Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Europe turns to conscription as threat of wider war with Russia grows
Conscription, also known as draft or mandatory military service, is the
state-mandated enlistment of people in a national service, mainly a military
service. The modern system of near-universal national conscription for young
men dates to the French Revolution in the 1790s, where it became the basis of a
very large and powerful military. Most of the major powers involved in World
War II, both the Allied and Axis powers, implemented conscription to build up
their military forces. As the fear of large-scale war eased in Europe after the
end of the Cold War, conscription became less popular and was suspended or abolished
in many countries until Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine began in 2022. Now,
having witnessed what the Russian military might do beyond borders, European
countries are reinforcing the capacity to prepare for a war, including firepower
and manpower. For example, a small Baltic country Latviz reintroduced 12-month compulsory
military service this year. In April, Norway added over 20,000 conscripted
soldiers, employees, and reservists in the hope that improved military readiness
could deter potential armed conflicts.
Read the article and learn about the recent military moves in Europe.
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