Who holds most power in Middle East?
Weapon systems are seen during the inauguration ceremony of new facility of Turkish defense giant Aselsan (Military Electronic Industries) in Golbasi district of Turkish capital Ankara, Türkiye on November 12, 2020. (Emin Sansar - Anadolu Agency)
The question of military power in the Middle East has taken center stage as Israel and Iran continue to trade threats.
According to the Global Firepower Index, which ranks countries based on over 60 factors, including manpower, equipment and resources, Türkiye currently holds the top spot in the region with a score of 0.1697.
Iran follows closely with a score of 0.2269, while Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia rank third, fourth and fifth respectively.
These rankings underscore the complexity of power dynamics in the region, where both Iran and Israel possess significant military capabilities despite their relatively close rankings.
It’s important to note that raw numbers do not always represent the actual capabilities of the nations.
Israel-Iran showdown and regional implications
With Israel carrying out attacks against both Gaza and Lebanon, the region remains on edge. Israeli airstrikes have intensified in recent days, targeting sites linked to Hezbollah and Hamas, raising concerns over the possibility of a broader regional conflict.
The confrontation has also drawn attention to the strategic military capacities of Middle Eastern nations.
