Ottoman plans without the forces to execute them

The Ottoman Empire's nominal population of about 26 million overstated the manpower it could mobilize. Recruitment on the European side of the straits depended on a much smaller population, roughly 6.1 million people including about 2.3 million Muslims, while the authorities distrusted Orthodox Christians as conscripts. Sophisticated staff plans could not turn that theoretical strength into the expected field force. War with Italy over Libya and the Dodecanese, operations in Yemen, Young Turk turmoil, and the dismissal of 70,000 mobilized troops to save money all reduced readiness. A planned mobilization approaching 600,000 therefore produced only about 200,000 troops. The staff lacked the resources to execute its plans.