Europe Considers Conscription: Coincidence, or 'Defense' Budget Expansion?
Mainstream media (Al Jazeera, 2025-11-28) reports France and Germany are dusting off plans for mandatory military service. The narrative implies a sudden, organic need for expanded defense. What's missing? The unprecedented, multi-billion-dollar boost to the defense industry, particularly since the 2022 escalation in Ukraine. Major arms manufacturers, whose lobbyists frequently roam European
capitals, have seen their stock prices soar. Lockheed Martin, for example, reported a 2023 net sales increase to $67.6 billion, up from $65.9 billion in 2022. Suddenly, more bodies are needed to operate the equipment Europe is now generously purchasing. It appears European leadership is not just worried about defense; they're also ensuring a healthy return on investment for the contractors selling
the 'solutions'. Because nothing says 'peace' like drafting an entire generation to handle the hardware profits demand. One might wonder if the urgency for conscription is driven by national security, or by portfolio managers celebrating record quarterly earnings.