As Iran shows no concrete sign of ending its nuclear program and continues its threats towards the West and interests in the region, its Arab neighbors have begun introducing the compulsory military draft for their young men.

The president of the United Arab Emirates on Saturday issued a law implementing compulsory military service for Emirati men, a move highlighting the Gulf state’s concern over turmoil in the region.

“The issuing of the law comes with the goals of affirming the instilling of the values of loyalty, affiliation and sacrifice in the souls of the sons of homeland,” WAM said.

The law applies to all males between the ages of 18 and 30 and in good medical health. Men who have a high school degree or its equivalent will serve nine months, while those who do not have a high school diploma will serve for two years, WAM said.

The UAE joins Qatar in introducing the draft, with Kuwait considering a similar move for the first time since abandoning compulsory service after the First Gulf War.

The trend towards compulsory military service in the Sunni monarchies comes at a time of strained ties with non-Arab Shiite Iran across the Gulf.

At the root of that tension are outstanding land disputes and more significantly Iran’s threats over the last decade to launch attacks against its neighbors and American interests on their territory.

The build-up of troops in the region is just plank of what Western experts have been warning of for some time – a regional arms race, which could eventually go nuclear.

[Photo: DoD / Wiki Commons]