BRUSSELS (AP): U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday that the Pentagon will conduct a six-month review of American military forces stationed in Europe, saying future force posture decisions will depend on how quickly European allies assume greater responsibility for their own defense.
Speaking during a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Hegseth said the review would evaluate whether the alliance is moving toward a model where European nations take the lead in defending the continent.
“This will be a real review,” Hegseth said. “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 also criticized some NATO allies for previously denying U.S. military forces access to bases and airspace needed for operations targeting Iran.
“These allies, they put America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all,” Hegseth said.
The defense secretary argued that European governments should place a greater emphasis on military readiness and border security while increasing defense spending.
“Instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defense austerity,” Hegseth said.
The Trump administration has called for what Hegseth described as a “NATO 3.0,” aimed at strengthening the alliance’s ability to deter future threats while encouraging member nations to invest more heavily in their own defense capabilities.
The announcement comes as the United States reassesses its military commitments worldwide, including preparing for the possibility of simultaneous conflicts in multiple regions. Administration officials have emphasized the need to maintain sufficient resources in the Indo-Pacific amid ongoing concerns about China.
Under NATO’s Article 5 collective defense provision, an attack against one member nation is considered an attack against all alliance members. The United States remains NATO’s largest military contributor and continues to maintain its nuclear deterrent presence in Europe.
On Thursday, NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group issued its first public statement in 19 years, reaffirming that the alliance’s strategic nuclear forces remain the cornerstone of NATO deterrence and security.
The group also pledged continued modernization of NATO’s nuclear capabilities and planning efforts to address evolving security challenges.
