U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth launches NATO review, escalating pressure on allies over defense spending

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday escalated his criticism of NATO allies, announcing a Pentagon review of American military forces in Europe that Washington insists is a routine reassessment but that allies view as a veiled threat to reduce commitments. Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, Hegseth warned that the Pentagon would “re-examine” the deployment and funding of U.S. troops across the continent if European members failed to meet defense spending targets, repeating accusations that some allies are “free riding” on America’s security guarantees .

The review, launched Tuesday and set to last six months, follows Hegseth’s sharp remarks at a NATO meeting on Tuesday in which he condemned restrictions on U.S. bases during the Iran conflict as “shameful” and demanded immediate increases in allied defense budgets . Yet analysts and diplomats say the Pentagon’s language is largely echoing long-standing U.S. frustrations rather than breaking new ground. “Hegseth is mostly telling them things they already know,” noted a PBS report published Thursday .

The ambiguity of Washington’s stance has unsettled European capitals. A senior U.S. defense official told Le Monde that the review is intended as a “simple evolution” rather than a withdrawal, yet the announcement has triggered unease across the alliance . Euronews reported Thursday that Hegseth’s rhetoric has overshadowed the Pentagon’s assurances, with some allies interpreting the move as a signal that Washington may scale back its footprint unless spending rises .

The timing coincides with growing European efforts to assert strategic autonomy. France is set to test its own AI-powered battlefield command system during a NATO exercise this month, a move seen as part of a broader push to reduce reliance on U.S. military infrastructure . Meanwhile, Turkey’s expanding naval programs are gaining momentum within NATO, reflecting divergent national priorities that complicate a unified allied response to Washington’s pressure .

As the Pentagon review begins, the question is whether Hegseth’s tough talk will spur allies to act or deepen transatlantic divisions. With no immediate changes to troop levels or budgets expected, the coming months will test whether Washington’s warnings translate into concrete shifts—or remain rhetorical.