Hey General:
Thanks for your service- no doubt the Australian Army is better off for your service.
Cheers.
I've got nothing but love for all the units you mentioned.
I didn't actually mention any units. I just quoted from a military website what
they regarded were each nations' capabilities (in brief).
As for the other nations you felt warranted a mention I have quoted you and printed below what the website side. Hope it provides interesting reading........
1.) China- sweet Jesus- they are scary
China - The confrontation with Taiwan continues, as do hostilities with neighbors, separatists, dissenters and ancient enemies. A new government in Taiwan plays down independence, and China responds with soothing words. But also China speeds up modernization of its armed forces, but in ways Westerners have a difficult time understanding. China has developed a major Cyber War capability, and has been using it for over a year. The targets of this, in Western Europe and the U.S., have figured this out, and a new crises is born. China has become major secret supplier of cheap weapons to bad guys everywhere. World class weapons are planned for the future, some 10-20 years from now.
2.) The African Union- I think if they can get some solid leadership and some first class training, they could be a major player- still decades away though, at best.
Nigeria - Military superpower in the region. Lots of quantity, some quality. Too many tribes, not enough oil money and too much corruption creates growing violence. The tribes and gangs (both criminal and political) in the oil producing region (the Niger Delta) are getting organized, and a lot more violent. The northern Muslims want more control over the federal government (and the oil money). Local rebels threaten loss of most oil revenue, which is getting the governments attention.
3.) Future Iraqi Army- same reasoning as 2 above- they need some stability there and some stable leadership but the rank and file Iraqi isn't one to scoff at. A lot of reports I have heard ring the same- quick to engage but quick to split once the lead starts to fly- discipline will square that away- still gotta give them their props- any force that can take a stand against Abrams, Bradleys and Apache HK teams have some iron in their bellies- glad that was a gut check I didn't have to make.
Iraq - The “surge offensive” of 2007 capitalized on years of work, and crushed the Islamic terrorists. Violence plunged by over 80 percent. More areas of the country are now at peace (as most have been since 2003.) The Sunni Arab minority has worked out peace deals with the majority Kurds and Shia Arabs. Some Sunni Arab Islamic radicals are still active, but are in decline. Some Sunni Arabs, who had fled the country, are returning, but nearly half the Sunni Arabs are already gone. The Shia militias have been defeated as well, mainly by Iraqi police and troops. Corruption and inept government continues to be a major problem
4.) South African army- strong strong force, very capable and competent.
South Africa - Regional superpower. Modern and efficient army, navy, air force and paramilitary. Only nation to voluntarily give up nukes. Much internal strife but no neighbors that are a threat. Radical elements of the Xhosa, Zulu and Boers ethnic groups threaten armed violence.
5.) The Polish Army- what they are doing in Afghanistan is amazing. Their support of the US will pay huge rewards for them in the decades to come.
Poland - End of the Cold War led to shrinking of army. Morale was low through the 1980's because of internal political strife. Joining NATO revived the military and reduced fear of Germans and Russians. Has done lots of peacekeeping, gaining valuable operating experience in the process.
6.) The IDF- mixed opinion on them discipline wise but otherwise world class.
Israel - Palestinians are trying to make some kind of peace, in order to reverse the economic disaster they brought on themselves because of their seven year terror campaign against Israel. Palestinians are tired of terrorism, even though they still support it. The Palestinian economy has collapsed, as foreign charity dried up because the people elected the Hamas (Islamic terrorists) party to power. Civil war between radical Hamas and corrupt Palestinian old guard (Fatah) has split Palestinians. Iran backed Islamic radicals (Hizbollah) in Lebanon have revived fears of civil war up there. Hizbollah threatens to drag Lebanon into another civil war, or another war with Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli economy booms as Israel continues its effective counter-terrorism campaign.
Some other members have made mention of irregular forces- Gurkhas,
Nepal - Radical communist rebels succeed in eliminating the monarchy, via an alliance with political parties. This has decreased Maoist violence, and caused a struggle for control of the government. All this has triggered uprising by other unhappy groups (more radical Maoists, hill tribes, ethnic Indians).
Afghanis, etc- all very very competent in their environments.
Afghanistan - The Taliban attempt at a comeback has been reinforced by drug gang profits and al Qaeda choosing the Pakistani border area as the location for their last stand. With all that, violence nationwide is still lower than last year. A sharp increase in Taliban activity in 2006 brought forth a sharp response from government and NATO forces. Independent minded tribes, warlords and drug gangs remain a greater threat to peace, prosperity and true national unity, than the Taliban (which is based across the border in Pakistan). The newly elected Pakistani government is reluctant to make on the pro-Taliban tribes and various Islamic terrorist organizations. That has increased the flow of gunmen from Pakistan into Afghanistan. But the violence inside Afghanistan is growing, largely because of the growth of the drug gangs, and their support for tribes (especially pro-Taliban ones) that oppose the national government.
Would think it appropriate to add the Vietnamese "Mountainyards" to that list as well.
Vietnam- There are several minor insurgent groups, but the biggest potential problems comes from the populations, unhappy over a shaky economy. No combat since 1979. Combat experienced troops have retired, leaving an ill equipped (but large) armed forces. Bad blood between China and Vietnam remain.
Cheers
Pete
