The US has not conducted a draft since the Vietnam War, but rising global tensions, including the ongoing Iran conflict, have renewed focus on preparedness.
While Pakistan is looking to be seen as the mediator that pulled the US and Iran back from the edge, it is itself sitting in China's Urumqi, looking for a way out of its own "open war" with Afghanistan.
During his two-day trip, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman held talks with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, including on energy cooperation.
Delhi Airport has reacted to concerns over missing stray dogs Dholu and Kaddu at Delhi Airport, with activists and users questioning authorities and fuelling a debate on animal welfare.
Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, questioned Pakistan's credibility despite US outreach, even as Lebanon reeled from its deadliest day in the current Middle East conflict.
Iran has directed ships to use alternate routes in the Strait of Hormuz, citing sea mine risks, while allowing limited transit under a two-week truce and advising coordination with IRGC Navy forces.
Following the two-hour meeting, Rutte acknowledged strains within the alliance, describing the exchange as candid but constructive, even as divisions over the conflict with Iran came into clearer focus.
Trump sends a Vance-led team to Pakistan for US-Iran talks starting Saturday, as Washington rejects earlier Iranian proposals but signals progress after a revised plan aligned with US demands.
A post shared on X sparked debate on the future of skilled manual work amid rising AI concerns after the user pointed out the high demand for blue-collar jobs.
The Trump administration leaned on Pakistan to persuade Iran to accept a pause in fighting. The proposal focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan's role was to present the deal as coming from a fellow Muslim-majority state, in the hope it would be more acceptable to Tehran.