← Mapping the World Essentials · Season 5

Ireland: Setting the Course

S5 · E103 · 01 Jul 2026 · 4 min

Ireland is assuming the EU presidency for six months. There is no shortage of crucial issues: economic recovery, the new migration pact, ties with Washington... and, of course, security. For Ireland—long proud of its neutrality and pacifism (Dublin spent just 0.2% of its GDP on defense)—no longer feels secure following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.