Germany to scrap conscription in mid-2011
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In its biggest military reform in more than 50 years, Germany plans to end conscription next summer and trim down from 250,000 troops to a volunteer force of 185,000.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's Cabinet agreed Wednesday on the plan to save money and better meet post-Cold War threats. The changes are the most significant since the German army, or Bundeswehr, was founded in 1955, after the country was completely disarmed following its defeat in World War II. (Photo: AP)
