US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has declared that the United States will conduct a comprehensive review of its military forces stationed in Europe. This announcement follows a sharp critique of the financial contributions made by the United Kingdom and other NATO allies.
Hegseth's Address at NATO Headquarters
Addressing defence ministers in Brussels, Hegseth stated that NATO had long functioned as a 'paper tiger and a one-way street', overly dependent on Washington. He asserted that 'some of NATO's largest economies... still think the era of free riding is here' and added, 'No more.' He emphasised that many allies fail to recognise the historic need for change that President Trump has made clear.
Criticism of European Response to Iran Conflict
Beyond funding debates, Hegseth strongly criticised European allies for their reluctance to support US and Israeli military strikes against Iran. He noted that President Trump gave allies a test to support America, and too many failed. He stated that the US has defended Europe for generations and that operational expectations were clearly communicated, including the need for access to bases and ports for strikes against Iranian targets threatening European interests.
Hegseth condemned the pushback from European partners, saying, 'Too many of our allies said no or tried to drown us in arcane legal debates or criticised us publicly for doing what they aren't prepared or able to do themselves.' He called it 'shameful' and claimed that such actions put American service members at risk by denying predictable access and overflight.
Threat of Defence Funding Freeze and Troop Review
In response to these frictions, Hegseth announced that Washington will cease paying a disproportionate share for NATO's collective defence. Future US financial contributions will be contingent on other member nations meeting their designated spending targets. Concurrently, the Pentagon will initiate an official assessment of the American troop presence in Europe, with Hegseth warning that some NATO members will fall short of expectations.
NATO Secretary General's Response
Reacting to the shifting dynamics, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that European member states are actively pledging to replace battlefield equipment that the US is withdrawing. He stated, 'What we are working on is to make sure that what the US has been providing so far will be filled.' Rutte emphasised that the US has adjusted its contributions, meaning other allies must step up, and noted that European allies and Canada are ready, willing, and able to do more.
