by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath, calling it a "massive step forward." Blair said this development offers hope to Gazans for a different future and to Israelis for a neighbour that does not threaten their security.
Some media reports credit Blair with helping to craft President Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza, working alongside Jared Kushner. Blair brings extensive, though debated, regional experience from his eight-year tenure as the envoy for the Middle East Quartet, which comprises the European Union, United Nations, United States, and Russia.
Mixed Reactions and a Tarnished Legacy
The appointment has ignited immediate criticism and debate. Many on social media and among political commentators were quick to recall Blair's pivotal role in the Iraq War, where he backed what was later proven to be false evidence regarding weapons of mass destruction. Critics argue he is ill-suited as a peacemaker, being reviled by many in the Arab world and discredited in Britain for joining the US-led invasion.
"That is the most horrible idea," said Mustafa Barghuti, head of the Palestinian National Initiative, when Blair's potential involvement was first suggested. Conversely, Israel appeared receptive to the idea, and Blair is said to maintain a good rapport with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak noted Blair has always had "a corner of his heart devoted to the unfinished project of calming down this conflict."
Blair has remained active in the region through his Institute for Global Change and various consultancy roles. While he has expressed regret over intelligence failures and the lack of post-war planning in Iraq, he has not apologised for the decision to invade, a move that once led to accusations he was merely a "poodle" of then-US President George W. Bush.
Blair's Political Journey: From Triumph to Turmoil
Tony Blair's political career has been a story of dramatic highs and lows. Elected as a Labour Party MP in 1983, he became party leader in 1994 and swept to victory as Prime Minister in 1997. At 43, he was Britain's youngest leader since 1812 and secured three consecutive general election wins, an unprecedented feat for Labour.
His decade in power saw a period of economic prosperity, significant constitutional reforms, the expansion of gay rights, and a historic peace deal in Northern Ireland. However, the 9/11 attacks in 2001 fundamentally shifted his trajectory. His decision to follow the US into Iraq in 2003 triggered one of the largest protests in British history, with an estimated one million people marching in London. As the justification for the war unravelled, his domestic reputation suffered irreparable damage, leading to his departure from office in 2007 after an internal party battle.
Now, as he steps onto Trump's "Board of Peace," Blair seeks to shape the future of Gaza. Whether his extensive experience will be an asset or a liability in this deeply sensitive role remains a fiercely contested question, ensuring his return to the limelight will be as controversial as ever.
