Germany’s defense minister is floating the idea of bringing back mandatory military service by 2026—but only if voluntary enlistment falls short. The move is framed as a response to rising tensions with Russia and the need to bolster the country’s defenses.

Editor’s Note: Conscription is a touchy subject in Germany, where mandatory service was scrapped in 2011. Reviving it would signal a major shift in defense strategy, reflecting growing unease over European security. For young Germans, this could mean a sudden, unwelcome return to a Cold War-era reality.