Posted on 01/12/2025 1:09:01 PM PST by marcusmaximus
Donald Trump's incoming national security advisor Mike Waltz suggested during an interview on ABC's "This Week" that if Ukraine expects "the entire world to be all-in" on supporting them, they should lower their draft age from 26 to 18.
MIKE WALTZ: I will say, the other thing that we're going to need to see is really stabilizing things on the battlefield. And one of the things that we'll be asking of the Ukrainians is they have real manpower issues. Their draft age right now is 26 years old, not 18.
I don't think a lot of people realize that they could generate hundreds of thousands of new soldiers. So when we hear about morale problems, when we hear about issues on the frontline, look, if the Ukrainians have asked the entire world to be all in for democracy, we need them to be all in for democracy. And they certainly have fought bravely. They certainly have taken a very noble and tough stand. But we need to see those manpower shortages addressed. This isn't just about munitions, ammunition, or writing more checks. It's about seeing the frontlines stabilized, so that we can enter into some type of deal.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
That was the argument to reduce the drinking age to 18 in 1971, and to give them the vote, if you are old enough to be drafted.......
Most US men signed up for the draft when we turned 18. Just as our families had for a very long time before. The draft means 18 year olds can go to war.
If Ukraine isolates their men until 26, these same men can travel out of the country and stay away when their time comes. It also means the most physically fit aren’t helping fight the physical war.
Ukraine should get nothing if they won’t do what basically all other countries do with their most capable men.
What this helps do is also force Zelensky to quickly end the war.
(You are a US citizen, correct?)
If every 1st World nation has their 18 year olds fight in war via the draft, so should a 3rd World country like Ukraine.
Agreed. Draw a line in the mud and agree to a ceasefire.
Call me clueless here, always assumed that every country conscripted at age 18. Thought the title was a mistake. Not that anyone or country likes conscription, but being 26, well into life, finished school and very often raising a family by 26 seems much more demoralizing than drafting 18 yo who haven’t started life yet. At 26, I was married and well into a career. Can’t imagine the number of orphans in Ukraine now. Few things break my heart more than all the reservists in the Iraq and Afghan wars that left young children behind without a father. Kind of wish men with children should be the last to go fight at least in the front lines. Not practical I’m sure, just my heart talking.
And, that is ONLY valid reason to suggest one of Biden's failed ideas. If it wasn't, Trump needs to replace Walz immediately.
Ukraine has zero chance of getting an inch of territory back. It's stupid and sociopathic to suggest they sacrifice younger soldiers.
But, since you are sociopath, and only care about Russians dying, I'm sure you're thrilled with the idea.
MIKE WALTZ: I will say, the other thing that we’re going to need to see is really stabilizing things on the battlefield. And one of the things that we’ll be asking of the Ukrainians is they have real manpower issues. Their draft age right now is 26 years old, not 18.
><
Did Trump approve of this? I hope not.
Great needling by Trump before he drops the hammer.
With thinking like that my guess is when you decide to go to a grocery store somehow you wind up in a creek...
I hope this is just Trump trolling Putin.
><
Good question. I hope he didn’t approve this at all.
If Trump approved this, it pisses me off. “Fight to the last boy in Ukraine is dead’ is what it amounts to.
You're a numbskull if you don't understand that.
The last thing Trump needs is to double down on Biden's failed policies.
He must end the war or stop funding it, period, or it will cripple his Presidency.
There is no chance the Russians will agree to freeze the conflict unless Ukraine concedes all annexed territory and NATO withdraws from Ukraine.
Sicko Walz has the bloodlust. They aren’t killing their young fast enough for his taste.
The ONLY thing in this war I have approved of, is not slaughtering kids who were 9 years old when the Maidan putsch happened. Old idiots created this war... let them fight it.
Nothing is more unseemly than some old geezer on the other side of the earth demanding that 18 year olds be sent to the eastern front to die.
Sick M-Effer....
><
I’m with you. Trump had better not have approved of what he said.
Did you really think President Trump was going to throw a victory parade for Putin?
But, our funding of the war must end when Trump takes over.
He’s correct, it’s really incredible they held off Russia with a 26 y/o draft age.
And mighty Russia drafts at age 18.
While I support Ukraine,I regret Trump may back away from his plan to end the war right away. But he was never going to just hand Russia a victory.
How about shut off the money and horrific corruption.
Make Ukraine lay down arms now.
US and assets out of Ukraine.
We have no business being there.
Supporting Democracy Maybe? For Dictator Grifter Zolonsky.
Marcus you are pathetic with these daily garbage posts.
Yes, U.S born and bred but I identify as a citizen of the State of Montana more and more lately.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.