Editing Buffer state (section)

{{Short description|Country between two powerful countries}}
A '''buffer state''' is a [[country]] geographically lying between two rival or potentially hostile [[great power]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=buffer state |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buffer%20state |access-date=11 September 2021 |publisher=Merriam Webster}}</ref> 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 [[Demilitarized zone|demilitarised]] in the sense of not hosting the [[military|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.

Buffer states, when authentically independent, typically pursue a [[Neutral country|neutralist]] foreign policy, which distinguishes them from [[satellite state]]s. The concept of buffer states is part of a theory of the [[Balance of power (international relations)|balance of power]] that entered European strategic and [[diplomacy|diplomatic]] thinking in the 18th century. After the [[World War I|First World War]], notable examples of buffer states were [[Second Polish Republic|Poland]] and [[First Czechoslovak Republic|Czechoslovakia]], situated between major powers such as [[Nazi Germany|Germany]] and the [[Soviet Union]]. [[Lebanon]] is another significant example, positioned between [[Syria]] and [[Israel]], thereby experiencing challenges as a result.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The A to Z of international relations |url=https://www.economist.com/international-relations-a-to-z |access-date=2023-11-27 |newspaper=The Economist |language=en}}</ref>