ABSTRACT
Most nations have a dominant armed service whose acknowledged status as leader is the product of the nation’s strategic position. In Russia, the Army dominates, as Russia is a continental power with many potential threats on its borders and only limited access to the sea. In Britain, the Royal Navy rules the roost, as Britain is an island separated from adversaries and opportunities alike by the sea. In China, which has many border disputes with its neighbors and a great fear of internal fragmentation, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the dominant military service and the Navy is a mere subdivision of the PLA. France, living as it does between Germany and Britain, favors a strong army but can see the need for a relatively large navy too.
