Paul Gillespie

US policy is ambiguous and its endgame uncertain, as European leaders lean towards compromise

Foreign policy must change in the wake of Ukraine, but in a considered fashion

Similarities help explain the spontaneous Irish response to Ukrainian suffering

Xi Jinping fears conflict may spin out of control and frets about its economic impact

Empire is seen as something visited upon us whereas we actually played an active role

Neutral, decentralised national model could draw on ideas from the Belfast Agreement

Radical thinkers look to targeted sabotage of paraphernalia of the rich to mitigate crisis

Conference highlights need to address wider issues obscured by preoccupation with Brexit

Is the hard Brexit policy of Britain in the name of sovereignty a more powerful driver of constitutional change than SF nationalism?

World View: Asean countries fear cold war with China will destabilise region

Preference for five- to 10-year timeframe for a vote on a clear model for unity

World View: Crisis is seen as ‘a disaster with unforeseeable consequences for the West’

Paul Gillespie: Bloc's role as guarantor of Belfast Agreement is now explicit

Political access and diplomatic agility will be most called for when State hosts council in September

Pressure for better public services may prompt radical change in levies