Policy expert Katherine Kuzminski discusses the debate on including women in the military draft. Supreme Court delays rulings, Putin and Kim Jong Un sign a defense pact, and Louisiana mandates Ten Commandments in school. Quavo hosts a summit against gun violence.
Debate on including women in the military draft continues, reflecting evolving gender roles in combat.
The importance of strategic planning for effective draft implementation in ensuring national security readiness.
Deep dives
Military Draft Proposal to Include Women
The podcast discusses the ongoing debate surrounding proposals to update military conscription policies, particularly focusing on whether to expand the draft to include women. Despite not utilizing the draft for over 50 years, almost all men aged between 18 and 25 are required to register with the Selective Service System. Recently, there have been calls to include women in draft registration, with a proposal included in a Pentagon policy bill. However, there is limited bipartisan support for this initiative at present.
Legal and Constitutional Implications of an All-Female Draft
The episode explores the legal and constitutional aspects of having an all-male draft registration system and the recent changes due to women being eligible for combat roles. The conversation with Catherine Kuzminski sheds light on the constitutional discussions regarding draft registration and the implications of potentially mandating conscription for women. The evolving nature of military requirements and the need to consider the draft's role in potential existential threats to the nation are highlighted.
Role of Military Draft in National Security and Readiness
The significance of the draft in maintaining national security readiness and addressing potential conflicts that could threaten the country is examined. The podcast outlines scenarios that could lead to the implementation of the draft and emphasizes the importance of clarifying the legal and policy aspects of conscription during peacetime. The discussion underscores the necessity of strategic planning to ensure effective draft implementation in critical situations to uphold military capabilities and deter adversaries.
Congress is weighing proposals to update mandatory military conscription policies — aka the draft — including whether to expand it to include women. It’s an idea that’s been debated for a while, especially since women started serving in combat roles nearly a decade ago. This month, a proposal to require women to register for the draft was included in a big Pentagon policy bill passed out of the Senate Armed Services Committee. However, it’s unlikely to win final approval. Katherine Kuzminski, a senior fellow and director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at the Center for New American Security, explains why the draft is still limited to just men.
And in headlines: The Supreme Court kept us waiting again on Thursday for rulings on high-profile cases, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a military defense pact with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, and Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed a bill mandating that the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms.