A famous French statesman George Clemenceau said “War is a too much serious matter to be entrusting to the military.” And even nowadays, his statement stands true. Most of the countries have large military forces which are able to organize and protect the citizens of country at any time. The largest and most notable army is of China. Many of the countries have no military forces at all.
Following is the list of those 10 countries having no military forces at all. Each of them has different reason for not having military force. Some don’t have any military force because of their country’s history. Many believe that a military force is just a necessity, and some believe that they have no need for them. However, there is a back-up plan if the country is attacked or war is declared upon that particular country.
1. Samoa
Nowadays, Samoa has not any set military force that they can use if they need it.
Instead, the country would have to depend on their fellow countries for protection and defense in wartime. Although Samoa has a Police Force, but police force is not considered as a military force for the country.
So Who Is The Protector?
Samoa has a friendship treaty with New Zealand, signed in 1962. Whenever Samoa has a war with any other country, Samoa can call upon New Zealand for any kind of necessary military aid. However, the agreement states that either country can pull out of the treaty at any time if they wanted.
2. Costa Rica
Costa Rica had an army in the past, but today it is one of those countries who have no military force at all. On December 1, 1948, Jose Figueres Ferrer, president at that time of country signed legislation that they would terminate the military after the fatal Costa Rican civil war that killed almost 2,000 people. To properly show the abolishment, president himself broke a wall of the Cuartel Bellavista, which was the location of army headquarter. Nowadays, this country has the Fuerza Publica which provides law enforcement, ground security, border patrol, and much more duties held by a police force.
So Who Is The Protector?
A treaty named Inter- American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance of 1947 states that if any country attacks Costa Rica, then it can depend on 21 countries including the USA, Chile, and Cuba for support of military force to provide defense. Treaty also states that if any of the signed countries were attacked, other countries would be looked upon to provide some kind of military defense.
3. Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is made up of thousands of islands. This country has not had any military defense since the UK became the country’s protectorate in 1893. During World War II, the country had the British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defense Force. Then, in 1976, the country was able to establish a government that remained stable until about 1998. Form 1998 to 2008, the country was plagued with misconduct within the government, crime, and ethnic conflict. To resolve the issue in a proper way, both New Zealand and Australia came in to restore peace and disarm. Now the country has an internal Solomon Islands Police Force.
So Who Is The Protector?
No one is set as a protector for the Solomon Islands. The country had paid Australia for defense items. If any country declares war upon the Solomon Islands, Australia would be probably first country to provide defense to this country.
4. Grenada
Ever since the American-led invade Grenada, the country has not been able to establish a standing army. Invasion started due to military coup and a power struggle within the government which led to the execution of a Grenadian Prime Minister named Maurice Bishop. This invasion successfully turned a communist state back into a democratic nation. This country does not have a firm army, but it depends on the Royal Grenada Police Force as well as the regional security system.
So Who Is The Protector?
No country is responsible for providing protection to Grenada with military force due to its regional security system. This country can have support of other countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for military support. Even these countries do not have a strong defense system which may help Grenada. It seems that the USA would run to the rescue.
5. Andorra
The small country Andorra did not have an organized army, but it declared war on Germany in 1914, and participated in World War I. This country was not taken seriously because of only having 10 strong men. This country was not invited to the Versailles Peace Treaty Negotiations even this country officially pick sides. In 1931, a group of 240 men were created to keep peace, and provide hostage rescue. One man can join this force if he has firearm. This group was named Andorran National Police.
So Who Is The Protector?
Andorra has three protectors. France and Spain have promised to be militaristic supporters of this country due to its location. In 1993, French militaristic force was needed to settle unrest in country. NATO forces also promised to protect the country if ever required.
6. Palau
Palau does not have any national military force, but Palau has a National police section which provides necessary protection to the civilians. Palau National Police force is also used to keep peace and respond to any internal unrest which may occur. If any country attacks Palau, then Palau would have to take help from other countries for defense.
So Who Is The Protector?
The USA will protect Palau if any country declares war on Palau. It is because of the compact of Free Association of 1983 which made the USA protectorate of Palau.
7. Vatican City
Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, does not have a military force. But not all the time, in the past, many militaristic groups were created to protect the country especially Pope. In 1970, Pope Paul VI terminated the existing groups of name the Noble Guard and Palatine Guard. Nowadays, Vatican City is the best example of militaristic force would be the pontifical Swiss Guard. This group protects the Pope as well as the Palace of the Vatican. Another group namely Gendarmerie Corps is considered to be a civilian force. It is responsible for keeping public order, traffic control, border control, and investigating criminal control.
So Who Is The Protector?
Vatican City exists in Rome which is capital of Italy. So Italy is responsible for providing protection to the country. Italy has an organized armed force consisting of 186,798 men and 109,703 women in the army, and 43,882 in the Navy. Italy has also Air Force for providing protection.
8. Nauru
Nauru, the smallest island country in the world, has not any standing military force. This country does not even have a capital due to its small size. Even though it is small in size, but it has Police Force which is utilized to maintain stability in the country. This country is located in a group of thousands of islands called Micronesia. It depends upon its readily accessible phosphate. Now, this country keeps close contact with Australia and other Micronesia islands.
So Who Is The Protector?
An informal agreement exists between Nauru and Australia. It was decided in this agreement that Australia will supply basic defense. In 1940, when Germany attacked Nauru, Australia defended the country.
9. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is one of those countries who decided to terminate their army. This country terminated this army in 1868 after the Austro-Prussian war because country was unable to afford it. When the country got freed from German Confederation, it was compulsory for the country to maintain its own army, but funds were not enough. The Principality of Liechtenstein National Police is a police force of the country to maintain peace in the country.
So Who Is The Protector?
N country is set as responsible to defend Liechtenstein if any country attacks Liechtenstein. This country is allowed to rally up an army, but it takes help from Switzerland.
10. Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands was awarded the status of a sovereign nation under the Compact of Free Association of 1983. Federated States of Micronesia and Palau are also involved in the pact. Under this agreement, the three countries would be free, and would stand as associated states to the USA. The US will serve as protectorate to the Marshall Islands. The country created the Marshall Islands Police to perform common police duties in the country.
So Who Is The Protector?
The US is fully responsible to provide defense to Marshall Islands. If any country attacks the country, then the USA would have to provide military support to Marshall Islands t help in the war.
