As the war in Ukraine continues, there has been a growing debate in Ireland about its traditional policy of military neutrality and whether it should now consider joining NATO. Having expressed its full support for Ukraine, and with growing Russian naval activity around its shores, the Irish government has announced a public consultation on its defence policy and future strategic alignment. But will it really go so far as to end its neutral stance in world affairs and join the Western alliance?
For much of its history, Ireland has clung to the principle of military neutrality. Originally defined as a way to set itself apart from neighbouring Britain, this controversially saw Ireland refuse to take up arms against Nazi Germany during the Second World War. It also rejected a US offer to join NATO when it was founded in 1949. Since then, neutrality has become a fundamental part of the Irish identity on the world stage. The Irish Defence Forces have been a leading participant in UN peacekeeping operations. But there are now questions about whether it is time to rethink the policy of neutrality. Many argue that Ireland can no longer afford to ignore changes in the world. This is especially important given Ireland’s growing significance for vital undersea cables linking Europe and North America. More to the point, a stunning revelation that Ireland has had a secret agreement with the United Kingdom for seventy years that allows the Royal Air Force (RAF) to protect Irish airspace has called into question one of the main rationales for Irish neutrality. So, is it time for Ireland to abandon neutrality and formally join NATO?
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*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Title
00:56 Neutrality, NATO and Ireland
01:49 Ireland: Location and Population
02:31 A Brief History of Ireland
03:37 The Emergence of Ireland’s Neutrality
04:53 Ireland’s Neutrality During the Cold War
06:11 Ireland’s Neutrality after the Cold War
07:28 Ireland, Neutrality and the War in Ukraine
09:42 The Case for Continued Irish Neutrality
12:31 Will Ireland Remain Neutral?
*SOURCES AND FURTHER READING*
Irish Defence Forces
Ireland | Department of Foreign Affairs
Protocol on the Concerns of the Irish People | Lisbon Treaty
LINK
NATO
The Map Archive
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#Ireland #NATO #Neutrality
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