» Letter From Europe: Blair out of the loop on Lebanon conflict

Letter From Europe: Blair out of the loop on Lebanon conflict

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Letter From Europe: Blair out of the loop on Lebanon conflict

There has been a curious conceit in the British political village in these days of distant warfare and it goes like this: If only Tony Blair had joined his European partners in calling for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon, so much of the bloodshed might have been avoided.

Objectively, of course, the argument is deeply flawed. In the diplomacy at the UN, Britain was apparently sidelined as France and the United States sought common language for a resolution. In terms of realpolitik, moreover, it is a stretch to imagine an Israeli or Hezbollah commander staying his trigger-finger at the behest of a call from 10 Downing Street.

Indeed, if this conflict has reaffirmed anything about what some Britons like to call their special relationship with the United States, it is this: There is only one special relationship in this fight, and it binds Washington to Tel Aviv, not London.

More : iht.com

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