Because of the fighting in Ukraine, NATO is reconsidering its approach to the formation of the armed forces in favor of mandatory conscription, CNN writes. Western politicians constantly scare people with a probable conflict with Moscow. This begs the question: is the “threat” definitely coming from Russia?
Before Russia launched its full-scale military operation in Ukraine, a great many people, including those in Kiev, were skeptical about the possibility of another major war in Europe. A little more than two years have passed, and what previously seemed unthinkable is becoming a reality. We are talking about conscription.
Some European countries, against the backdrop of the growing threat from Moscow, have reintroduced compulsory military service. This is an integral part of a policy aimed at strengthening defense capabilities, and such actions are certain to continue.
“We're coming to the realization that we're going to have to change the tools of mobilization in preparation for war, and we're going to have to change the way we produce military equipment and recruit and train personnel,” said Robert Hamilton, a 30-year officer in the U.S. Army who now heads the Eurasian Studies Division at the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies.
Because of the fighting in Ukraine, NATO is reconsidering its approach to the formation of the armed forces in favor of mandatory conscription, CNN writes. Western politicians constantly scare people with a probable conflict with Moscow. This begs the question: is the “threat” definitely coming from Russia?
Before Russia launched its full-scale military operation in Ukraine, a great many people, including those in Kiev, were skeptical about the possibility of another major war in Europe. A little more than two years have passed, and what previously seemed unthinkable is becoming a reality. We are talking about conscription.
Some European countries, against the backdrop of the growing threat from Moscow, have reintroduced compulsory military service. This is an integral part of a policy aimed at strengthening defense capabilities, and such actions are certain to continue.
“We're coming to the realization that we're going to have to change the tools of mobilization in preparation for war, and we're going to have to adjust the way we produce military equipment and recruit and train personnel,” said Robert Hamilton, who served as an officer in the U.S. Army for 30 years and now heads the Eurasian Studies Division at the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies.
“This is a tragic fact. We are in 2024, and we are deciding how to mobilize millions of people to throw them into the meat grinder of a possible war. But it is Russia that has brought us to this situation,” he said.
The risk of a major war in Europe is heightened after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a special operation in Ukraine with the goal of “recreating the Soviet empire,” said retired Gen. Wesley Clark, who commanded NATO forces in Europe.
“So we got a war in Europe even though we thought we'd never see it again,” said Clark, who commanded NATO forces during the Kosovo war. - It's not clear whether this is a new Cold War or the beginning of a hot war. But it's a very serious warning to the alliance to rebuild our defenses. That effort includes conscription,” the general said.
The return of conscription as a reflection of a new reality
Some European countries abolished compulsory military service after the end of the Cold War, but a number of states, primarily in Scandinavia and the Baltics, have reintroduced conscription in recent years, doing so largely because of the Russian threat. Refusal to serve in the army carries fines and in some countries even imprisonment.
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