Hegseth announces six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe

Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of U.S. troops in Europe at a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Thursday.apnews
He called it “shameful” that allies denied American forces base access and overflight rights during operations against Iran.nbcnews
The U.S. has already begun reducing crisis assets pledged to NATO, including cuts to fighter jets and drones, ahead of a July summit in Ankara, according to Reuters.reuters

Hegseth Blasts NATO Allies, Announces Review of U.S. Forces in Europe

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a sharp rebuke to NATO allies at a defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Thursday, announcing a six-month Pentagon review of American military forces in Europe and condemning partners who denied U.S. troops access to bases and overflight rights during operations against 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, calling the denials “shameful.”vpm

A “Real Review” With Consequences

Hegseth told his NATO counterparts that the review would determine the future shape of America’s military presence on the continent. “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,” he said.apnews

He warned that Washington’s payment of roughly $790 million in annual NATO organizational dues would be contingent on allies meeting defense spending targets. The Trump administration is pushing for what Hegseth called “NATO 3.0” — a transformed alliance in which European nations bear primary responsibility for their own continental defense.vpm

The announcement follows a U.S. decision disclosed on June 3 to reduce American military assets pledged to NATO in times of crisis, including cuts to aerial refueling planes, fighter jets, and naval vessels. According to Reuters, the number of F-15 jets available to NATO is expected to decline by one-third, while MQ-9 Reaper drones could be halved.reuters

European Response and Nuclear Reassurances

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted that European allies and Canada spent $90 billion more on defense last year, a 20 percent increase over 2024. The alliance’s Nuclear Planning Group issued its first statement in 19 years, reaffirming that “the strategic nuclear forces of the Alliance remain the supreme guarantee of Allied security.”vpm

Hegseth also used the platform to criticize European policies on migration and gender equality, saying that “instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defense austerity.” The remarks drew comparisons to a speech by Vice President JD Vance in February 2025 that angered many European leaders.vpm

The confrontation sets the stage for what is expected to be a tense NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara, Turkey, where allies will attempt to address gaps left by reduced U.S. commitments.reuters