Sometimes military force is abused, mis-used, or disastrously misjudged. However, history also shows that it can halt aggression, stop atrocities, and bring down regimes that brutalise their own people. Just War theory does not claim that violence is never justified.
If this were merely a domestic quandary, it would be bad enough. But this débâcle has international implications.
That the DUP and Ulster Unionists felt confident enough to issue measured condolences shows how far unionism has travelled but a row over attendance at the funeral showed there’s still a desire within Nationalism to manufacture grievance and reinforce narratives of exclusion.
Also: SNP plunged into fresh controversy over misleading claim about healthcare spending, whilst Kate Forbes gears up for an internal battle over the Scottish Government’s income tax plans.
The new First Minister of Northern Ireland talks to Sky News. Would she accept an invitation to an Orange march?
The Sinn Féin deputy leader says Brexit has made a referendum on reunification of Ireland more likely.
Plus: Why on earth has my bank shortened its name to Abrdn? And: The DUP should think carefully about toppling Arlene Foster.
Political leadership is needed in Belfast no less than in London – in some respects, even more so.
Also: Plaid suspend high-profile candidate over antisemitic comments; DUP call on O’Neill to ‘step aside’; and Anglesey spared shake-up of Welsh seats.
Also: Scottish Tories row in behind bid to wreck the Withdrawal Bill; infighting in Welsh Labour over method of electing new leader; and more.
The DUP leader has not yet shown she knows how to make the strange machinery set up in Stormont work.
Also: Scottish Tories offer to mediate with Holyrood as devolved governments try to block the Withdrawal Bill; and a loyalist paramilitary group bids to be legalised.
Also: why the Prime Minister is playing for time on a second Scottish independence referendum; and veteran Welsh MP says her support for devolution ‘a mistake’.
Perhaps voters are waiting to see the outcome of the negotiations, or maybe the economic reality of Ulster’s reliance on Great Britain is key to swing voters.
Michael McMonagle worked for SF for years as a policy advisor and then press officer. They became aware he was being investigated for a range of possible offences, suspended him did not renew his contract. Then they shut up shop.