Croatia Reintroduces Conscription Amid European Security Concerns

Croatia's parliament has voted decisively to reinstate compulsory military service, which was previously suspended in 2008 in favor of a volunteer system. The two-month conscription will provide basic military training aimed at equipping young citizens with essential skills for crisis situations, thereby enhancing national security. Conscripts born in 2007 will begin medical evaluations by the end of the year, and they will receive a salary for their service, with conscientious objectors allowed to opt for civilian service instead. This move is part of a broader European trend responding to heightened security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and increased military activity in the Balkans. Croatia's recent military parade commemorating a key victory from its 1991-95 independence war and ongoing tensions with Serbia underscore the nation's focus on bolstering defense capabilities. The reinstatement of conscription reflects the country's strategic prioritization of military readiness amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region.