US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO defense ministers in Brussels on June 18 that the United States will conduct a six-month review of its military forces stationed across Europe.
Hegseth characterized NATO partners’ longstanding reliance on US military support as “free-riding,” and made clear that America’s presence on the continent should not be considered indefinite.
What the review actually involves
The six-month evaluation will assess the effectiveness of US military deployments throughout Europe, with consultations involving Congress built into the process. The outcome could meaningfully alter American troop levels on the continent.
Hegseth’s push goes beyond the existing NATO guideline that member states spend at least 2% of GDP on defense, a target that many allies still struggle to meet. Internal discussions have floated ambitions closer to 5% of GDP.
