Between 1970 and 1974, Northern Ireland became immersed in near civil war. This book analyses the evolution of British government policy against the backdrop of the first years of the ¿Troubles¿. Northern Ireland, with its ethno-sectarian conflict, was perhaps the most puzzling British political problem of the twentieth century. With rapidly growing interest in the politics of this struggle, there is a need for new kinds of interpretations of what drove the conflict, and the success, or otherwise, of the British in containing it. The book is one of the first to investigate how British policy ¿ political and military strategy ¿ was formed and implemented, how the leading actors in the warring communities moulded distinctive identities to influence London, and the role played by the Republic of Ireland in efforts to mediate the conflict. It suggests that Britain ¿ long known as ¿Perfidious Albion¿ on the international stage ¿ was able to sustain a consistent and cunning approach in the face of mounting instability. In shedding new light on these problems, the book will be of interest to historians and political scientists, those in government, and students.