Worried About Russia, Sweden Brings Back Its Military Draft

<p>Seven years after Sweden discontinued compulsory military service, the country has decided to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/03/02/518116191/sweden-brings-back-the-draft-alarmed-by-russian-activities" target="_blank">bring back its draft</a>.</p><p>Starting next year, Sweden expects to conscript at least 4,000 young men and women annually for military service.</p><p>The country&#39;s defense minister&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/03/02/is-sweden-reintroducing-conscription-because-of-refugees-no-its-russia/" target="_blank">cited two big reasons</a>&nbsp;for the buildup: Russia&#39;s annexation of Crimea and continued Russian aggression in the Ukraine.</p><p><b>SEE MORE: <a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/russia-denies-report-that-it-bombed-us-backed-syrian-rebels/">US Says Russia Bombed Syrian Fighters. Russia Says That Never Happened</a></b></p><p>Even though Sweden has worked with NATO in the past, the country isn&#39;t a part of the alliance. That means NATO wouldn&#39;t have to come to the country&#39;s aid in the event of an incident with Russia.</p><p>So Sweden has decided it needs to take defense matters into its own hands.&nbsp;</p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/smartphone-company-aims-to-tackle-child-labor/">Child Labor Helps Fuel Smartphones. This Phone Could Change That.</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/france-s-marine-le-pen-can-now-be-prosecuted/">A French Presidential Candidate Could Now Be Prosecuted</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/uk-parliament-deals-setback-to-government-over-brexit-vote/">UK Brexit Plans Briefly Blocked In Parliament</a></li></ul>