I think both of your responses here apply to both situations. Your comment about how people who felt attacked won't feel any less attacked applies to the Britis

I think both of your responses here apply to both situations. Your comment about how people who felt attacked won't feel any less attacked applies to the British as well when it comes to the IRA. Your comment about how the British treated the Irish poorly applies to the US in the Middle East as well. Maybe not quite to the same degree, but still.