Overview
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Thursday a six-month review of U.S. force posture and basing in Europe that will assess troop levels, basing rights and overflight access and tie future NATO funding to allies' defence spending.
- Washington has already reduced certain crisis assets and moved about 5,000 troops from Germany, and media reports say cuts to high-end contributions include fighter jets, tankers, reconnaissance aircraft, a cruise-missile-capable submarine and one carrier group.
- Hegseth said some allies denied U.S. forces predictable base use and airspace during the Iran war and called that response shameful, telling ministers the review will weigh which countries guarantee access when it matters.
- NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte urged calm, saying the U.S. adjusted pledges to the NATO Force Model but remains committed, and alliance ministers are accelerating capability fills after Europe and Canada boosted defence spending by roughly $90 billion in 2025.
- The review signals a wider U.S. shift toward 'NATO 3.0' that moves conventional burden to European militaries, could reshape deterrence on NATO's eastern flank, and will be a central test at the leaders' summit in Ankara next month.