Hegseth Reviews NATO
Hegseth Criticizes NATO Allies, Announces Review of US Forces in Europe
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a blistering speech in Brussels on June 18, calling NATO a "paper tiger" and a "one-way street" before announcing a six-month Pentagon review of all American forces in Europe. AP News reported that the outcome of the review will depend on how quickly European allies take on responsibility for their own defense.
The speech marks a sharp escalation in U.S.-NATO tensions, coming just one day after President Trump signed a peace deal with Iran. Hegseth made clear that Europe's behavior during the Iran War — including denying U.S. forces access to airbases — had pushed Washington to reassess the entire alliance relationship.
Hegseth Calls Allies 'Shameful' Over Iran War Snub
During the 2026 Iran War, European allies including Spain, Italy, and the UK blocked U.S. access to their airbases and airspace. Hegseth called this "shameful," saying it put "America's sons and daughters at risk" by forcing longer, more dangerous flight paths for U.S. missions. The accusation landed like a bomb in Brussels, where allies had gathered for a ministerial meeting.
The review will be led by Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the head of U.S. European Command. The U.S. is already cutting one-third of the F-15s, F-16s, and strategic bombers it would normally activate for a European crisis. European nations currently have no strategic assets to fill that gap, according to AP News.
NATO Dues Now Tied to Spending Targets, Hegseth Warns
Hegseth announced that the U.S. contribution to NATO's operating budget — $790 million in 2026 — is now "contingent" on allies meeting defense spending targets. If a country falls short, the U.S. will cut its share proportionally. The Trump administration wants allies to spend between 3.5% and 5% of their GDP on defense, up from the old 2% target.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte tried to ease tensions by pointing out that European and Canadian allies increased spending by $90 billion — a 20% jump — in 2025 alone. But Hegseth was unmoved. The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara in July is expected to be where allies must formally commit to the new, higher targets.
5,000 Troops Already Gone, More Cuts Could Follow
The review is not starting from zero. In May 2026, the Pentagon already pulled 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly criticized the U.S. approach to the Iran War. That withdrawal was seen as a warning shot. The six-month review could lead to far deeper cuts across all U.S. bases in Europe.
Merz has since pushed for greater European military independence from the U.S., but defense experts warn that Europe lacks the capability to replace American firepower anytime soon. The U.S. is keeping its nuclear umbrella in Europe, but pulling back conventional forces — a move critics call a confusing "mixed signal" to both allies and adversaries.
'NATO 3.0' Reshapes the Alliance's Core Mission
The Trump administration has replaced what insiders call "NATO 2.0" — the post-Cold War model focused on global missions — with "NATO 3.0." The new framework demands that Europe take "primary responsibility" for defending itself against Russia. The U.S. says it must focus more on the Indo-Pacific and homeland defense, according to AP News.
The policy was built largely by Undersecretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby, who introduced it at a Brussels ministerial meeting in February 2026. Critics, including Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), have called the approach reckless. Hegseth's "paper tiger" label for NATO — the world's most powerful military alliance — has alarmed analysts who warn it could undermine the very deterrence the alliance is meant to provide.
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