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Field Listing :: Military - note
This entry includes miscellaneous military information of significance not included elsewhere.
By Country Listing of the values for the Military - note field
Country Military - note
Afghanistan
Since early 2015, the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan known as Resolute Support Mission (RSM) has focused on training, advising, and assisting Afghan government forces; RSM includes 17,000 troops, including 8,500 US and 8,700 other troops from 38 countries (September 2019)
Akrotiri
defense is the responsibility of the UK; Akrotiri has a full RAF base, headquarters for British Forces Cyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit
American Samoa
defense is the responsibility of the US
Andorra
defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Anguilla
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Antarctica
the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes
Argentina
The Argentine military is a well-organized force constrained by the country's prolonged economic hardship; the military is implementing a modernization plan aimed at making the ground forces lighter and more responsive.

President Mauricio Macri in July of 2019 said he would remove a 2006 decree that limited the armed forces to defending against external attacks and banned military involvement in internal security issues.  Macri said he wanted the military to be able to collaborate in internal security, primarily by providing logistic support in the border areas. (2018)
Aruba
defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands; the Aruba security services focus on organized crime and terrorism
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Bermuda
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Bhutan
Bhutan does not have an air force.  India is responsible for military training, arms supplies, and the air defense of Bhutan. (2018)
Bouvet Island
defense is the responsibility of Norway
British Indian Ocean Territory
defense is the responsibility of the UK; in November 2016, the UK extended the US lease on Diego Garcia for 20 years; the lease now expires in December 2036 (2016)
British Virgin Islands
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Brunei
Brunei has a long-standing defense relationship with the United Kingdom and host a British Army garrison, including a Gurkha battalion and a jungle warfare school.   There is also a long-term Singaporean military presence. (2019)
Cayman Islands
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Central African Republic
the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has operated in the country since 2014; its peacekeeping mission includes providing security, protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian assistance, disarming and demobilizing armed groups, and supporting the country’s fragile transitional government; as of September 2019, MINUSCA had nearly 14,000 total personnel, including about 10,800 troops; in November 2019, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the MINUSCA peacekeeping mission another year (2019)
Christmas Island
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Clipperton Island
defense is the responsibility of France
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
MONUSCO, the United Nations peacekeeping and stabilization force in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has operated in the central and eastern parts of the country since 1999; as of March 2019, MONUSCO comprised around 20,000 personnel, including more than 15,000 military troops (2019)
Cook Islands
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Coral Sea Islands
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Cuba
the collapse of the Soviet Union deprived the Cuban military of its major economic and logistic support and had a significant impact on the state of Cuban equipment; the army remains well trained and professional in nature; the lack of replacement parts for its existing equipment has increasingly affected operational capabilities (2019)
Curacao
defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (2019)
Cyprus
The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNICYP) was set up in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island and bring about a return to normal conditions.  The UNICYP mission currently consists of almost 1,100 personnel. (2019)
Dhekelia
defense is the responsibility of the UK; includes Dhekelia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a roadway
Dominica
Dominica participates in The Regional Security System (RSS) an international agreement for the defense and security of the eastern Caribbean region. (2019)
Egypt
The Interior Ministry includes the National Guard, Border Guard Forces, Central Security Forces, and the police.  (2019)
El Salvador
Supporting the National Police in countering gang violence and drug trafficking is a primary mission for the Armed Forces of El Salvador. (2019)
European Union
the current five-nation Eurocorps, formally established in 1992 and activated the following year, began in 1987 as a French-German Brigade; Belgium (1993), Spain (1994), and Luxembourg (1996) joined over the next few years; five additional countries participate in Eurocorps as associated nations: Greece, Poland, and Turkey (since 2002), Italy and Romania (joined in 2009 and 2016 respectively); Eurocorps consists of approximately 1,000 troops at its headquarters in Strasbourg, France and the 5,000-man Franco-German Brigade; Eurocorps has deployed troops and police on NATO peacekeeping missions to Bosnia-Herzegovina (1998-2000), Kosovo (2000), and Afghanistan (2004-05 and 2012); Eurocorps has been involved in EU operations to Mali (2015) and the Central African Republic (2016-17) (2018)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Faroe Islands
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
French Polynesia
defense is the responsibility of France and France maintains forces in French Polynesia. (2019)
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
defense is the responsibility of France
Georgia
Georgia does not have any military stationed in the separatist territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but large numbers of Russian servicemen have been stationed in these regions since the 2008 Russia-Georgia War (2019)
Gibraltar
defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Gibraltar Regiment replaced the last British regular infantry forces in 1991 (2019)
Greenland
The Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk is responsible for territorial defense of Greenland (2019)
Guam
defense is the responsibility of the US
Guernsey
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols
Holy See (Vatican City)
defense is the responsibility of Italy
Hong Kong
defense is the responsibility of China
Howland Island
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard (2019)
Iceland
Iceland is the only NATO member that has no standing military force; defense of Iceland remains a NATO commitment and NATO maintains an air policing presence in Icelandic airspace; Iceland participates in international peacekeeping missions with the civilian-manned Icelandic Crisis Response Unit (ICRU) (2019)
Isle of Man
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Italy
Italy has established a Joint Special Operations Command and a Joint Headquarters Cyber Operations (Comando Interforze per le Operazioni Cibernetiche (CIOC) (2019)
Jan Mayen
defense is the responsibility of Norway
Jarvis Island
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited periodically by the US Coast Guard
Jersey
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Johnston Atoll
defense is the responsibility of the US
Jordan
Ministry of Interior:  General Directorate of Gendarmerie Forces, Public Security Directorate (2019)
Kazakhstan
Ministry of Internal Affairs:  National Guard, Border Service (2019)
Kenya
The Kenya Coast Guard Service (established 2018) is separate from the Defence Forces, but led by a military officer and comprised of personnel from the military, as well as the National Police Service, intelligence services, and other government agencies. (2019)
Kingman Reef
defense is the responsibility of the US
Kiribati
Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ
Lebanon
the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) has operated in the country since 1978, originally under UNSCRs 425 and 426 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area; following the July-August 2006 war, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1701 enhancing UNIFIL and deciding that in addition to the original mandate, it would, among other things, monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon; and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons; UNIFIL had about 10,250 personnel deployed in the country as of September 2019 (2019)
Lesotho
Lesotho's declared policy for its military is the maintenance of the country's sovereignty and the preservation of internal security; in practice, external security is guaranteed by South Africa
Macau
defense is the responsibility of China and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) maintains a garrison in Macau.
Maldives
Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), with its small size and with little serviceable equipment, is inadequate to prevent external aggression and is primarily tasked to reinforce Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the exclusive economic zone (2015)
Mali
the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has operated in the country since 2013; the Mission's responsibilities include providing security, rebuilding Malian security forces, supporting national political dialogue, and assisting in the reestablishment of Malian government authority; as of July 2019, MINUSMA had more than 16,000 military, police, and civilian personnel deployed (2019)
Marshall Islands
defense is the responsibility of the US
Micronesia, Federated States of
defense is the responsibility of the US
Midway Islands
defense is the responsibility of the US
Monaco
defense is the responsibility of France
Mongolia
The Mongolian Armed Forces also includes a National Center for Emergency and Disaster Relief to coordinate the military's efforts as first-responders for earthquakes, wildfires, and forest fires; contagious diseases; and snow and dust storms as well as severe winters (known as zud).

Paramilitary forces:  Border Guards, Internal Security Troops (2017)
Montserrat
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Nauru
Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia
Navassa Island
defense is the responsibility of the US
New Caledonia
defense is the responsibility of France
Niue
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
Norfolk Island
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Northern Mariana Islands
defense is the responsibility of the US
Palau
Under a 1994 Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US until 2044 is responsible for the defense of Palaus and the US military is granted access to the islands, but it has not stationed any military forces there. (2019)
Palmyra Atoll
defense is the responsibility of the US
Panama
on 10 February 1990, the government of then President Guillermo ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's National Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression"
Paracel Islands
occupied by China
Pitcairn Islands
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Poland
Coast guard duties fall under the Border Guard, which is controlled by the Ministry of the Interior (2019)
Puerto Rico
defense is the responsibility of the US
Romania
Ministry of Internal Affairs:  Gendarmerie
Saint Barthelemy
defense is the responsibility of France
Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Saint Lucia
St. Lucia is a member of the Regional Security System (RSS), an international agreement for the defense and security of the eastern Caribbean region.
Saint Martin
defense is the responsibility of France
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
defense is the responsibility of France
Samoa
Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship
San Marino
defense is the responsibility of Italy
Serbia
Serbia has a Gendarmerie that falls under the Ministry of Interior (2019)
Sint Maarten

defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Somalia
the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has operated in the country with the approval of the United Nations (UN) since 2007; AMISOM's peacekeeping mission includes assisting Somali forces in providing security for a stable political process, enabling the gradual handing over of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali security forces, and reducing the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and other armed opposition groups; as of 2019, AMISOM had more than 22,000 military and police personnel from six African countries deployed in Somalia 

UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) is mandated by the Security Council to work with the Federal Government of Somalia to support national reconciliation, provide advice on peace-building and state-building, monitor the human rights situation, and help coordinate the efforts of the international community

the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) is responsible for providing logistical field support to AMISOM, UNSOM, the Somali National Army, and the Somali Police Force on joint operations with AMISOM (2019)
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
defense is the responsibility of the UK
South Sudan
under the September 2018 peace agreement, all armed groups in South Sudan were to assemble at designated sites where fighters could be either disarmed and demobilized, or integrated into unified military and police forces; the unified forces were then to be retrained and deployed prior to the formation of a national unity government; all fighters were ordered to these sites in July 2019, but as of December 2019 this process had not been completed 

the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has operated in the country since 2011 with the objectives of consolidating peace and security and helping establish conditions for the successful economic and political development of South Sudan; UNMISS had more than 19,000 personnel deployed in the country as of July 2019

United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has operated in the disputed Abyei region along the border between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011; UNISFA's mission includes ensuring security, protecting civilians, strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service, de-mining, monitoring/verifying the redeployment of armed forces from the area, and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid; UNISFA had about 4,400 personnel deployed as of July 2019 (2019)
Spratly Islands
Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam
Sudan
United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has operated in the disputed Abyei region along the border between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011; UNISFA's mission includes ensuring security, protecting civilians, strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service, de-mining, monitoring/verifying the redeployment of armed forces from the area, and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid; UNISFA had about 4,400 personnel deployed as of July 2019

In addition, the United Nations African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) has operated in the war-torn Darfur region since 2007; UNAMID is a joint African Union-UN peacekeeping force with the mission of bringing stability to Darfur, including protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian assistance, and promoting mediation efforts, while peace talks on a final settlement continue; as of October 2019, UNAMID had about 7,800 personnel deployed

    (2019)
Svalbard
Svalbard is a territory of Norway, demilitarized by treaty on 9 February 1920; Norwegian military activity is limited to fisheries surveillance by the Norwegian Coast Guard
Tokelau
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
Turkey
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has actively pursued the goal of asserting civilian control over the military since first taking power in 2002; the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) role in internal security has been significantly reduced; the TSK leadership continues to be an influential institution within Turkey, but plays a much smaller role in politics; the Turkish military remains focused on the threats emanating from the Syrian civil war, Russia's actions in Ukraine, and the PKK insurgency; primary domestic threats are listed as fundamentalism (with the definition in some dispute with the civilian government), separatism (Kurdish discontent), and the extreme left wing; Ankara strongly opposed establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq; an overhaul of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) taking place under the "Force 2014" program is to produce 20-30% smaller, more highly trained forces characterized by greater mobility and firepower and capable of joint and combined operations; the TLFC has taken on increasing international peacekeeping responsibilities including in Afghanistan; the Turkish Navy is a regional naval power that wants to develop the capability to project power beyond Turkey's coastal waters; the Navy is heavily involved in NATO, multinational, and UN operations; its roles include control of territorial waters and security for sea lines of communications; the Turkish Air Force adopted an "Aerospace and Missile Defense Concept" in 2002 and has initiated project work on an integrated missile defense system; in a controversial move, it recently (July 2019) purchased the Russian S-400 air defense system for an estimated $2.5 billion.  Air Force priorities include attaining a modern deployable, survivable, and sustainable force structure, and establishing a sustainable command and control system; Turkey is a NATO ally and hosts NATO's Land Forces Command in Izmir, as well as the AN/TPY-2 radar as part of NATO Missile Defense (2019)
Turks and Caicos Islands
defense is the responsibility of the UK
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges
defense is the responsibility of the US
Virgin Islands
defense is the responsibility of the US
Wake Island
defense is the responsibility of the US; the US Air Force is responsible for overall administration and operation of the island facilities; the launch support facility is administered by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Wallis and Futuna
defense is the responsibility of France