Countries That Have Never Fought in a War: Strategies for Peace

Small Nations and Their Peace Strategies

• 💡 Liechtenstein, a tiny principality of 62 square miles, has largely avoided conflict, with its only wartime "contribution" being 80 soldiers guarding a pass in the Austro-Prussian War, who returned with an extra man.
• 🛡️ Iceland, without a standing army since 1869, was occupied during WWII at its own request for protection, and famously won the "Cod Wars" against the UK over fishing rights through stubborn diplomacy.
• ⛰️ Bhutan, nestled in the Himalayas, uses its challenging geography and a close relationship with India for protection, while skillfully navigating relations with China.
• 🗺️ San Marino, the world's oldest republic, founded in 301 AD, has avoided invasion through strategic diplomacy, even being spared by Napoleon, and by maintaining good relations with its powerful neighbors.

Neutrality and Defense in Larger Nations

• 🇨🇭 Switzerland, despite high gun ownership and a citizen army, has maintained neutrality since 1815, a status recognized by major European powers due to its strategic location and difficult terrain.
• ⛰️ Andorra, situated in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, has remained peaceful due to its inaccessible location, lack of resources, and treaties with its powerful neighbors, despite a technical declaration of war on Germany in WWI that went unfought.
• 🏝️ Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation, avoided direct involvement in WWII, using Allied bases, and experienced a brief internal conflict known as the "Coconut Wars" in 1980, which was more of a localized independence movement.
• 🌳 Costa Rica abolished its army in 1949 after a civil war, redirecting funds to public services and relying on a treaty with the US for defense, though it faces challenges with its neighbor Nicaragua.

Island Nations and Microstates

• 🌊 Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, has no standing army and minimal defense spending, relying on its remote location and international cooperation for security, while fostering internal peace through strong social safety nets and cultural bridging.
• 🇻🇦 Vatican City, the world's smallest country, is protected by the Swiss Guard, whose last active duty was in 1527, and by treaties with Italy and NATO, along with the global influence of the Catholic Church, making invasion unthinkable.