9 facts
Israeli women are required by law to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), making Israel one of only a handful of countries with mandatory military service for women. Women serve for two years (men serve three) and can hold combat roles, though many also serve in intelligence, technology, and command positions.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) boasts approximately 2 million active personnel, making it the largest military force by active duty members globally. This immense force underscores China's significant role in global geopolitics and national defense strategies.
After losing its pacific coastline to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), Bolivia established a naval force that operates on rivers and Lake Titicaca. The navy also trains for coastal defense, symbolizing a hope for regaining sea access.
Known as the Dahomey Amazons, these formidable female soldiers served as elite guards and fought in major battles for over two centuries. They were renowned for their bravery, discipline, and ferocity, inspiring awe and fear in their adversaries.
Established in 1967, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's main political and administrative center is situated in Haren, a northern municipality of Brussels. This strategic location underscores Belgium's role in international defense and security.
Constructed in the 1930s to defend the western borders of the Soviet Union, this network of bunkers, trenches, and anti-tank obstacles never saw full combat during its intended period. Today, parts of it are preserved as an open-air museum, offering insights into military history.
In 1932, the Australian military was deployed to combat a population of approximately 20,000 emus in Western Australia that were destroying crops. Despite machine guns, the emus proved too elusive, and the "Emu War" was largely unsuccessful.
Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, initially trained by the Ottomans, later abandoned them to lead a rebellion against their rule for over two decades, becoming a symbol of Albanian resistance and independence.
These mushroom-shaped fortifications were built during the communist regime of Enver Hoxha, fearing invasion. Many are now repurposed as homes, cafes, or even tattoo parlors, becoming an unusual part of the landscape.