Many soldiers die every day, month and year, just for the protection of their country and the people living in it. Plus, there are countries that spend millions of dollars on their armed forces, and even we do the same.
We are a country with one of the largest armed forces in the world, but then there are places that do not have people or even forces like these. The communities have been living in these countries without any protection, but then the question is, do they really need protection from anyone?
Here are some countries that have no one to protect their borders.
1. Costa Rica
After Costa Rica’s victory over the civil war in the year 1948, the President of the country abolished the military forces to be in action. However, they do have public security forces that work on enforcing laws in the country as well as maintaining internal security.
2. Kiribati
The country has no standing army of its own since the year 1978. The only force which is permitted in here is Police force as stated in the country’s constitution. However, Australia and New Zealand offers defence assistant to it, when required.
3. Marshall Islands
The islands do not have any army for its protection, since its formation. The only force available in the country is the police that also has Maritime Surveillance unit which is responsible for internal security. The United States is responsible for the defence of the country as per Compact of Free Association.
4. Nauru
Nauru’s defence responsibility depends upon Australia due to an informal agreement between the two countries. Despite this, the country has a fairly large armed police force as well as a supplementary police force for internal security.
5. Palau
The country does not permit any other force, except police force, to be operated in here since the formation of the country. A 30-member Maritime Surveillance Unit is also included in this force for internal security. The United States is responsible for the defence of the country as per the Compact of Free Association.
6. Liechtenstein
The country abolished its army because it was too costly, in the year 1868. They have assured that the army would be permitted in the case of any war, but that situation hasn’t occurred. The country does have a Police force and a SWAT team in order to maintain internal security.
7. Haiti
There has been no standing army in the country since 1995. The Haitian National Police force has 12,000 members including coast guards which are much larger than neighbouring countries. However, the rebels in the country are demanding the re-establishment of the army.
8. Iceland
Iceland has not had a standing army since 1869, but it is an active member of NATO. The United States has a defence agreement with the country which means that it would be providing defence forces to Iceland if required.
9. Japan
Japan does not have any official military according to Article 9 in its constitution. However, it does have a Japan Self-Defence force which is a large association, for territorial defence.
10. Panama
Panama abolished its army in the year 1990, through a unanimous voting session in parliament. It does have a police force, border security force and aeronaval services.
11. Vatican City
Vatican City, which is known as the smallest city in the world does not have an army of its own. It has a police force in the country for internal security and is protected by Italian Armed Forces.
12. Dominica
There is no standing army in the country since 1981. However, Regional Security System is responsible for its defence.
10 Oct 2016
Jyotsna Amla