Rift Between Bush and Blair on Middle East

Even Bush closest ally might be abandoning him:

Blair on Monday laid out a "whole Middle East strategy" involving a push for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, a plan for Iraq and a "strategic" choice of cooperation or isolation to be offered to Iran.

On Tuesday, the British premier testified by video link-up to the US Iraq Study Group, probing possible new strategies on the war and called for a "strategic choice" for Iran and Syria, Downing Street said.

His remarks were seen by some observers in both countries as an attempt to influence US policy in the Middle East, at a time when changes in Iraq strategy are being contemplated following the Republican defeat in mid-term elections.

Other European countries, as well, want to bring peace to the Middle East. Can they succeed with a neocon controlled White House?:

Spain will sponsor a new Middle East peace initiative along with France and Italy, the prime minister said Thursday, stressing that the international community cannot remain idle as violence rages between Israel and the Palestinians.