Should there be a military draft? I have always been a firm believer in no, it should be voluntary only. But I watched something today that changed my mind. This is what was said by a retired US diplomat, been around since 1965.
Viet Nam freaked the powers that be out because public opinion is what stopped that adventure. That this is the reason that Nixon made the popular decision to get rid of the draft into military service. It helped stopped people protesting war because they were no longer invested in it. The military was now 100% volunteer. So foreign wars were tolerated.

So, if you want your government to not be aggressive in their use of the military for non national defense reasons, bring back conscription.

People will support their soldiers but only if you are putting their lives in danger for bloody good reason. Especially when soldiers are not volunteers, instead they are forced to join by accident of birth. So it better be a bloody good reason eg defending their home. Otherwise, their families and friends will protest vigorously if the government sends them away to danger.

So from being a free love, tree hugging "No draft!!!" hippy, I've flipped today. Re-introduce the draft I reckon, as it will stop our governments promoting military solutions rather than diplomatic ones. Because the peasants, us the public, will rise up again in protest and that scares them.

Ironic that a forcible military draft may help ensure peace. Bring the reality of the violence of armed conflict home to voters.
(Deep down still don't like the idea of conscription, but can see how it would help ensure the military is the last resort considered by governments, rather than the #1 go to action plan every time).

This, of course, would also only work if your own people are the ones getting killed in the conflict. So rather than just enable conflict, would have to actually participate.

Good having new perspectives. Any others other's may have................