Blair is entirely right. But he also needs to include Saudi Arabia in his list as an exporter of fascistic Wahhabism.

John Symonds, London,

Jim Oliver was asking "Not sure how one supports both fascists and Ismalic radicals. Can anybody explain?"

This can be explained, however such explanation will not be published which is unfortunate for the discussion.

Considering standards of comments commencing with Helena's 'sophisticated' views, such censorship of known historical facts and actual recent news events is rather odd to say the least.

Anyway I'd suggest Oliver just to read history on the subject and latest news linking these matters. The truth and explanation will reveal itself. I hope this is neutral enough a comment to be published.

Kebing, Singapore, Singapore

Boulderdash and poppycock.

To compare Nazism and 'Iranism' is a non-comparison. You might as well compare the model T Ford and the space shuttle because they carry passengers. Nice to see old Tony and the old guard still trying to stir up the muck to get some more oil for all that blood of ours we've spilt out there. I guess I would do the same thing as him if I thought everybody was too busy on the treadmill of credit reports and late fees to even think about demostrating ourselves. The world's elite gather round a big oak table and decide our futures. I wish I was back in the 1930s myself...back when enemies were REAL.

Deano, Bangkok, Thailand

If there were a massive Islamic army occupying Europe and North America he might have a point. Of course none exists. There is however a massive Euro/US army occupying Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE etc etc. So who are the fascists?So called self described "Christians"?

Jeff Larsen, Christchurch, NZ

If Mr Blair would of articulated this to his own people 5 years ago, the world may of been different now . We now have a growing Russia despot who wants to bring back the good old days of Communism. Iran is getting nukes. And for some reason everybody and their brother wants Israel wiped off the map. The world is upside down.

Jim Gostkowski, Knoxville Tennessee, USA

"the next largest threat to the 'freedom' and 'democracy'
Islam?"
Angrylondoner

Apparently. Sum up fatal attacks in Algeria, Nigeria, Sudan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Britain, Spain, the USA...What, pray tell, do these attacks have in common?

When the moderates in Islam find the courage to ostracize and root out Ismlamofascists in their worldwide ummah, there may be a chance to avert WWIII. I have some doubts, as their own holy book instructs them to behave thusly against those who will not embrace Islam. The critical question is, can they be good Muslims and not live by the literal word of the Koran?

E Foster, Rockford, USA,

Shane, of Colts Neck, New Jersey seems to think that anybody critical of Tony Blair is a "fascists, Islamic radical or their supporter like Helena". Not sure how one supports both fascists and Ismalic radicals. Can anybody explain?

Jim Oliver, Leicester, England

Mr. Blair is right on the money. He is clearly stating the facts about this evil that has been born from the radicals in the Islamic world. Those who disagree with him are just afraid, or in denial about the need to fight an enemy who is bent on our destruction. I wish our president was as eloquent in speaking on these issues as Mr. Blair.

Jeddy, Pasadena, CA

Blair talks of Iran being prepared to "back and finance terror" to support their ideology, yet he is speaking to a group of prominent and wealthy american catholics. How many of his audience were supporters of NORAID, I wonder, and how many standing ovations would he have got from them had he made the same comments ten years ago about Irish republicanism?

Jim Oliver, Leicetser, England

It is always interesting to read the texts of Tony Blairs speeches. The man articulates a very informed point of view that can stand up to scrutiny.
The fascists, Islamic radicals and their supporters like Helena who lack any meritorious arguments to counter Mr Blair's statements are forced to resort to childish tantrums, and scream "shut up" much like a spoiled three year old will scream "no" when told its bed time.
Tony Blair must rank with Winston Churchill and other distinguished British Prime Ministers for his contribution to encourage freedom and liberty and his opposition to the forces of totalitarianism and genocide.

Shane, Colts Neck, New Jersey

David Lantos and Blaise MacLean should read what Blair said. Then they will understand that Helena is exactly right.

Jim Oliver, Hameenlinna, Finland

David Rose sums all that is wrong with the lefts appeasement of Isalmic fundamentalism. Near genocide in Palestine? Funny how he ignores the real genocide happenig in Dafur and Burma and the attempted genocides in Bosnia and Kosovo (which Blair sent troops in to stop unlike John Major).
His kind of twaddle ignores the fact that Islamic extremists tried to blow up the WTC in 1993 and that they did blow them up before the Iraq invasion. That is why Balir is right and appeasers like Rose (who conveniently ignores the vile anti-semitism, homophobia and misogony of states like Iran) is wrong.

Geoff Segar, London, UK

I agree with Helena.

kindoo, vancouver, canada

Read it and weep. ony Blair is still capable of doing the business. Its a pity the left of the Labour Party wanted him out, as he'd win the next election hands down ... can't say I'm sure the same is true about Broon!

I agree - it IS a pity he's not the US President. The would appreciate him more than the chattering UK middle classes did.

Douglas Newell, Saltcoats, Scotland, UK

Hold on.
From where does the threat of fascism arise?
Blair confuses fundamentalist and opportunist extremism as cause as distinct from the presumption of rectitude which underpins the US/UK strategy of intervention and war. He omits reference to racist and near-genocidal policies of the state of Israel towards Palestinians. Resistance and rage are "Terrorism". Invasion, occupation, destabilisation, bombing of civilians, out-of-control US troops and the new Iron Curtain of the Israeli wall are reasonable and necessary to protect and extend democratic principles.
Brown supports a Treaty for a crypto-fascist EU which sidelines democracy.
Combine that with the UK Government's record on liberties, surveillance, defining protest (political or environmental) as the action of criminals or terrorists and political subversion of the Judicial system
The threat of Fascism does not arise from Islam. It lies much closer to home. Blair is a self-serving Ambassador for that tendency.

David Rose, Colne, England

Good for Toni. He's got it exactly right.

phil Ochs, bethesda , montgomery maryland

What about Saudia Arabia, Mr Blair.
You know, the country that Britain sells massive amounts of arms to.
They are the main funders and global exporters of Wahhabism – one of the most extreme Islamic theologies.
Oh, and 11 of the 15 hijackers on 9/11 were Saudi citizens.
But everything is Iran's fault. How convenient.

graeme thomson, Glasgow, Scotland

Whats this? Tony Blair pointing to past events to inform the present? The scales have obviously dropped from his eyes. It's a pity that he didn't use this skill to inform himself when he was in office. Witness the millions squandered on 'reforming the NHS' - a process started under the Tories in 1974, and still not complete. Still, I suppose he has to have something to say on the lecture circuit, if he's going to keep up the mortgage repayments!

Bill Q, Derby,

Blair is a national embarrassment! The only country (including the UK)where this fool is guaranteed a welcome is the USA. I think that he has to keep on 'talking the talk' because if he stops the enormity of the waste, destuction and carnage he is responsible for will hit home, and, he would not be able to come to terms with the consequences of his actions.

Kevin Sullivan, London, UK

This statement by Blair is a gross distortion of the world situation in the 1930s. I thought an unemployed Blair might study his modern history properly, so that he doesn't continually distort facts.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Top guy and excellent Prime Minister, deserves a great deal of respect. How one wishes he was still PM instead of the awful Gordon Brown.

Nick, Birmingham, UK

Helena,
If you're only 7 years old, it's important that you tend to your school studies instead of posting messages on the internet. What do you want to be when you grow up?

David Lantos, Toronto, Canada

Helena, typical of those on the left, seeks to shut down the arguments they cannot meet intellectually.

I fear that Mr. Blair may well be right. As in the 1930's, of course, the biggest danger is the refusal of our politicians (and of our Helenas) to face the world reralistically.

I don't know who I fear more...the Islamists or Helena.

Blaise MacLean, Bogota, Colombia

I agree entirely. When you really stop and look at it, just the notion that the "West" would actually wage a war on Islam is preposterous. Today's situation is simply the outcome of failed attempts to fight extremism.

Yon D., Boston, USA

Ditto the earlier comment. We are sick of your Mr. Blair

Adam, London,

Helena,
That is pure brilliance. Please expand on you shut up view. It shows amazing insight and wit.

Richard, Ireland,

Maybe, the three standing ovations, were the only reason, the audience, magically, thinking as a whole, could think of, to stretch their legs?

prudence eely bond mcguire, Herne Hill,London, England, UK

Tony Blair - Middle East Peace Envoy - funny how he was one of the war-makers when going into Iraq?! How can anyone take him or the US as serious peacemakers when their actions have caused huge instability in the region?
Most hostility of extremists relates to Palestine - real discussion on this needs to be made. Attention from Palistine/Israel has been taken away because of Iraq and now Iran?
Iran is a rising islamic power - Blair's comments are enough to alienate a nation - Iran is already considered hostile - appears war is more likely than any peaceful agreement! Was there not similar spiel right before the Iraq war?
Bush and Blair are keen to promote democracy and freedom but when it comes to the UN they don't seem so keen to want to give up their veto power (their effective dictatorship over the world) in the UN and give decision making authority back to the General Assembly - surely more democratic?

angrylondoner, London, England

Analogies of the past.....

Nazism? A common enemy
Mc Carthyism? Hatred of communism but now communism disappeared a new enemy - the next largest threat to the "freedom" and "democracy"

Islam?

angrylondoner, London, England

Dear Mr. Blair,
shut up, please.

Helena Mathys, Hameenlinna, Finland