Defence Forces Review 2010

Peace Dividends and Statecraft InstrumentsIn the Northern Ireland case no military security solution could have brought peace andeconomic incentives in isolation, would also have fallen short. However, returning to the originalacademic assertion, a political accommodation, supported by the appropriate economics andthe right environmental context ultimately facilitated the Good Friday Agreement brokered bySenator Mitchell. Leadership and courage displayed by hitherto committed adversaries alsoplayed a significant role. To draw again on EU Commissioner Danuta Hubner’s words andparaphrasing Winston Churchill, this is only the end of the beginning, but there are many otherEuropean countries which have suffered conflict, which could benefit greatly from NorthernIreland’s experience. The implication for strategists is that even the most intractable enduringand complex conflicts, can be married to a solution, if the economic instrument is utilized inassociation with other instruments in a balanced targeted manner.Conflicts such as Kosovo could witness their own local version of ‘Chuckle Brother’ 13 images,once thought impossible.13 Media reference to an image of Martin McGuinness (SF) and Ian Paisley (DUP) sharing a joke at an unguarded moment.93