If being an unaligned country with a large army is no deterrent to Putin's ambitions is it time for ROI to join Nato?
Doesnt matter if we joining NATO or not we are only along for the spin anyway its the big countries that will decide our fate.
snip
The president of Ukraine arriving in Ireland was hardly unannounced. This was sanctioned by Dept of Foreign Affairs, who will try telling you Ireland is a neutral country.
How can you stop anyone having a meeting?
If Russians had a meeting with North Koreans in Ireland right now, we couldn't stop it either.
A neutral country would not have allowed this meeting to take place on on its land.
We weren't neutral in WW2 and we're not neutral in Russia's invasion of Ukraine so I'm confused as to what you're on about?
That's actually surprisingly neutral for us.
There were no Irish officials there. Shannon airport was used by those two nations to have a discussion.
Much better than us allowing Yankee jets to fuel while on their way to bomb innocent civilians.
If we were "neutral" in an invasion of a peaceful European nation then it's obvious that it's just cowardly bullshit.
Holy shyte!
Hard to understand our "neutrality" when we facilitate a meeting like this in our country.
..
They will be arriving in Ukraine soon ,
Nazi "interest" in Ireland never went beyond paper plans. They simply didn't have the resources to engage in anything realistic. There were some mild attempts to encourage anti British sentiment and to make the British worry about a possible occupation, but this was never on the cards as an actuality. There were also some mickey mouse interactions with some IRA members and the Abwehr, but Operation Green was always a non starter because of a lack of genuine interest. In reality, Germany's wish for Ireland was that she remained neutral and not come into the war on the side of the British. This was particularly so once Operation Barbarossa was launched.
On the other hand, Britain also had paper plans for Ireland too (Plan W) that weren't in our best interests either as they were desirous of our ports facing the western approaches. In fact, we had more to worry about with regards to our nearest neighbours during WWII than anything the Germans had in mind, especially in the early years of the war.
As the war progressed, however, beyond 1941 and the German invasion of Russia neither Britain or Germany viewed Ireland as anything because their military interests were flung further than our shores.
It should be very clear by now that if the Russians are capable of destroying something they will, - it's more a question on what, and Ireland might not be on their focus lists and get away lightly.
But yes, I do think that Russia would have the military capability to occupy Ireland unless the Brits come to the rescue. Sure, you can laugh about my opinion, make fun of me, ridecule me, but if the Russians would invade Ireland, start interrogating you, torturing you, tearing down your house and raping your wife muliple times you will have a different opinion. And if you again, start asking why they would do that, is that they simply enjoy it, - same as in the Ukraine.
However at that time of Russian occupation of Ireland you will certainly no longer be able to express your opinion in the way you're used to. Also Ireland would sure be of strategic interest in case of a more global war, as an island in the North East of the Atlantic, with all or most of the transatlantic internet cables going via Ireland.
The Irish defence forces are small and incapable of defending. Their primary strong suit are UN peace missions.
Even if a majority of people of Ireland should despise NATO, even hate it, hate that the British are in NATO and that's the reason for not joining, at least Ireland should build up a military to the tune of Switzerland, and also join the planned SKY shield. There would be enough US business investment to protect as well.
Also, Ireland has to date no real own Irish air defences, that part is actually done by the "much hated" British RAF.
So it's now up to you to explain how much neutrality is part of Irish identity.
And yes, also the Nazis were interested in Ireland, as this documentary shows:
There has been no war in Western Europe in 70 years. The Balkan Wars were in former Warsaw Pact states and didn't impact on any NATO members. Pretty much a good outcome by any measure you care to take.
Many of the former Warsaw Pact and Soviet state have been imbroiled in wars on their own territory from the Crimea to Moldova, Armenia and Azerbijaan to the breakup of Yugoslavia. History will record a much better outcome for NATO members.
Unless of course you think all those wars were somehow the fault of NATO.
From a purely selfish point of view, you could argue that neutrality has served us well. It has allowed us to pontificate and lecture to the rest of the world while hiding hypocritically under the protection, mostly, of the UK, and to a lesser extent, other NATO members.
Nope not imperialistic wars.
you're gonna have a hard time finding many in the world who would enjoy that
Ireland as a state didn't exist during times of imperialism. Imperial forces of the state we were part of were absolutely chock full of Irish soldiers however.
Haha, true, but even the hard working Irish I still feel wouldn't fancy in a Russian winter with especially with the sound of Katyusha rockets firing on them.
Norway & Sweden weren't involved in imperialistic wars? What?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Norway don't need to post Sweden. Both have been involved in at least two this century alone.
It's a fact, Ireland as a state was not involved in any imperial war, either as part of a military alliance or single combatant, unless you count the crushing of the Irish Republic by the Free State as an act of imperialism.. It has nothing to with feeling anyway sort of way, there's plenty pf more things that make me ashamed of this country, pervert priests, mother and baby homes, magdalene laundries, the huge inequality in Irish society, the fawning over every US president who comes here, the abandonment of the Irish nationalists in the north, the lack of a proper NHS, homeless crisis etc...
Opinions which fly in the face of facts are worthless.
When did Norway or Sweden launch a war of imperialism? Or are you counting the vikings?
What a nonsensical post. Your smug sense of moral superiority only exists because we were conquered ourselves, and then dirt poor - and you're proud of that?
you're pitching this to the possible majority who sit on boards while receiving government support....
they don't even want to work, let alone do anything which involves leaving their borough
In all seriousness (which I HATE) neutrality has served us well, why fix something that isn't broken. Ireland is the only state in west (& most of) Europe that has not launched a war of imperialism, and never had any colonies in Africa, Asia or Oceania, well except for New Ireland Province, damn them ice cold Foster lagers record. But I'm proud of that record.
What would we do anyway? Ireland has a voluntary army. Again, I ask in all seriousness.
Who here is going to volunteer to freeze their balls or clit off in Siberia? Óglaigh na hÉireann - volunteer is in the name of our military.
For a defensive organisation it has certainly caused more harm than good. In fact what good has it achieved in 70 years ?
Yes.
I plead the Fifth.
For some reason, countries join it willingly. I think it has something to do with Russia.
So the answer seems to be 'no'.
Have you not spoken to them in 2 years because you murdered them,cut off their heads off, put the heads in boxes and now ask their severed heads on tactical dating advice?
Yes, according to a pro-west Japanese intellectual history ended in 1989
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