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

In Brussels on Thursday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of American military posture across Europe and used the platform to sharply criticize NATO partners for insufficient support during the recent US and Israeli conflict with Iran. The review, which Hegseth labeled the NATO 3.0 assessment, will examine US force levels including fighter jets, bombers and submarines, with the explicit goal of shifting primary defense responsibilities to European nations.

Hegseth told allied defense ministers that the outcome would hinge on how quickly Europe increases its own military contributions. Some countries will fail the review while others pass with flying colors, he stated, adding that the process is intended to push NATO irreversibly toward European leadership on continental security. The announcement builds on months of Trump administration demands for higher defense spending by allies, including a proposed minimum of 3.5 percent of GDP.

Central to Hegseth's remarks was the refusal by several European governments to grant US forces access to bases or airspace for operations against Iran. He described the denials as shameful and accused those nations of placing American troops at unnecessary risk by withholding predictable support. European offers to assist with shipping protection in the Strait of Hormuz after the fighting ended did not satisfy the administration's expectations for wartime cooperation.

Hegseth extended his criticism beyond defense matters to broader European policies. He pointed to what he called an overemphasis on migration, gender equity, climate initiatives and welfare expansion at the expense of military readiness. Such priorities, he argued, have weakened Europe's ability to defend itself and strained the transatlantic relationship. The comments echoed earlier critiques from Vice President JD Vance and drew immediate pushback from observers who noted that NATO members have recently increased defense outlays by roughly 20 percent, adding 90 billion dollars last year alone.

The review process will incorporate input from US European Command and consultations with Congress and allies, though Hegseth stressed it would remain substantive rather than symbolic. The Trump administration has long framed NATO as a two-way street requiring greater burden sharing from European capitals. Several allies have already committed to sustained spending growth following years of pressure, yet the latest statements suggest Washington views those steps as inadequate.

Critics of the approach warn that public rebukes and the threat of reduced US presence could further erode alliance cohesion at a time of ongoing global tensions. European officials have pointed to their rapid response to recent security challenges as evidence of commitment, even as they navigate domestic political constraints on military budgets. Hegseth's appearance in Brussels nonetheless signaled that the administration intends to maintain leverage through the review timeline, with potential adjustments to basing and deployments to follow.