The Brits are worried we'll invite him in!
Russia, China and Iran could target UK via Irish ‘backdoor’, thinktank warns
Britain faces a “backdoor” threat to its security from a Russian, Chinese and Iranian presence in the Republic of Ireland, according to a report by an influential thinktank that accuses Dublin of “freeloading” when it comes to European defence.
The UK should also expand its air and naval presence in Northern Ireland, to counter a growing Russian threat on the UK’s western flank, according to the Policy Exchange report, which is backed by two former defence secretaries, Michael Fallon and George Robertson.
The UK and Ireland are at risk from an “acute maritime menace” posed by a Russian doctrine of targeting undersea networks and pipelines and the presence of Russian warships, they say in a foreword to the paper.
Concerns about Russian intelligence operations in Ireland and its vulnerability to cyber-attack are also highlighted in the report, which cites what it describes as an “inordinately large Russian diplomatic outfit in Dublin”.
The embassy had 30 members of staff in 2022, which was more than many other European states with which Russia had closer ties at the time.
Policy Exchange report highlights security threat and accuses Dublin of ‘freeloading’ on European defence
uk.yahoo.com