Northern Ireland, as we all know, is often presented as a model for conflict resolutionudaround the world. That it should be is a reflection of the success of the peace processudthere, the key moment of the success of the peace process which was the Belfast Agreementudof 1998. There are numerous exciting stories about Northern Ireland’s transition from war toudpeace which translate well in other conflict zones and have a certain appeal to them and,udin some instances, even an element of glamour. The job of the historian is to re-insert someudcomplexity into these stories, and to balance contending narratives about ‘what broughtudpeace’. Before we begin to discuss the ‘lessons’ of Northern Ireland for other trouble-spotsudaround the world, it seems important that we get over that hurdle first.
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