Pete Hegseth says the review would last up to six months and include consultations with Congress, which has legislated a minimum number of U.S. forces in Europe.
Published June 18, 2026
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced a new review of troop deployments in Europe, threatening to withhold some US dues to NATO if free-riding allies fail to meet their defense spending commitments.
Addressing defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Hegseth said the review would last up to six months and include consultations with Congress, which has legislated a minimum number of US forces in Europe.
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Hegseth’s comments came a few weeks after the United States told its allies that if one of them was attacked it would no longer supply certain warships and aircraft. European allies and Canada are trying to find a way to close the gaps.
“Make no mistake about it, this will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO moves rapidly and irreversibly towards the leadership of Europe, stepping up to assume primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,” Hegseth said.
He also sharply criticized allies who did not support the United States during its war with Iran, after some denied the United States basing and overflight rights for war-related activities. He said the US review would ensure that US basing and overflight rights were guaranteed.
The United States told allies last month that it had decided to reduce the set of American military capabilities available to the alliance in a crisis.
According to NATO’s top commander, US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, the goal is to gradually end an “unhealthy codependency” of US forces, as Washington faces the potential for simultaneous conflicts in multiple theaters.
Arriving at the NATO meeting, Hegseth said the United States would be candid publicly and privately about countries that need to do more to meet their commitments.
“NATO 3.0 is the post-Cold War recognition that it needs to return to a truly hardline military alliance that has real military capabilities capable of deterring right here on the continent and taking the lead in the conventional defense of Europe,” he said.
The comments come after European allies and Canada launched an unprecedented effort to increase defense spending and expand their armed forces.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted Thursday that they spent $90 billion more on defense last year, a 20 percent increase compared to 2024.
Rutte also acknowledged that the reduction of US contributions to NATO crisis forces has already had an effect.
“Yesterday the question arose: Is this immediate or not? It is immediate,” he told reporters.
Some ministers detailed offers to increase their contributions to NATO’s crisis fund entering the Brussels meeting.
The United States has not publicly revealed details of its reductions, but they range from refueling aircraft to fighter jets, drones and ships, according to figures provided to the Reuters news agency by a military source.
