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Military Stats: compare key data on Israel & Syria

chris.lockyer781

Author: chris.lockyer781

Iran and Syria are very close allies. This is mainly due to the fact that Syria’s ruling regime belong to the Alawite minority, which is an offshoot of Shiite Islam. Syria, along with Iran and its Hezbollah proxies, are the most serious enemies of Israel.

Syria and Iran have gone against Israel several times; once during the Six-Day War, and another during the Yum Kippur War – each time Israel decisively won. The difference in power between the two countries is clear, and this fact was highlighted even more when Israel struck a supposed shipment of ‘game-changing weapons’ within Syrian territory in which the latter did not attempt to retaliate.

The Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad is currently embroiled in a conflict for survival in its own turf. If not for Iranian and Hezbollah support (plus the infighting between rebels), the regime would have been toppled already. Israel’s involvement in the conflict is very limited – it has declared publicly that it will take all measures necessary to prevent the Hezbollah from acquiring highly-advanced rockets that would threaten Israeli population. Apart from that, Israel will not do anything.

Even prior to the civil war which tore its country apart, Syria lacked the means to effectively counter Israeli military might. Syria, however, does possess chemical and biological weapons to act as deterrence against any future Israeli aggression. At the same time, those weapons can be aimed at Israeli population centers – a scenario that Israel takes seriously.

Definitions

  • Air force > Combat aircraft: Number of fighter aircrafts (fixed wing aircrafts with combat capability).
  • Army > Main battle tanks: Number of main battle tanks.
  • Battle-related deaths > Number of people: Battle-related deaths (number of people). Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths.
  • Budget: Annual defense budget in billion USD.
  • Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index is comprised of 22 indicators in the three categories ongoing domestic or international conflicts; societal safety; and security and militarization. A low index value indicates a peaceful and safe country.
  • Military service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation.
  • Navy > Aircraft carriers: Number of aircraft carriers.
  • Navy > Corvette warships: Number of corvettes.
  • Navy > Submarines: Number of patrol boats (includes minesweepers).
  • Paramilitary personnel: Paramilitary.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Personnel > Per capita: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of sevice obligation.
  • WMD > Missile: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of missile weapons of mass destruction
  • WMD > Nuclear: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of nuclear weapons
  • War deaths: Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths."
  • Armed forces personnel: Total armed forces (2000)
  • Military expenditures: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
  • Military branches: This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces).
  • Expenditures > Percent of GDP: Current military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
  • Armed forces personnel > Total: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organisation, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces."
  • Personnel: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.
  • Navy > Frigates: Number of frigates.
  • Expenditures > Dollar figure per capita: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Branches: The names of the ground, naval, air, marine, and other defense or security forces
  • Battle-related deaths > Number of people per million: Battle-related deaths (number of people). Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical weapons possession:

    Status of possession of chemical weapons of countries that either declared chemical weapon stockpiles, are suspected of secretly stockpiling them, or are running chemical weapons research programs.

  • Military expenditure > Current LCU: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilisation, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)"
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Expenditures > Dollar figure: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies
  • Armed forces personnel per 1000: Total armed forces (2000). Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
  • Personnel per 1000: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Expenditure > Current LCU: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)
  • Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical Weapons Convention ratification: Date of ratification of the Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC) of countries who either declared chemical weapon stockpiles, are suspected of secretly stockpiling them, or are running chemical weapons research programs.
  • Conscription: A description of the status of conscription in the nation in 1997.
  • Armed forces growth: Growth in the number of armed forces personnel from 1985 (index = 100) to 2000. 100 means no growth, 50 means it halved and 200 means it doubled.
  • Imports > USD: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services."
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services.
  • WMD > Biological: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of biological weapons of mass destruction
  • Military expenditures > Percent of GDP: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
  • Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per $ GDP: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1,000 $ gross domestic product
  • WMD > Chemical: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of chemical weapons of mass destruction
  • Weapon holdings per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services.
  • Exports > USD: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services."
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per capita: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Manpower > Military age: The minimum age at which an individual may volunteer for military service or be subject to conscription.
  • Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Employment in arms > Production per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 per 1000: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve.
  • Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Military expenditure > % of GDP: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilisation, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)"
  • Manpower > Availability > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita: Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males per 1000: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Expenditure > % of GDP: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 per 1000: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Iraqi insurgency > Foreign fighter nationality distribution > Number: Foreign Insurgents captured in Iraq in the 7-month period April–October 2005:
  • Personnel > % of total labor force: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Armed forces personnel > % of total labor force: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organisation, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organisation's definition of the economically active population."
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Iraqi insurgency > Foreign fighter nationality distribution > Number per million: Foreign Insurgents captured in Iraq in the 7-month period April–October 2005:. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Expenditures > Dollar figure, % of GDP: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies. Figures expressed as a proportion of GDP for the same year
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
STAT Israel Syria HISTORY
Air force > Combat aircraft 420
Ranked 5th. 25% more than Syria
335
Ranked 1st.
Army > Main battle tanks 1,680
Ranked 6th.
3,500
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Israel
Battle-related deaths > Number of people 56
Ranked 21st.
842
Ranked 8th. 15 times more than Israel
Budget 16 US$ BN
Ranked 6th. 9 times more than Syria
1.85 US$ BN
Ranked 1st.
Global Peace Index 2.73
Ranked 1st.
3.39
Ranked 3rd. 24% more than Israel

Military service age and obligation 18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) military service; 17 years of age for voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for officers; pilots commit to 9 years service; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 18 months; women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve; re-enlistment obligation 5 years, with retirement after 15 years or age 40 (enlisted) or 20 years or age 45 (NCOs)
Navy > Aircraft carriers 0.0
Ranked 5th.
0.0
Ranked 1st.
Navy > Corvette warships 3
Ranked 7th.
7
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Israel
Navy > Submarines 6
Ranked 4th. Twice as much as Syria
3
Ranked 1st.
Paramilitary personnel 7,650
Ranked 1st.
108,000
Ranked 12th. 14 times more than Israel
Personnel > Per capita 25.42 per 1,000 people
Ranked 6th. 16% more than Syria
21.84 per 1,000 people
Ranked 8th.

Service age and obligation 18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for officers; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (18 months in the Syrian Arab Navy); women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve
WMD > Missile Israel's missile program began in the 1960s. Israel has a varied missile industry, having developed ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as missile defense systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Jericho ballistic missiles series was initiated in the 1960s with French assistance, beginning with the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) Jericho-1 with a 500 km range. In the 1970s, Israel developed the intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) Jericho-2, a two-stage, solid-fueled missile with a range of 1,500 to 3,500 km. There are some unconfirmed reports that suggest the existence of a 4,800 km-range Jericho-3 missile that may stem from Israel's space launch vehicle, the Shavit. Israel has also developed, with U.S. financial assistance, the Arrow theater defense missile, which has become one of the only functioning missile defense systems in the world. In addition to these systems, Israel has become a leading exporter of UAVs. Israel is not a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), though it has pledged to abide by the MTCR Guidelines. Israel has recently reported to have successfully tested the Arrow-2 anti-ballistic missile system, as well as new long-range guided missiles. Syria's missile program began in the early 1970s as a means to counter Israel’s superior conventional military capabilities; since that time, the missile program has grown in tandem with the development of chemical weapons (CW). Syria now has one of the largest arsenals of ballistic missiles in the region, made up of hundreds of Scud-derived missile systems. In the 1970s and 1980s, Syria relied on Soviet technology and support for its missile program and imported the Soviet FROG-7, Scud-Bs, and the solid-fueled Scarab SS-21 missiles. In the 1990s, Syria looked to other states to supply it with missile technology and found willing partners in Iran and North Korea. Iran provided Syria with technical assistance for solid-fueled rocket motor production, while North Korea supplied it with equipment and technical assistance for liquid-fueled missile production. Syria, however, has had difficulty creating an indigenous production capability and has had to rely on continued imports from countries such as North Korea and China. Syria reportedly purchased 150 Scud-C missiles from North Korea in 1991. In September 2000, Syria tested a North Korean, 700 km-range Scud-D, revealing its commitment to expanding its missile capability. Syria is not a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
WMD > Nuclear Israel has the most advanced nuclear weapons program in the Middle East. David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, clandestinely established the program in the late 1950s to meet the perceived existential threat to the nascent state. The program allegedly is centered at the Negev Nuclear Research Center, outside the town of Dimona. Based on estimates of the plutonium production capacity of the Dimona reactor, Israel has approximately 100-200 nuclear explosive devices. Officially, Israel has declared that it will not be the first to introduce nuclear weapons in the Middle East; however, it has not signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Israel's possession of nuclear weapons and its policy of declaratory ambiguity have led to increased tensions in current Middle East peace discussions and arms control negotiations. In July 2004, however, Israel accepted a visit from International Atomic Energy Agency director Mohamed ElBaradei. Israeli officials continue assert that they will address disarmament only after a comprehensive Middle Eastern peace is obtained, and to deny international inspection of the Dimona nuclear complex. Although the Israeli and U.S. governments have expressed concerns about Syrian nuclear weapons aspirations, there is little convincing evidence of such an objective. Syria signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1968 and ratified the document one year later; its 30 KW nuclear research reactor in Dayr al Jajar, provided by China, is under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. In 1998, the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission began discussions with Russia about expanding its nuclear infrastructure, as prior negotiations with Argentina and China had proved unsuccessful. In May 1999, Moscow and Damascus signed an agreement in which the former will provide at least one light water nuclear reactor, which will be subject to IAEA safeguards. At this time, Syria has neither the infrastructure nor the financial resources to pursue an indigenous nuclear weapons program. Following revelations regarding the nuclear technology proliferation network of Pakistan's A.Q. Khan in 2003, some have evinced concern that Syria may have been a client. In a September 2004 interview, IAEA Secretary General ElBaradei stated that there are "no indications" of such a relationship.
War deaths 486
Ranked 15th.
0.0
Ranked 127th.

Armed forces personnel 172,000
Ranked 29th.
316,000
Ranked 13th. 84% more than Israel
Military expenditures 7.4% of GDP
Ranked 4th. 2 times more than Syria
3.6% of GDP
Ranked 4th.
Military branches Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Force (IN), Israel Air Force (IAF) Syrian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (includes Air Defense Forces)
Expenditures > Percent of GDP 7.3%
Ranked 3rd. 24% more than Syria
5.9%
Ranked 11th.

Manpower fit for military service > Males age 16-49 None None
Armed forces personnel > Total 185,000
Ranked 31st.
401,000
Ranked 16th. 2 times more than Israel

Personnel 176,000
Ranked 37th.
416,000
Ranked 17th. 2 times more than Israel

Navy > Frigates 0.0
Ranked 11th.
5
Ranked 1st.
Expenditures > Dollar figure per capita $1,361.79
Ranked 1st. 26 times more than Syria
$52.41
Ranked 10th.
Branches Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Forces (INF), Israel Air Force (IAF) Syrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air and Air Defense Forces (includes Air Defense Command)
Battle-related deaths > Number of people per million 7.21
Ranked 13th.
38.34
Ranked 6th. 5 times more than Israel
Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical weapons possession Probable Known
Military expenditure > Current LCU 53.06 billion
Ranked 37th.
101.46 billion
Ranked 28th. 91% more than Israel

Manpower reaching military age annually > Males 62,304
Ranked 95th.
256,698
Ranked 46th. 4 times more than Israel

Expenditures > Dollar figure $9.11 billion
Ranked 14th. 11 times more than Syria
$858.00 million
Ranked 7th.
Weapon holdings 15.98 million
Ranked 4th. 34% more than Syria
11.9 million
Ranked 5th.
Armed forces personnel per 1000 27.35
Ranked 2nd. 42% more than Syria
19.3
Ranked 8th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males 60,602
Ranked 104th.
215,734
Ranked 51st. 4 times more than Israel

Manpower available for military service > Males age 16-49 None None
Personnel per 1000 25.4
Ranked 5th. 11% more than Syria
22.9
Ranked 7th.

Expenditure > Current LCU 43902000000 77800000000
Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical Weapons Convention ratification No No
Conscription <a href=/graph-T/mil_con>Conscription</a> exists (<a href=/encyclopedia/artificial-intelligence>AI</a>). <a href=/graph-T/mil_con>Conscription</a> exists (<a href=/encyclopedia/artificial-intelligence>AI</a>).
Armed forces growth 21%
Ranked 52nd.
-21%
Ranked 92nd.
Imports > USD 524 million
Ranked 17th. 6 times more than Syria
81 million
Ranked 42nd.

Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ 1.42 billion constant 1990 US$
Ranked 4th. 109 times more than Syria
13 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 68th.

WMD > Biological Israel's neighboring states allege that Israel has an offensive biological weapons (BW) program, but there are no reliable sources on specific biological agents the Israelis may possess. Reportedly, Israeli specialized military units sabotaged water wells with typhoid and dysentery bacteria in Acre (near Haifa), Palestine during the 1948 war, but evidence of such events is fragmentary. Speculation that the program is located at the Israel Institute of Biological Research (IIBR) in Ness Ziona has raised both international and domestic concerns. Activists within the Israeli community have recently protested the expansion of the Institute due to reports, denied by Israeli officials, of multiple injuries and deaths within the facility and one near-evacuation of the surrounding area. Israel is not a signatory to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC). In 2001, Israel's foreign and defense ministries reassessed policy with regard to the BWC, but no change in approach has yet been made public. There is very limited open-source information regarding Syria's biological warfare (BW) capability. German and Israeli sources have asserted that Syria possesses Bacillus anthracis (which causes anthrax), botulinum toxin, and ricin. Other independent assessments, however, maintain there is no evidence that the country has progressed past the research and development phase of a BW capability. Syria has a pharmaceutical infrastructure that could support a limited BW program, and it engages in extensive trade of dual-use equipment and goods with companies in Western Europe, Russia, and North Korea. Damascus ratified the Geneva Protocol in 1968 and signed the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) on April 14, 1972, but has yet to ratify it.
Expenditures 7.3% of GDP
Ranked 3rd. 24% more than Syria
5.9% of GDP
Ranked 4th.
Military expenditures > Percent of GDP 7.3% of GDP
Ranked 3rd. 24% more than Syria
5.9% of GDP
Ranked 5th.
Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per $ GDP $82.59 per 1,000 $ of GDP
Ranked 3rd. 86% more than Syria
$44.40 per 1,000 $ of GDP
Ranked 3rd.
WMD > Chemical While there are allegations that Israel has an advanced chemical weapons (CW) program, no confirmed evidence of production or stockpiling exists. Some reports have suggested an offensive CW program is located at the Israel Institute for Biological Research in Nes Ziona. In October 1992, an El Al airliner carrying a cargo of approximately 50 gallons of dimethyl methylphosphonate (a widely used simulant for defensive research but also a possible precursor of sarin nerve agent) destined for the Institute crashed in Amsterdam. Israel stated that this material was being imported to test gas masks. Israel has signed but not ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Syria is suspected of having one of the most advanced chemical warfare (CW) capabilities in the Middle East and among developing countries worldwide. Syria allegedly received initial chemical warfare assistance and supplies, including weaponized chemical agents, from Egypt prior to the October War against Israel in 1973. Analysts claim that the country now has an indigenous capability to produce and weaponize nerve (e.g., sarin) and blister (e.g., mustard) agents. There are numerous highly inconsistent reports that Syria has successfully produced and weaponized VX nerve agent. There are some allegations that Syria received Russian assistance in developing this agent in the 1990s but these reports remain substantially unconfirmed in the open sources. Syria appears to remain dependent on the acquisition of imported dual-use technology, equipment and precursors. In the past Syria has acquired many of these items from various European countries and India. Despite the widespread belief that Syria has an active chemical weapons program it is still able to obtain access to many dual-use chemicals used by its oil and chemical industries. As export controls have tightened Syria has increasingly turned to imports from countries outside international export control regimes such as Egypt and North Korea for the provision of certain precursor chemicals. Syria is still able to meet many of its more general bulk chemical needs from its traditional European and Indian suppliers. Syria possesses Scud-B and Scud-C ballistic missiles capable of being fitted with chemical warheads, and in 1999 it allegedly tested a Scud-B carrying a warhead designed to disperse VX. The quality of Syrian weaponization efforts is not clear from open-sources and it remains unclear how effective the use of Scud missiles would be against Israeli defenses. In addition to this long range capability Syria is believed to possess a significant tactical chemical weapons capability centered around artillery shells and rockets. Open sources assert that there are at least three Syrian facilities currently engaged in producing CW, located near Damascus, Hama, and Safira village (in the Aleppo area). Beginning in early 2003 officials in the united States and Israel began to suggest that Syria had received shipments of chemical weapons and other WMD from Iraq. These allegations increased in frequency as the absence of WMD in Iraq became more apparent. To date the available information suggests that these allegations are at best speculative and at worst malicious. Given the claims that Syria has the most advanced CW capability in the middle-east it is difficult to find a convincing rationale for Syria receiving illicit Iraqi WMD stocks. Since late 2002 Syria has been confronted by an aggressive United States using WMD possession as a justification for pre-emptive military action. Since April 2003 Syria has been effectively surrounded by the United States and its allies and has come under increasing political and military pressures. Damascus ratified the Geneva Protocol in 1968, but so far has declined to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). In 2004 Syrian officials met with the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). In the absence of information on the content of the discussions the significance of this development remains unclear.
Weapon holdings per 1000 2,482.53
Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Syria
712.83
Ranked 7th.
Manpower fit for military service > Females age 16-49 1446132 4884151
Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ 160 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 12th. 4 times more than Syria
38 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 21st.

Employment in arms > Production 35,000
Ranked 18th. 2 times more than Syria
15,000
Ranked 36th.
Exports > USD 410 million
Ranked 10th. 137 times more than Syria
3 million
Ranked 39th.

Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people 7.88
Ranked 140th.
11.46
Ranked 32nd. 45% more than Israel

Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per capita $1,361.80 per capita
Ranked 1st. 27 times more than Syria
$51.03 per capita
Ranked 9th.
Manpower > Availability > Males 1.72 million
Ranked 99th.
5.25 million
Ranked 52nd. 3 times more than Israel

Manpower > Military age 18 years of age 19 years of age
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49 53,760
Ranked 87th.
225,113
Ranked 40th. 4 times more than Israel
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males 62,304
Ranked 95th.
256,698
Ranked 46th. 4 times more than Israel
Manpower available for military service > Females age 16-49 None None
Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita 23,109.37 constant 1990 US$ per 1
Ranked 6th. 9 times more than Syria
2,716.76 constant 1990 US$ per 1
Ranked 23th.

Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita 205.19 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 2nd. 279 times more than Syria
0.735 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 75th.

Employment in arms > Production per 1000 5.44
Ranked 5th. 6 times more than Syria
0.898
Ranked 26th.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males 1.45 million
Ranked 87th.
4.24 million
Ranked 49th. 3 times more than Israel

Manpower > Availability > Females 1.64 million
Ranked 93th.
4.97 million
Ranked 49th. 3 times more than Israel

Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 1.56 million
Ranked 99th.
4.72 million
Ranked 53th. 3 times more than Israel

Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita 205.38 constant 1990 US$ per c
Ranked 2nd. 293 times more than Syria
0.7 constant 1990 US$ per c
Ranked 75th.

Manpower reaching military age annually > Females 59,418
Ranked 95th.
244,712
Ranked 47th. 4 times more than Israel
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people 7.79
Ranked 140th.
11.36
Ranked 43th. 46% more than Israel
Manpower > Fit for military service > Females 1.38 million
Ranked 84th.
4.22 million
Ranked 46th. 3 times more than Israel

Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 per 1000 225.5
Ranked 136th.
259.55
Ranked 57th. 15% more than Israel

Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 1.28 million
Ranked 89th.
2.63 million
Ranked 55th. 2 times more than Israel

Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49 per 1000 7.49
Ranked 103th.
11.51
Ranked 25th. 54% more than Israel
Manpower > Fit for military service > Females per 1000 189.33
Ranked 89th.
207.34
Ranked 60th. 10% more than Israel

Military expenditure > % of GDP 6.93%
Ranked 2nd. 67% more than Syria
4.16%
Ranked 11th.

Manpower > Availability > Females per 1000 223.92
Ranked 117th.
244.09
Ranked 73th. 9% more than Israel

Manpower > Availability > Males per 1000 234.97
Ranked 134th.
258.13
Ranked 72nd. 10% more than Israel

Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita 8.09 per 1,000 people
Ranked 142nd.
10.29 per 1,000 people
Ranked 88th. 27% more than Israel

Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita 0.233 per capita
Ranked 141st.
0.262 per capita
Ranked 73th. 12% more than Israel

Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita 8.52 per 1,000 people
Ranked 138th.
10.93 per 1,000 people
Ranked 79th. 28% more than Israel

Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males per 1000 8.29
Ranked 130th.
10.6
Ranked 79th. 28% more than Israel

Expenditure > % of GDP 7.92%
Ranked 2nd. 27% more than Syria
6.22%
Ranked 8th.

Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 per 1000 184.6
Ranked 63th. 28% more than Syria
144.72
Ranked 110th.

Iraqi insurgency > Foreign fighter nationality distribution > Number 1
Ranked 17th.
66
Ranked 2nd. 66 times more than Israel
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Female 59418 244712
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Male 62304 256698
Personnel > % of total labor force 6.45%
Ranked 5th. 17% more than Syria
5.49%
Ranked 9th.

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people 8.08
Ranked 133th.
11.43
Ranked 22nd. 41% more than Israel
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males per 1000 198.79
Ranked 74th.
208.51
Ranked 53th. 5% more than Israel

Armed forces personnel > % of total labor force 5.87%
Ranked 6th.
5.96%
Ranked 4th. 2% more than Israel

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people 7.79
Ranked 139th.
11.36
Ranked 43th. 46% more than Israel
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females 57,532
Ranked 105th.
203,106
Ranked 52nd. 4 times more than Israel

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females 59,418
Ranked 95th.
244,712
Ranked 47th. 4 times more than Israel
Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita 23.09 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 6th. 8 times more than Syria
2.8 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 23th.

Iraqi insurgency > Foreign fighter nationality distribution > Number per million 0.144
Ranked 14th.
3.63
Ranked 1st. 25 times more than Israel
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females per 1000 7.87
Ranked 134th.
9.98
Ranked 88th. 27% more than Israel

Expenditures > Dollar figure, % of GDP 7.68%
Ranked 3rd. 73% more than Syria
4.44%
Ranked 3rd.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 > Per capita 0.19 per capita
Ranked 68th. 30% more than Syria
0.146 per capita
Ranked 116th.

SOURCES: Wikipedia: List of countries by level of military equipment (List); Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/UCDP/.; http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/indexes/global-peace-index, Global Rankings. Vision of Humanity.; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Wikipedia: List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel (The list); World Development Indicators database; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; The Nuclear Threat Initiative; Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/ucdp/.; IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press; CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance.; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/UCDP/. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: Chemical warfare (Efforts to eradicate chemical weapons); Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Yearbook: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security.; Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC); IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; World Development Indicators database. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: Chemical weapon proliferation; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland, 1997. Data collected from the nations concerned, unless otherwise indicated. Acronyms: Amnesty International (AI); European Council of Conscripts Organizations (ECCO); Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC); International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHFHR); National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO); Service, Peace and Justice in Latin America (SERPAJ); War Resisters International (WRI); World Council of Churches (WCC); calculated on the basis of data on armed forces from IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press; Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 14 June, 2007; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 14 June, 2007. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Alan B. Krueger: The National Origins of Foreign Fighters in IraqPrinceton University and NBER, 30 December 2006.; Alan B. Krueger: The National Origins of Foreign Fighters in IraqPrinceton University and NBER, 30 December 2006. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008. GDP figures sourced from World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.

Citation

5

Iran and Syria are very close allies. This is mainly due to the fact that Syria’s ruling regime belong to the Alawite minority, which is an offshoot of Shiite Islam. Syria, along with Iran and its Hezbollah proxies, are the most serious enemies of Israel.

Syria and Iran have gone against Israel several times; once during the Six-Day War, and another during the Yum Kippur War – each time Israel decisively won. The difference in power between the two countries is clear, and this fact was highlighted even more when Israel struck a supposed shipment of ‘game-changing weapons’ within Syrian territory in which the latter did not attempt to retaliate.

The Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad is currently embroiled in a conflict for survival in its own turf. If not for Iranian and Hezbollah support (plus the infighting between rebels), the regime would have been toppled already. Israel’s involvement in the conflict is very limited – it has declared publicly that it will take all measures necessary to prevent the Hezbollah from acquiring highly-advanced rockets that would threaten Israeli population. Apart from that, Israel will not do anything.

Even prior to the civil war which tore its country apart, Syria lacked the means to effectively counter Israeli military might. Syria, however, does possess chemical and biological weapons to act as deterrence against any future Israeli aggression. At the same time, those weapons can be aimed at Israeli population centers – a scenario that Israel takes seriously.

Posted on 28 Mar 2014

chris.lockyer781

chris.lockyer781

396 Stat enthusiast

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