Women have also been sent the letter but, unlike young men, are not legally required to respond. Most recently, a new military concept outlining how Germany intends to fight and a capability profile were published three months ago. “Our main focus point is conscription,” he tells Al Jazeera. Analyst Graefrath said that Germany would need to decide the future of conscription based on its reading of wider geopolitical challenges. Meanwhile, the clause for young men to seek permission before shifting abroad remains repealed but only as long as conscription remains voluntary.