the strategic and operational lessons drawn from their involvement. The paper divides the IRA activity and tactics into two main periods: The "insurgency" phase (1971–1972), and the "terrorist" phase (1972–1997). The British Army claims to have curbed the IRA insurgency by 1972, after Operation Motorman. The IRA then reemerged as a cell-structured organisation. The report also asserts that the government efforts by the 1980s were aimed at destroying the IRA, rather than negotiating a political solution. One of the findings of the document is the failure of the British Army to tackle the IRA at strategic level and the lack of a single campaign authority and plan. The paper stops short of claiming that "Northern Ireland has achieved a state of lasting peace" and acknowledges that, as late as 2006, there were still "areas of Northern Ireland out of bounds to soldiers". The report analyses Israeli military theorist Martin van Creveld's comments on the outcome of the operation: The US military have sought to incorporate lessons from Operation Banner in their field manual. References Further reading External links BBC News story about the ending of Operation Banner BBC News, Operation Banner pictures Reeling in the Years – 1971: Raidió Teilifís Éireann 1969 establishments in Northern Ireland 2007 disestablishments in Northern Ireland 1969 in military history 1969 in the United Kingdom British Army deployments Banner The Troubles (Northern Ireland) Military history of Northern Ireland British Army in Operation Banner