The Monocle Daily France relaunches military service, Pope Leo’s first foreign trip and the housing crisis
Nov 27, 2025
Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council specializing in security issues, and Nina dos Santos, an international correspondent with deep insights into European affairs, dive into France's new military service plan under Macron. They explore its implications for civic duty and societal expectations. The conversation shifts to Pope Leo XIV's inaugural international trip, examining its diplomatic significance. Additionally, they analyze the connection between housing shortages and the rise of populism, highlighting the economic insecurities fueling political shifts.
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Voluntary Service To Fill Modern Military Gaps
- Macron's national service is voluntary and paid, aiming to recruit 3,000 then 50,000 by 2035 to bolster manpower and civic duty.
- European nations experiment with selective service because modern wars need trained personnel for complex technology, not mass conscription.
Selection Beats Mass Conscription
- Selective or attractive national service draws skilled volunteers rather than forcing mass conscription and yields better armed forces outcomes.
- Choices include lotteries, assessments or voluntary sign-ups; making service appealing determines who serves.
Hardware Needs Trained Hands
- Europe faces accelerating risk perceptions, with leaders warning of possible breaches within a few years and shortages of trained personnel.
- Investments in hardware must be matched by people trained to operate modern, tech-driven warfare.
