Defense Secretary Hegseth Announces Review of U.S. Forces in Europe, Cuts Crisis Commitments

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a stark ultimatum to European allies on Thursday, announcing a comprehensive six-month Pentagon review of American troop deployments across the continent. Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Hegseth declared that the outcome of the assessment will depend entirely on how rapidly European nations assume responsibility for their own security. Framing the initiative as a necessary reckoning, he warned defense ministers that the review is a test "that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colors."[1][4]

While the troop review will take months to conclude, Washington is already scaling back its emergency obligations. The Pentagon is immediately reducing the number of military assets it pledges to activate for Europe in the event of a crisis. This immediate drawdown includes a roughly 33 percent reduction in the number of U.S. fighter jets committed to the NATO force model, alongside cuts to the availability of strategic bombers, reconnaissance drones, and warships.[3][6]

The moves are designed to force a transition to what the Trump administration calls "NATO 3.0." Hegseth explicitly stated that the post-Cold War era of American military underwriting is over, and that the alliance must irreversibly shift toward a model where Europe takes the lead in conventional defense. The objective, according to U.S. officials, is to transform NATO back into a hard-power alliance while freeing up American military capacity to meet global commitments elsewhere.[5][6]

Hegseth’s address in Brussels was notably combative, featuring a broad critique of European domestic and defense priorities. He accused allied governments of allowing their defense budgets to crater while expanding welfare states and opening their borders. "Instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defense austerity," Hegseth told his counterparts, echoing long-standing frustrations from the Trump administration regarding burden-sharing.[4][7]

A significant catalyst for the diplomatic rupture stems from the recent U.S. military conflict with Iran. Hegseth lambasted European allies who denied the United States access to regional bases and restricted overflight rights for war-related activities. He characterized the lack of operational support as "shameful," arguing that allied nations put American service members at risk by entangling U.S. forces in arcane legal debates rather than providing predictable logistical access.[4][7]

NATO leadership attempted to project stability in the face of the American rebuke. Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed that the United States has adjusted its pledges to the alliance's force model, but sought to downplay the operational impact. Rutte emphasized that European allies and Canada are "ready, willing and able to do more," pointing to an unprecedented $90 billion increase in non-U.S. defense spending over the past year as evidence that the continent is already stepping up.[4][5]

Despite the diplomatic reassurances, military planners acknowledge a severe capability gap. European nations currently lack the inventory to seamlessly backfill the strategic assets Washington is withholding. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned that it is "difficult and dangerous" for European security if advanced capabilities—particularly deep-strike platforms and strategic bombers—are withdrawn before European defense industries can manufacture replacements.[6]

The execution of the Pentagon's six-month review will also face domestic political hurdles in Washington. Hegseth noted that the Defense Department will consult closely with the U.S. Congress throughout the process. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have previously legislated minimum requirements for the number of American forces stationed in Europe, setting the stage for a potential clash between the executive branch's drawdown ambitions and congressional defense committees.[6]

The abrupt shift in U.S. posture injects immense pressure into the alliance's immediate future. With the pool of American crisis capabilities already shrinking, European defense ministries are scrambling to reorganize their joint forces and war plans. The new division of labor, and the friction it has generated, will dominate the agenda when NATO leaders convene for a high-stakes summit in Ankara, Turkey, early next month.[2][6]