Other EU
Why doesn’t Iceland have an Army?
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While there are a few countries that don’t have militaries, these are generally micronations. There is one exception though, Iceland. With a population of almost 400,000, they are by far the largest country to forgo maintaining their own military.
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@ak102986
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Better question: who would want to invade Iceland anyway?
@Yatukih_001
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
We do not have an army because we realized that is the future. We saw the extreme corruption in many armies around the world, and all the overspending. Our ableists always wanted to have an army – an army of ´thousands of ableist Icelanders´. Eventually we laughed at the idea because ableists are bad organisers. Instead, we decided to become The Army of None. No military meaning no wars. And then we also decided not to have any intelligence agency. This means we now have an infinite amount of time to analyse logical proofs.
@snapdragon6601
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
I seems like a good deal.. They get protection from other democracies and don't need to use their limited budget to pay to create their own military.
@GwareddJ
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Iceland doesn't need an army.. they're of Viking Blood. Who in their right mind would mess with a Viking ? lol
@liversuccess1420
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
I was one of the people stationed at Keflavik NAS in 2006. I arrived in January and was gone by July as both the Air Force and Navy withdrew. At the time, the busiest American asset on the island was the squadron of rescue helicopters, which often responded to requests from Icelandic fishing vessels. At that time, the Global War on Terror and OIF were in full swing; Russia was not remotely seen as a threat as Putin was actually somewhat friendly toward the West back then. Had we known what he would become, I think both US and Icelandic governments would've worked harder to reach an agreement on keeping Keflavik as it was.
@Halli50
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
When The Republic of Iceland became a founding member of NATO, the world was in a flux and there were a number of Soviet admirers (nominal Communists) among the population at the time. They were very vocal and violence-prone, much like the noisy and violence-prone right-wing extremists / racists / fascists (whatchamacallit) in the US today (although without all the guns). This political view slowly faded out in Iceland over the years – as did outright capitalism, and we now have a rather benign mix of political parties that can all be social-democratic, but with slightly different right/left/special interests leanings. All in all, we got off easy during these turbulent times.
@HaryanviKashmiri
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
kinda ironic cuz when i set my vpn to iceland, i got a ton of icelandic military ads
@rebeccamactal9934
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Im a icelander
@edwingrande3006
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
I’m against to violence or weapons but it’s always safe to have a civil guards an case of unexpected situations or catastrophic events. I will enjoy if is need.
@matsal3211
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
They should spend 1% of their gdp on military. Sorry but if u want to be NATO, then do your part.
@nathaniellong4281
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Who would invade a small island literally in the middle of nowhere with very few natural resources?
@jovanweismiller7114
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Costa Rica has a population of over 5 million & hasn't had a military since 1948.
@williammurray1341
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
For the same reason that one must use a state approved name.
@VirtualAssistantAlana2020
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States of America.
@hermionegardener3796
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Their Air Force is the Freezing Winds. Their Navy are the Killer Waves. Their Army are the Wooly Sheep.
@arthurbrumagem3844
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
They had an army when the Vikings arrived. At that point they figured they didn’t need one 😂😂
@feltonmclaughlin3529
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
A well armed police force would be more than adequate. What they should have, if anything, is a naval force and air force.
@gretareinarsson7461
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Speaking as an Icelander we really just don’t have any interest in having an army and police don’t carry guns (although bullet proof wests are now used). But we are part of NATO and being strategically important we don’t really have to worry too much about not being defended.
@jonmino
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Iceland does not need a military when whoever occupies them at any given moment essentially does it for them. The US did its part by occupying Iceland 6 months prior to Pearl Harbor!!!
@lawyermahaprasad
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
in that sense Bhutan doesn't have a Army as well
@angloaust1575
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Self defence units may be deployed
Part timers like home guard
They have no territorial ambitions
Like other aggressive nations!
@RonG1960
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
It's an Island with small population and no neighbours. There, now you don't have to watch the video.
@bryanduncan1640
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Easy answer – why would anybody want to invade the fucking place? Hence, no army.
@johngraham6181
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Iceland does have a Navy or correctly an armed Coastguard
@TheNorfolkman
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
When customers kick-off in branches of Iceland here in Britain, the manager can normally deal with it without calling in the military. Lol
@villyou4809
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Because the Army would freeze. Duh.
@geodezix
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
iceland defends itself by throwing codfish at their enemies
@louisvillaescusa
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
"expansionist territorial wars are not as common as they once were." You have heard about what's happening in Ukraine right now?
@patwxdaddy
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Bull Crap! I was in Afghanistan speaking with Iceland troops who were there as part of ISAF.
@thebestcompaniondogforyou3367
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Why WOULD Iceland need an army. Who the hell want to take it?!
@mikmik9034
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
An isolated ISLAND, should not need an Army, next question what about a Coast Guard/Navy?
@COPKALA
February 23, 2024 at 8:13 am
Costarica has no military.