US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has called for European NATO members to take the lead in reshaping the alliance into what he described as a more combat-focused structure, referred to as “NATO 3.0,” arguing that the bloc must evolve into a stronger military deterrent centered in Europe.
Speaking ahead of a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels, Hegseth said the alliance should move beyond its post-Cold War configuration and return to a harder military posture. “NATO 3.0 is post-Cold War recognition that needs to go back to a real, hardline military alliance that has real military capabilities capable of deterring right here on the continent and taking the lead for the conventional defense of Europe,” he said.
His remarks come amid continued pressure from US President Donald Trump on European allies to increase defense spending and assume a larger share of responsibility within NATO. Trump has repeatedly signaled that Washington intends to reduce its relative military footprint in Europe as it shifts strategic focus toward China and the Indo-Pacific region.
According to previous reporting, the US has already informed NATO partners that it plans to scale back certain military deployments in Europe, including reductions in bombers, fighter jets, warships, and other assets assigned to the alliance framework. Trump has also at various points raised the possibility of withdrawing troops from Germany amid tensions with Berlin, while also floating and later revising plans involving force levels in Poland.
