Ireland

For over three decades, Northern Ireland endured one of the most violent and intractable conflicts. Those years brought into focus the fundamental issues that have underlain the 'Irish Question' for many years - the British presence in Ireland, the constitutional status of Northern Ireland, the tensions between unionism and nationalism, the search for equality between all sections of the community, and, above all, the use of terrorist violence to achieve political ends.

• Rayan Gawn
• July 2009
• Strategic Analysis

The 1998 Belfast Agreement brought to an end over three decades of armed conflict in Northern Ireland. This paper summarizes the role of actors within and outside Northern Ireland, and the processes and mechanics of the Agreement itself. The Agreement is placed in the context of previous unsuccessful peace initiatives in the region, and elements within the political and economic environment at the time that facilitated agreement are identified. The consociational nature of the Agreement is set alongside concern about continuing sectarian division.

• Marie Breen-Smyth
• November 2008
• Strategic Analysis