The Global Story
The Global Story
Why did Trump bring Tony Blair into the Gaza peace process?
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2 October 2025
26 minutes
Available for over a year
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 BBC’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
