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Why did Trump bring Tony Blair into the Gaza peace process?

President Trump trusts Tony Blair, but he’s a divisive figure in the Middle East.

On Monday, President Trump outlined his proposal for a peace deal in Gaza, a moment he described as ‘potentially one of the great days ever in civilisation’. In a press conference announcing the plan, the President name-dropped Sir Tony Blair and said the former UK Prime Minister would have a key role in the governance of post-war Gaza. Blair has been part of high-level talks with the US and other parties about ending the conflict. To many in the Middle East he remains a divisive figure who is remembered primarily for his role in the US-led invasion of Iraq. So how did Blair become a central figure in this latest plan to end the war in Gaza, and what does this tell us about diplomacy under Trump 2.0? Asma Khalid speaks to the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s diplomatic correspondent James Landale, who charts the story of Blair’s involvement in the Middle East and his warm relationship with President Trump.

Producers: Sam Chantarasak, Viv Jones
Senior news editor: China Collins
Mix: Travis Evans
Picture: Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair. Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

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26 minutes

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  • Thu 2 Oct 2025 10:32GMT
  • Fri 3 Oct 2025 00:32GMT

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