These Countries NEVER Fought in ANY War

Despite global conflicts, a unique set of countries has managed to avoid war through a combination of diplomatic skill, geographic isolation, strategic neutrality, and often, a lack of valuable resources, showcasing diverse approaches to maintaining peace.

• Geographic isolation or challenging terrain often protects small nations from invasion.

• Skilled diplomacy and strategic alliances are crucial for maintaining peace without a large military.

• A lack of valuable natural resources can reduce a country's appeal as a target for conflict.

A select group of nations has consistently managed to stay out of armed conflict, employing various strategies for peace. Some, like Liechtenstein and San Marino, are small and geographically isolated, making them undesirable targets, while others, such as Iceland and Costa Rica, leverage international defense agreements or abolish their armies to foster stability. Bhutan uses skilled diplomacy between powerful neighbors, and Switzerland maintains armed neutrality, while Vatican City benefits from Italian and NATO protection, as well as its unique religious significance.

Liechtenstein's Unique Neutrality

• 00:00:28 Liechtenstein, a tiny European principality, has maintained independence since 1866 and has largely avoided war. Its minimal involvement in the 1866 Austro-Prussian War saw 80 soldiers guarding a mountain pass, returning with 81 after befriending a new recruit. Despite several unintentional border crossings by neutral Swiss soldiers, the country's small size, location between Austria and Switzerland, and lack of perceived threat have contributed to its peaceful history.

Iceland's Cod Wars Victory

• 00:03:14 Iceland, without a standing army since 1869, is largely considered conflict-free, though it allowed British and US occupation during WWII to deter German invasion. The nation famously won the 'Cod Wars' against the UK between 1958 and 1976, asserting its fishing rights through stubborn diplomacy and a reliance on its 1951 defense agreement with the United States for protection, demonstrating how a small nation can prevail without a traditional military.

Bhutan's Diplomatic Peace

• 00:05:44 Bhutan, a landlocked nation in the Himalayas, has successfully maintained peace despite historical invasions and being sandwiched between China and India. Its mountainous terrain, lack of resources, and skilled diplomacy, including allowing India to guide its foreign policy until 2007 and actively managing relations with China, enable it to navigate regional tensions. This approach was evident during the 2017 Doklam crisis, where Bhutan tactfully allowed India to intervene, avoiding direct conflict.

San Marino's Strategic Friendliness

• 00:08:29 San Marino, claiming to be the world's oldest republic, has achieved over 17 centuries of peace by employing strategic diplomacy and good-neighborliness. Its leaders, like Antonio Onofre, cultivated positive relationships with powerful figures such as Napoleon and Giuseppe Garibaldi, securing its sovereignty even during periods of Italian unification. The country's small, fortified, mountainous geography, lack of valuable resources, and complete encirclement by Italy also deter invasion, making it an undesirable target.