寮國國防武力及其與大國關係

Laos’Defense Forces and Its Relationship with Major Powers

寮國係中南半島唯一的內陸國，14世紀建立王國以來經常受到鄰國及西方殖民帝國入侵，1954年脫離法國統治完全獨立。獨立後的寮國長期處於戰亂中，1975年寮國人民革命黨奪取政權，實施極權統治，與西方國家敵對，完全倚賴前蘇聯的援助，直到冷戰結束才對西方國家改採交往、合作的外交政策。第二次世界大戰結束後，寮國地緣戰略位置處於鄰近強權競合之中，戰略態勢十分脆弱。冷戰結束後，寮國並無立即、明顯的外來安全威脅，人民武裝部隊以維護內部安全為主。但是，在與區域國家或世界大國的戰略互動中，試圖於利益選擇之間取得平衡，藉此維持內部政治和經濟的穩定。

Laos is the only landlocked country in Mainland Southeast Asia. Since its establishment in the 14th century, Laos has been frequently invaded by neighboring countries and Western colonial empires. It became fully independent from French rule in 1954. After independence, Laos has been in war for a long time. In 1975, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party seized power and implemented totalitarian rule. It was hostile to Western countries and completely relied on the assistance of the former Soviet Union. It was not until the end of the Cold War that it adopted a foreign policy of exchanges and cooperation with Western countries. After the end of World War II, Laos’geostrategic position was in the midst of competition among neighboring powers, and its strategic situation was very fragile. After the end of the Cold War, Laos has no immediate and obvious external security threats, and the Lao People’s Armed Forces mainly focus on maintaining internal security. However, in its strategic interactions with regional countries or world powers, it tries to strike a balance between interest choices in order to maintain internal political and economic stability.