The Enduring Return of the Undead Diplomat
FIRST INSTANCE: The 'Good Offices' Myth While Miliband's suggestion may seem recent, the pattern of rehabilitating individuals with controversial pasts into 'peacemaker' roles is well-established. Tony Blair's appointment as Quartet Representative to the Middle East in 2007, shortly after leaving office as Prime Minister, is a prime example. Despite his central role in advocating for the 2003
invasion of Iraq—an act widely condemned for destabilizing the region and later confirmed to be based on flawed intelligence (Chilcot Report, 2016)—Blair was immediately tasked with guiding economic and political development for Palestinians. This appointment signaled that past judgment errors, even those with catastrophic consequences, are not disqualifying within certain diplomatic circles.
REPETITIONS: 'Reconstruction' and 'Stability Operations' 2008-2015: Quartet Representative Role. Blair's tenure as Quartet envoy achieved minimal demonstrable success in advancing a two-state solution or fostering Palestinian self-governance. Critics, including former British diplomats, noted his perceived bias towards Israeli interests (The Guardian, 2015) and his focus on large-scale
infrastructure projects that often bypassed local Palestinian institutions, rather than addressing core political grievances. The 'good offices' approach effectively insulated him from accountability for a war he championed. Post-Libya Intervention (2011 onwards): Advising Autocrats. Following the 2011 intervention in Libya, which Blair had implicitly supported, his consulting firm, Tony Blair