professional Iraqi military force of men aged 18 to 40 to defend
Iraq from external threats and the current insurgency (2004)

Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 5,870,640 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 4,930,074 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males: 298,518 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$1.3 billion (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
NA

Transnational Issues Iraq

Disputes - international:
coalition forces assist Iraqis in monitoring boundary security;
Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction
disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf;
Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq

Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 150,000 (Palestinian Territories)
IDPs: 1,340,280 (ongoing US-led war and Kurds' subsequent return)
(2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

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@Ireland

Introduction Ireland

Background:
Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions
by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended
when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions
began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of
Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh
repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off
several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in
independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern
(Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948
Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the
European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the
peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain
against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland,
known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is being
implemented with some difficulties.

Geography Ireland

Location:
Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in
the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain

Geographic coordinates:
53 00 N, 8 00 W

Map references:
Europe

Area:
total: 70,280 sq km
land: 68,890 sq km
water: 1,390 sq km