Hegseth Launches Six-Month Review of U.S. Forces in Europe

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday a Pentagon review of American military deployments across Europe, setting a six-month deadline for NATO partners to demonstrate they can shoulder primary responsibility for the continent's defense. The review, described by Hegseth as a practical assessment rather than a formality, will evaluate force posture, basing arrangements, and allied contributions in light of recent events.

Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Hegseth stressed that the alliance must shift from one-sided reliance on American resources. "This will be a real review," he 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." He noted that outcomes would differ by country, with some passing and others falling short based on concrete actions rather than pledges.

Central to the remarks was the refusal by several European governments to grant American forces access to bases and overflight rights during operations against Iran. Hegseth called the denials shameful and said they exposed American personnel to unnecessary hazards. The episode served as a clear test of alliance commitments, he argued, and revealed that some partners viewed support as optional once costs became immediate.

Hegseth tied the review to broader patterns in European policy choices. Resources that could have gone toward tanks, fighters, and air defenses had instead supported expanded welfare systems, gender-focused initiatives, climate measures, and open migration policies. These priorities, he observed, left defense budgets thin and left the United States covering gaps that European nations had long promised to close. The secretary pointed out that predictable access to facilities should never have required debate during active operations.

The announcement follows repeated calls from the Trump administration for allies to meet higher spending thresholds and reduce dependence on American troops and equipment. Hegseth indicated the review would incorporate input from European Command and congressional consultations but would not be bound by past assumptions about permanent US presence. Allies that increase their own capabilities and demonstrate willingness to share operational burdens are expected to fare better in the assessment.

European defense spending has risen in recent years, yet the gap between commitments and actual readiness remains wide by historical standards. The review aims to measure whether those increases translate into genuine capacity to deter threats without defaulting to American forces. Countries willing to align priorities with security needs rather than domestic social programs will face fewer questions about continued US involvement.

Hegseth's statements reflect an insistence that alliances function as mutual arrangements, not indefinite subsidies. The six-month timeline will force decisions on basing and troop levels that have lingered for decades. Results will hinge on actions taken in the coming months rather than further statements of solidarity.