There is no neat template to determine responses to political violence and terrorism, but the experience of the Northern Ireland Troubles does suggest that certain core principles should underpin appropriate counter-terrorism policies.

The global scourge of terrorism has been arguably the most pressing issue on the agenda of the international community in the 21st century. Britain has been inextricably linked with many of the key developments, from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, to the 7/7 bombings and debates over detention orders and the use of torture in interrogations. In this blog post, Professor Richard English draws on some of the earlier experiences of Britain facing a problem of political violence in Northern Ireland and suggests certain principles that should inform appropriate counter-terrorism policy.