US to automatically register eligible men for military draft starting...

The U.S. has been a volunteer-based military since the end of the Vietnam War in 1973. Former President Jimmy Carter reinstated the Selective Service system in 1980, allowing the government to call registered men for duty in the event of a national emergency. Though it’s never been used, failing to register carries heavy penalties, including a fine of up to $250,000 and up to five years in jail. COULD THE US INSTITUTE A DRAFT FOR THE IRAN WAR? Though fears of a draft were stoked by the beginning of the war with Iran, which is currently being held back by a ceasefire, such an event is unlikely. The U.S. military still has more than enough troops to maintain current operations in the Middle East, where it’s deployed only a fraction of its total force, despite falling short of recruitment targets in previous years. The operations in Iran are also concentrated around either special forces or the use of high-tech weapons, which require specialized training. A draft also requires the consent of Congress.