BBC: Tony Blair is widely thought to be looking to the United States for inspiration and new employment opportunities.
While the links between the British prime minister and America have badly damaged his standing in the UK, his desire to stay influential on the international stage suggests he is likely to spend more time on this side of the Atlantic in future.
It may be that he takes up the White House's reported proposal that he become a Mid-East envoy for the "quartet" of the US, European Union, United Nations and Russia.
But the US could still be his main source of earnings after his departure from Number 10 Downing Street next week.
In spite of the unpopularity of the Iraq war, Americans still like Mr Blair.
"Most have a high regard for him as a friend of the United States and as an extremely talented political leader," says Daniel Benjamin, the director of the US and Europe programme at the Brookings Institution.
"I think Tony Blair will remain far more admired here, certainly in the near-term, than he will be at home." The US offers Blair a rosy future (more) By Yolande Knell
Mark Alexander
