Buffer state

A buffer state is a country lying between two rival or potentially hostile greater powers, which by its sheer existence is thought to prevent conflict between them. Buffer states when authentically independent typically pursue a neutralist foreign policy, which distinguishes them from satellite states. The conception of buffer states is part of the theory of balance of power that entered European strategic and diplomatic thinking in the 17th century. In the 19th century, the manipulation of buffer states like Afghanistan and the Central Asian emirates was an element in the diplomatic "Great Game" played out between Britain and Tsarist Russia for control of the approaches to strategic mountain passes that led to British India.

Related Topics:
Country - Greater powers - Neutralist - Satellite state - Balance of power - Diplomatic - Afghanistan - Great Game

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Other examples of buffer states include:

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• Qasim Khanate, between Muscovy and Kazan Khanate
• Mongolia, between the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union, now Russia
• Poland following World War I, located between Germany and the Soviet Union
• North Korea during and after the Cold War, whom some analysts see as a buffer state between the military forces of the People's Republic of China and American forces in South Korea
• Belgium before World War I, serving as a buffer between the United Kingdom, France, and Germany

The invasion of a buffer state by one of the powers surrounding it will often result in war between the powers.

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The earlier forms of highly defended border regions, where defensive castles stood at a distance of a day's march are discussed at Marches. Some political remains of borderland marches established under the Carolingian and Ottonian Empires can be seen on the European map today: Belgium, Luxembourg, Lorraine.

Related Topics:
Marches - Carolingian - Ottonian - Belgium - Luxembourg - Lorraine

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Even earlier, compare the highly-defended Roman Empire's limes with its "client kingdoms" like Palmyra, Judaea, Numidia or Mauretania. And compare the Persian Empire's system of satrapies.

Related Topics:
Limes - Client kingdom - Palmyra - Judaea - Numidia - Mauretania - Persian Empire - Satrap

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Buffer state: See also ►