Reinstating compulsory army service is a calculated response to evolving security dynamics, suggesting Jordan is preparing for prolonged regional uncertainty
Jordan’s announcement earlier this month on the reinstatement of mandatory military conscription after a three-decade hiatus marked a significant shift in the kingdom’s defence posture amid escalating regional tensions.
Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah declared the revival of the ‘Service to the Flag’ program, set to begin in 2026, as Jordan finds itself navigating an increasingly volatile Middle Eastern landscape.
Jordan suspended mandatory military service in 1991 following the end of the Cold War and the first Gulf War, as regional security dynamics shifted, and the kingdom focused on economic development and modernisation.
The Jordanian government, in coordination with the armed forces, announced that the first call-ups will commence in early 2026. Government spokesperson Mohammed Momani outlined the phased implementation beginning with 6,000 conscripts born in 2007 who will turn 18 in January 2026.
The program will gradually expand to reach 10,000 conscripts annually until the target demographic is fully covered.
The service structure consists of three months of intensive military training followed by transition to reserve duty status. The government has emphasised universal application with “absolute justice and no exceptions,” explicitly stating that children of government officials, including ministers, parliamentarians, and ambassadors, will serve alongside all other Jordanian youth.
The program combines practical military training with theoretical knowledge components, with an emphasis that it will not be linked to employment opportunities, but serves as mandatory military service, transitioning graduates to reserve status.
Multiple strategic motivations
Jordan faces unprecedented security challenges on multiple fronts that have influenced this decision.
“The eastern border experiences ongoing drug smuggling attempts from Iraq alongside Iranian militia infiltration efforts seeking to establish operational footholds,” military expert Deif Allah Al-Daboubi told The New Arab.
“The northern border with Syria presents new security vulnerabilities following the fall of the Assad regime, creating an unpredictable security environment. The western border tensions with Israel have escalated, particularly following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s threats regarding ‘Greater Israel’ expansion plans.”
Additionally, Al-Daboubi said, the ongoing Gaza war, located less than 60 kilometres away, has significantly heightened border security concerns and regional threat perceptions.
He emphasised that Jordan represents “a calm zone amid a turbulent ocean with turmoil everywhere,” necessitating enhanced defensive preparations as “all borders are inflamed”.
Political messaging
Political analyst Jamal Al-Shalabi interprets the revival of conscription as carrying multiple strategic messages directed at different audiences.
“The program sends a signal to Western allies demonstrating the complexity and danger of the current situation with Israel, while simultaneously communicating to Israel that Jordan remains prepared for all potential scenarios,” Al-Shalabi told The New Arab.
“Domestically, it serves to prepare the Jordanian population for potential challenges ahead, representing a shift from diplomatic protests to concrete preparatory action.”
He advocates for a comprehensive response, including military government formation, emergency state declaration, and mandatory conscription as a “decisive trilogy” to communicate the region’s war-like conditions.
Social and economic dimensions
Political and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul Moneim Al-Odat, in an interview on official Jordanian television, emphasised the program’s role in instilling a patriotic spirit and enhancing values of loyalty, belonging, and responsibility among Jordan’s youth.
Meanwhile, economic expert Hussam Ayesh highlights the program’s potential for human capital development through providing technical, administrative, and productive skills to young conscripts.
“The initiative aims to contribute to unemployment reduction by better preparing youth for labour market entry with practical experience and training,” Ayesh told The New Arab.
“The service is expected to promote social cohesion by creating shared experiences across different socioeconomic backgrounds, while also fostering realistic economic understanding that moves youth away from unrealistic quick-profit expectations.”
Public discourse and media analysis
Jordanian media commentary reveals nuanced perspectives on the decision to reinstate military conscription.
Nadia Nasser wrote an article in Al-Dustour newspaper saying that the return of the draft is not merely an organisational measure, but a deep response to a crisis experienced by young Jordanians at a time when economic, social, and psychological pressures are intertwined.
She views the decision as carrying both psychological and social dimensions; instilling reassurance about state protection while providing young Jordanians with military training that establishes resilience and discipline.
From a social perspective, army service dissolves differences between young Jordanians and creates a shared collective memory that deepens the sense of belonging and national identity, according to Nasser.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Al-Dharaba wrote in Al-Anbat newspaper that the goal of reactivating army service is to mobilise Jordanian youth and enhance national readiness, while transforming army camps into national schools that establish values of loyalty and belonging.
It also provides military, technical, and professional training that enables Jordan’s youth to compete in the job market after completing their service, thus reducing unemployment.
He explains that the decision reflects a vision for preserving national security and is a strategic tool for enhancing state resilience in facing internal and external challenges.
International and regional factors
After its war with Iran, the Israeli army deployed the 96th Division on the eastern border with Jordan at the end of June, doubling its forces.
Jordan has also deployed soldiers along its own borders, with former Jordanian Prime Minister Bishr Al-Khasawneh emphasising that it was a natural and necessary measure considering that Gaza, where Israel is still waging war, is less than 60 kilometres away.
At the same time, Jordan has refused to sign agreements with Israel, such as energy-for-water exchanges, since the war on Gaza was launched, viewing Tel Aviv’s regional wars as creating an environment that hinders the continuation of normal relations.
These steps, together, show that the ‘Service to the Flag’ program carries a political dimension and strategic message, both preparing Jordanians to face security challenges and enhancing national cohesion.
Jordan’s mandatory service reinstatement represents, according to experts, a calculated strategic response to evolving regional security dynamics rather than reactive policymaking, reflecting the kingdom’s assessment of sustained regional instability and the need for enhanced national resilience.
While government officials deny that conscription is a direct response to Israeli threats, the timing and implementation suggest Jordan is preparing for prolonged regional uncertainty while simultaneously addressing domestic development needs.
The program’s success will likely depend on balancing its security objectives with economic development goals, ensuring that universal application maintains social cohesion while building the human capital necessary for Jordan’s continued stability in an increasingly volatile region.