He has “unique credibility” in international circles, a European diplomat said, citing Powell’s well-documented background in international conflict resolution, after playing a crucial role in securing peace in Northern Ireland as ex-PM Blair’s chief of staff.
“His deep personal networks equip him with credibility that resonates globally,” the European diplomat said. They pointed to the direct line Powell has to Washington, including links with Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and to Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, in Kyiv.
Powell draws on his personal network. “There are various examples of when there have been attempts through official channels to make contact with a prime minister or president’s office, to no avail. But Jonathan will know somebody who knows somebody, which means the contact can be made right away,” a former No. 10 official said.
As the finishing touches to Trump’s Gaza peace plan were being drawn up earlier this month, Powell was in regular contact with both Blair and the White House, particularly United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, a senior U.K. official noted.
Powell’s experience negotiating the Good Friday Agreement, the Northern Ireland peace deal struck after years of bloodshed, is directly relevant, the same British official said, bolstering U.K. claims they could, and should, play a key role in implementing the Gaza plan.
The inclusion of phased incentives, an amnesty for former Hamas members, as well as a process for security normalization, all have echoes of elements of the Good Friday Agreement.