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 review’s conclusions will depend on how quickly European partners take on primary responsibility for their own defense.

"This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe," Hegseth said.

Hegseth criticized European allies for not granting U.S. forces access to bases that could be used for operations against Iran, describing the situation as "shameful" and alleging that it puts American service members at risk. He also linked the perceived lack of military focus to European policies on migration, gender equity and climate change, suggesting these issues have diverted attention from defense spending.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg noted that European nations and Canada have increased defense budgets by about 20 % in the past year, amounting to roughly $90 billion in additional spending. He also said many European states have tightened border controls in recent years.

The United States has indicated it may limit the provision of certain warships, aircraft and support assets to NATO members in a crisis, citing the need to preserve resources for potential simultaneous conflicts, including a possible confrontation with China in the Indo-Pacific.

NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group issued a statement reaffirming the alliance’s nuclear deterrent as the "supreme guarantee of Allied security," and pledged to continue modernizing its nuclear capabilities.

The review and related policy signals come as the Trump administration seeks to reshape NATO into a more Europe-led organization, sometimes referred to as "NATO 3.0," that can deter a broader range of threats.