Anthony Barnett (London, OK): Yale, which until now I had believed to be a university dedicated to standards in scholarship has just appointed Tony Blair to teach its students about Faith and Globalisation! Here is the announcement.

Yale President Richard C. Levin says “The appointment of Mr. Blair provides a tremendous opportunity for our students... it is essential that we explore how religious values can be channeled toward reconciliation rather than polarization. Mr. Blair has demonstrated outstanding leadership in these areas and is especially qualified to bring his perspective to bear. We are honored that he is planning to join the Yale community.” If there was a God Mr Levin would have been struck down for his disrespect for the innocent dead of Iraq. Unless, of course, he was exercising deep irony in a desperate search for even more funds.

T he announcement is also the first time I have seen official confirmation that the man is going to announce the creation of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation - or Bad Faith foundation, to be more accurate. Its a Goebbels PR thing. If you are going to be shameless be utterly shameless. Pity about Yale, its YaleGlobal edited by Nayan Chander is a great publication, let's hope its not contaminated.