This week British Prime Minister Tony Blair repeated his position that Syria and Iran must be confronted on key issues regarding their role in the Middle East conflict, particularly Iraq. His strategy for engagement in the regions hinge on three points: Iran and Syria must help the peace process, not hinder it; they must stop supporting terrorism in Lebanon and Iraq; and they must abide by and not flout their international oblications. Mr. Blair was speaking on November 13 in his annual foreign policy speech to the City of London

It is said this is not a change in Mr. Blair's thoughts on the the peace process but there is come confusion in the United States over the direction Britain may take in Iraq. The significance of this statement comes after last weeks mid-term elections where the Republicans lost control of both houses of Congress, a clear message from the American electorate that a new direction in Iraw was desired. President Bush is also awaiting the recommendation of the Iraq Study Group, a bi-partisan select group of stateepersons who will present their recommendations on the Iraq War to the White House early next year. Mr. Blair also contributed his thoughts to the study group on November 14.  It is thought the study group will recommend that America engage with Syria and Iran, something the Bush administration has refused to do to this point.

The British Prime Minister continues to be a vocal proponent of American and British relations. But he is also a firm supporter of the European Union and sees the future of Britain as balancing its relations between these two powers. In his speech Blair said Britain "is...a country  of 60 million people whose geography could fit neatly into a corner of Alaska. We will need collective strength in the years ahead." He continued, " It would be insane...for us to give up either relationship. For that reason, anti-Americanism or Euroscepticism are not merely foolish. They are the surest route to the destruction of our true national interest."

President Bush this week reiterated that the US would not negotiate directly with Iran until it suspended its nuclear fuel program. He spoke alongside Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Ohlmert who came to Washington seekly clariication of American policy in the wake of the recent elections. Mr. Bush added that Iran should face isolation through sanctions that the United States is trying to organize despite the opposition from China and Russia at the United Nations. Israel is not willing to negotiate with Syria until it stops support of Hezbollah in Lebanon.