U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of U.S. military deployment in Europe during a speech to NATO allies in Brussels on Thursday. He stated that the review's outcome will depend on how quickly European nations enhance their military capabilities. Hegseth emphasized the need for NATO to take primary responsibility for European defense, saying, "This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading."
He criticized European countries for not providing sufficient support to U.S. forces, particularly in the context of the conflict with Iran, and for denying access to military bases. Hegseth remarked, "These allies put America’s sons and daughters at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all."
Additionally, he expressed concerns about European policies prioritizing social issues over defense spending, stating, "Instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defense austerity."
This announcement follows Germany's recent commitment to strengthen its military capabilities within NATO, with German Ambassador to the U.S. Jens Hanefeld indicating that Germany is prepared to take on greater responsibility for European security. Hanefeld noted, "Germany is stepping up — we heard the call!" He also highlighted that Germany aims to become the strongest conventional army in Europe as part of its new military strategy in response to changing geopolitical dynamics due to Russia's actions in Ukraine.