The assistant professor in the History of War at UCD looks at the shape of Irish neutrality and outlines how it’s viewed internationally.
IRELAND HAS AN unimpressive history when it comes to public scrutiny or parliamentary oversight over its defence policy.
Geopolitical threats Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in some ways looks like the major wars of the twentieth century – armour and artillery are central components of the battlefield. Less visible but also critical is Ukraine’s capacity – aided by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member states – to fight back against Russia’s sophisticated cyber weapons.
The EU’s maritime strategy is also evolving; Brussels is working closely with NATO on future plans to protect subsea cables and energy pipelines. For some, such partnerships are an unacceptable move towards a more “militaristic” defence policy. President Michael D.
In Lebanon, a careful UN peacekeeping balance had to be struck between those countries’ militaries’, like Ireland, which was perceived as being in the Western sphere of influence, and those that were more closely aligned with Moscow or Beijing.
It also implied that if both countries were not in NATO then that would aggravate Russia less. Ukraine unsuccessfully tried different ways of appealing to moderation in Moscow since its independence. It is painfully ironic and ill-timed for the president of a republic that chose to detach itself from an imperial neighbour to sermonise central and eastern EU member states. They are looking for Irish solidarity rather than lectures.
The government has rightly come to question whether an effective Russian veto – through the current Irish triple-lock system that requires a UN Security Council resolution – on Irish military participation in peacekeeping operations is moral and in Ireland’s interests. Ireland will keep our rather nebulous embrace of neutrality – even if there is little evidence to show that other countries regard Ireland as more virtuous and effective at peacebuilding than say NATO member Norway.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dublin hoping to turn the tide of history this weekend in LimerickClare and Dublin didn’t play each other for 113 years and since then it’s been mostly one-way traffic
Read more »
Willie Mullins in pursuit of Gold Cup history at Royal Ascot on ThursdayDavid Egan teams up with St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov in stayers crown
Read more »
In the loop: tech and innovation in the circular economyFrom manufacturers to consumers, tech is coming around to the ideals of the reuse and regeneration of existing materials and products, writes Elaine Burke
Read more »
‘Secret nature of payments is a breach of trust unparalleled in the history of RTÉ': Staff to hold emergency meeting with unionExternal accountants to review contracts of 10 highest paid presenters after investigation revealed broadcaster understated host’s earnings
Read more »
Committee established for repatriation of culturally sensitive objectsA new committee has been set up to help museums and galleries to develop methodologies to examine the ownership history of the collections.
Read more »