Countries like the US or Israel, by contrast do, and can gear up their military effort greatly in time of war as a result.

BBC: Changing balance between UK reservists and regular troops

Rather than negotiate, the north declares that it will use its new oil wealth to stock up on military gear and win a victory on the battlefield.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: President Clinton, do something

China also happens to be the source of much of this new military spending, as its neighbours gear up defence spending to keep Sino-ambitions in check and to protect assets, including oil fields, in disputed waters.

BBC: Shipyards on the slipway

In addition to the blimps, border officials are exploring more than 100 other types of military gear, from hand-held instant-translation devices that could be used at crossings to sensors that can monitor up to a 10-mile diameter area for days at a time.

WSJ: From Battlefield to the Border