Path to peace in Middle East still possible, says former British Prime Minister Tony Blair

“China and, in time, India will be great powers throughout the century and the foreseeable future. How America relates, particularly to China, will determine the peace and stability of the world,” he said.

He noted that in the US and Europe – where he said politics is in a feverish state – “there are quite strong forces of isolationism.”

However, he pointed out that even countries that do not want to interfere with the rest of the world end up doing so anyway.

The US in particular needs allies now that there is a “stark division” between China and the West, Blair noted.

“America will not gain allies unless it engages with them and stays engaged. That is why … I think the transatlantic alliance between America and Europe … will remain strong,” he said.

He added that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the West will continue to form alliances in the world.

“We are not doing this out of misplaced idealism, but because that is realistically the best way to ensure that we protect our values, our interests and our way of life,” he said.