The Blair Years

At the end of next month, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair will step down from active politics after just over 10 years in government.

In international politics, he has certainly been a vigorous presence, whether or not you agree with how he has made that presence felt, and what he has chosen to do with it.

In particular, he has positioned himself close not only to Presdient Bush, in the post-9-11 world, but also to his predecessor President Clinton (with whom he had more obvious political common ground).

Domestically here in the UK, there's obviously a lot of analysis of "The Blair Years", attempting to assess his effectiveness and what impact he has had - as shown in the link, and as you would expect. Not to mention some perplexity at the length of his handover to Gordon Brown, which is unprecedented in British politics, but which is not only usual in the USA, but constitutionally mandated.

There's also speculation on what he might do next - everything from a major international role with the UN or other such organisation (there's a new vacancy at the World Bank, after all!), to the "Thatcher" route to the millions he could earn on the US election circuit.

However, given his closeness to the USA since 1997, I thought it might be fun and informative to take the American temperature on his time in power, and on what might happen next, both to him personally and to the US-UK relationship moving forward.

• What impact, influence, and importance (if any) has Tony Blair had in the USA and her foreign affairs?
• What would you suggest he do with his life after he retires from active UK politics at the end of June?

It has been said more than once that America has no more strategic ally than Britain and certainly the relationship between Bush and Blair has demonstrated this remains true. I believe Tony Blair had the best of intentions in becoming George's Best Friend across the pond, but if he thought he could moderate some of Bush's more reckless ways, he failed dismally.

For that reason, I don't think history will be kind to Tony Blair when the role he played in the road to Iraq is told. He may have planned to be a statesman, but he became a sycophant instead.

Prince once wrote a song about guys Blair and Bush. It was called, "Strange Relationship."

As for what he should do with his life when he retires, I'm sure he'll write a dull book about his life and times as Prime Minister, promote in on a tour of the States, do a lot of TV talking heads shoes and probably end up running some think tank, foundation or some other organization designed to keep him on the speed dial of the wealthy and powerful.

Regarding what Tony Blair may do with his life, I agree that he will definitely write a book. The Brits won't buy it but you can believe that Americans will! We as Americans seem to feel that anything the Brits accomplish is worthy of notice if not the Best Seller List.

Tony Blair was "best friends" with Clinton as well as Bush. I would like to think that guiding Bush was his main motive for their friendship, even though I'm assuming the "guidance" motive failed. I hope the friendship was worth it to Blair because he lost the support of the British people!