This volume investigates the global distribution of military power and defense capabilities at the turn of the millennium. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) provides a comprehensive assessment of armed forces, equipment inventories, and defense economics for nations across the globe. By synthesizing intelligence and open-source data, the text establishes a baseline for understanding the strategic landscape and security commitments of sovereign states during the 2000-2001 period.

Experts and policy analysts regard this publication as a foundational reference for historical military data and strategic research. Readers frequently note the high density of technical information, which serves as a standard resource for tracking the evolution of global defense postures.