ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel The Infographics Show Weakest Militaries Around the World in 2024
Ever wondered which countries have the smallest and least powerful militaries? Let’s take a look at some nations where the military might not be as strong as others. These countries could face big changes if their governments shift or if they face new challenges.
El Salvador has had a tough history, including a long civil war that caused many deaths. Today, their military, which includes the army, navy, and air force, focuses on fighting gang violence. With about 25,000 active members, they mostly use older equipment and have a few armored vehicles from France.
Botswana has moved past its conflicts and is now known for its stable democracy. The Botswana Defense Force, with around 21,000 members, helps with disaster relief and stopping poachers. They have light tanks and a small number of aircraft.
Since gaining independence in 1960, Burkina Faso has seen political instability and military coups. Their military, with about 12,000 active personnel, focuses on fighting extremist groups and uses mostly older equipment from the Cold War era.
Nepal is known for its strong military tradition, especially the famous Gurkhas. With around 95,000 personnel, their military focuses on counterterrorism and UN peacekeeping missions, but they have limited combat vehicles.
Montenegro became independent in 2006 and has a small military of about 2,350 personnel. They are working to modernize their forces to meet NATO standards but have limited resources for combat.
Senegal’s military, with 17,000 personnel, is well-trained and involved in peacekeeping and regional stability. They use a mix of international equipment and have a good relationship with their civilian government.
Mauritania’s military has about 32,000 personnel, but much of their equipment is outdated. They face challenges related to governance and security, especially concerning extremism.
Gabon, rich in oil, has a military of 4,800 personnel. They lack heavy armor and face challenges with governance and stability.
Madagascar’s military, with 13,500 personnel, focuses on anti-piracy and internal security. They have been criticized for accountability issues and use older equipment.
Panama doesn’t have a national military but relies on a paramilitary force of about 80,000 for internal defense, focusing on counterterrorism and counternarcotics operations.
Kosovo has about 10,000 active duty personnel trained to NATO standards. They lack heavy equipment but receive support from Western nations.
Iceland doesn’t have a military but maintains a police force. Its strategic location makes it important to NATO.
The Central African Republic has a military of about 10,000 personnel, focusing on securing transportation corridors and mining sites amid ongoing internal conflict.
Sierra Leone’s military, with about 13,000 personnel, was restructured with international help after a civil war. They have limited equipment and a small naval force.
Belize has a military of about 1,650 personnel, supported by a British army base that provides training in jungle warfare.
Liberia’s military, with about 1,500 personnel, primarily consists of light infantry trained by the US.
Benin’s military has 4,750 active personnel and is working on combating terrorism. They are in the process of building up and modernizing their forces.
Somalia’s military, with about 15,000 personnel, is actively engaged in combat against extremist groups and receives support from international partners.
Suriname has a military of about 2,000 personnel, focusing on the drug trade and border security, with plans to enhance its capabilities.
Moldova’s military, with around 8,500 personnel, is undergoing modernization efforts to counter potential threats.
Bhutan’s military, with about 7,500 personnel, focuses on internal security and counterinsurgency operations, relying on India for defense support.
Interested in learning about the most powerful military in 2024? Check out the next video!
Using a blank world map, mark the countries mentioned in the article. Use different colors to indicate the size and strength of each country’s military. This will help you visualize the global distribution of military power and understand the geographical context of each nation.
Choose one of the countries from the article and research its military history. Prepare a short presentation for the class, highlighting key events, changes in military strategy, and current challenges. This will deepen your understanding of how historical events shape a nation’s military.
Participate in a class debate on the importance of having a strong military for national security. Consider the perspectives of countries with weaker militaries and discuss alternative ways they can ensure their safety and stability. This activity will enhance your critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Imagine you are part of a UN peacekeeping team assigned to one of the countries mentioned. Design a mission plan that addresses the country’s specific needs and challenges. Present your plan to the class, explaining how it could help improve stability and security in the region.
Write a letter to a world leader of one of the countries with a weaker military, offering suggestions on how they might strengthen their national defense or improve international relations. This exercise will help you practice persuasive writing and consider global diplomatic strategies.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript, with sensitive content and potentially offensive language removed or modified for clarity and appropriateness:
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Got a few friends and some spare time? These are the weakest militaries in the world, which are just one regime change away from being significantly impacted.
**21. El Salvador**
El Salvador has faced significant challenges, including a twelve-year civil war that resulted in 75,000 deaths. The military is primarily focused on combating gang violence, with one of the highest homicide rates globally. The military consists of an army, navy, and air force, with around 25,000 active personnel. Most equipment is older, and the nation lacks heavy combat platforms, relying on a small number of French-made armored vehicles.
**20. Botswana**
Botswana has a history of conflict but has become a success story with strong democratic governance. The Botswana Defense Force includes around 21,000 personnel and is involved in disaster relief and anti-poaching efforts. The military operates light tanks and a small fleet of aircraft.
**19. Burkina Faso**
Burkina Faso has experienced political instability and military coups since gaining independence in 1960. The military focuses on combating extremist groups and has approximately 12,000 active personnel, with equipment primarily from Cold War-era stock and international donations.
**18. Nepal**
Nepal successfully retained its independence from British colonialism and has a strong military tradition, particularly with the Gurkhas. The military has around 95,000 personnel but limited combat vehicles, focusing on counterterrorism and UN peacekeeping missions.
**17. Montenegro**
Montenegro gained independence in 2006 and has a small military of about 2,350 personnel. The nation is modernizing its forces to meet NATO standards but has limited resources for combat operations.
**16. Senegal**
Senegal has a well-trained military of 17,000 personnel, engaged in peacekeeping and regional stability efforts. The military operates a mix of international equipment and has a positive relationship with the civilian government.
**15. Mauritania**
Mauritania has a military of about 32,000 personnel, but much of its equipment is outdated. The nation has faced challenges related to governance and security, particularly concerning extremism.
**14. Gabon**
Gabon is an oil-rich nation with a military of 4,800 personnel. The military lacks heavy armor and has faced challenges regarding governance and stability.
**13. Madagascar**
Madagascar has a military of 13,500 personnel, primarily focused on anti-piracy and internal security. The military has been criticized for accountability issues and operates older equipment.
**12. Panama**
Panama has no national military but relies on a paramilitary force focused on internal defense. The force is estimated to be around 80,000 strong, with a focus on counterterrorism and counternarcotics operations.
**11. Kosovo**
Kosovo has an active duty force of about 10,000 personnel, trained to NATO standards. The military lacks heavy equipment but is receiving support from Western nations.
**10. Iceland**
Iceland has no military but maintains a police force. The nation is strategically important to NATO due to its location.
**9. Central African Republic**
The Central African Republic has a military of approximately 10,000 personnel, focusing on security along transportation corridors and mining sites amid ongoing internal conflict.
**8. Sierra Leone**
Sierra Leone’s military consists of about 13,000 personnel, restructured with international assistance after a civil war. The military operates limited equipment and has a small naval force.
**7. Belize**
Belize has a military of about 1,650 personnel, supported by a British army base that provides training in jungle warfare.
**6. Liberia**
Liberia has a diverse population and a military of about 1,500 personnel, primarily consisting of light infantry trained by the US.
**5. Benin**
Benin’s military has 4,750 active personnel and is engaged in combating terrorism. The nation is in the midst of a military buildup and modernization effort.
**4. Somalia**
Somalia’s military consists of about 15,000 personnel, actively engaged in combat against extremist groups. The military is supported by international partners.
**3. Suriname**
Suriname has a military of about 2,000 personnel, focused on drug trade and border security, with plans to enhance its capabilities.
**2. Moldova**
Moldova’s military numbers around 8,500 personnel and is undergoing modernization efforts to counter potential threats.
**1. Bhutan**
Bhutan has a military of about 7,500 personnel, primarily focused on internal security and counterinsurgency operations, relying on India for defense support.
Now go check out the Most Powerful Military in 2024, or click this other video instead!
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This version maintains the essential information while ensuring that the language is appropriate and respectful.
Military – Relating to the armed forces or to soldiers, arms, or war – The military plays a crucial role in defending a nation’s borders and maintaining peace.
Personnel – The people who work for an organization or are engaged in an organized undertaking such as military service – The base was staffed with military personnel who were trained to handle emergencies.
Equipment – The necessary items for a particular purpose, especially for military or technical operations – The soldiers were equipped with the latest communication equipment to ensure effective coordination during the mission.
Governance – The action or manner of governing a state, organization, or people – Effective governance is essential for maintaining order and providing public services in a country.
Security – The state of being free from danger or threat, often related to national safety – National security measures were heightened to protect citizens from potential threats.
Counterterrorism – Activities or strategies that are intended to prevent or respond to terrorist activities – The government implemented counterterrorism strategies to safeguard the nation from extremist attacks.
Peacekeeping – The active maintenance of a truce between nations or communities, often by an international military force – The United Nations sent peacekeeping forces to the region to help stabilize the situation and prevent further conflict.
Stability – The state of being stable, especially in terms of political or economic conditions – Political stability is vital for economic growth and attracting foreign investment.
Conflicts – Serious disagreements or arguments, often prolonged and involving different countries or groups – The international community worked together to mediate conflicts and promote peace in the war-torn region.
Democracy – A system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives – In a democracy, citizens have the right to vote and participate in decision-making processes.
