The Middle East remains a tumultuous region of the world, forcing the various regional players to maintain large standing armies. Key regional powers remain Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Many of the larger conflicts have become venues for proxy wars in which regional powers are testing the abilities of their rivals.
In Yemen for example, a coalition involving Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others is fighting to reinstate the government of president Abed Rabbou Mansour Hadi while Iran has been providing support to the main opposition group, known as the Houthi rebels. In Syria, elements of the armed forces of Iran, Turkey and others have been heavily involved alongside myriad rebel groups.
Egypt
For 2020, Egypt is ranked 9 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx rating of 0.1872.The country has struggled to deal with the challenge posed by insurgent, terrorist groups in the northern Sinai Peninsula for the past few years. With a GFP score of 0.1872.
The Egyptian naval force, meanwhile, is made up of 316 totals assets, among which there are 2 aircraft carriers, 7 frigates, 8 submarines, and 0 destroyers. Egypt’s military is the 9th strongest in the world
Turkey
For 2020, Turkey is ranked 11 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx* rating of 0.2098. The country has important overseas military ties with Qatar and Somalia, basing troops in both countries. Not only is it seen as the strongest military force in the MENA region, it is ranked in eighth place globally, just ahead of Germany and one place below Japan.
Iran
For 2020, Iran is ranked 14 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx rating of 0.2191.Its armed forces are also seen as particular strong in asymmetric warfare.
Iranian forces, particularly the elite Al Quds unit of the IRGC, have played a key role in the fighting in both Syria and Iraq and Tehran has also provided support to Houthi rebels in Yemen. Iran’s GFP score of 0.3933 puts it ahead of any of its immediate neighbors.
Iran vs Turkey Military Comparison
Saudi Arabia
For 2020, Saudi Arabia is ranked 17 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx rating of 0.3034.The huge amount of money being spent by Riyadh each year means the country has the best equipped armed forces in the region with the exception of Israel. Its involvement in the Yemen civil war over the past three years has given its forces valuable frontline experience.
Israel
For 2020, Israel is ranked 18 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx rating of 0.3111.The Israel Defence Forces are the best equipped, best trained and most capable of any in the region according to the IISS, not least because of continued massive support from the US. However, the country’s GFP index score of 0.3476 still places it behind two others in the region.
Saudi Arabia Military Threat to Israel
United Arab Emirates
For 2020, United Arab Emirates is ranked 45 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx rating of 0.7034.The UAE’s armed forces remain relatively small, with 63,000 active service personnel.
Iraq
For 2020, Iraq is ranked 50 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx rating of 0.7911.Iraq has the second highest known budget of any country in the region, although this is still a long way behind Saudi Arabia’s spending levels.
Syria
For 2020, Syria is ranked 55 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx rating of 0.8241.More than six years of fighting has left Syria’s military machine badly damaged but also battle-hardened. The IISS says the army currently has some 105,000 serving members but is short of personnel.
Jordan
For 2020, Jordan is ranked 72 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx rating of 1.1441.Still, Jordan fields a relatively formidable military, with a standing force of around 175,000 soldiers. Relative is the key term: Total armed forces personnel for the United States is around 1.4 million, depending on how you crunch the numbers.
Yemen
For 2020, Yemen is ranked 74 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx rating of 1.2412.Rebel military networks led by the Houthi clan currently control the capital and the majority of densely populated north and central Yemen. They draw on advice and resupply from Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah.
While recognized nuclear powers receive a bonus, the nuclear stockpiles are not factored into the score. Moreover, countries that are landlocked are not docked points for lacking a navy, though they are penalized for not having a merchant marine force. Countries with navies are penalized if there is a lack of diversity in their naval assets.
Written By - HossamElsakran
Edited by - Gourav Chowdhury
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