FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, the collective assumption of Irish political observers has been that the visit of the Taoiseach to Washington, DC will be a difficult one, in which Micheál Martin will have to utilise all of his considerable political and diplomatic skills.

That it would be tricky was obvious. That the United States, together with Israel, is in the midst of waging a war of dubious legality against Iran has complicated matters immeasurably.

The Irish people are broadly appalled at what the two, closely allied, right-wing governments are doing. The bombing of a school, which caused the death of approximately 160 young girls and their teachers, has provoked particular ire. The consequent labelling by Fintan O’Toole and Michael McDowell, two individuals not known for singing off the same ideological hymn sheet, of President Donald Trump as “mad” in the pages of The Irish Times illustrates the scale of the opposition.

More on the tricky meeting shortly, but two weeks into the conflict, the world is none the wiser as to when President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will cease operations. Typically, Trump’s messaging is all over the shop. The war is alternatively an “excursion” that is “very complete” or the American military may have just begun to flex its muscles. The Iranians, in seeking to ensure that maximum financial chaos is felt globally as a result, have responded to the aggression as best they can.

Washington, United States. 12th Mar, 2025. U.S President Donald Trump, Micheál Martin, left, joke with Vice President JD Vance . Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

To be blunt, the unpopular President Trump, in launching a war that polls show the clear majority........

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