Israel Matzav

Syrian army hit by epidemic

MEMRI translates a report from a Syrian opposition site (link in Arabic) that indicates that the Syrian army has been struck by a virus-like epidemic.

A Syrian opposition website reports that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad mid-month ordered a halt to training in military units following widespread digestive disorders among the troops, particularly among new recruits.

Military sources rejected claims that foreign intelligence forces were involved in the outbreak of the epidemic.

One soldier reported on harsh conditions in military courses – including only one shower allowed every two weeks, an allocation of half a liter of water per day, and minimal food.

The website reported that the Syrian military numbers 600,000 troops and that its budget is 35% of the country's budget, which is about $6 billion excluding arms deals.

If those numbers sounds a little high to you, it's because they are. Here are some more interesting statistics about the costs of the Syrian army.

With Assad spreading his wings of hate to far reaching countries like Brazil and Venezuela, this act of sabotage is a signal of how weak his regime is. MEMRI reported that Assad spends 35% of Syria’s GDP to defend his rule. If you compare it to the 4.7% the mighty US spends on its defense budget, you would have an idea just how volatile the Assad regime of terror is.

The Syrian budget does not include any cyclical armament renewal program, which means 43% (2,150 tanks) of our T-55 tanks have been first manufactured in the Soviet Union in 1947, 20% (1,000 tanks) are T-62, manufactured beginning 1961, 32% (1,600 tanks) are T-72, which were manufactured starting 1970, and the remainder 6% (300 tanks) are T-80 which entered service in 1976.

The average age of a Syrian tank is: 48.7 years. Almost as old as the country of Israel.

Next time you read a story about Syrian SCUD being transferred to Hezbollah to defend Damascus, do believe it because Assad knows even more how weak Syria has become over the last 40 years under the Assads.

Another important index to take into account is the % of GDP (or aggregate number) Syria spends on its military divided by the total population number of Assads’ enemies to obtain the $ amount spent for every enemy-person per year (EPY). In this instance, Assad spends $6b annually and the population of Israel is 7.54m, which yields an EPY index of $81,588. In other words, Assad spends $81,588 per one Israeli person per year to defend his rule.

Israel, on the other hand, spends 9% of its budget on defense with a GDP of $207b annually (Its Defense budget is $18.6b). But its EPY is simply amazing. Even if we assume the number of 300m enemy-people Israel is surrounded with, its EPY comes to: $30. In other words, Israel spends $30 a year per enemy person to defend herself and Assad spends $81,588. For every $1 Israel spends, Assad spends over $2,720 for the same purpose.

And on top of all that, the Jews go and give them food poisoning. Isn't it amazing what a difference having an economy that produces something makes? Heh.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:06 PM