United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blasted Nato allies on Thursday, announcing a six-month deadline Pentagon review of US forces in Europe, the outcome of which will depend on how Europeans are responsible for their own security.
“This will be a real assessment. It will be designed to ensure that Nato is moving rapidly and irreversibly towards a leading Europe, taking the initiative to assume the primary role of European defense,” he told his. Nato their counterparts in Brussels.
Hegseth blamed the European allies for failing to deliver United States forces access to bases in Europe to launch attacks Irancalling it “shame”.
“These allies, they are putting America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them predictable access, a base and an air flow that should never have been in question,” he said.
Hegseth said Washington paying its dues to cover Nato’s operating costs – about US$790 million in 2026 – would be “dependent” on allies meeting spending targets.
“Where other partners do not spend on emergencies, our payment contributions will decrease,” he said.
