Key facts
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review of American troop deployments in Europe.
- Hegseth threatened to withhold NATO dues from allies not meeting defense spending commitments.
- He urged European allies to lead the development of a 'NATO 3.0' military alliance with real capabilities.
- Hegseth criticized some NATO members for their stances on the war with Iran.
- The U.S. has begun reducing its contributions to NATO's crisis forces.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review of American troop deployments in Europe, signaling a potential shift in the alliance's structure and burden-sharing. Hegseth threatened to withhold some U.S. dues to NATO if allies do not meet their defense spending commitments, urging Europe to take primary responsibility for its own defense and lead the development of a 'NATO 3.0' military alliance. Hegseth criticized allies who did not support the United States during its war with Iran, stating that the U.S. review would ensure basing and overflight rights were assured. The U.S. has already begun reducing its contributions to NATO's crisis forces, a move intended to foster greater European self-reliance as Washington faces potential conflicts in multiple theaters. NATO chief Mark Rutte confirmed that the reduction in U.S. contributions is immediate. Concerns remain about potential 'dangerous capability gaps' in Europe, particularly regarding deep strike missiles, which may take time to replace.