Vulnerability of small nations to foreign intervention

Small nations without the resources to withstand foreign influence are vulnerable to intervention, interference in their affairs, economic coercion, diplomatic and political pressure, external attack and possible annexation. Although they may play the superpowers off against each other to obtain favourable terms and the maximum degree of independence, and although most are likely to remain at least nominally independent, they tend to be very heavily influenced by one superpower in political, economic, social and ideological matters. Others may be coerced into obedience (such as Czechoslovakia after 1968). The international community does not always respect their independence nor feel an obligation to provide effectively for their territorial integrity. Four security problems generally exist for small states faced with either external attack or internal uprising: a lack of trained security forces; a lack of arms and training in their use; inadequate surveillance of exclusive economic zones and/or illegal trade such as drug-running; and an inability to gather and process information and intelligence.