Against the backdrop of responding to Russia's "threat" and the Trump administration's pressure on Europe to "independently respond" to security challenges, more and more European countries are seeking to restore conscription and expand reserve forces. Although there are opinions opposing forced conscription, the key is how to win public support. On a day in early May, under the guidance of military personnel, ordinary Polish citizens received shooting training at a military facility in the eastern part of the country, located in Demblin. This is a one-day regular military training for ordinary civilians conducted by the Polish military. On that day, about 150 people of different genders and age groups participated in the training. In addition to learning how to use firearms and gas masks, as well as survival skills such as how to start a fire with tree branches, they also practiced how to throw grenades. According to a military official, a small number of trainees tend to join the military. He stated that the purpose of this training is to "equip the public with basic knowledge in emergency situations and encourage them to enlist". Poland abolished conscription in 2009, but its Prime Minister Tusk stated in March this year that the country needed an armed force of 500000 people, more than twice the current number, including reserve soldiers. The Polish government will provide longer military training for adults who intend to join the military. The goal is to train 100000 people annually starting from 2027, which will greatly expand the number of reserve personnel. At the same time, the Baltic and Nordic countries, which are also close to Russia, are also restoring or strengthening the conscription system abolished after the Cold War. This trend originated from the Crimean crisis in 2014. Lithuania resumed conscription in 2015, Sweden in 2018, and Latvia in 2024. Denmark will include women in its conscription in 2024. The Prime Minister of the country, Fraser Rixen, stated at a press conference, "We are preparing for conscription not because we want to participate in the war, but because we want to avoid it." The revised law came into effect on January 1st, and the unified military service for men and women will begin in 2026. Denmark has also become the third European country, after Norway and Sweden, to implement conscription for women. According to the conscription report released by the European Parliament in March, 9 out of the 27 member states of the European Union have implemented conscription. The report points out that the Trump administration has a negative attitude towards intervening in European security affairs, and some European countries are also studying providing security guarantees to Ukraine after the peace agreement is reached, which exacerbates the sense of crisis among countries. The report also analyzed that after witnessing the Russia Ukraine war, the support for conscription among the people of multiple countries has increased. NATO also calls on member countries not only to increase their defense budgets, but also to expand their military resources, which exacerbates the trend of strengthening conscription. German Defense Minister Pistorius stated in early June that Germany alone would need an additional 50000 to 60000 soldiers to achieve NATO's goals. The German government plans to require men over the age of 18 to answer a questionnaire about military service and provide job opportunities for those interested in joining the military. If the shortage of soldiers persists, the government will consider restoring the conscription system that was suspended in 2011. However, there are also strong criticisms and opposition voices that believe that mandatory conscription will hinder the education and work of young people. A survey conducted by a survey company in Germany from February to March showed that the number of people supporting the restoration of conscription (58%) was higher than the number opposing it (34%), but when the survey was limited to the age group of 18 to 29, the opposition rate rose to 61%. In France, since the 2017 presidential election, the country's President Macron has been exploring the possibility of restoring conscription. In March of this year, he hinted at the idea of recruiting young volunteers to join the military, but it seems that there is currently no hope of it being realized. Therefore, some countries have adopted flexible approaches. Lithuania reinstated conscription in 2015, selecting up to 4000 male soldiers aged 18 to 23 each year through drawing lots. Their service period is 9 months, but they can apply for extension or exemption due to attending university or health reasons. In addition, creative thinking is needed on how to quell opposition and dissatisfaction with conscription while ensuring sufficient personnel. (New Society)