Photo Credit: Tomer Neuberg/Flash90

According to the US News and World Report Spectator Index, Israel is in 8th place:

Most powerful countries, 2019. 1. US

2. Russia

3. China

4. Germany

5. UK

6. France

7. Japan

8. Israel

9. Saudi

10. S Korea

11. UAE

12. Canada

13. Iran

14. Switzerland

15. Australia

16. Turkey

17. India

18. Italy

19. Iraq

20. Singapore (US News and World Report) — The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) November 30, 2019




So that’s gratifying, although realizing the same index lists Iran in 13th place has to be a source of worry to sane people everywhere.

I decided to review some of the latest index results:

Top military spenders in Asia, 2018 China: 249.9

Saudi Arabia: 67.5

India: 66.5

Russia: 61.3

Japan: 46.6

South Korea: 43.1

Turkey: 18.9

Israel: 15.9

Iran: 13.1

Pakistan: 11.3

Singapore: 10.8

Taiwan: 10.7

Indonesia: 7.4

Kuwait: 7.2

Oman: 6.7 (SIPRI) — The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) December 2, 2019

Now, don’t tell me this is not scary, for the Jewish State to be wedged like that, between its two arch-enemies, Turkey and Iran. As to Russia, one must wonder if this figure ($61.3 billion) also covers its European part. Probably does. Incidentally, just so you’ll be calm in face of these scary numbers, the United States’ annual military budget is $698.5 billion.

Smartest countries in the world, 2019. 1. Japan

2. Switzerland

3. China

4. United States

5. Netherlands

6. Russia

7. Belgium

8. United Kingdom

9. Canada

10. South Korea (Forbes) Longer list: https://t.co/dfiW4icmCD — The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) October 8, 2019

You should know Israel is 22nd on the above list. Which shows you it’s not necessary to be smart in order to be powerful…

Halkin mutsuz oldugu ulkeler siralamasi. The Spectator Index

Most ‘miserable’ countries, 2018. 1. Venezuela

2. Argentina

3. Iran

4. Brazil

5. Turkey

6. Nigeria

7. South Africa

8. Bosnia and Herzegovina

9. Egypt

10. Ukraine

11. Nicaragua

12. Jordan

13. Uruguay

14. Honduras — Kawa_Demirci (@Gthgdaridinov) April 13, 2019

You’ll notice that Israel’s enemies Iran and Turkey are in the top five. Egypt and Jordan are also among the worst places on the planet. I for one am satisfied.

I’m fairly happy with this one, too:

Best infrastructure, 2018 1. Singapore

2. Hong Kong

3. Switzerland

4. Netherlands

5. Japan

6. South Korea

7. Germany

8. France

9. US

10. Spain

11. UK

12. Austria

13. Belgium

14. Denmark

15. UAE

16. Luxembourg

17. Sweden

18. Czech Republic

19. Portugal

20. Israel (WEF) — The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) December 2, 2019

Surely, it could be better, but considering the fact that the UAE is the only other Mid-Eastern country in the top 20, I’m happy.

Finally, get ready to frown:

Say immigrants strengthen their country. Canada: 68%

Australia: 64%

UK: 62%

Sweden: 62%

Japan: 59%

US: 59%

Germany: 59%

Mexico: 57%

Spain: 56%

France: 56%

Netherlands: 50%

South Africa: 34%

Israel: 26%

Poland: 21%

Russia: 18%

Italy: 12%

Greece: 10%

Hungary: 5% (Pew) — The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) August 25, 2019

I say: Ouch. Would have expected Israelis to be way up there, with Canadians, Americans, and Brits. Disappointed.