Bangladesh, March 6 -- Thousands of students took to the streets across Germany this week to protest new legislation that could pave the way for the reintroduction of compulsory military service. The demonstrations, led largely by high school students, were centered in the capital city of Berlin but also spread to several other major German cities.

The protests were organized under the banner “School Strike Against the Draft,” reflecting growing concern among young people about the possibility of being required to serve in the armed forces. Protesters argued that the governments recent defense reforms could eventually lead to the return of full-scale conscription, which was suspended more than a decade ago.

The demonstration...