Rise of Marine Forces Worldwide.

Andy Nativi over at Aviation Week has an excellent article that I've hinted at but one that needs to be exposed for all to see.

Despite critics at his own publication (Bill Sweetman most notably), it seems that nations worldwide have decided that Marine Forces are a necessary and essential part of their future military structures.

Read the article here, but these are the highlights.

Theater commanders will say the benefits of a mobile force of marines, operating with naval support and dedicated air and ground assets, cannot be overstated, especially in an era of asymmetric warfare and littoral operations. So effective is this model of rapid light infantry that even landlocked Paraguay has a battalion of marines.

and this

Large amphibious forces are common in the Pacific Rim. China has 7,000 marines and special forces in five regiments. This is likely to expand as the navy builds more amphibious assault vehicles and strengthens its blue water fleet. Taiwan has a bigger marine force, with two active divisions and one in reserve totaling 35,000 troops. They are primarily for defensive operations—e.g., repelling an invasion by China.

All in all its a great roster of Marine Forces world wide and gives an indication of future trends.  The Sweetman's of the world might not want to believe 'their lying eyes' but its apparent that with Western attention turning to the Pacific, Marines of the world will become even more important in the future than they are now.