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CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR: ARMENIA HAS TRADITIONALLY HAD A STRONGER ARMY THAN AZERBAIJAN
Panorama.am
04/06/2010
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published
an annual report on defense expenditure, stating the world military
expenditure rose in 2009, reaching an estimated $1531 billion, an
increase of 5.9 percent in real terms compared with 2008, and 49
percent higher than in 2000.
The US remains by far the biggest military spender, followed by China,
the "Christian Science Monitor" says quoting SIPRI annual report on
worldwide military expenditures, released June 2. Last year saw the
steepest jump in worldwide military spending since the start of the
Iraq War in 2003.
But, as the world's military spending increased nearly 50 percent over
the past decade, the biggest military budget increases were seen in
small, oil-rich countries flooded with new wealth.
>From 2000 to 2009, Chad increased its military budget 663 percent,
Azerbaijan increased 471 percent, and Kazakhstan increased 360 percent.
"It creates potential dangers," Sam Perlo-Freeman, one of the report's
authors and the head of SIPRI's military expenditure project, said,
adding that "Although there is nothing inevitable about arms races
leading to war, it can potentially be a warning sign."
According to the source, in Central Asia, Azerbaijan has used oil
revenues to beef up forces along its border with Armenia, which
has traditionally had a stronger army and enjoys strategic terrain
advantages.
The International Crisis Group said in a report last year that
Azerbaijan's stronger military could put the fragile truce with
Armenia under threat, "Christian Science Monitor" writes.
"Azerbaijan has been playing catch-up with Armenia," Perlo-Freeman told
"Christian Science Monitor", noting the conflict over the disputed
Karabakh region.
From: A. Papazian
Panorama.am
04/06/2010
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published
an annual report on defense expenditure, stating the world military
expenditure rose in 2009, reaching an estimated $1531 billion, an
increase of 5.9 percent in real terms compared with 2008, and 49
percent higher than in 2000.
The US remains by far the biggest military spender, followed by China,
the "Christian Science Monitor" says quoting SIPRI annual report on
worldwide military expenditures, released June 2. Last year saw the
steepest jump in worldwide military spending since the start of the
Iraq War in 2003.
But, as the world's military spending increased nearly 50 percent over
the past decade, the biggest military budget increases were seen in
small, oil-rich countries flooded with new wealth.
>From 2000 to 2009, Chad increased its military budget 663 percent,
Azerbaijan increased 471 percent, and Kazakhstan increased 360 percent.
"It creates potential dangers," Sam Perlo-Freeman, one of the report's
authors and the head of SIPRI's military expenditure project, said,
adding that "Although there is nothing inevitable about arms races
leading to war, it can potentially be a warning sign."
According to the source, in Central Asia, Azerbaijan has used oil
revenues to beef up forces along its border with Armenia, which
has traditionally had a stronger army and enjoys strategic terrain
advantages.
The International Crisis Group said in a report last year that
Azerbaijan's stronger military could put the fragile truce with
Armenia under threat, "Christian Science Monitor" writes.
"Azerbaijan has been playing catch-up with Armenia," Perlo-Freeman told
"Christian Science Monitor", noting the conflict over the disputed
Karabakh region.
From: A. Papazian