The Countries Without a Military, and Who Defends Them

Special Report

May 15, 2023 11:25 am

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33. Cook Islands
> Population: 7,939 (#223 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Cook Islands Police Service

CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request.”

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32. Nauru
> Population: 9,852 (#222 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Nauru Police Force

CIA additional info: “Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia. The police force, under the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, maintains internal security and, as necessary, external security.”

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31. Tuvalu
> Population: 11,639 (#221 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: Tuvalu Police Force (Ministry of Justice, Communications, and Foreign Affairs)

CIA additional info: “Australia provides support to the Tuvalu Police Force, including donations of patrol boats.”

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30. Palau
> Population: 21,779 (#218 largest out of 237)
> Region: Australia and Oceania
> Security forces: the Ministry of Justice includes divisions/bureaus for public security, police functions, and maritime law enforcement

CIA additional info: “Under the Compact of Free Association (COFA) between Palau and the US, the US is responsible for the defense of Palau and the US military is granted access to the islands, but it has not stationed any military forces there; the COFA also allows citizens o”

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29. Monaco
> Population: 31,597 (#216 largest out of 237)
> Region: Europe
> Security forces: Ministry of Interior: Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince’s Company of Carabiniers), Corps des Sapeurs-pompiers de Monaco (Fire and Emergency), Police Department.

CIA additional info: “Defense is the responsibility of France. The primary responsibility for the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince is guarding the palace”

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