The manifestly illegal and irresponsible war launched by the United States and Israel on Iran and the deeply worrying spread of instability in the Middle East represent another wake-up call for Ireland. With our EU presidency set to take place during a period of unprecedented turmoil, it is long past time for Ireland to get serious about how we engage with a world in which our interests are at stake and under threat.

Donald Trump’s America is no longer a reliable partner in support of international law or democratic values. Vladimir Putin’s aggression has brought war back to our continent, threatening the European Union itself. The philosophy that might is right is becoming the new normal. The wellbeing of humanity depends on restoring the primacy of diplomacy as well as on how we confront issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence and migration.

Ireland has a responsibility to itself to consider what more we can do to address these mounting international challenges. But first we must understand – better than we have done until now – that there is a real world in which such challenges exist and are mounting.

Ireland can – and must – be a player in shaping our future, rather than a well-intentioned observer. We may not be able to determine what the world will look like for our children, but we can make a serious contribution to shaping it. It would be foolish to expect others to decide what is best for us.

An Irishwoman in New York: ‘You can be who you want here if you........

© The Irish Times