In order to explain how the Belgians coped with their security dilemma after war broke out in 1914, this article addresses two related questions. First, why did the Belgian government-in-exile finally adopt the position on neutrality that it did by 1918? Second, and most importantly: Why can it be argued that, despite the Belgian government's ap- parent hostility to neutrality after 1914, its actions during the war demonstrated a reluctance to become entangled in agreements that would hamper the country's freedom and serve to exacerbate the nation's internal divisions?