bonsai army

/B AA0 N S AY1 AA0 R M IY0/
noun
  1. 1

    A sovereign state's army or military force that is too small to fundamentally protect the country, and could be considered to exist merely "for decoration".

  2. 2

    A tiny, largely-ornamental (military) structure bereft of the capability to effectively carry out its constitutional missions.

  3. 3

    A military that covers the entire spectrum of capabilities, but has virtually no external military clout.

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