In the decades after it was established, the Russian-dominated Soviet Union grew into one of the world’s most powerful and influential states and eventually encompassed 15 republics–Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Belorussia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Latvia.

In 1944 and 1945 the Red Army drove across Eastern Europe in its fight against the Nazis. After the war, Stalin was determined that the USSR would control Eastern Europe. Each Eastern European state had a Communist government loyal to the USSR. Each state’s economy was tied to the economy of the USSR.

The Soviet Union Occupies Eastern Europe At the end of World War II, the Soviet Union occupied Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Poland and eastern Germany. Great Britain, the United States, France, and the Soviet Union divided Germany and Berlin into four occupation zones to be administered by the four countries.

• The fifteen former republics of the Soviet Union: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
• Mongolia.

Gorbachev’s decision to allow elections with a multi-party system and create a presidency for the Soviet Union began a slow process of democratization that eventually destabilized Communist control and contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution prohibits Japan from establishing a military or solving international conflicts through violence. The article is interpreted as meaning that armed forces are legitimate for self-defense. This limits the capabilities of the JSDF as primarily for national defense.

Both the Rising San Flag and Hinomaru were adopted in 1870 by the new Meiji government, which overthrew the feudal government in 1868 and ushered Japan into modernity. The former became the official flag of the Japanese Army (and later Navy, as well), and the latter the national flag.

• United States. #1 in Power Rankings. No Change in Rank from 2020.
• China. #2 in Power Rankings. #3 out of 73 in 2020.
• Russia. #3 in Power Rankings. #2 out of 73 in 2020.
• Germany. #4 in Power Rankings.
• United Kingdom. #5 in Power Rankings.
• Japan. #6 in Power Rankings.
• France. #7 in Power Rankings.
• South Korea. #8 in Power Rankings.

Most supersonic missiles travel at a speed between Mach-2 and Mach-3, which is up to 2,300 mph. The most well-known supersonic missile is the Indian/Russian BrahMos, is currently the fastest operational supersonic missile capable of speeds around 2,100–2,300 mph.

China

The United States in comparison, has significantly less – 1.4 million – but when assessing the overall power of the world’s military forces, the U.S. comes out on top, ahead of Russia and China in second and third, respectively.

The U.S. Armed Forces has significant capabilities in both defense and power projection due to its large budget, resulting in advanced and powerful technologies which enables a widespread deployment of the force around the world, including around 800 military bases outside the United States.

13.6 million soldiers