She's right. I know you'll get the usual pish here but she's totally right. International law has been ripped up by western nations and it's lead to a very dangerous place.
NATO is effectively dead with its leading member threatening other members with military action. A sign why the alliance was always flawed. Any international community should be formed on the UN principles with some changes to how it is ran.
That wasn't the end of international law. It was a weak response, but that was put right with the reaction to Ukraine. Too late but not too little. Even if nations outside the western sphere broke it there was condemnation. Even when the likes of the US invasion of Iraq broke it there was still a guise of protecting it.
Then when Israel wanted to commit genocide the entire West decided that international law wasn't applicable anywhere as long as Israel were happy with it. America took it a step further. There were some in the west who remained sane but by and large whether it be crushing domestic dissent or land grabs the west decided it was over. If Israel asks they get, if capitalism wants it then it gets it. That's the fact.
I am so sick of ‘but Putin’ whataboutisms tbh. It’s just not comparable. Anyone who can’t see how dangerous the US and the US alone has made the world is just lying to themselves.
NATO weapons were given to Portugal because it needed arms to maintain its slave forced labour apartheid colonies in Africa.
The idea of a purely defensive treaty to stop the big bad reds/Russia has always been a fiction.
Not to dispute how a military alliance benefits Eastern European countries but let's not pretend that a military alliance headed by imperial powers is not done out of self interest.
Out of interest what do you think an audience at the YSE - so by definition some of the brightest and most engaged young people in the country - would expect President Connolly to say at a time when the supposed grownups are behaving like feral eejits?
She's right. I know you'll get the usual pish here but she's totally right. International law has been ripped up by western nations and it's lead to a very dangerous place.
Whether or not it is right depends on the circles you are in...
The US took control of that Venezuelan oil tanker heading to Russia today. Russia and Venezuela does not care about international law. It is great that the US is taking action and not worried about upsetting nations undermining international law.
Russia has slowly been attacking infrastructure in Europe. It has killed people using chemical weapons in Europe. The answer to the aggression isn't sitting here hoping they follow international law. The EU needs to take action against rogue nations that undermine it.
The world we change in has changed in the last few decades. Sadly, a lot of us are naively living in the past...
Agreed. International law has been broken several times. It continues to be broken by rogue nations and no one has really stood up to their rogue nations until now.
Russia invaded Ukraine twice... They have been evading international sanctions with oil. They have used chemical weapons to murder people in Europe. They have been blowing up infrastructure in Europe for years.
We are passed debating international law. It is time for action.
Russia invaded Ukraine and it was met by sanctions from most of the world and a united NATO response which stopped a total invasion of Ukraine and Ukraine from being nuked.
Really? I would have thought if they were so effective Russia would not have invaded Ukraine a second time and would be willing to end the war...
Maybe I should take a leaf out of your book. Maybe if we all send positive vibes countries will follow international law eventually... Isn't that your opinion?
She's right. I know you'll get the usual pish here but she's totally right. International law has been ripped up by western nations and it's lead to a very dangerous place.
NATO is effectively dead with its leading member threatening other members with military action. A sign why the alliance was always flawed. Any international community should be formed on the UN principles with some changes to how it is ran.
International law has been ripped apart by more than Western Nations. Russia for one. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and not much happened.
That wasn't the end of international law. It was a weak response, but that was put right with the reaction to Ukraine. Too late but not too little. Even if nations outside the western sphere broke it there was condemnation. Even when the likes of the US invasion of Iraq broke it there was still a guise of protecting it.
Then when Israel wanted to commit genocide the entire West decided that international law wasn't applicable anywhere as long as Israel were happy with it. America took it a step further. There were some in the west who remained sane but by and large whether it be crushing domestic dissent or land grabs the west decided it was over. If Israel asks they get, if capitalism wants it then it gets it. That's the fact.
It was in tatters by then, which only emboldened Putin
I am so sick of ‘but Putin’ whataboutisms tbh. It’s just not comparable. Anyone who can’t see how dangerous the US and the US alone has made the world is just lying to themselves.
And telling themselves they are sly little diplomatic foxes playing realpolitik for not mentioning it.
Yeah anything that isn't nuclear destruction is naive according to them
NATO weapons were given to Portugal because it needed arms to maintain its
slaveforced labour apartheid colonies in Africa.The idea of a purely defensive treaty to stop the big bad reds/Russia has always been a fiction.
Not to dispute how a military alliance benefits Eastern European countries but let's not pretend that a military alliance headed by imperial powers is not done out of self interest.
I think the young scientist competition is probably the worst place to talk about the topic. It's the kinda tone deaf stuff I did fear from Conolly.
Yes, I want a president who will be ireland's moral voice. But time and a place. The kids there did not want to hear that from her.
Jesus some of you are pathetic. Move on.
Out of interest what do you think an audience at the YSE - so by definition some of the brightest and most engaged young people in the country - would expect President Connolly to say at a time when the supposed grownups are behaving like feral eejits?
edit - not sure why OP’s link is paywalled for me but https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/education/2026/01/07/president-connolly-voices-concerns-over-venezuela-and-upholding-of-international-law/ is not
The remarks quoted are basically exactly what I’d expect her to say in this context, and it’s entirely appropriate for her to say it.
Whether or not it is right depends on the circles you are in...
The US took control of that Venezuelan oil tanker heading to Russia today. Russia and Venezuela does not care about international law. It is great that the US is taking action and not worried about upsetting nations undermining international law.
Russia has slowly been attacking infrastructure in Europe. It has killed people using chemical weapons in Europe. The answer to the aggression isn't sitting here hoping they follow international law. The EU needs to take action against rogue nations that undermine it.
The world we change in has changed in the last few decades. Sadly, a lot of us are naively living in the past...
What a load of bollocks. International law has been broken and that's a fact regardless. She's right.
Agreed. International law has been broken several times. It continues to be broken by rogue nations and no one has really stood up to their rogue nations until now.
Russia invaded Ukraine twice... They have been evading international sanctions with oil. They have used chemical weapons to murder people in Europe. They have been blowing up infrastructure in Europe for years.
We are passed debating international law. It is time for action.
Russia invaded Ukraine and it was met by sanctions from most of the world and a united NATO response which stopped a total invasion of Ukraine and Ukraine from being nuked.
You're as deranged as you are stupid.
Sorry if I missed did the sanctions end the war in Ukraine? Have the sanctions stopped Russia from selling oil aboard?
What is deranged and stupid is thinking rogue nations give a shit about international law. You are entitled to your own opinion…
Sanctions most certainly helped Ukraine in the war.
You're entitled to yours as stupid as it is
Really? I would have thought if they were so effective Russia would not have invaded Ukraine a second time and would be willing to end the war...
Maybe I should take a leaf out of your book. Maybe if we all send positive vibes countries will follow international law eventually... Isn't that your opinion?
Fucking hell
Why can’t we all just send thoughts and prayers…
I don't even know what you're getting at with this but let me be very clear i think you are despicable.
The USA has attacked Venezuela for its oil and rare earth minerals.
This is another imperial attack by the USA and you're applauding it.
The US is trying to annex Greenland.
They'll come up with reasons why that's good when it happens too. There are people who will always back the US.