There are currently 59 active military conflicts worldwide, the highest number since World War II, according to analysts from the Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP). They have studied how these conflicts are influencing modern trends in militarization.
One key trend is the increase in military expenditures, even as their share of national GDP is decreasing. Despite this rise in spending, the global military budget as a percentage of the economy is about half of what it was at its peak during the Cold War.
Another trend is the decline in the number of troops, which has been ongoing for the past three decades, driven by technological advancements. For example, the global number of military personnel dropped from 30 million in 1995 to 28 million in 2019. India is the only major country that has seen a rise in troop numbers.
Countries where the military holds a significant place in the national economy include North Korea (at least 24% of GDP), Afghanistan (10%), Oman (5.9%), and Algeria (4.8%). Among former Soviet states, Armenia (4.2%) and Azerbaijan (3.8%) top the list, largely due to their prolonged conflict over Karabakh.
In contrast, military spending in the U.S. is currently 3.1% of its GDP, down from 4.7% fifteen years ago. The U.S. spent $736 billion on defense in 2022, far exceeding the military budgets of China ($282 billion), India ($75 billion), the UK ($69 billion), and Russia ($63 billion).
IEP estimates that the U.S. holds the greatest military power globally, with China and Russia trailing at 0.91% and 0.9% of U.S. military potential, respectively. France, the UK, India, Japan, South Korea, and Italy also rank among the top countries with significant military capabilities.
The IEP’s analysis does not simply count the number of military equipment units but also considers technological advancements across different generations and classes of weapons. For instance, they differentiate between older models like the Su-27 or F-16 and more advanced aircraft like the F-35.
The IEP notes that global militarization levels had been declining since 2008, but this trend reversed in 2022. The analysts predict that militarization will continue to rise for at least the next five years.
One key trend is the increase in military expenditures, even as their share of national GDP is decreasing. Despite this rise in spending, the global military budget as a percentage of the economy is about half of what it was at its peak during the Cold War.
Another trend is the decline in the number of troops, which has been ongoing for the past three decades, driven by technological advancements. For example, the global number of military personnel dropped from 30 million in 1995 to 28 million in 2019. India is the only major country that has seen a rise in troop numbers.
Countries where the military holds a significant place in the national economy include North Korea (at least 24% of GDP), Afghanistan (10%), Oman (5.9%), and Algeria (4.8%). Among former Soviet states, Armenia (4.2%) and Azerbaijan (3.8%) top the list, largely due to their prolonged conflict over Karabakh.
In contrast, military spending in the U.S. is currently 3.1% of its GDP, down from 4.7% fifteen years ago. The U.S. spent $736 billion on defense in 2022, far exceeding the military budgets of China ($282 billion), India ($75 billion), the UK ($69 billion), and Russia ($63 billion).
IEP estimates that the U.S. holds the greatest military power globally, with China and Russia trailing at 0.91% and 0.9% of U.S. military potential, respectively. France, the UK, India, Japan, South Korea, and Italy also rank among the top countries with significant military capabilities.
The IEP’s analysis does not simply count the number of military equipment units but also considers technological advancements across different generations and classes of weapons. For instance, they differentiate between older models like the Su-27 or F-16 and more advanced aircraft like the F-35.
The IEP notes that global militarization levels had been declining since 2008, but this trend reversed in 2022. The analysts predict that militarization will continue to rise for at least the next five years.
German Navy Captain Michael Hiss, commander of the regional command in Hamburg, has issued a stark warning that Germany must be prepared for potential military conflict within the next five years. He emphasized that the entire country, including its largest seaport, Hamburg, should be ready to face an external military threat.
Captain Hiss expressed urgency, stating, "My internal clock as a soldier is ticking and telling me that in five years we should be socially resilient enough to face an external military threat." This comment highlights the growing concerns within Germany's military leadership about the need to enhance the nation's defense capabilities and societal preparedness in response to evolving global security challenges.
Captain Hiss expressed urgency, stating, "My internal clock as a soldier is ticking and telling me that in five years we should be socially resilient enough to face an external military threat." This comment highlights the growing concerns within Germany's military leadership about the need to enhance the nation's defense capabilities and societal preparedness in response to evolving global security challenges.
The British Ministry of Defense showed satellite images of Bakhmut destroyed by Russia
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President Zelenskyy has responded to a fire at the cooling tower of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), attributing the incident to the Russian military. He assured that radiation levels remain normal despite the fire but emphasized that the situation is far from normal as long as Russian forces maintain control over the facility.
Zelenskyy reiterated that since the ZNPP's seizure, Russia has used it as a tool for blackmailing Ukraine, Europe, and the broader international community. He called for a global response, particularly from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and stressed that the only way to ensure complete safety and restore normalcy is by returning the plant to Ukrainian control.
Zelenskyy reiterated that since the ZNPP's seizure, Russia has used it as a tool for blackmailing Ukraine, Europe, and the broader international community. He called for a global response, particularly from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and stressed that the only way to ensure complete safety and restore normalcy is by returning the plant to Ukrainian control.
🏆 Ukrainian athletes have had an impressive showing at the 2024 Olympics, securing a total of 12 medals: 3 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze. Notably, fencer Olga Kharlan contributed significantly to this achievement by winning both a bronze and a gold medal.
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Fighters of the 11th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine named after Mykhailo Hrushevsky track down and destroy the enemy, his equipment, means of surveillance and communication in the Zaporizhzhia direction.
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Russian soprano Anna Netrebko returns to the stage of the Roman Opera. The artist's years of support for Putin's regime doesn’t stop the world's stages from welcoming her. The question for the audience: How can you both support Ukraine in its fight for survival and enjoy the performance of a person who is actually an accomplice to Russia's crimes?
The Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs in Germany has raised concerns about potential Russian efforts to influence public debates and political decision-making in the lead-up to the upcoming regional elections. According to a representative from the department, there has been a noticeable increase in misinformation originating from Russian authorities and pro-Kremlin media since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine. This misinformation is reportedly being used to incite emotional debates and create divisions within society.
The upcoming regional elections in Germany, scheduled for September, are particularly significant, with the right-wing populist party "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) leading in the polls in Thuringia. The AfD has been accused of having sympathies towards the Kremlin, which raises additional concerns about external influence on the democratic process.
The upcoming regional elections in Germany, scheduled for September, are particularly significant, with the right-wing populist party "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) leading in the polls in Thuringia. The AfD has been accused of having sympathies towards the Kremlin, which raises additional concerns about external influence on the democratic process.
According to an analysis by Welt, Russia's current economic growth is heavily reliant on its military industry, which has been bolstered by ongoing government orders and increased consumption driven by the war. While the Russian economy has demonstrated resilience despite international sanctions, this growth is unsustainable in the long term, particularly if the war ends.
Economists cited in the publication suggest that if Russia were to halt its military production, the country would likely face a severe economic crisis. The economy's current momentum is tied directly to the war, and without it, the factors driving GDP growth—namely, war-driven consumption and government spending—would diminish significantly.
This dependence on the war for economic stability implies that Russia might struggle to recover from such a crisis without continued external conflict or substantial restructuring of its economic model. The situation underscores the precariousness of Russia's economic future if it fails to diversify away from its war-centric growth.
Economists cited in the publication suggest that if Russia were to halt its military production, the country would likely face a severe economic crisis. The economy's current momentum is tied directly to the war, and without it, the factors driving GDP growth—namely, war-driven consumption and government spending—would diminish significantly.
This dependence on the war for economic stability implies that Russia might struggle to recover from such a crisis without continued external conflict or substantial restructuring of its economic model. The situation underscores the precariousness of Russia's economic future if it fails to diversify away from its war-centric growth.
Markus Faber, head of the defense committee of the Bundestag, has expressed optimism about the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region, noting that it is going better than expected. He suggested that this success provides a strong argument for increasing the number of German Leopard 2 tanks supplied to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
Poland Signs Contract for Production of 48 Patriot Launchers
Poland has signed a contract with the American corporation Raytheon to produce 48 Patriot missile launchers. The agreement was finalized by the Polish company Huta Stalowa Wola, marking a significant step in strengthening Poland’s defense capabilities.
Poland has signed a contract with the American corporation Raytheon to produce 48 Patriot missile launchers. The agreement was finalized by the Polish company Huta Stalowa Wola, marking a significant step in strengthening Poland’s defense capabilities.
Small Regional Banks in China Refuse Payments from Russia, — Moscow Times
Small regional banks in China have stopped accepting payments from Russia, according to reports from local business leaders and exporters. Russian media outlets indicate that while payments were relatively stable through May and June, transactions began to cease around July 20.
Alexey Razumovsky, Commercial Director of Impaya Rus, stated that over 98% of Chinese banks are now refusing direct transactions from Russia. This situation is expected to create supply chain issues and drive up prices. For several months, regional banks in China, which primarily cater to the domestic market, served as a “backup” for Russian companies. However, Russian businesses are now increasingly relying on payments through third countries.
One source confirmed that the number of transactions processed through third-party payment agents has surged in the last three weeks. Many Russian companies are attempting to send payments to China via Hong Kong banks, though some Chinese credit organizations are also declining these transactions.
Payments can still be processed through branches of Russian banks in China, but they come with a 5% premium over the Central Bank’s exchange rate. Additionally, many Chinese companies are unwilling to accept payments from branches of Russian financial institutions.
Small regional banks in China have stopped accepting payments from Russia, according to reports from local business leaders and exporters. Russian media outlets indicate that while payments were relatively stable through May and June, transactions began to cease around July 20.
Alexey Razumovsky, Commercial Director of Impaya Rus, stated that over 98% of Chinese banks are now refusing direct transactions from Russia. This situation is expected to create supply chain issues and drive up prices. For several months, regional banks in China, which primarily cater to the domestic market, served as a “backup” for Russian companies. However, Russian businesses are now increasingly relying on payments through third countries.
One source confirmed that the number of transactions processed through third-party payment agents has surged in the last three weeks. Many Russian companies are attempting to send payments to China via Hong Kong banks, though some Chinese credit organizations are also declining these transactions.
Payments can still be processed through branches of Russian banks in China, but they come with a 5% premium over the Central Bank’s exchange rate. Additionally, many Chinese companies are unwilling to accept payments from branches of Russian financial institutions.