Tony Blair is getting one last glimpse of the mess he helped make before stepping down. The outgoing prime minister’s staff says the purpose of Blair’s Baghdad visit is to highlight the connection between security and political stability, but we can’t help but notice an emerging trend. Remember Donald Rumsfeld’s farewell tour of Iraq?

BBC:

Prime Minister Tony Blair has made a surprise visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

Mr Blair is due to have talks with President Jalal Talibani and Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.

“He’s in Baghdad against a backdrop of the continuing major security operation but also significant developments in Iraqi politics,” a spokesman said.

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