Yes, it’s a very sticky wicket. In Israel’s case you can just be a conscientious objector and either make up an excuse for non-service, or take the jail time. In places that don’t even pose as Liberal democracies that’s not an option, and you’re best off trying to defect to someone else. If you can’t manage that either, it’s basically just time to survive while choosing kindness wherever you can, even if it means some loss and some risk. The soldier in The Pianist giving the guy cake comes to mind.
Yeah, I’m sure a soldiers don’t normally face reprisal for refusing to follow orders. /s
Maybe… don’t issue orders that may be war crimes?
Yes, it’s a very sticky wicket. In Israel’s case you can just be a conscientious objector and either make up an excuse for non-service, or take the jail time. In places that don’t even pose as Liberal democracies that’s not an option, and you’re best off trying to defect to someone else. If you can’t manage that either, it’s basically just time to survive while choosing kindness wherever you can, even if it means some loss and some risk. The soldier in The Pianist giving the guy cake comes to mind.
The only ethical option is to refuse to go when they try to enlist you.
Doesn’t Israel have required military service?
Yet there are still people who refuse to enlist.
I believe it was Chris Browning who showed that German Wehrmacht soldiers, who refused to be in Einsatzgruppen didn’t get punished for it.