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Military service

When Dean Huang returned to Taiwan to do his compulsory military service, he had to give up a lot: his job, his apartment, his cell phone, his hair. His autonomy.

He had a dream life in Seattle. Then Taiwan’s military came calling.

Culture

In Taiwan, even men they have dual nationality, they have to serve in the military. And if they don’t, they risk jail time. Dean Huang knew he would never see his family again if he didn’t go back home to serve.

Young Colombian army troops in the southern town of Uribe, which used to be a FARC stronghold. Some are draftees serving their obligatory 18 months service; others are professional soldiers. Most come from humble backgrounds.

Draft evasion is alive and well in Colombia. And it’s an issue in the presidential race

Global Politics