The Inside Story Podcast Could military service become reality again in European countries?
Nov 28, 2025
This discussion features Paul Beaver, a former soldier and defence analyst; Jacques Reland, a Senior Research Fellow in European Affairs; and Peter Nielsen, a retired Danish army colonel. They tackle the potential return of military service in Europe, sparked by Russia's actions. Key topics include France's voluntary service plan and its implications, recruitment challenges in the UK, and NATO readiness. The panel debates tailored national approaches to conscription while assessing cultural factors and the evolving security landscape.
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Deterrence Requires Credible Defense
- NATO deterrence must be backed by real defensive capability, not just posturing.
- Peter Nielsen warns deterrence succeeds only if the enemy judges it credible.
Prioritize Social Policy To Aid Recruitment
- Britain must realign social priorities to rebuild a competitive professional military.
- Paul Beaver advises addressing pay, family strain and training capacity to attract recruits.
France Plans Targeted Training Not Mass Conscription
- France's scheme aims to prepare society for multi-domain threats without full conscription.
- Jacques Reland says the plan focuses on basic training plus specializations to boost reserves.