Hegseth slams NATO allies, announces review of US forces in Europe

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharply criticized NATO allies this week and announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe, saying the outcome would depend on how quickly European countries take primary responsibility for their own security.

Speaking at a NATO meeting in Brussels, he said the review would ensure the alliance was moving "fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defence of Europe."

Hegseth also accused some European allies of denying US forces access to bases in Europe to launch attacks on Iran, calling it "shameful". He used the opening of the meeting to attack European policies on migration and gender equality as well, and said the Trump administration wanted to remake the 32-member alliance into a "NATO 3.0" that could deter any threat.

On access to bases, Hegseth said, "These allies, they put America's sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all."

He also said, "Instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defense austerity. Europe's borders flew wide open, welfare states expanded, and defense budgets cratered. Along with Europe's belief in itself and its civilization."

Hegseth's comments came even as European allies and Canada have been raising defense spending and expanding their armed forces. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said they spent USD 90 billion more on defense last year, a 20 per cent increase over 2024.

He also spoke after years in which Europe had accepted large numbers of migrants and asylum seekers more than a decade ago, while most countries have since tightened their borders. The remarks also came weeks after the United States told allies it would no longer provide certain warships and aircraft if one of them came under attack.