Military Power Rankings Mirror Changing Geopolitics Of The Indo-Pacific
The Indo-Pacific is emerging as a key region in great power politics, and its military capabilities — rankings of the armed forces by global firepower. As one of the world’s largest economiesand home to some of the most strategically important waterways, economic rivalry, territorial disputes, and enhanced military capabilities have resulted in rising tensions. The changing military power rankings of many nations, including China, India, Japan, Australia, and the United States highlight shifts in global geopolitics that could become more pronounced in years to come.
Here we look at what these military rankings mean for the geopolitical balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and global stability.
The Dominance Of The Chinese Military
One of the defining features of China’s ascendance as a global superpower has been its swift military modernization. The nation has in recent years made significant increases to its defense budget — now the second-largest globally — and invested extensively in its naval, aerial, and missile defenses. To that end, Beijing has sought to effectively colonize the South China Sea by building artificial islands in the field and militarizing them with defense-related infrastructure under the protection of its armed forces, known collectively Read more...
