Distance and neutrality

A chara, – Keir Giles, a senior fellow at the British intelligence research centre Chatham House, tells us that neutrality will provide us with no defence if Russia lives up to Western delusions and launches an attack on all of Europe. (“If Russia is indeed planning an attack against a Nato state, distance and neutrality will provide no defence”, Opinion & Analysis, November 23rd).

Whatever about that, the fact is that involvement in Nato will provide us with no defence either. It would bring us into the front line of conflict, and ensure that our country would be a target.

Ireland’s role should be to use our neutrality to promote peace, to urge a European-wide security conference to map out how to avoid war and guarantee the legitimate security of all states, including Russia.

That’s the best defence we could have. – Is mise,