Weekly Geopolitical Report – The Irish Question: Part I (February 25, 2019)
by Bill O’Grady
As the United Kingdom continues on its path to withdraw from the European Union, a key element that needs to be considered is the border issue in Ireland. The Northern Ireland/Ireland frontier is the only border that would be directly affected by Brexit. The rest of the U.K. is an island, although border checks would be required at the Chunnel and at U.K. ports. However, the Irish border has broader geopolitical implications beyond just a border issue.
In Part I of this report, we will begin by introducing the importance of Ireland to Britain’s geopolitics and how this led to the effective British colonization of Ireland. A short history of British/Irish relations will follow. Next week, in Part II, we will examine the Good Friday Agreement and analyze the problems that Brexit brings. As always, we will conclude with market ramifications.