"The [Ukrainian] Defence Ministry was ordered to stage a call-up of reserves, meaning theoretically all men up to 40 in a country with universal male conscription": Another example for the next time you see someone saying "But the draft isn't an issue anymore!"

NeuroticIntrovert · 2014-03-04T05:18:56+00:00

While looking for more info, I came across this article, from October of 2013.

KYIV -- The last mandatory drafting of conscripts into the Ukrainian armed forces is under way.

The Defense Ministry announced on October 1 that by the end of 2014 the Ukrainian armed forces will be comprised of soldiers serving on contracts only.

The last mandatory draft in October-November will bring 10,800 conscripts into Ukraine's armed forces, or 2,500 conscripts fewer than in the previous draft season.

Ukraine -- which currently has the fifth-largest army in Europe with 180,000 soldiers -- plans to reduce the army's size to 122,000 soldiers by 2017.

In accordance with the outgoing law, all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 27 must serve for one year in the national army or for 18 months in the Ukrainian Navy.

They were going to have a conscript free army by the end of this year. That's done now.

In every country, we should make the draft an issue until it's constitutionally outlawed. Peacetime is the only time you'll be able to make the change, and wartime is when men start being forced to go die.

2014-03-04T09:52:31+00:00

It will not be long before Hillary Clinton, Obama and Cameron are all saying, "but it is the women suffering, what can we do to help women".

dungone · 2014-03-04T04:51:01+00:00

But but... it's far far away in a land we can't point out on a map. Unlike the real problems like FGM. /s

keeper0fthelight · 2014-03-04T06:15:41+00:00

The people who think that there is no chance we will never have a serious war again are deluding themselves.

Curious_Swede · 2014-03-04T09:51:06+00:00

I'm glad that I don't live in a country with a draft policy. On the other hand if another world war is coming, I will be dragged into the war, one way or another.

I just hope I will be able to choose whether to pick up a rifle or not.

oneiorosgrip · 2014-03-04T18:07:02+00:00

If the draft REALLY isn't an issue any more, then abolishing the selective service system should be no problem, right? I mean, if we are never going to draft men again, why have a system for doing so?

ttnorac · 2014-03-04T13:45:22+00:00

Look, we all know men are the better fighters in general. This is just a blow to feminism, just like anytime thinks get tough. That's why feminism is such a joke these days.

ZimbaZumba · 2014-03-04T16:40:56+00:00

If "The Draft isn't an issue anymore?" then neither is "The Vote".

theskepticalidealist · 2014-03-04T10:17:36+00:00

The draft isn't an issue... You know ...assuming only certain countries exist .

2014-03-04T10:15:12+00:00

The draft is morally wrong but this is not world war 3.

As always politicians go for the sound bite. There are not enough uniforms, beds, guns for any more soldiers.

In the Ukraine to would be brother fighting brother so more like a civil war than Russia V Ukraine.

The West is morally wrong on so many conflicts, Russia at least has an argument and reason to go into the Ukraine

giegerwasright · 2014-03-04T08:20:00+00:00

What systematic oppresshun!?!?

definitelyjoking · 2014-03-04T08:44:14+00:00

Let's be clear though. We aren't talking the US here. Despite higher (60%) female college graduation, 80% of the unemployed are women. A majority of women (56%) are housewives. This is still a pretty traditional country.

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