Hegseth announces review of U.S. forces in Europe, blasts "shameful" NATO allies

The Pentagon is initiating a comprehensive six-month review of U.S. military forces and bases stationed across Europe. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the review on Thursday during a meeting of NATO defense ministers, shortly after sharply criticizing allied nations for their perceived inaction and lack of support during the Iran war.

Hegseth accused unnamed allies of hypocrisy, condemning them for criticizing the U.S. military campaign against Iran while simultaneously denying permission for U.S. aircraft and ships to use certain European bases. "It's shameful," Hegseth stated, emphasizing that such actions put American service members at risk by denying them predictable access and overflight rights that should have been unquestioned.

This strategic review, referred to as "NATO 3.0," is intended to reassess the U.S. military footprint on the continent. The initiative, originally introduced in February by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, advocates for European countries to assume greater responsibility for their own conventional defense. Hegseth declared that the era of "freeriding" under "NATO 2.0" is over.

“

It's shameful. These allies, they put America's sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access facing overflight that never should have been in question at all.

The announcement comes ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, which President Trump is expected to attend. It also follows recent bipartisan concerns in Congress regarding troop withdrawals from Europe. In May, the Pentagon announced the removal of 5,000 troops from Germany, a decision that prompted expressions of concern from key Republican leaders on the Senate and House Armed Services Committees.

Legislation is also being considered in Congress to add further checks on troop drawdowns. The Senate Armed Services Committee's draft defense policy bill would require the defense secretary to submit an assessment of any drawdown's impact 120 days before implementation. Currently, approximately 80,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Europe, and Congress has mandated a plan before forces are reduced below 76,000.

“

NATO 2.0, which he called 'an era of freeriding,' is over.