Powerful militaries are based on multiple factors, including available manpower, total labor force, and access to strategic assets

The 11 Most Powerful Militaries In The World

by JEREMY BENDER

Asymmetrical wars in Afghanistan, Vietnam, and now in Syria demonstrate all too clearly that relatively small numbers of belligerents can carry out successful military operations against superior forces.

But still, firepower is extremely important. A country's projection of power relies in large part upon its military capabilities. Successfully being able to project and wield that power is a key diplomatic asset.

The website Global Firepower ranks the most powerful militaries in the world based on multiple factors, including available manpower, total labor force, and access to strategic assets. Nuclear capabilities are not included in the calculation.

Below are the 11 most powerful militaries in the world according to the 2014 rankings (click country names to see military assets data).

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