Executive Summary
This academic paper measures and ranks the defense performance of 36 countries involved in or affected by the Russia-Ukraine war. Using the MULTIMOORA multi-criteria decision-making method, it analyzes 18 indicators across military, economic, demographic, and innovation categories for the year 2020. The study finds the USA, Russia, and the UK rank highest, while North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Latvia rank lowest, providing a quantitative framework for assessing national defense capabilities.
Why It Matters
This document provides a quantitative framework for assessing national defense capabilities, offering insights into the strategic strengths and weaknesses of key global actors amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. Defense and geopolitical analysts can use this methodology to understand the multifaceted nature of national security performance beyond mere military spending.
Key Takeaways
- The MULTIMOORA method offers a robust multi-criteria decision-making approach for evaluating national defense performance.
- Defense performance is a complex metric influenced by military, economic, demographic, innovation, and negative peace factors.
- Major powers like the US, Russia, and the UK consistently rank high in defense performance, while smaller nations often rank lower.
- The Russia-Ukraine conflict highlights the critical importance of comprehensive defense systems.
- Economic sanctions and geopolitical shifts significantly impact defense expenditures and national security dynamics.
Strategic Relevance
The study's methodology provides a valuable tool for strategic planners and policymakers to benchmark national defense capabilities against potential adversaries and allies. Understanding these performance metrics can inform defense investment decisions, alliance strategies, and responses to regional conflicts, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war.