A Middle Eastern nation has announced the return of mandatory military service after decades, driven by escalating border tensions with a neighboring country. The decision reflects broader geopolitical strains and calls for a stronger national defense amid regional disputes.
The Jordanian Kingdom unveiled plans on Monday, August 18, 2025, to reinstate mandatory military service for young men, a policy dormant since the 1990s, as announced by Brig.-Gen. Mustafa Hiyari of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF).
The initial draft will enlist 6,000 eighteen-year-olds, offering a monthly salary of 100 Jordanian Dinars (about $140) and three months of basic training, with plans to expand to 10,000 conscripts in subsequent rounds, according to government spokesman Mohammed Momani. Crown Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah, a 31-year-old Major with active military experience like his father, championed the move during a youth meeting in Irbid, stating, “Serving alongside the brave men of the JAF instills discipline and shapes character,” underscoring its role in bolstering national identity amid strained ties with Israel. (Read More)