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The thread below is interesting: but the exchange between @stefanauer_hku, @KeohaneDan, @BrigidLaffan shows why Brexit and British red lines make a solution not difficult but impossible.
There has been an article published proposing random controls and strict punishments for smuggling. However, the approach is not distinguishable from the ERG approach. It lacks the same problems.
The border issue is not about policy, it's about polity. Even with the front stop and MaxFac approach you need tons of sources and somewhat additional infrastructure at the border. Yes, you can make it barely visible and seamless - economically barely recognisable.
However, that has never been the primary issue. It's not about the economical harm (which will still be there btw). It has been about legitimacy. From an Irish perspective, the legitimacy of Britain having an outpost on the Irish island was illegitimate.
This view is shared by nationalist communities btw. The GFA created a condition which covered up the British presence. What remained was a community issue but the symbolically relevant border was finally gone.
That means the state of GB being present in NI became not more legitimate. But it became tolerable while the perspective of Unionist starting to qualify as tolerable too. However, it was always conditional. The reference towards preventing economic damage deals...
... with the problem on the side which may become a catalyst for a revival of troubles in case of no deal. But it never has been the primary cause. And I suspect Unionists knew that. Hence the border issue has not been 'weaponised' it has always been a defused bomb...
... which was reactivatable at any time. Long story in short: If anything at all changes at this border you trespass a 'blood red' red line of Ireland and nationalist communities (to word it along the lines of DUP). And frankly, I doubt ripping up GFA (this is what it does)...
... will become DUP and their cause (or their voters) remotely well. The problem from my perspective is, that NI seems to be treated like an symbolically important outpost from British nationalist. The border is seen as legitimate and a policy issue.
They don't at all understand that somebody can question them being there is seen as a matter of discussion. IMO this was what brought Tories and Unionist up against GFA at that time. Their cause was equated with the one of nationalist who saw this very cause as unjust.
