U.S. Defense Secretary Announces Six-Month Review of American Forces in Europe

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO officials in Brussels that the Pentagon will conduct a six-month review of American forces stationed in Europe. He said the assessment will focus on how quickly European allies can take primary responsibility for the continent’s defence.

Hegseth criticized the lack of access to European bases for potential operations against Iran, stating that denying predictable access, basing and overflight places U.S. service members at risk. He also linked current European priorities to issues such as gender equity, climate policy and migration, suggesting these have diverted attention from defence spending.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg noted that European allies and Canada increased defence budgets by about $90 billion last year, a rise of roughly 20 percent, and have been expanding their armed forces. Many European countries have also tightened migration controls in recent years.

The United States has indicated it may limit the provision of certain warships, aircraft carriers, refueling planes and fighter jets to allies in a crisis, prompting NATO members to consider alternative arrangements. The alliance’s nuclear planning group reaffirmed that strategic nuclear forces remain a core element of NATO’s deterrence posture.

The review will examine how the alliance can maintain collective security under Article 5 while addressing U.S. strategic concerns about potential simultaneous conflicts, including those involving China in the Indo-Pacific region.