Title page
Contents
Summary 2
Overview 5
The 1998 Peace Agreement 6
Key Elements 6
Implementation 7
Democratic Power-Sharing Institutions 7
Decommissioning 8
Policing 8
Security Normalization 9
Rights, Safeguards, and Equality of Opportunity 9
Initiatives to Further the Peace Process 10
Recent Political Instability and Latest Developments 11
The May 2022 Assembly Election 12
2024 Reestablishment of the Devolved Government 13
Ongoing Challenges in the Peace Process 14
Sectarian Divisions 14
Dealing with the Past 15
Stormont House Agreement Provisions 17
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 17
Remaining Paramilitary Issues and Dissident Activity 19
Paramilitary Concerns 19
The Dissident Threat 20
Economic Development and Equal Opportunity 21
Implications of Brexit 22
The Irish Border and Post-Brexit Arrangements 22
The Northern Ireland Protocol 23
The Protocol's Implementation Challenges and Heightened Tensions 24
The 2023 Windsor Framework 26
The 2024 UK-DUP Deal 27
Economic Concerns 30
Constitutional Status and Border Poll Prospects 31
U.S. Policy and Congressional Interests 33
Support for the Peace Process 33
Views on Brexit and Northern Ireland 35
International Fund for Ireland 36
Author Information 37
Disclaimer 37
Table 1. Northern Ireland 2022 Election Results 12
Figure 1. Map of Northern Ireland (UK) and the Republic of Ireland 6