What's behind France's new voluntary military service ?

President Emmanuel Macron announced a new voluntary military service in France, aimed at 18‑ and 19‑year-olds for 10‑month terms, with modest pay, to strengthen national defence and foster a closer connection between the armed forces and citizens. He stressed the programme is for domestic preparedness, not for deployment to conflict zones, and is part of a response to rising security threats in Europe. FRANCE 24's Marc Perelman has the analysis.