Ireland in a Federal Europe and the end of National Vetoes

If the war in Ukraine has proved anything, it's that Russia are a paper tiger that can't beat a third world nation let alone take on a first world power armed to the teeth with next gen weaponry. As for China, like the oligarchs of Russia, they are more interested in buying you than invading you. Our real problem in that regard is the willingness of our governments, universities and 'businessmen' to sell our asses to them, that's your real threat right there about which few are complaining (can we kick the ‘Confucius Institute money out of our colleges please, no?).

I have no interest in seeing Irish kids die in a field in Flanders because some arch-duke in Bosnia gets shot and it causes a squabble between 3 cousins that rule empires. That's where such treaties get you, dragged into the business of others that happens to be none of yours, fighting for interests that are probably counter to yours.

Recently I had a good friend shrieking "the Russians are going to nuke us!" in my face, all on account of my general disinterest in this war. All because of a Russian TV station’s animation, that was so laughable that Iraq's 'Comical Ali' would have been embarrassed by that bit of bald faced propaganda. Never-the-less, the media managed to whip said friend into such a frenzy over nothing that I seriously thought he might stroke out. This is nothing but fear mongering and propaganda to allow the EU to further consolidate power in their own hands. The very epitome of 'never wase a good crisis' and to make the 1% richer (the 2008 recession/Covid) and the unaccountable , more powerful and less accountable.

Yeah it kinda took an internal war in the 1860s to cement that relationship.

Neutrality would be possible if taken seriously like a country such a Switzerland which has impressive military units and infrastructure.

That horrible terrain as you call it has built in bunkers and aircraft caverns bridges and mountainsides wired with explosives and high tech gear like the upcoming F-35. And historically before NATO they were neutral and playing off very aggressive regimes with a very robust defence system. Huge gun ownership amongst the general pop without mass shootings.

If Ireland wants to take neutrality seriously, it should look at the Switzerland model.

But that sounds like you're going on about conscription? Why would there be conscription? People who want to fight can go fight and those who wouldnt can not. We gain a defense force (which we currently have nothing) and lose nothing.

The older I get, the more in favor of a federalized EU I'm getting. The half in half out approach simply doesnt work.

Yet again, there is no conscription and joining the military would be voluntary as it is now. Dont like it dont join.

Who's talking about conscription, other than you that is? Typical strawmanning.

Where do you think abandoning neutrality and entering a mutual defence pact while surrendering your veto on sovereign control over foreign and security policy (as per Mr Scholz recommendation) to a bunch of militaristic hawks gets you other than being forced into other people’s wars?

I know independent critical thinking is a bit of a struggle for your average Irishman these days, since we can’t seem to make a decision without first asking mummy EU and daddy NATO what it thinks first, but clearly joined up thinking isn't your strong suit.

"BERLIN: The European Union can no longer afford to keep national vetoes when deciding on European Union foreign and security policy"

Remember kids. Trump was the dictator. This is Democracy at it's finest.