Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Debacle
One of the good things about independent think-tanks is when they add an air of authority to what everybody believes anyway and in doing so enable us to validate our beliefs. The conclusion by a Chatham House report that the "disaster" of Iraq and Tony Blair's failure to influence US policy will overshadow his time as prime minister is one that many people can sign up to. They argue that the 2003 invasion and the post-war "debacle" have damaged Britain's international influence.
Iraq would overshadow Mr Blair's record, said the report The "disaster" of Iraq and Tony Blair's failure to influence US policy will overshadow his time as prime minister, a leading UK think-tank has said.
The 2003 invasion and the post-war "debacle" have damaged Britain's international influence, said the Chatham House report.
Outgoing director Victor Bulmer-Thomas said Mr Blair's successor would have to build better relations with Europe.
But he said Mr Blair had some successes on climate change and Libya.
Despite military, political and financial sacrifices by the UK, Mr Blair had been unable to influence the Bush administration in "any significant way", the report found.
It said there was no evidence British pressure led to President Bush accepting a two-state solution in the Middle East.
"Blair has learned the hard way that loyalty in international politics counts for nothing," said Professor Bulmer-Thomas.
"And his successor will not make the same mistake of offering unconditional support for US initiatives in foreign policy at the expense of a more positive relationship with Europe."
The report, which assessed British foreign policy since 1997, says Mr Blair's successor would also have to rethink Britain's role within the European Union and distance it from the US.
The new prime minister would have to look again at opposition the euro and the Schengen agreement, which ends controls on international frontiers.
Very few people I speak to understand why Blair staked so much on supporting George W. Bush for so little return. This report seems to share that puzzlement.
Iraq would overshadow Mr Blair's record, said the report The "disaster" of Iraq and Tony Blair's failure to influence US policy will overshadow his time as prime minister, a leading UK think-tank has said.
The 2003 invasion and the post-war "debacle" have damaged Britain's international influence, said the Chatham House report.
Outgoing director Victor Bulmer-Thomas said Mr Blair's successor would have to build better relations with Europe.
But he said Mr Blair had some successes on climate change and Libya.
Despite military, political and financial sacrifices by the UK, Mr Blair had been unable to influence the Bush administration in "any significant way", the report found.
It said there was no evidence British pressure led to President Bush accepting a two-state solution in the Middle East.
"Blair has learned the hard way that loyalty in international politics counts for nothing," said Professor Bulmer-Thomas.
"And his successor will not make the same mistake of offering unconditional support for US initiatives in foreign policy at the expense of a more positive relationship with Europe."
The report, which assessed British foreign policy since 1997, says Mr Blair's successor would also have to rethink Britain's role within the European Union and distance it from the US.
The new prime minister would have to look again at opposition the euro and the Schengen agreement, which ends controls on international frontiers.
Very few people I speak to understand why Blair staked so much on supporting George W. Bush for so little return. This report seems to share that puzzlement.
