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, Professor Kenneth McDonagh unpacks the drivers, dilemmas, and implications of Ireland’s evolving security posture at home, in Europe, and on the global stage.
Content
- Reinterpreting Ireland’s Policy of Military Neutrality
- Why Develop a National Security Strategy in a Neutral Country?
- Key Drivers Behind Ireland’s Security Strategy
- Will Military Neutrality Remain Central?
- Is This a Step Towards NATO Membership?
- Understanding the Capacity of Ireland’s Defence Forces
- Is There Willingness to Invest in the Army?
- Private Initiatives for Defence Development
- Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Cables, Energy, Ports, Airports
- Coordination of Defence, Gardaí, and Intelligence Without a Strategy
- Ireland’s Integration into EU Security Structures
- Could EU Forces Be Deployed on Irish Soil?
- Is Ireland Viewed as a Strategic Territory by the EU?
- US–Ireland Relations on Security
- Expanding Security Cooperation with the US
- Ireland’s Cybersecurity Posture
- Presenting the Cyber Sector as a Deterrent
- Ireland’s Role in UN Peacekeeping and Security
- Northern Ireland and the New Security Strategy
- Terrorism in Northern Ireland and Its Security Impact
- Under-researched Areas in Ireland’s National Security
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.
Selected Publications:
McDonagh, K., 2024. Ireland’s Foreign Relations in 2023. Irish Studies in International Affairs 35, 259–280.
Deiana, M.-A., McDonagh, K., 2018. Translating the Women, Peace and Security Agenda into EU Common Security and Defence Policy: Reflections from EU Peacebuilding. Global Society 32, 415–435. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600826.2018.1474183
McDonagh, K., 2018. The Next European Century? JCER 14, 290–295. https://doi.org/10.30950/jcer.v14i4.1046
McDonagh, K., 2015. ‘Talking the Talk or Walking the Walk’: Understanding the EU ’s Security Identity. J of Common Market Studies 53, 627–641. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12195
Heng, Y.-K., McDonagh, K., 2009. Risk, Global Governance and Security, 0 ed. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203878224
🎧 Stream Now
Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music
Spotify
