"The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must"

In this first episode of a three-part series, I’m joined by Dr Veronica Barry (UCD) to explore the history and evolution of neutrality in international relations, tracing its development from antiquity through to the First World War.

We begin by unpacking what neutrality means in both legal and historical terms, including its formal codification in international law through the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907.

The discussion then moves into the Middle Ages, when neutrality was often understood through the lens of Christian “just war” theory and could even be viewed as morally problematic if one side was considered righteous.

We then explore what is sometimes described as the “golden age of neutrality,” during which both permanent and occasional neutral states played important roles in the international system. Dr Barry outlines how the Hague Conventions sought to standardise the rights and responsibilities of neutrals.

The episode concludes with the First World War, a major turning point in the history of neutrality, where Dr Barry discusses how the pressures of total war led to widespread violations of neutral rights as military necessity increasingly overrode respect for sovereignty.

This sets up the transition to Episode 2, where we will continue the discussion into the post-1914 period and move towards the emergence of Irish neutrality in the context of independence and the early Irish Free State.

In this episode I sit down with Dr David Blagden to explore the fundamental role of the State in providing security. Together, we examine whether security is the primary duty of the State or one responsibility among many, and what gives governments the authority to raise armed forces and use force in a modern democracy.

The discussion looks at how these powers are structured in Ireland, how they compare internationally, and what makes the use of force legitimate. The episode also explores the increasingly blurred lines between defence, security, and public safety — and what that means in practice.

A clear and accessible conversation on one of the most important questions in national and international security: what is the State ultimately responsible for, and where should the limits lie?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr Ken McDonagh to examine the state of national security in Ireland.

Despite work beginning in 2019, Ireland still has no published National Security Strategy. What does that delay say about how seriously the State treats security in a rapidly changing world?

We explore how national security is understood across government and the public, and whether it remains too narrowly focused on policing and crime. Professor McDonagh outlines what the missing strategy was meant to deliver, why it matters, and how Ireland compares to similar countries.

We also discuss who is actually responsible for national security, how decisions are made at the highest level, and whether the current system is coherent.

Finally, we assess where Ireland stands today—highlighting key gaps in capability, coordination, and political focus—and what needs to change in the years ahead.

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