Revisiting the General: Lieutenant General Seán Mac Eoin’s Strategic Legacy in a Changing Ireland and World

This article revisits Lieutenant General Seán Mac Eoin’s 1984 reflections on Irish defence, neutrality, and sovereignty, revealing their continued relevance today. Mac Eoin’s cautious pragmatism and advocacy for neutrality, strategic autonomy, and diplomatic self-respect offer valuable insights as Ireland faces modern challenges, including war in Europe, cybersecurity threats, and defence reform. His warnings about over-reliance on foreign powers, the complexities of Irish-British relations, and the need for a balanced role in European security remain timely. The piece argues that Mac Eoin’s legacy provides a guiding framework for contemporary policy, reminding Ireland to ground its future in historical wisdom and national values.

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Irish Strategic Policy Insight.pdf

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