Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
How should we understand Irish foreign policy? Over the past century, Ireland’s foreign relations have undergone a significant transformation. Once defined by the constraints of the Irish Free State and its ties to the United Kingdom, Ireland gradually established its own international identity, forging strong links with the United States and later the European Union. Today, Dublin is a confident, independent voice in global affairs. This transformation has positioned Ireland as an important player in shaping European and transatlantic ties, balancing national interests with global responsibilities. And while it continues to maintain its neutrality, rejecting NATO membership, Ireland’s commitment to the United Nations, peacekeeping efforts, and global diplomacy has earned it a reputation as a principled small state with real influence.
In this interview with Professor Ben Tonra, we explore Ireland’s modern foreign policy challenges — from the war in Ukraine and NATO debates to Ireland’s outspoken stance on Middle Eastern conflicts. Among the insights shared, are how Ireland's special relationship with the United States is weathering the re-election of Donald Trump to the White House, and the future of Irish foreign policy in an era of global uncertainty.
Ben Tonra is Full Professor of International Relations at the School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin. He teaches, researches and publishes in European foreign, security and defence policy, Irish foreign, security and defence policy and International Relations theory. Outside the university Ben is a Member of the Royal Irish Academy and has previously served as the chair of the Academy's Standing Committee on International Affairs. He is also a Distinguished Fellow at the Azure Forum, a Dublin-based think tank on security and defence studies and Director and Secretary (voluntary/non-remunerated) with the Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) CLG. He worked previously at the Department of International Politics, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, the University of Dublin (Trinity College) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Washington DC. Professor Tonra is a graduate of the University of Limerick (BA and MA) and completed his doctoral studies at the University of Dublin (Trinity College) in 1996.
*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
01:31 The Foreign Policy of the Irish Free State
03:55 Ireland’s Neutrality During WWII
07:48 Ireland’s Cold War Position and NATO
11:19 Ireland’s Role in the United Nations and Peacekeeping
14:20 Northern Ireland Troubles, Irish-UK Relations and EU Membership
17:19 Irish Foreign Policy After the Good Friday Agreement
19:37 Ireland’s ‘Special Relationship’ With The United States
22:33 How Did Brexit Impact Ireland’s Foreign Policy?
26:32 Irish Neutrality and the Ukraine War
32:09 Ireland's Strong Position on the Israel-Palestine
35:35 US-Irish Ties After Donald Trump’s Re-election
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Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know
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Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel at no additional cost to you.
#Ireland #ForeignPolicy #Internationalrelations
How should we understand Irish foreign policy? Over the past century, Ireland’s foreign relations have undergone a significant transformation. Once defined by the constraints of the Irish Free State and its ties to the United Kingdom, Ireland gradually established its own international identity, forging strong links with the United States and later the European Union. Today, Dublin is a confident, independent voice in global affairs. This transformation has positioned Ireland as an important player in shaping European and transatlantic ties, balancing national interests with global responsibilities. And while it continues to maintain its neutrality, rejecting NATO membership, Ireland’s commitment to the United Nations, peacekeeping efforts, and global diplomacy has earned it a reputation as a principled small state with real influence.
In this interview with Professor Ben Tonra, we explore Ireland’s modern foreign policy challenges — from the war in Ukraine and NATO debates to Ireland’s outspoken stance on Middle Eastern conflicts. Among the insights shared, are how Ireland's special relationship with the United States is weathering the re-election of Donald Trump to the White House, and the future of Irish foreign policy in an era of global uncertainty.
Ben Tonra is Full Professor of International Relations at the School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin. He teaches, researches and publishes in European foreign, security and defence policy, Irish foreign, security and defence policy and International Relations theory. Outside the university Ben is a Member of the Royal Irish Academy and has previously served as the chair of the Academy's Standing Committee on International Affairs. He is also a Distinguished Fellow at the Azure Forum, a Dublin-based think tank on security and defence studies and Director and Secretary (voluntary/non-remunerated) with the Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) CLG. He worked previously at the Department of International Politics, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, the University of Dublin (Trinity College) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Washington DC. Professor Tonra is a graduate of the University of Limerick (BA and MA) and completed his doctoral studies at the University of Dublin (Trinity College) in 1996.
*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
01:31 The Foreign Policy of the Irish Free State
03:55 Ireland’s Neutrality During WWII
07:48 Ireland’s Cold War Position and NATO
11:19 Ireland’s Role in the United Nations and Peacekeeping
14:20 Northern Ireland Troubles, Irish-UK Relations and EU Membership
17:19 Irish Foreign Policy After the Good Friday Agreement
19:37 Ireland’s ‘Special Relationship’ With The United States
22:33 How Did Brexit Impact Ireland’s Foreign Policy?
26:32 Irish Neutrality and the Ukraine War
32:09 Ireland's Strong Position on the Israel-Palestine
35:35 US-Irish Ties After Donald Trump’s Re-election
*SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS*
If you enjoy the channel and would like to support independent analysis of international relations, conflict, and security, there are several ways you can help:
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
youtube.com/channel/UCEszqJb1FjYisBevHBIof3g
youtube.com/c/JamesKerLindsay?sub_confirmation=1
JOIN THE COMMUNITY AND BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER
YouTube: youtube.com/c/JamesKerLindsay/join
Patreon: patreon.com/JamesKerLindsay
*MY LATEST BOOK!*
Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know
Oxford University Press global.oup.com/academic/product/secession-and-state-creation-9780190494049
Amazon amzn.to/2MPY3W2
Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel at no additional cost to you.
#Ireland #ForeignPolicy #Internationalrelations
