![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 17.09.29.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdpM9fT8LDV9amf5rckbbBvtHo49KBKC8e2kXW98KCxW9/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2017.09.29.png) ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 20.59.00.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmaQTiTBjKSUsKvu1MEaUZiJRPNGcH4QxoVCCJXYothdh4/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2020.59.00.png) ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 17.12.36.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQ7nCzPH1Ct5oFsVCQPiuPb2vB52dKah9aLWepPu1vTxE/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2017.12.36.png) The Seychelles form a group of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. They are mostly known as a paradise holiday destination: pearl white beaches & azure water. Whoever wants to occupy this country does not have to bring much manpower. The Seychelles Army consists of about a thousand men. The air force has nine aircrafts and the coast guard about eight ships that detect pirates. Is that small amount strange? No, because the Seychelles have never really struggled with another country. And because nobody lived on the islands when they were first attacked by British seafarers, there had never been any local resident who had to defend themselves to oppressive settlers. Until 1976 the Seychelles belonged to Britain. A year later a coup was committed that formed a socialist government. There were no drops of blood. The Seychelles are peaceful.... Nobody wants trouble in paradise! ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 17.28.52.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmaimANown4KeLKS3jCBPJdvxXGYQyTiDvM2VYLe8qvVhR/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2017.28.52.png) ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 17.31.10.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmefuGKb3XY7pADWgS9Ds42ENM5zLxYSdbforYUTHhbNBe/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2017.31.10.png) Uruguay has a sober history with Spain as a colonizer (in the sixteenth century) and a series of civil wars. The last time that Uruguayans were in a war with another country was in 1870. Then, after six years, the Paraguayan War ended, a conflict between Paraguay on one side and Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay on the other side. It was the bloodiest conflict ever known to South America: an estimated 400,000 people were killed. Since then Uruguay is no longer involved in wars with other countries, except for delegations to peace missions. However, it was restless in the country in the 1970s when left-wing guerrilla fighters wanted to be heard. After a period when the army ruled the country and many dissidents disappeared in prison, Uruguay has grown into one of the most prosperous, democratic and least corrupt countries in South America. ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 19.44.50.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYQ6RQDzf5SFxVeTXUPRwcv8Kw84Jfrmz27daheC4fkf8/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2019.44.50.png) ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 17.34.42.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYGRYqzfy7kF54dWmRPaaxSM6PeJtZ1Xp2XB7Nrdamood/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2017.34.42.png) The Republic of Mauritius is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, east of the African continent. The still uninhabited Mauritius was first occupied by the Netherlands and later by France in the 16th century. In 1810 it was conquered by the British. During an invasion from the sea, they occupied the main island in a short period of time. There was hardly any resistance. It is probably the last time the islanders have heard serious gunfire. Today there is a police force that maintains the order, but that is not often needed. The crime rates are low and Mauritius is one of the least corrupt countries in Africa. Also, no other Dutch country is so democratically organized as Mauritius. There are no countries that have beef with Mauritius....and that's something they cherish. ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 19.50.10.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPyhQy1ByaCqypHgdzhCJGa1Psc7bHTbKS3g6xPnERUng/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2019.50.10.png) ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 18.08.15.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSh4YbzY7T5wHWGCKvr3ksZUpg5EJQCymGx8TewJ9FEny/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2018.08.15.png) The last time there was fought on a large scale in Chili, was in 1891 when a civil war raged for nine months. In the Second World War, Chili was neutral until it declared war to Japan in February 1945. By doing so, Chili became the last country to take part in the war. It was namely a symbolic gesture because the Japanese had almost been defeated. Between 1973 and 1990 the country sighed under the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. But no one in Chili can remember a war with another country. Although Chili is not yet threatened, the army counts more than 100,000 men. Chilean armed forces have a good reputation internationally. It's economically doing well and compared to other South American countries there is little corruption. ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 20.32.47.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcqEJyjrjKru9VKerukNuR2Ruud15oNqkn3wXvB7cJVUi/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2020.32.47.png) ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 18.16.37.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVwPCYaKTc9JrCxtmTByf9DBMru2hVSBhsHQhQKNs9vuC/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2018.16.37.png) It has been relatively quiet in Sweden since 1814, when it was engaged in a short war with Norway. Since then, the country has managed to keep out of great conflicts, even if neighbors were involved in it. During the First and Second World Wars, Sweden was neutral. After that, there was a lot of commotion about Soviet submarines moving around in Swedish waters without permission, but it never led to an actual war. Despite its neutrality, Sweden is involved in peace operations abroad, such as Lebanon, Bosnia & Afghanistan. The country has strong links with the NATO. The defense budget was decreasing a long time, but in recent years (after the Russian invasion of Ukraine) there has been an increase again. But it will take a while before the army is back in strength. The Supreme Commander of the Swedish Army has warned that he could not defend his country for more than a week! ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 20.41.30.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWpJ8XjG7MnkpdsXncNF3115ZcReMiLQpGV1sRU51Pm25/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2020.41.30.png) ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 18.25.02.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYyvWz4TuHdgqtQK6QoekCWd6sAhfmpEVA4DhEVDLLon9/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2018.25.02.png) The tiny Himalayan state with about 750,000 inhabitants between India and China has really known its portion of war: in ancient times, Bhutan was repeatedly defeated by Tibetans, Mongols and British. After the last war with the British, which ended in 1865 after a five-month war, there haven't been any wars between Bhutan and other countries. Yet Bhutan still has an army, which consists of about 8000 men. About a thousand of them form an elite unit charged with the protection of the royal house of Bhutan. Years ago, the army came into action when Indian revolutionaries used the country as a base. But further? Bhutan and its highlands are very insulated and do not pose any threat to its big neighbors. ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 20.48.30.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQRba1UUvyfhCtDjgmudDvLbcAcxfnNL9q9HV5LeHU9jy/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2020.48.30.png) ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 18.29.41.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYn4XsGAwjhmrURa8kh4YXkf5LjCRDwZVZqF9NZz6rcUC/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2018.29.41.png) Switzerland is known as an icon of neutrality. But it's not quite right, because in the past there have been wars with surrounding countries claiming areas of territory. After the sovereignty of Switzerland was proclaimed in 1648, there was fiercely fought within the country between Catholic and Protestant districts. Later, the country was captured by Napoleon. In 1815 Switzerland would eventually declare neutrality. Since then, the country has been able to keep out of all wars in the region. Switzerland also decided not to join the European Union. In 2002 the country became a member of the United Nations. In fact, Switzerland has an army and even a service obligation. They are involved in international peace missions on a modest scale. Still everyone understands what you mean when you say you're Switzerland: you do not choose a party in a conflict. The Swiss have shown that you can avoid a lot of bloodshed. ![Schermafbeelding 2017-07-04 om 20.53.40.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmb99x5bQcgHsFrXwvYYCRrcP4RdbhxDCPFiNXc2an5Dnc/Schermafbeelding%202017-07-04%20om%2020.53.40.png) Thanks for reading! [![alt text ](https://img1.steemit.com/0x0/http://i.imgur.com/v4Qr59I.gif)](https://steemit.com/@waza) Images © [Google](https://images.google.com)