Tony Blair can be credited as being a paragon of moral suasion in international affairs, an articulate defender of human rights, an advocate for African development, and a passionate supporter of the strong transatlantic relationship between Britain and the United States.

Though his policies will be best remembered for his unbending commitment to Anglo/ American relations and his determined military commitment to the coalition in Iraq, Blair should gain equal kudos for his singular focus on battling African poverty, civil strife, and AIDS. Naturally the Iraq imbroglio which caused him so much political damage became his defining moment.

Before leaving office, Blair wrote an extraordinary essay in the Economist of London, which bears serious attention, especially on the issues of transatlantic relations, terrorism, and Iraq. Transatlantic cooperation is still vital, “I have real concern that on both sides of the Atlantic there is, in certain quarters, an indifference, even a hostility, to an alliance that is every bit as fundamental to our future as it has been to our past…By this I don’t mean the rampant anti-Americanism on parts of the left.” He added “It is a more drifting away, occasionally a resurgent isolationism that crosses right and left.”

He warned “In Britain now there are parts of the media and politics that are both Euro-skeptic and wanting ‘an independent foreign policy’ from America. Quite where Britain is supposed to get its alliances from bewilders me. There is talk of Britain having a new strategic relationship with China and India bypassing our traditional European and American links. Get real.”

Blair stressed, “For all our differences, we should be very clear. Europe and America share the same values. We should stick together. That requires a strong transatlantic alliance.” So very true.

Another warning “Be clear about global terrorism…I fear the world and especially a large part of Western opinion, has became dangerously misguided about this threat. If there was any mistake made in the aftermath of September 11th, it was not to realize that the roots of this terrorism were deep and pervasive.” He adds “This new terrorism has an ideology. It is based on an utter perversion of the proper faith of Islam. But it plays to a sense of victim hood and grievance in the Muslim world.”

Dealing with Iraq, he stated, “The truth is that the conflict in Iraq has mutated into something directly fuelled by the same elements that confront us everywhere. Yet a large, probably the larger, part of Western opinion, would prefer us to withdraw. That is the extraordinary dulling of our senses that the terrorism has achieved. In the Palestinian question who gets the blame for lack of progress? The West. In Lebanon, a crisis deliberately provoked, by again, the same forces, who is held responsible? Israel.”

He stated boldly, “There is no alternative to fighting this menace wherever it rears its head. It has to be beaten. Period.”

“We will not succeed simply by military or security means,” he added wisely. Calling for a well-articulated counter-appeal, Blair advocated, “But this won’t happen unless we stand up for our own values, are proud of them, and advocate them with conviction. There is nothing more ridiculous than the attempt to portray “democracy” or “freedom” as somehow Western concepts, which mistakenly, we try to apply to nations or peoples to whom they are alien.” He stated clearly, “There may well be governments to whom they are alien. But not peoples. Whoever voted to get rid of democracy? Or preferred secret police to freedom of speech?” These values are universal.”

Blair’s searingly poignant analysis, his actions as an effective advocate of freedom and economic development, and his uncompromising stand to confront global evil has shaped his legacy. This man of New Labour stands among the extraordinary Prime Ministers of the past century—Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

Within hours of stepping down as British Prime Minister Tony Blair was appointed Special Middle East envoy for the Quartet—the UN, the United States, European Union and Russia. His new challenge will be no less daunting, but fitting for a statesman.