Blog #2 Parcel Bombs and Peace: The Northern Ireland Conflict Continues

Summary

For most of us receiving a unexpected package in the mail is a thrill, But his week in northern Ireland it was all but that. Four parcels delivered to armed forces recruitment offices were explosive devices. The shopping centers were evacuated and the bombs disarmed but no group has claimed responsibility over the failed attempt. The attacks are occurring more and more frequently around the country. The details of the attacks were discovering hours when one went off in a residential area. No one was injured, but the attempts are not helping the long civil conflicted n nation return to peaceful times. 7 packages have been found and disarmed this week. The threat it self is domestic, leaving north Ireland with a “severe” terror threat. The attacks are thought to be by Irelands Republican extremist who have carried out previous attack with in the state.

Analysis

            While Northern Ireland is a “small” conflict, there is a threat to the rest of the world as well. There is a strong possibility that the regional terrorist could move up and attack greater power centers in other countries to get their message across. Small-scale problems can grow and impact global order. Civil wars often spill into the region around them and rarely stay with in just the country. Great Britain has been attack by the Northern Ireland extremist before. Though it has been sometime, these parcel bombs could make there way across borders, in retaliation to Britain’s involvement or even lack of involvement.  There also comes the question of who should get involved, if anyone? Who should “touch” it? The mere addressing or acknowledgement of a situation by another country can drag them into the conflict. This is a civil dispute that has lasted decades and had bleed out into the region before. Ireland has been making large steps toward peace the last fifteen years, the Parcel bombing attempt has been a set back for them. How much? Only the future can tell. 

http://news.uk.msn.com/parcel-bombs-raise-new-terror-fears