Hegseth lashes out at NATO allies and announces a review of U.S. forces in Europe

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has initiated a comprehensive six-month review of American military presence in Europe, citing dissatisfaction with the performance of NATO allies. During a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels on June 18, 2026, Hegseth expressed frustration with European partners who, according to him, have failed to support U.S. military actions and have not adequately contributed to the alliance’s defense efforts. He accused several unnamed countries of refusing to grant the U.S. access to their bases and overflight rights necessary for conducting operations, particularly in the ongoing conflict with Iran. These actions, he claimed, placed American service members at unnecessary risk and undermined the effectiveness of the alliance.

Hegseth emphasized that the review aims to transition NATO into what he referred to as "NATO 3.0," a renewed version of the alliance focusing on strengthening Europe’s ability to defend itself without relying heavily on U.S. military support. This concept builds upon the earlier "NATO 2.0" initiative proposed by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, which sought to encourage European nations to take greater responsibility for their own conventional defense. According to Hegseth, the previous era—often labeled "NATO 2.0"—was characterized by a lack of commitment from European allies, whom he described as "freeloaders."

The timing of the review coincides with growing political pressure in the United States regarding the reduction of military forces stationed in Europe. Earlier in the year, the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany, a decision that drew criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Concerns were raised about the potential consequences of reducing the U.S. military footprint in Europe, especially given the geopolitical tensions involving Russia, China, and Iran. Some members of Congress argued that any significant changes to the U.S. force posture in Europe should involve thorough consultation with both Congress and NATO allies.

Congress has already mandated that the Pentagon submit a detailed plan before reducing U.S. troop numbers below 76,000 in Europe. A draft version of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions requiring the defense secretary to assess the impact of any troop reductions 120 days prior to implementation. This legislative oversight reflects broader bipartisan concern over the implications of shifting U.S. military strategy away from Europe.

Hegseth also highlighted the need for European allies to increase their defense spending, pointing out that many have not met the NATO target of allocating 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to national defense by 2025. While there has been some progress, with 31 out of 32 NATO members reaching the 2% threshold in 2025 compared to 18 in 2024, Hegseth believes more needs to be done to ensure the alliance remains robust and self-sufficient. He warned that if European countries fail to invest sufficiently in their military capabilities, the United States may reduce its financial contributions to NATO.

In addition to urging increased defense spending, Hegseth criticized the shift in NATO’s focus away from traditional military readiness toward social and environmental issues. He argued that the alliance had strayed from its original purpose, which centered around collective defense against external threats. Instead of concentrating on developing advanced weaponry and maintaining strong military infrastructure, he contended, NATO had become preoccupied with topics such as gender equality and climate change. This, he suggested, had weakened the alliance’s overall effectiveness and eroded public confidence in its mission.

Hegseth’s comments reflect a broader strategic vision within the Trump administration, which seeks to reinforce America’s global military dominance while encouraging European nations to assume a larger share of the burden in terms of defense responsibilities. As part of this strategy, the U.S. has pledged to invest $1.5 trillion in its own defense budget for 2027, signaling a commitment to maintaining a powerful military presence worldwide. At the same time, the administration is preparing contingency plans to ensure that European allies can effectively respond to potential crises without relying solely on U.S. military support.

The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, scheduled for July 2026, will serve as a critical platform for discussing these issues. With President Donald Trump expected to attend, the summit offers an opportunity to reassess the direction of the alliance and address concerns about the balance of responsibilities between the United States and its European partners. The outcome of these discussions will likely shape the future of NATO and determine whether the organization can successfully evolve into the "NATO 3.0" envisioned by Hegseth and others within the administration.