Si vis pacem, para bellum. (If you want peace, prepare for war)

[Martin83]

The world is becoming more dangerous. With a big military conflict in Europe and inevitable war in Middle East we need to have our men prepared to defend our country. Do you think a compulsory conscription is necessary?

No

No. We probably should increase defence spending though.

You know war’s changed a bit since WW2 right?

Anyway no. However we might have to increase spending a bit to have enough troops to support peacekeeping efforts.

No chance....I wouldn't defend this country nor will my children. They come knocking at my door for my son they better come prepared because I'll defend my family to the end.

I served my country in the 1980s and I would never do it if I had my time again and I'll make sure that my children never make that mistake.

The military is a throwaway institutions, those lads damaged I know are either no longer with us or living in social housing and can't afford food.

If this country wants to go to war send our MPs first please and give me a front seat so I can watch them crumble.

No one is going to invade this country the problem is we are to eager to police the world and the snap of America. We must learn to withdraw and focus on building a country worthy of it's citizens

Wow, @dubsie, I confess myself rather shocked.

Do you feel there is nothing about your country or your country's philosophy that's worth defending? Or is it just that you're resting secure in your conviction that nothing bad will ever come directly at you? If, hypothetically, Putin progressed all the way through western Europe as Hitler did, and it was clear that England would be targeted soon, would you feel the same way?

Putin isn't a threat and never was. Obviously if you provoke another country then they will defend themselves and that's been our problem for many years . Putin is simply doing what the yanks have done for 50 years.

The biggest threat to our country is our own Orwellian government that crushes decent or free speech. Look what happened to Corbyn....he was never a security threat but they made the media say he was.

If the day comes, which I doubt it will, they come knocking on my door to drag my children off to war then I will stand up for my childrens right refuse to to die for a worthless cause. Send our MPs, send their children and then come and see me.

The armed forces should not be used to fight other people's wars.

Wow, I mean...
Say what you will about the military-industrial complex ("the war machine") but Putin as a dude is a effing psycho and legit a threat- even just to the valet

No conscription isn't necessary. Yes, veterans are treated badly and deserve much more. But let's keep things in perspective about actual psychos in charge of nuclear weapons

No.

That's a flawed opinion based on a mandate dished by western media. Putin is no different from Biden, Trump, Bush, Thatcher.....all these leaders play geo politics and they use people like pawns.

The day people refuse to play this game is the day when all wars cease.

Take the blue pill and wake up and realise that we may actually not be on the righteous side you were made to believe. Have you not even considered that the axis of evil is staring right at you from the seats of power.

I would like to see a Veterans' Act like they have in the USA which ensures ex-military are supported. This would include grants for university and other career options.

What a naive post.

I think its more naive to think that a war with Russia would benefit anyone.

Why should we sacrifice more men and women for a war unless it's absolutely necessary. It would be far better to focus on peace rather another war.

Just Iraq and Afghanistan have left a legacy of broken men who's lives have been destroyed for wars that were absolutely pointless.

No one is going to invade Europe....

1 - Ukraine is in Europe.
2 - Nobody is suggesting, or advocating for a war with Russia.
3 - Our current position of supporting Ukraine is totally necessary.
4 - That’s not a view held by some European NATO states.

I can't think of a single conflict that we have fought or supported in the last 20 years that can be justified other than to strengthen the axis of evil the other side of the Atlantic.

Ukraine has no fundamental right to claim they are victims, they welcomed American arms and military funding and in the end provoked Russia into defending it's interests. The Yanks would have done just the same.

I will never support national service while we have a government that is eager to spill the blood of those that serve for money and oil. Any government that passes legislation to enlist young people into the military better be prepared for serious violent opposition. I'm more than prepared to defend my children even if it means breaking the law.

@dubsie, your comments are ones that I will never agree with. Your second paragraph is pretty hard to swallow, as it’s just downright offensive. Do you really understand anything about what’s happening? And as for your views on defending your children, don’t you think that Ukranian parents feel the same in the face of a very real and imminent threat?

No.
I would have said yes in the past. Now I think the UK is done, nothing to defend anymore.
@dubsie whilst I agree with most of what you say, antisemitic Corbyn, really?

You are mistaking people and state, there is a big difference. It's people who suffer from the corruption of the state. War is simply state corruption and it's people are simply pawns to be traded.

The Ukraine is simply being used by the yanks to attack Russia. It's a proxy war and it's been brewing for about 20 years. Had we not armed the Ukraine this war would have been over 12 months ago and the people of the Ukraine could accept their new masters or wage an internal war ....that bit is their choice....

When Russia occupied Afghanistan the CIA armed the Taliban and when America invaded Afghanistan the Russians armed the Taliban. In the middle are people being killed and injured. Then you have private companies making billions from arms and regeneration but none of these profits will help the poor buggers left with life changing injuries.

So having served in the military myself I can say with conviction I don't want my children anywhere near it.

Sigh.

@dubsie, the fact you refer to it as ‘The Ukraine’ tells me all I need to know.

@dubsie agree with you that the way veterans are treated in this country is downright criminal.

It's the same in America, veterans are discarded like trash when they are no longer useful. The streets are littered with homeless often very poorly veterans.

But it's not just veterans....as soon as anyone is no longer economically active...in that that are no longer consuming and working the state throws you away.

So when people talk about national service it makes my blood boil because it has no right to ask for anything from me let alone my childs right to choose to serve their country or not. The day they come to collect my son's for national service is the day I'll take up arms against my country.

The state has no right to take people, the state serves its citizens not the other way round. Far too many pointless wars have seen far too many casualties and pain...and for what.

The day they come to collect my son's for national service is the day I'll take up arms against my country.

Dubsie, yes I think we’ve all got the message.

Why are we letting ourselves be driven by what some dead Roman guy said?

How about: 'if you want peace, forge close, mutually beneficial relationships with other countries. Share information, culture and ideas. If everyone prospers, no one needs to go to war'