With the prospect of World War III looming after recent global conflict in Iran and Israel, questions are growing over who in America would be called to fight and who might be spared if it were indeed to happen.
On Saturday night (June 21), President Donald Trump announced a major military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, confirming that the US had bombed three key sites - Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.
“Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he added.
He then issued a stern warning: “ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT. THANK YOU! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.”
Iran responded on Monday (June 23) by launching a missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military base in the region. Iranian state media first reported the attack, which was later confirmed by military sources.
A statement from the IRGC, the most powerful branch of the Iranian military, said that "Iran will not leave any attack on its sovereignty unanswered," adding: "US bases in the region are not strengths but vulnerabilities," per BBC News.
Following the strikes, Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire. However, fighting has persisted across the region, prompting fears of a wider conflict and even the possibility of World War III.
Due to this, speculation has intensified around whether the US might reinstate the draft and who could be called to serve.
The Selective Service System (SSS), first introduced in 1917, has allowed the US government to draft soldiers in times of war. The most notable use was during the Vietnam War, which saw 1.9 million Americans drafted between 1954 and 1975.
In 2025, all male U.S. citizens and residents aged 18 to 25 are still required to register with the SSS. This includes undocumented immigrants, green card holders, and refugees. Those who fail to register could face a fine of up to $250,000.
The draft lottery typically starts with 20-year-olds and then works its way through other age groups. Draftees undergo medical and psychological screenings to determine their fitness for service, and those deemed unfit are exempt.
Certain groups may also qualify for deferments or exemptions: women, individuals with deeply held moral or religious beliefs against war, students and essential workers, parents and caregivers, and skilled professionals.
As the world watches tensions escalate, many are also wondering where they might go to stay safe if global war erupts.
A so-called Doomsday map compiled by experts and reported by the Daily Mail identifies 12 of the safest places to be in the event of a global conflict. These include:
- Antarctica: isolated, politically neutral, but inhospitable.
- Iceland – Peaceful, remote, and with minimal strategic value.
- New Zealand – Neutral with natural defenses and low global importance.
- Switzerland – Longstanding neutrality and extensive nuclear shelter infrastructure.
- Greenland – Politically neutral and sparsely populated.
- Indonesia – Known for a non-aligned foreign policy stance.
- Tuvalu – Tiny and strategically insignificant.
- Argentina & Chile – Rich in natural resources and agriculturally self-sufficient.
- Bhutan – Neutral and protected by its mountainous geography.
- Fiji – Remote and consistently ranking high on peace indexes.
- South Africa – Abundant in resources and equipped with robust infrastructure.
While these places may offer theoretical safety based on geography and neutrality, experts hope such contingencies never need to be acted upon.