War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of American forces stationed in Europe, saying the future U.S. military footprint on the continent will depend partly on how quickly European NATO allies take more responsibility for their own defense.
Speaking to NATO officials in Brussels, Hegseth said the review would examine whether the alliance is moving quickly enough toward a model in which Europe carries the primary burden for defending itself. He described the review as a serious assessment, not a symbolic exercise.
“This will be a real review,” Hegseth said, arguing that NATO must move “fast and irreversibly” toward Europe leading on European defense.
The remarks represent another sign that Washington is increasing pressure on NATO allies to spend more, deploy more, and rely less heavily on U.S. forces. American officials have long argued that Europe depends too much on U.S. military power, especially as security concerns have grown since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
TRENDING TODAY
Hegseth also criticized some European governments for refusing to provide support during the U.S. conflict with Iran. He specifically pointed to allies that denied access to military bases, basing rights, or overflight permissions.
According to Hegseth, those decisions placed American service members at greater risk by limiting predictable access during a military operation. He said such cooperation should not have been in question among allies.
The speech also included a broader criticism of European policy priorities. Hegseth argued that some European countries had focused too heavily on social programs, migration policy, climate issues, and defense austerity while failing to maintain strong military capabilities.
His comments are likely to be welcomed by some U.S. conservatives who have long argued that NATO allies should pay more for their own defense. But they may also create tension with European governments that view the U.S. presence in Europe as a shared security commitment, not simply an American burden.
The announcement comes as Germany is pledging to expand its military role inside NATO. Germany’s ambassador to Washington recently said Berlin is ready to take greater responsibility for European security after decades in which the United States carried much of the alliance’s military weight.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Germany’s armed forces should become the strongest conventional military force in Europe. German officials argue that Russia’s war against Ukraine has changed Europe’s security environment and requires a stronger German role.
Germany has also become one of Ukraine’s largest supporters, and Berlin says its military expansion is meant to strengthen NATO rather than replace the alliance.
Still, Hegseth’s review could have major consequences. If the United States concludes that European allies are not moving quickly enough, Washington could reconsider troop levels, base arrangements, or deployment priorities across the continent.
For NATO, the message is clear: the United States wants Europe to carry more of the burden, and the coming months may determine how far Washington is willing to go in reshaping its military presence.
Why It Matters
The review matters because U.S. forces in Europe are central to NATO’s defense posture. Any major shift could affect deterrence against Russia, support for Ukraine, and the balance of responsibility inside the alliance.
It also matters politically. Washington is signaling that European allies may no longer be able to assume the same level of U.S. military support unless they increase their own defense commitments.
What Comes Next
The six-month review will examine U.S. force deployment in Europe and assess whether NATO allies are moving fast enough to take greater responsibility for regional defense.
European countries may respond by increasing defense spending, expanding military readiness, or offering stronger basing and operational support. The final outcome could shape the future of America’s military role in Europe.
A video clip shows the announcement of a six-month review of America’s force posture and basing in Europe.
Secretary Hegseth has just announced a six-month review at the @DEPTOFWAR that will examine America’s force posture and basing in Europe.
The NATO 3.0 Review. pic.twitter.com/GSnU2wNLVU
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) June 18, 2026
