A military invasion is the act of a group of armed forces entering another country or region with intent to subdue or occupy that country. Invasions are often accompanied by violence, but they may also serve a variety of other goals, from the restoration of control of a territory that has been lost, to the liberation of a people from oppression. The most well-known invasions in modern history include the American occupation of Europe after World War II, the American occupation of Iraq following the defeat of Saddam Hussein, and the American invasion of Panama in 1989 to remove Manuel Noriega from power.
Military invaders generally attempt to soften the target before launching their attack. This may include airstrikes against the target’s infrastructure or military facilities, assassinating potentially threatening political figures and closing off access routes for supplies such as food, water, ammunition and fuel. Invasions by land typically require the use of vehicles to travel over long distances. This is why many countries, especially those that have large coastlines, prefer not to invade using a land-based assault.
While a military invasion can serve a wide variety of goals, the process of occupying a country with a foreign army often brings about unwelcome change to that country’s culture. It can be very difficult to replace the repressive institutions of previous regimes with new habits and practices that promote peace and respect for human rights. This is why even present-day non-state actors such as cartel-affiliated gangs operating within the borders of a state may be considered invaders if they have accumulated a level of organization and scope that significantly curtails that country’s lawful sovereignty.