US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced to NATO defense ministers in Brussels that a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe has been launched. Hegseth said this review will assess whether Europe is taking on greater responsibility for its own security.
Hegseth argued that NATO must rapidly and irreversibly shift to a structure where European allies take the lead in European defense. The review will also address how the US military presence in Europe should be positioned.
Criticism Over Base Access for Strikes on Iran
Hegseth sharply criticized some European allies for denying US forces the ability to use bases in Europe for strikes against Iran, calling this stance "shameful."
The US secretary said these countries are putting American troops at risk by refusing predictable access, deployment, and air transit rights. He added that these issues should never have been up for debate in the first place.
Call for "NATO 3.0"
At the meeting, Hegseth called for a restructuring of the 32-member alliance, referring to it as "NATO 3.0." According to him, the alliance should transform into a hardline military coalition with real military capabilities capable of deterrence.
Hegseth also stated that the US will invest $1.5 trillion in its own defense by 2027. He said this investment sends a message to the world and creates a force that protects US interests while supporting its allies.
Washington’s Changing Expectations
The US administration wants to maintain more military resources to prepare for two simultaneous conflicts. This approach is said to strengthen Washington’s position in a potential conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Following the announcement by the American general, NATO’s supreme commander, on June 3 that the US will no longer provide certain assets—including aircraft carriers, support ships, aerial refueling tankers, and numerous fighter jets—in a crisis, it is reported that backup plans for European defense are being developed.
NATO’s collective defense guarantee under Article 5 states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. However, this article does not necessarily compel members to provide military support. The US’s new step narrows its approach on how it would support an ally if Article 5 is invoked.
The US stands out as the alliance’s largest military power by far. Nevertheless, Washington does not plan to withdraw its nuclear weapons from Europe, which are seen as critical to NATO’s deterrence.
