AZERBAIJAN LISTED AMONG WORLD’S MOST MILITARIZED COUNTRIES
November 14, 2012 – 19:22 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net – Israel tops the list of the world’s most militarized
nations, according to the latest Global Militarization Index released
Tuesday, Nov 13 by the Bonn International Centre for Conversion (BICC).
At number 34, Israel’s main regional rival, Iran, is far behind.
Indeed, every other Near Eastern country, with the exceptions of Yemen
(37) and Qatar (43), is more heavily militarized than the Islamic
Republic, according to the Index, whose research is funded by the
German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Singapore ranks second, followed by Syria, Russia, Jordan, and
Cyprus, according to the Index, which is based on a number of weighted
variables, such as the comparison of a country’s military budget with
its gross domestic product (GDP), and the percentage of the GDP it
spends on health care.
Six of the top 10 states, including Israel (1), Syria (4), Jordan
(5), Kuwait (7), Bahrain (9), and Saudi Arabia (10) are located in
the Middle East, while yet another of Iran’s neighbors, Azerbaijan,
made its first entry into the militarized elite at number 8.
Meanwhile, Armenia is ranked 23rd.
Bahrain’s placement in the top 10 was also a first for the
Sunni-dominated kingdom which has been backed by Saudi Arabia and
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in an increasingly violent effort to
suppress demands by the Shi’ite majority for democratic reform.
While the Middle East is far more militarized than any other region –
all of its countries rank within the top 40 – Southeast Asia, led by
Singapore, appears ascendant, according to Jan Grebe, the Index’s head
researcher who directs BICC’s work in the field of arms export control.
In addition to Singapore, China (82) and India (71) are increasing
their defense budgets at a relatively rapid rate, while the recent
flaring of territorial conflicts between Beijing and its neighbors
across the South and East China Seas will likely amplify voices within
those countries for defense build-ups, IPS reported.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2012/11/15/azerbaijan-listed-among-worlds-most-militarized-countries/
