Country situated between two rival or potentially hostile powers
A buffer state is a
country geographically lying between two rival or potentially hostile
great powers.[1] Its existence can sometimes be thought to prevent conflict between them. A buffer state is sometimes a mutually agreed upon area lying between two greater powers, which is
demilitarised in the sense of not hosting the
armed forces of either power (though it will usually have its own military forces). The
invasion of a buffer state by one of the powers surrounding it will often result in
war between the powers.
Research shows that buffer states are significantly more likely to be conquered and
occupied than are nonbuffer states.[2] This is because "states that great powers have an interest in preserving—buffer states—are in fact in a high-risk group for death.
Regional or great powers surrounding buffer states face a strategic imperative to take over buffer states: if these powers fail to act against the buffer, they fear that their opponent will take it over instead. By contrast, these concerns do not apply to nonbuffer states, where powers face no competition for influence or control."[2]
Buffer states, when authentically independent, typically pursue a
neutralist foreign policy, which distinguishes them from
satellite states. The concept of buffer states is part of a theory of the
balance of power that entered European strategic and
diplomatic thinking in the 18th century. After the
First World War, notable examples of buffer states were
Poland and
Czechoslovakia, situated between major powers such as
Germany and the
Soviet Union.
Lebanon is another significant example, positioned between
Syria and
Israel, thereby experiencing challenges as a result.[3]
Poland and other states between Germany and the Soviet Union have sometimes been described as buffer states, both as non-communist states before
World War II[26] and later as
communist states of the
Eastern Bloc.[27]
West Germany and East Germany were also regarded as buffer states between NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War in Europe.
During the Cold War, Sweden and Finland were sometimes regarded as buffer states between NATO and the Soviet Union.[by whom?] More recently, the
Russo-Ukrainian War has helped push both countries into joining NATO.
Oceania
New Hebrides served as a buffer between the United Kingdom and France in Oceania during the
New Imperialism period.
^Pholsena, Vatthana (2007). LAOS, From Buffer State to Crossroads. Silkworm Books.
ISBN978-9749480502.
^Macgregor, John (1994). Through the Buffer State : Travels in Borneo, Siam, Cambodia, Malaya and Burma. White Lotus Co Ltd; 2 edition.
ISBN978-9748496252.
^Alan Wood, "The Revolution and Civil War in Siberia," in Edward Acton, Vladimir Iu. Cherniaev, and William G. Rosenberg (eds.), Critical Companion to the Russian Revolution, 1914–1921. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1997; pp. 716–717.
^George Jackson and Robert Devlin (eds.), Dictionary of the Russian Revolution. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1989; pp. 223–225.
Country situated between two rival or potentially hostile powers
A buffer state is a
country geographically lying between two rival or potentially hostile
great powers.[1] Its existence can sometimes be thought to prevent conflict between them. A buffer state is sometimes a mutually agreed upon area lying between two greater powers, which is
demilitarised in the sense of not hosting the
armed forces of either power (though it will usually have its own military forces). The
invasion of a buffer state by one of the powers surrounding it will often result in
war between the powers.
Research shows that buffer states are significantly more likely to be conquered and
occupied than are nonbuffer states.[2] This is because "states that great powers have an interest in preserving—buffer states—are in fact in a high-risk group for death.
Regional or great powers surrounding buffer states face a strategic imperative to take over buffer states: if these powers fail to act against the buffer, they fear that their opponent will take it over instead. By contrast, these concerns do not apply to nonbuffer states, where powers face no competition for influence or control."[2]
Buffer states, when authentically independent, typically pursue a
neutralist foreign policy, which distinguishes them from
satellite states. The concept of buffer states is part of a theory of the
balance of power that entered European strategic and
diplomatic thinking in the 18th century. After the
First World War, notable examples of buffer states were
Poland and
Czechoslovakia, situated between major powers such as
Germany and the
Soviet Union.
Lebanon is another significant example, positioned between
Syria and
Israel, thereby experiencing challenges as a result.[3]
Poland and other states between Germany and the Soviet Union have sometimes been described as buffer states, both as non-communist states before
World War II[26] and later as
communist states of the
Eastern Bloc.[27]
West Germany and East Germany were also regarded as buffer states between NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War in Europe.
During the Cold War, Sweden and Finland were sometimes regarded as buffer states between NATO and the Soviet Union.[by whom?] More recently, the
Russo-Ukrainian War has helped push both countries into joining NATO.
Oceania
New Hebrides served as a buffer between the United Kingdom and France in Oceania during the
New Imperialism period.
^Pholsena, Vatthana (2007). LAOS, From Buffer State to Crossroads. Silkworm Books.
ISBN978-9749480502.
^Macgregor, John (1994). Through the Buffer State : Travels in Borneo, Siam, Cambodia, Malaya and Burma. White Lotus Co Ltd; 2 edition.
ISBN978-9748496252.
^Alan Wood, "The Revolution and Civil War in Siberia," in Edward Acton, Vladimir Iu. Cherniaev, and William G. Rosenberg (eds.), Critical Companion to the Russian Revolution, 1914–1921. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1997; pp. 716–717.
^George Jackson and Robert Devlin (eds.), Dictionary of the Russian Revolution. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1989; pp. 223–225.