U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled to Brussels on Wednesday, announcing a six-month Pentagon review of American military forces stationed in Europe. Hegseth declared the alliance must transform into a "NATO 3.0," with European nations assuming primary responsibility for defending their own continent rather than continuing to depend on U.S. power projection.
Hegseth criticized European allies for refusing to allow U.S. forces to use their bases to conduct operations against Iran during the recent conflict, calling it "shameful." NATO allies have collectively raised defense spending by $90 billion per year — a 20% increase over 2024 — but the Trump administration argues this is not enough to justify the current U.S. commitment.
The review signals a potential further drawdown of U.S. assets in Europe. The Pentagon has already stated it will no longer automatically provide aircraft carriers, aerial refueling planes, and dozens of fighter jets if a NATO ally is attacked. The administration argues it must preserve military resources to deter China in the Indo-Pacific, where it sees the greater long-term strategic threat.