Military Balance 2015

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is a world-leading authority on global security, political risk and military conflict. It is renowned for its annual Military Balance assessment of countries' armed forces and for its high-powered security summits, including the Shangri-La Dialogue. Its mission is to promote the adoption of sound policies to further global peace and security and maintain civilised international relations.

'Because military affairs are inevitably clouded in fog, the IISS Military Balance is an essential companion for those who seek to understand.' - Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, former UK Defence Secretary and Secretary-General of NATO'Amid continuing conflict and broadening insecurity, The Military Balance provides essential facts and analysis for decision-makers and for better informed public debate.' - Dr Robert M. Gates, former US Secretary of Defense and Director of Central Intelligence

• Editor's Introduction, Complex crises call for adaptable and durable capabilities, Part One: Capabilities, Trends and Economics Chapter One: Directed energy weapons: finally coming of age? Chapter Two: Comparative defence statistics Chapter Three: North America Chapter Four: Europe Chapter Five: Russia and Eurasia Chapter Six: Asia Chapter Seven: Middle East and North Africa Chapter Eight: Latin America and the Caribbean Chapter Nine: Sub-Saharan Africa Chapter Ten Country comparisons – commitments, force levels and economics Part Two: Reference, Explanatory Notes, Reference.