- The United States is planning to automatically register all eligible men aged 18 to 25 into a military draft pool, a proposal set to come into effect in December if approved.
- This change, put forward by the Selective Service System, was mandated by the fiscal 2026 National Defence Authorisation Act, shifting registration responsibility from individuals to the agency.
- The move has sparked fears about the prospect of mandatory military call-ups returning, particularly in the context of a potential escalation of the conflict with Iran.
- Military service in the US has been voluntary since 1973, and reinstating a draft would require an amendment to the Military Selective Service Act by an act of Congress.
- Donald Trump, during his 2024 presidential campaign, had previously criticised the idea of a draft while also refusing to rule out putting boots on the ground in the Middle East, prompting political debate.
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