With pressure on Afghanistan to more than double the size of its armed forces within 18 months, compulsory military service might seem like a logical idea. But political and military analysts alike say that the country does not have the proper conditions for instituting a draft.

In his West Point speech on December 1, U.S. President Barack Obama promised that within 18 months the American forces would begin to hand over control of military operations to a renewed, reinvigorated Afghan Army. This, however, would require security forces – army, police, and special forces – of over 240,000, more than twice as many as are currently in the system.

According to Abdul Samad Azizi, the head of the Political Science Institute of the Afghanistan Academy of Sciences, compulsory military service just would not work in Afghanistan under current circumstances.

“The government has no control over remote areas,” he explained. “And for more than 30 years there has not been a valid census. People in remote areas do not even have national identity cards. How can we have compulsory military service? Under the Constitution, all Afghan citizens have equal rights and duties before the law. How would they be able to do that? It would be impossible.”

For many years there were no birth certificates issued in Afghanistan, as the country dissolved into the chaos of the Soviet invasion, civil war, and the Taliban years. This makes it difficult if not impossible even to determine age accurately, let alone the number of Afghans eligible to serve.

Parliamentarian Helaluddin Helal, a former army general, believes that the government is obliged to institute a draft, since the Article 55 of the Constitution specifies that “the defense of the country is the responsibility of all citizens of Afghanistan.”

However, Helal acknowledged, the time has not yet come when compulsory military service can fairly be applied to all.

“The government lacks the legitimacy to implement this measure,” said Helal. “Also, the people of Afghanistan are not interested in compulsory military service. These are the main obstacles.”

Parliamentarian Sarwar Jawadi is also skeptical of compulsory military service.

“We have now trained about 150,000 soldiers at huge expense,” he said. “How can we now combine them with draftees?”

He echoed concerns about lack of government control in the more remote areas of the country, and pointed out that there were more than 5 million Afghan citizens living outside the country.

“And those who are drafted may decide to join the opposition,” he said.

General Zahir Azimi, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said that the ministry will review the matter in light of past experience, weight the theoretical and practical aspects of the issue and make a decision at a suitable time.

Afghans are divided on the issue.

Tawab, 28, who sells dried fruit in Kabul, said that he didn’t think it was a bad idea.

“If the government pays a good salary, say 10,000-15,000 afghani ($200-$300) then maybe people will be willing to go,” he said.

But Farzad, 20, who lives in the Chahr-Diahi district of Kabul, who has completed high school and is now selling watches in Kabul, said he would not want to serve.

“I have many problems. I do not want to go,” he said.

Some have more emotional reactions.

“Soldiers from 40 countries are here in Afghanistan,” said a 70-year-old who did not want to give his name. “They cannot bring stabilization and security. Each foreign soldier costs $1,000 per day, but an Afghan soldier earns just $100 per month. First, the foreign soldiers should leave the country, then we will let our sons serve in the military and stabilize the country.”

While some people disagree with doing compulsory military service, some others welcome this initiative.
 
A young man graduated from political science faculty and currently works in ministry of foreign affairs says it is must for each citizen of Afghanistan to serve compulsory military service. Considering to unemployment and need for country defense, any time the government announce attracting process for the service, people will welcome this announcement. Responding to a question that is he personally ready to serve military service he said: “If needed I am ready to serve for defending of my country.”

The issue of serving compulsory military service has been recently proposed by president Karzai. But according to analysts, and in respect to the lack of rule of law, limit power of government, economical problems and some other obstacles, it is impossible to put this issue in practice for the moment.