Post-UN Invasion of Countries

By Dr Khalid Siddiqui
Ohio

It was hoped that the creation of the United Nations after World War II would put an end to the adventurism of nations invading other countries/territories for one reason or the other. However, numerous countries have since invaded other countries, not necessarily their neighbors, against the wishes of the people of the invaded country. The invasion was temporary, permanent or disputed. Here is the list. Comments are welcome.

Temporary

North Korea – S. Korea

Israel, UK and France – Egypt

USSR/Russia – Czechoslovakia, Afghanistan, Georgia & Ukraine

Vietnam – Cambodia

China – Vietnam

Israel – Lebanon

Iraq – Kuwait

USA – Grenada, Panama, Iraq & Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia – Yemen

Argentina – Falkland Islands

Permanent

India – Goa and Sikkim

Azerbaijan – Nagorno Karabakh

 

Disputed

Turkey – Cyprus

India – Kashmir

Morocco – Western Sahara

Notes:

1. India invaded and occupied Hyderabad State (an independent country) in 1948. The people of Hyderabad city, both Hindus and Muslims, wanted to remain an independent country but the vast majority of Hindus outside the city of Hyderabad wanted to join India. There were heavy fights between the Razakars of the Nizam and the Hindus supported by the Indian Army. When thousands of Razakars were killed, Nizam decided to surrender to the Indian Army.

2. Russia invaded and annexed Crimea in 2014, but it was welcomed by the people of Crimea. So, it doesn’t fit the definition of an invasion, i.e. against the will of the people. That was the main reason President Obama didn’t feel any reason or need for the US intervention in this matter.

3. India invaded, and temporarily occupied East Pakistan, but this action was fully supported by the Bengalis – the main inhabitants of East Pakistan. It was more a case of liberation than invasion.

4. The US didn’t invade Vietnam. US forces entered South Vietnam at the request of the South Vietnamese government.