According to the Policy Exchange report, the UK should expand its air and naval presence in Northern Ireland. The reason is to counter an increasing Russian threat on the UK’s western flank. The Policy Exchange is backed by former defence secretaries, Michael Fallon and George Robertson.
The two former defence secretaries refer to Russia as a threat. They consider a Russian policy of targeting undersea pipelines and the presence of Russian warships as a threat to the UK and Ireland.
Ireland-UK security relationship is important to the UK’s security in its proxy war against Russia. However, does such a security relationship have any benefits for the Republic of Ireland?
The UK accuses Dublin of freeloading
Ireland has seen deep arguments in recent weeks over its neutral position. According to the Guardian, a Policy Exchange report accused Dublin of ‘freeloading’ on European defence. Additionally, the report said that it was an “unavoidable fact” that Ireland had “freeloaded” off the investment of NATO members.
Neutrality of Ireland’s political classes
According to the Guardian, discussions about neutrality among Ireland’s political classes have increased in the era of Russian violence. Ireland’s president has criticized the government for beginning a debate about the country’s longstanding military neutrality and the possibility of joining NATO. Regarding the issue, he said ministers were “playing with fire”
A warning about Sinn Féin’s victory
According to the Irish Times, the report aimed to be an alarm. It tried to sound an alarm about the consequences of Sinn Féin winning the Irish elections in 2025. “If Sinn Féin wins in 2025, the UK is therefore looking at many more years of an uncooperative, and likely hostile, neighbour in the face of growing external threats,” it said. While Sinn Féin had been on the rise in the Republic and now holds the post of First Minister in Northern Ireland, it has fallen in polls south of the border.
Policy Exchange’s recommendations for the UK’s security
To bring Northern Ireland into the UK’s national security arrangements, Policy Exchange proposes the following recommendations:
- Increase naval and air presence in Northern Ireland.
- Integrate Northern Ireland’s bases into the national defence command structure.
- Apply greater pressure on the Republic of Ireland to contribute to collective security.
- Encourage allies to press the Republic of Ireland into faster military and security upgrades.
- Keep the door open for the entry of Ireland into collective security initiatives in the long run.
UK’s proxy war on Russia
An article in the Declassified UK Website considers the Ukraine conflict as a British one. It refers to the extensive UK role in the war. It claims that UK governments do not go to war for humanitarian or moral purposes. The article says that in Ukraine, Whitehall’s main aim is to counter Russia, a power UK governments have long wanted to put back in its box. UK governments have wanted to end Moscow’s foreign policy, which challenges NATO’s authority in Europe and the Middle East.
The UK Parliament Website presents the following details about the UK’s donation to Ukraine. Britain is one of the main donors to Ukraine. It has pledged nearly £12 billion in support to Ukraine since February 2022. Of this amount, £7.1 billion is for military help. £2.3 billion was provided in the financial years 2022/23 and 2023/24. Moreover, on 12 January 2024, the government announced an additional £2.5 billion of funding for 2024/25. The British government is providing both lethal and non-lethal weaponry. The weapons include tanks, long-range precision strike missiles and air defence systems.
Ireland-UK security relationship is an advantage for the UK
Ireland-UK security relationship is more of a necessity for the UK than for Ireland. In other words, the UK government is trying to improve the Ireland-UK security relationship to defend itself in its proxy war against Russia. Britain has contributed to the military crisis in the region. Besides, it aims to abuse Ireland to defend itself in the proxy wars against Russia. However, the Republic of Ireland is unwilling to interfere in this proxy war.
Criticizing the Republic unfairly, the UK Defence Journal says the Republic is unwilling to invest in military and security apparatus. Furthermore, it states that continuing efforts to reform the Irish Defence Forces are crawling forward. This issue will leave the Republic incapable of policing its waters. Moreover, it will be unable to keep an eye on potentially hostile elements embedded in Irish society.
The Republic will not pay for the UK government’s wrong policies
Ireland-UK security relationship will cost the Republic of Ireland a great deal. The UK government has invested heavily in supporting the proxy war against Russia, with funds surprisingly drawn from British taxpayers. This policy misstep has contributed to the severe economic crisis in the UK.
In essence, the Republic of Ireland must tread carefully to avoid replicating the UK’s errors. Ireland should exercise caution in its security ties with Britain, as there is a risk of being drawn into the UK’s proxy conflict with Russia. Echoing the sentiments of Ireland’s president, the Ireland-UK security relationship could be likened to “playing with fire.”
