The future status of the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland is one of the stickier questions that must be answered by Brexit negotiators.
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While the United Kingdom is at the center of the Brexit, its neighbor, Ireland, has almost as much at stake in the negotiations over its departure from the European Union. The Emerald Isle, an EU member, is watching its largest trading partner end the arrangements that allow goods, people, capital and services to move freely between them. Ireland is concerned that the split could increase the potential for violent unrest in Northern Ireland, the part of the island that is in the United Kingdom. Finally, as Anglo-Saxon influence in Europe decreases with the United Kingdom's departure, the European Union could move in directions detrimental to Ireland's economic model. While Ireland will be unable to shape these much larger forces, it can try to make its voice heard by both sides in the negotiations, and if the final Brexit deal does not meet Ireland's needs, it can change its circumstances by...
