Tony Blair World Leader!

Bless. Our Tony's just trousered a million dollars from Tel Aviv University's Dan David Prize. What for? For 'Present Leadership".

Present what? His citation covers his career. Oh hang on a sec, there's a tiny gap in his achievements on that list. Iraq.

Anyway, let's not be churlish, why specifically did they bung him 'an ecclestone'?

Upon stepping down as Prime Minister, Blair was appointed as the Middle East Quartet Representative. As envoy for the united Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States, his goal is to bring stability and peace to the Middle East.

Oooooh, he's got a goal. Well I've got a goal of peace in the Middle East and just as good a chance as Blair, so could you bung something my way. Oh. Wait, there's more;

Throughout his career, Tony Blair has acted on the basis of what he believes to be right, a hallmark of leadership.

With all due respect, that's not a hallmark of leadership, it's often the sign of arrogance that leads to hubris. Still it'll go well with his East West Institute's Statesman of the Decade award, presented to him in a ceremony of synchronised fawning (I've seen the DVD of it).

At least they mentioned Iraq: Your commitment to ending tyranny in Iraq and helping the Iraqi people on the path to a peaceful and democratic future.

Caution: Reading the last link can cause feelings of nausea, revulsion and anger.