Publication

This paper addresses the appointment of the former British prime minister Tony Blair as the representative of the Middle East Quartet and examines his political prospects in that position. The paper introduces the alternating development of the Quartet, outlines Blair's official mandate and analyzes the significance of the appointment for the role of the EU. Subsequently, the paper asks for Blair's standing in the Arab world, examines the state of the Middle East conflict and presents proposals for a "Blair Plan." The paper points to Blair's damaged credibility in the Arab world and to his politically weak mandate.