The EU is not a military power, but a political force.

In a significant development within NATO, the United States has announced its intention to reassess its military presence in Europe over the course of six months. This decision was made during a meeting of defense ministers from the 32 NATO member states held at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels on June 18, 2026. The announcement came amid heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Iran and concerns about defense spending among NATO allies.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who recently changed his title to “Secretary of War,” expressed frustration with certain European allies, criticizing their reluctance to support American military efforts during the war against Iran. He emphasized the need for a more balanced distribution of responsibilities between the United States and European nations regarding the defense of the continent. His remarks were particularly pointed towards countries that had previously denied access to NATO bases for U.S. forces.

Hegseth warned that this review would ensure that NATO moves swiftly and irreversibly toward a Europe that takes primary responsibility for its own defense. He also indicated that the reassessment could lead to a situation where the United States would have guaranteed access to NATO bases in Europe whenever necessary. This statement underscores the growing emphasis placed on ensuring that European allies fulfill their commitments to increase defense spending as outlined in previous agreements.

The U.S. has long advocated for a fairer sharing of the burden when it comes to defense expenditures. However, since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House last year, these demands have taken on a more urgent tone. Hegseth highlighted that some European countries still fail to recognize the historical necessity of forming a strong and relevant military alliance, as clearly articulated by former President Trump. He described the behavior of those who have hesitated or refused to allow U.S. forces access to NATO bases on their territory as “shameful.”

During the meeting, Hegseth reiterated that the U.S. contribution to NATO’s budget would be contingent upon other members adhering to their defense spending commitments. Specifically, he referenced the agreement reached at last year’s NATO summit in The Hague, where all allies pledged to allocate at least 5 percent of their GDP to national security by 2035, with 3.5 percent designated strictly for military expenses. While acknowledging that many countries have met these targets, Hegseth noted that several still require improvement and that the U.S. will be transparent about this both privately and publicly.

Despite these criticisms, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attempted to ease the tension earlier in the day by highlighting the substantial increases in defense spending by European allies. According to Rutte, NATO members and Canada increased their defense budgets by nearly 20 percent compared to the previous year, reaching $90 billion in total expenditure. This marked progress reflects the collective effort to meet the 2 percent defense spending target set in 2014, which all 32 NATO countries achieved last year.

However, recent reports indicate that three European countries, including the Czech Republic and Slovenia, have fallen back below this threshold this year. These developments have raised concerns about the sustainability of current defense commitments and the potential implications for NATO’s overall strategic posture. As the reassessment process unfolds, it remains to be seen how effectively NATO can address these challenges while maintaining unity among its diverse member states.