The Troubles in Northern Ireland have proved to be one of the most intractable conflicts in Europe since the Second World War, consistently attracting international attention, particularly from the United States. This highly readable exploration of the central issues and debates about Northern Ireland sets them in the historical context of hundreds of years of conflict. It introduces all the key figures and organizations involved in current violent and political conflicts and tackles many questions, such as: What accounts for the perpetuation of ethnic and religious conflict in Ireland? Why has armed violence proven so hard to control? Who are the major figures and issues in the conflict? Can we expect more "Northern Irelands" in the future? A concise, reliable introduction to the historical and current situation, this book is ideal reading for anyone wanting to know more about the political climate of Northern Ireland.