When reading this I was reminded of Synge’s tinker woman “Is it beating me you are, and I with the child in my arms?”
In other words: look how harmless I am — surely you won’t hit me. A plea, not a defence.
Our national attitude is much the same. We seem to believe that advertising our weakness should protect us. History (and anyone who’s worn a uniform) knows better. Neutrality only works if you are capable of enforcing it. Otherwise it’s just moral posturing backed by hope and a strong belief in our own exceptionalism.
Is the arrangement with the UK more of a wink and a nod thing or do you think it’s codified in some secret document somewhere? I’ve always wondered about this. Seems like there’s arrangements but it’s all very hush hush.
Of course National Security was invoked. If there’s no agreement they’re hardly going to admit it. Nor for national pride would they admit to any dependency on security agreements with the UK, France or the US.
In order to defend its neutrality, Switzerland is one of the few First World countries that requires every adult male to join the armed forces and to retrain every year. The same in similarly neutral Singapore.
Neutrality has to be defended and earned, it cannot be assumed.
As an American unfamiliar with Irish Republic policy and politics, I don’t feel qualified to hit the like button—there’s just too much I don’t know about all this—but, damn, this article is so very thought-provoking.
My father, a former Irish Chief of Staff, made exactly these observations in the 1980s and he was ostracized by the Irish establishment at the time for his pains.
Couldnt have put it better myself. Theres a real snobby hypocrisy around this conversation in Ireland. Its a part of the Irish identity I loathe.
The most frustrating part is the champions of the neutrality-without-any-defences position, who despise imperialism so much, are the ones who argue that the UK would come to our help if something were to happen? Im sure we would be their Number One Priority!
Our refusal to contribute to defence when our closest European partners are so budget constrained is guaranteed to cause fissures with enough time.
To be fair as a Brit I don’t really think many people would mind coming to Ireland’s aid. Although many would be insufferably smug about it which you would think Irish folks would want to avoid at all costs. Maybe that’s the way to solve the problem - turn it into an Irish pride thing. 🤷♀️
I agree 100% with your analysis. Indeed, my recent visit to the Baltics confirmed me in my view that Ireland is sleepwalking into a kinetic war not a hybrid one. Finland, for example, has a lower headline GDP than Ireland's inflated figure, a similar size population and its ability to look after its own territory is clear: leaving Helsinki, one sees at least 6 very large icebreaker vessels moored up in anticipation of winter. Finland was already on alert for Russian interference and now has copper bottomed its status by joining NATO. Ireland is the backdoor to the Atlantic Bridge and is unable to mount even a token defence of its territorial waters and air space. The reckoning when it comes will be brutal and expose the otherworldly attitude of the Irish.
I agree as an Irishman. We should be ramping up our national defense. However we have home problems that need spending first or in parallel. The bugger question is why is there no European Central army? Merkel wanted it.
It appears to this Dubliner long resident in London that Ireland's leadership shares with its population the comforting delusion of moral superiority conferred by its past colonial experience. Israel is a dangerous enemy to make, and Ireland's vociferous support for Palestine has marked it out as a target for Mossad in my view. Russia too reckons on the inability of the Irish state to defend itself and while it may, just may, not be on the front line as are the Baltics, Poland, Finland et al Ireland can be used as a backdoor to the UK, not to speak of the fibre optic cables running through its waters.
Here in Canada,we've grown lazy with our dream of peace. We've forgotten the wars we fought to gain it. Unfortunately, in this world one must be constantly vigilant.
As von Clausewitz said : "If you seek peace ,prepare for war"😎🇨🇦🫡
Another Canadian here. I certainly agree with you. The Canadian Armed Forces have been underfunded, underarmed and underpaid for far too long. Excellent training for combat only goes so far when we under-equip our soldiers, sailors and air crews for decades.
With an unpredictable alliance with the USA, now that Trump has declared geographic dominance over Canada, we are exposed with our weaknesses and inability to defend our territory, resources and sovereignty alone.
The rest of NATO is geographically too far to stop a land invasion by the USA into Canada.
Seeing that Ireland’s defence strategy of “neutrality” is one of being conveniently buffered by the rest of NATO from potential hostilities from Russia, all it takes is a naval drone attack from outside of Ireland’s territorial waters to disrupt all of the digital infrastructure on which trans-Atlantic communications requires.
Take the hint. The world that was aligned for stability under a benevolent arrangement by the USA and NATO is no longer. This hint goes for Canada too.
"I saw a story from the Amsterdam-based Moscow Times the other day reporting that the Russian Foreign Ministry has promised to focus on “protecting” Russians all over the globe in 2026. The report is in Russian, but you can translate it into whatever language you want once you access it. Screen cap below.
"For those of us who have been studying and watching Russia for a long time, this is an overt, very aggressive threat against its neighbors, as well as against Europe and the United States. It’s also nothing new. The Russians have been using its diaspora as a tool of foreign policy and an excuse for aggression against and interference in the domestic affairs of its neighbors since the Soviet Union collapsed, according to the Military Review—a professional publication of the US Army."
You play being offended at the mere notion of an Amsterdam-based publication and then link to that rubbish?
You're either an outright pro-Kremlin troll, or have fallen hard for their lies.
One big hint is taking the concept of "russophobia" seriously. It's Kremlin whitewashing for their crimes.
Again, try reading.
"If I suggest that it is a hate crime against the British, or French, or Spaniards to talk about their colonial transgressions or that it is an abuse towards an abuser to demand accountability from them, I’d be most likely universally canceled. So why is there a different standard for Russia?"
Related:
"Is Ireland still so exceptional that it need not prepare for existential threat to Europe and its own interests?"
https://azureforum.substack.com/p/is-ireland-still-so-exceptional-that
When reading this I was reminded of Synge’s tinker woman “Is it beating me you are, and I with the child in my arms?”
In other words: look how harmless I am — surely you won’t hit me. A plea, not a defence.
Our national attitude is much the same. We seem to believe that advertising our weakness should protect us. History (and anyone who’s worn a uniform) knows better. Neutrality only works if you are capable of enforcing it. Otherwise it’s just moral posturing backed by hope and a strong belief in our own exceptionalism.
Hope, as you may know, is not a course of action.
Great analogy with Synge’s tinker woman.
Cold War paranoia. Yes Ireland is vulnerable. Who wants to embarrass Ireland? That’s your answer.
Those poor, maligned Russians.
https://hanschristensen.substack.com/p/russian-hybrid-warfare-on-eu-intensifies
https://beefeaterresearch.substack.com/p/hybrid-warfare-is-warfare-period
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/hybrid-warfare-what-is-it-leading
https://challengerresearch.substack.com/p/semantics-will-not-save-europe
No serious response to points. Got it.
Is the arrangement with the UK more of a wink and a nod thing or do you think it’s codified in some secret document somewhere? I’ve always wondered about this. Seems like there’s arrangements but it’s all very hush hush.
You can be sure its in a document somewhere. A Senator took a court case recently trying to find out and national security was invoked.
Of course National Security was invoked. If there’s no agreement they’re hardly going to admit it. Nor for national pride would they admit to any dependency on security agreements with the UK, France or the US.
Interesting. Thanks for the info.
This is fuckn outstanding
I kept send screenshots of paragraphs to people then just gave up and sent the link to the whole thing demanding they read it all
Just banger after banger, each sentence better than the last (though the ‘strong opinions on the ethics of locksmithing’ was a real standout section)
Thank Lee. Much appreciated.
In order to defend its neutrality, Switzerland is one of the few First World countries that requires every adult male to join the armed forces and to retrain every year. The same in similarly neutral Singapore.
Neutrality has to be defended and earned, it cannot be assumed.
Full of reality & common sense
Will anyone in government listen?
Maybe …. But I can’t see them acting!
We need to be self sufficient in self-protection
As an American unfamiliar with Irish Republic policy and politics, I don’t feel qualified to hit the like button—there’s just too much I don’t know about all this—but, damn, this article is so very thought-provoking.
My father, a former Irish Chief of Staff, made exactly these observations in the 1980s and he was ostracized by the Irish establishment at the time for his pains.
Begosh and begorrah but that’s harsh!
Couldnt have put it better myself. Theres a real snobby hypocrisy around this conversation in Ireland. Its a part of the Irish identity I loathe.
The most frustrating part is the champions of the neutrality-without-any-defences position, who despise imperialism so much, are the ones who argue that the UK would come to our help if something were to happen? Im sure we would be their Number One Priority!
Our refusal to contribute to defence when our closest European partners are so budget constrained is guaranteed to cause fissures with enough time.
Its a total lack of strategic vision.
To be fair as a Brit I don’t really think many people would mind coming to Ireland’s aid. Although many would be insufferably smug about it which you would think Irish folks would want to avoid at all costs. Maybe that’s the way to solve the problem - turn it into an Irish pride thing. 🤷♀️
Has there ever been a more free riding nation?
I agree 100% with your analysis. Indeed, my recent visit to the Baltics confirmed me in my view that Ireland is sleepwalking into a kinetic war not a hybrid one. Finland, for example, has a lower headline GDP than Ireland's inflated figure, a similar size population and its ability to look after its own territory is clear: leaving Helsinki, one sees at least 6 very large icebreaker vessels moored up in anticipation of winter. Finland was already on alert for Russian interference and now has copper bottomed its status by joining NATO. Ireland is the backdoor to the Atlantic Bridge and is unable to mount even a token defence of its territorial waters and air space. The reckoning when it comes will be brutal and expose the otherworldly attitude of the Irish.
I agree as an Irishman. We should be ramping up our national defense. However we have home problems that need spending first or in parallel. The bugger question is why is there no European Central army? Merkel wanted it.
That's a fair assessment John.
It appears to this Dubliner long resident in London that Ireland's leadership shares with its population the comforting delusion of moral superiority conferred by its past colonial experience. Israel is a dangerous enemy to make, and Ireland's vociferous support for Palestine has marked it out as a target for Mossad in my view. Russia too reckons on the inability of the Irish state to defend itself and while it may, just may, not be on the front line as are the Baltics, Poland, Finland et al Ireland can be used as a backdoor to the UK, not to speak of the fibre optic cables running through its waters.
Here in Canada,we've grown lazy with our dream of peace. We've forgotten the wars we fought to gain it. Unfortunately, in this world one must be constantly vigilant.
As von Clausewitz said : "If you seek peace ,prepare for war"😎🇨🇦🫡
Another Canadian here. I certainly agree with you. The Canadian Armed Forces have been underfunded, underarmed and underpaid for far too long. Excellent training for combat only goes so far when we under-equip our soldiers, sailors and air crews for decades.
With an unpredictable alliance with the USA, now that Trump has declared geographic dominance over Canada, we are exposed with our weaknesses and inability to defend our territory, resources and sovereignty alone.
The rest of NATO is geographically too far to stop a land invasion by the USA into Canada.
Seeing that Ireland’s defence strategy of “neutrality” is one of being conveniently buffered by the rest of NATO from potential hostilities from Russia, all it takes is a naval drone attack from outside of Ireland’s territorial waters to disrupt all of the digital infrastructure on which trans-Atlantic communications requires.
Take the hint. The world that was aligned for stability under a benevolent arrangement by the USA and NATO is no longer. This hint goes for Canada too.
A pretty fair summation of the reality of the situation.
Thanks Terry
Try paying attention to what Russians say and do.
"I saw a story from the Amsterdam-based Moscow Times the other day reporting that the Russian Foreign Ministry has promised to focus on “protecting” Russians all over the globe in 2026. The report is in Russian, but you can translate it into whatever language you want once you access it. Screen cap below.
"For those of us who have been studying and watching Russia for a long time, this is an overt, very aggressive threat against its neighbors, as well as against Europe and the United States. It’s also nothing new. The Russians have been using its diaspora as a tool of foreign policy and an excuse for aggression against and interference in the domestic affairs of its neighbors since the Soviet Union collapsed, according to the Military Review—a professional publication of the US Army."
https://open.substack.com/pub/irenekenyon/p/russia-threat
You play being offended at the mere notion of an Amsterdam-based publication and then link to that rubbish?
You're either an outright pro-Kremlin troll, or have fallen hard for their lies.
One big hint is taking the concept of "russophobia" seriously. It's Kremlin whitewashing for their crimes.
Again, try reading.
"If I suggest that it is a hate crime against the British, or French, or Spaniards to talk about their colonial transgressions or that it is an abuse towards an abuser to demand accountability from them, I’d be most likely universally canceled. So why is there a different standard for Russia?"
https://maksymeristavi.substack.com/p/matryoshka-of-lies-russophobia
https://camarra.substack.com/p/mar-31-timothy-snyder-russophobia
https://irenekenyon.substack.com/p/russia-plays-victim
Troll tactic: when confronted with unpleasant reality, change topic and resort to bullshitting.
https://quillette.com/2024/11/24/the-kremlins-bots-trolls-and-influencers-russia-disinformation/
A mark of the troll: when out of arguments, attack.
I'm a private citizen. I post because Russian atrocities appall me and trolls covering for Russian atrocities disgusts me.
Why do *you* post, "Richard"?
I asked you a question, "Richard". If you don't want to give a real answer to it, that's up to you.
https://substack.com/@terentevalerii/note/c-192727873