I am still hoping 2025 will be better than its predecessor. The year has already brought its challenges, though. Threats of annexation of sovereign nations by the United States, along with unstable governments in the West, and upcoming elections in countries that are already facing political instability make the beginning of 2025 a nerve-racking one. For example, it isn’t every day that prime ministers announce they’re stepping down, as Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party in Canada, announced earlier this week. 

It is also unnerving when Trump speaks of making Canada the 51st state. Perhaps people take it as a joke when he says this and other things that relate to my country of residence. However, as a Canadian, I take great offense in both: Trump’s words and people’s lack of awareness of the seriousness of this intimidating remark. Also, it leaves me wondering what kind of instability and changes this may bring to my context and daily living.

Canada, as the United States, has done without compulsory military service for decades. That is a good thing. In my opinion (and the accepted Anabaptist stance according to a declaration by Mennonite World Conference), we could do without militaries and all violence related to conflict and wars. Yet, in this rapidly changing world, can we trust this decision won’t be reversed, especially in the face of a threat of annexation from a powerful neighbor?

I am not saying these things to inspire fear or instigate conspiracy theories. On the contrary, my hope is that people will see these threats for what they are: real words from powerful individuals with the potential to inflict serious consequences in the lives of common folks. 

The history of compulsory military service is not that distant in peoples’ memories, or at least it need not be. I have friends whose parents and grandparents served or registered as conscientious objectors. But even as COs, they were forced away from their families to work in whatever project the government wanted. And just because compulsory military service isn’t in place in Canada and the United States doesn’t mean that compulsory service no longer exists. It is present in pretty much every continent but Antarctica.

Although I may not be able to convince everyone that war (and therefore having a military) is avoidable, I would at least like to ask you, my reader, to reflect on this passage from Micah and to pray for individuals from my list of five countries who still face compulsory military service. And if it came to it, that you would consider “[obeying] God rather than any human authority” by following your conscience (Acts 5:29b, NRSV).

God shall judge between many peoples,
and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.  Micah 4:3 

1. Colombia

Colombia has struggled with civil war for a long time. Mennonites have built strong ties in this country through churches, Mennonite Central Committee and Community Peacebuilding Teams, among other organizations. Yet, the work is still ongoing in regard to civil war. Perhaps it is because of this that compulsory military service is still required of men from ages 18-24. “Conscript service obligation is 18 months or 12 months for those with a college degree.”

2. Egypt

Egypt is considered a non-NATO U.S. ally and one of the biggest and most powerful militaries in its region. That is why it’s mind-blowing, but not surprising, that “voluntary enlistment is possible from age 16 for men and 17 for women; 18-30 years of age for conscript service for men; service obligation 14-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation; active service length depends on education.”

3. Greece

Not the only European nation still requiring compulsory military service for men between the ages of 19-45, Greece decides who its “citizens” are. “Compulsory service applies to any individual whom the Greek authorities consider to be Greek, regardless of whether the individual considers himself Greek, has a foreign citizenship and passport, or was born or lives outside of Greece.”

4. Israel

This is another country that goes above and beyond in its efforts to staff the military. At the age of 18 years, “Jews and Druze can be conscripted; Christians, Circassians, and Muslims may volunteer; both sexes are obligated to military service.”

However, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) also “recruits foreign Jews and non-Jews with a minimum of one Jewish grandparent, as well as converts to Judaism [with] each year [bringing] in about 800-1,000 foreign recruits.”

5. Turkiye (Turkey)

Turkiye begins its mandatory military service requirement of 6-12 months for men at age 20. “Service can be delayed if in university or in certain professions (researchers, professionals, and athletic, or those with artistic talents have the right to postpone military service until the age of 35).” Although women can volunteer, “as of 2021, women made up [only] about 0.4% of the military’s full-time personnel.”