Ireland is in the midst of a historic shift, moving from its long-standing tradition of neutrality towards a more structured national security strategy. In this interview, Dr. Kenneth McDonagh unpacks the drivers, dilemmas, and implications of Ireland’s evolving security posture at home, in Europe, and on the global stage.
Kenneth McDonagh
Ken McDonagh is Associate Professor of International Relations at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. His research focuses on EU foreign policy, the Common Security and Defence Policy, and the intersections of gender and international security.
Content
00:00 – Introduction
01:53 – Reinterpreting Ireland’s Policy of Military Neutrality
05:43 – Why Develop a National Security Strategy in a Neutral Country?
08:14 – Key Drivers Behind Ireland’s Security Strategy
10:23 – Will Military Neutrality Remain Central?
11:58 – Is This a Step Towards NATO Membership?
14:07 – Understanding the Capacity of Ireland’s Defence Forces
19:00 – Is There Willingness to Invest in the Army?
21:12 – Private Initiatives for Defence Development
23:34 – Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Cables, Energy, Ports, Airports
26:18 – Coordination of Defence, Gardaí, and Intelligence Without a Strategy
28:11 – Ireland’s Integration into EU Security Structures
31:37 – Could EU Forces Be Deployed on Irish Soil?
33:38 – Is Ireland Viewed as a Strategic Territory by the EU?
36:10 – US–Ireland Relations on Security
39:25 – Expanding Security Cooperation with the US
41:29 – Ireland’s Cybersecurity Posture
45:17 – Presenting the Cyber Sector as a Deterrent
48:02 – Ireland’s Role in UN Peacekeeping and Security
54:05 – Northern Ireland and the New Security Strategy
59:01 – Terrorism in Northern Ireland and Its Security Impact
01:02:17 – Under-researched Areas in Ireland’s National Security
Official Website:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
