World / Croatia Croatia to Reintroduce 2-Month Mandatory Military Service Move comes amid rising European tensions and military buildup By Newser.AI Read our AI policy Posted Aug 16, 2024 10:00 AM CDT Copied Army Forces of Croatia walk during the rehearsal of the French Bastille Day parade at the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, Tuesday, July 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File) Croatia will restart a two-month mandatory military service as of January 1, announced Defense Minister Ivan Anusic on Thursday. The decision comes amid escalating tensions in Europe due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and increased military activities in the Balkans, which experienced severe conflict in the 1990s. Croatia had suspended conscription in 2008 in favor of a volunteer-based system. Anusic emphasized that "the modernization and equipment of the Armed Forces is proceeding as planned and in accordance with the agreement with our allies and the NATO leadership," assuring that there will be no budget cuts in this sector. Other European countries are also considering or have already reinstated compulsory military service due to similar security concerns. Latvia reintroduced conscription last year, and Serbia, Croatia's main rival in the Balkans, is similarly considering it. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) < > Rubber Ducks Stir Controversy in Massachusetts Murder Trial 12 hours, 32 minutes ago Powerful SPICE Bomb Used in Israeli Airstrike in Beirut 18 hours, 17 minutes ago Hurricane Kristy Intensifies to Category 4 in Pacific 10 hours, 32 minutes ago Alleged Drunken Driver Narrowly Misses Kamala Harris Motorcade Oct 23, 2024 2:26 PM CDT Taylor Swift Concerts Prompt Encampment Relocation in New Orleans 9 hours, 32 minutes ago Weinstein Retrial Delayed; New Allegation Investigated 17 hours, 17 minutes ago Ahmaud Arbery's Killers Request New Trial 8 hours, 32 minutes ago Pope Francis Warns of a Heartless World 6 hours, 32 minutes ago British MP Seeks Protected Status for Pie and Mash 18 hours, 47 minutes ago Firebomb Explosion in Chilean School Injures 35 17 hours, 47 minutes ago Panel Suggests Pneumonia Vaccine for Those 50 and Older 11 hours, 32 minutes ago Southwest Airlines Reaches Deal to Restructure Board 6 hours, 1 minute ago Utah Apartment Blast Forces 90 Families to Relocate Oct 23, 2024 2:15 AM CDT Grateful Dead Honored as 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year 12 hours, 16 minutes ago Paris Conference Raises $1B for Lebanon Support 7 hours, 32 minutes ago Former Doctor Faces Trial for Role in Rwandan Genocide Oct 23, 2024 2:45 AM CDT Hurricane Causes Lengthy Surgical Delays Nationwide Oct 23, 2024 3:15 AM CDT Tagovailoa Returns to Practice, Aims for Sunday Start Oct 23, 2024 2:22 PM CDT Report an error