LONDON -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair is riding high these days. His popularity ratings have never been better, and he is about to receive U.S. government honors unparalleled by any non-American since British statesman Winston Churchill. World leaders flock to see him, and he moves among the people with new authority and maturity.
In short, by sticking so firmly with the Americans over the Iraq war, he has backed the right horse and the winnings are flowing in. But there are a few clouds on the horizon, some of which could grow to storm proportions very rapidly.
Cloud No. 1 originates from Blair's own doorstep within his Labour Party. The rank-and-file are extremely restive. They did not like the recent war; they detest U.S. President George W. Bush (and the Washington neoconservatives even more); they deplore the diminished role of the United Nations in rebuilding Iraq; and they feel unconsulted and unloved.