Pentagon to Evaluate US Troops in Europe Amid NATO Criticism

WHO:

CNN - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

CNN - NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte

AP News - NATO’s supreme allied commander

AP News - President Donald Trump

WHAT:

CNN - Hegseth stated that the review will "examine America’s force posture and basing in Europe," emphasizing the need for NATO to transform into a "real military alliance that’s focused on hard power and real deterrence."

AP News - Hegseth criticized European allies for their focus on "gender equity and climate change and defense austerity," claiming it detracted from military readiness.

AP News - The Pentagon announced that it would withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from Germany over the next year.

CNN - European countries pledged to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense by 2035, more than double the previous 2% target.

CNN - Hegseth announced a six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe.

AP News - Hegseth criticized NATO allies for limiting their involvement in the war in Iran.

AP News - NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed that the U.S. had reduced its contributions to the alliance’s force model, stating that European allies and Canada are "ready, willing and able to do more."

AP News - Hegseth criticized European allies for their focus on "gender equity and climate change and defense austerity," claiming it detracted from military readiness.

AP News - The Pentagon announced that it would no longer supply certain warships and aircraft to NATO allies in the event of an attack.

CNN - Hegseth stated the review will "transform NATO back into a real military alliance that’s focused on hard power and real deterrence."

AP News - Hegseth's comments come at a critical time for Europe, which has been rattled by statements from Trump administration officials about plans to draw down the amount of US forces and hardware stationed in Europe.

CNN - Hegseth announced that a future deployment to Germany of a battalion that specializes in firing long-range rockets and missiles was cancelled.

CNN - Hegseth stated, “This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly towards Europe stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe.”

AP News - Hegseth called it “shameful” that European allies failed to provide U.S. forces access to bases in Europe to launch attacks on Iran, stating, “These allies, they put America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all.”

AP News - Hegseth criticized European policies, saying, “Instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defense austerity.”

CNN - Hegseth stated, “It’s a review that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colours.”

CNN - European countries pledged to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense by 2035, more than double the previous 2% target.

CNN - Hegseth announced a six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe.

AP News - Hegseth criticized NATO allies for limiting their involvement in the war in Iran.

CNN - The Pentagon will withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from Germany over the next year.

AP News - European allies and Canada increased defense spending by $90 billion last year, a 20% increase over 2024.

AP News - The Trump administration aims to reboot NATO into a “NATO 3.0” capable of deterring threats.

WHERE:

CNN - The meeting took place in Brussels.

AP News - The U.S. is scaling back military support in Europe.

WHEN:

CNN - The review is set to last six months.

AP News - The U.S. signaled on June 3 that it would no longer supply certain military assets.

WHY:

AP News - The Trump administration insists that it needs to be able to plan for two simultaneous conflicts and wants more military resources at hand should a conflict break out with China in the Indo-Pacific region.

AP News - Hegseth criticized European allies for focusing on “gender equity and climate change and defense austerity” instead of military readiness.

CNN - Hegseth stated the review aims to ensure NATO is moving towards Europe taking primary responsibility for its defense.

AP News - Hegseth criticized European allies for not providing U.S. forces access to bases for operations against Iran.

HOW:

AP News - NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group issued its first statement in 19 years, emphasizing the importance of nuclear deterrence and agreeing to enhance NATO’s nuclear deterrence mission.

AP News - NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group issued its first statement in 19 years after it had assembled at the meeting, emphasizing the importance of nuclear deterrence and agreeing to enhance NATO’s nuclear deterrence mission.

AP News - NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group issued its first statement in 19 years, emphasizing the importance of nuclear deterrence and agreeing to enhance NATO’s nuclear deterrence mission.

CNN - The review will examine America’s force posture and basing in Europe.

AP News - NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group issued its first statement in 19 years to emphasize the importance of nuclear deterrence.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 23:32 UTC)

In a significant move, the Pentagon has announced plans to withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany over the next year, as part of a broader six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe led by Hegseth. During this review, Hegseth emphasized the need for NATO to evolve into a more robust military alliance focused on hard power and real deterrence, while criticizing European allies for prioritizing issues like gender equity and climate change over military readiness. In response to these challenges, European countries have pledged to increase their defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product by 2035, more than double the previous target of 2%.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 19:45 UTC)

In a significant development, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed that the U.S. has reduced its contributions to the alliance’s force model, while European allies and Canada are prepared to step up their efforts. Meanwhile, Hegseth criticized European partners for prioritizing issues like gender equity and climate change over military readiness, stating that this focus detracts from their defense capabilities. In a related move, the Pentagon announced it would no longer supply certain warships and aircraft to NATO allies in the event of an attack, coinciding with NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group issuing its first statement in 19 years, which underscores the importance of nuclear deterrence.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 17:59 UTC)

Hegseth stated that a review will "transform NATO back into a real military alliance that’s focused on hard power and real deterrence," which comes at a critical time for Europe amid concerns over reduced U.S. military presence. He also announced the cancellation of a future deployment to Germany of a battalion specializing in long-range rockets and missiles, as the Trump administration emphasizes the need to prepare for potential conflicts, particularly with China. In a significant move, NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group issued its first statement in 19 years, highlighting the importance of nuclear deterrence and agreeing to enhance NATO’s nuclear deterrence mission.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 16:10 UTC)

NATO's Nuclear Planning Group has issued its first statement in 19 years, highlighting the critical importance of nuclear deterrence and agreeing to enhance NATO's nuclear deterrence mission. Hegseth criticized European allies for failing to provide U.S. forces access to bases in Europe for potential attacks on Iran, calling it "shameful" and stating that this puts American lives at risk. He also expressed concern that European defense policies have prioritized issues like gender equity and climate change over essential military needs, saying, “Instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on defense austerity.”

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 14:05 UTC)

European countries have committed to spending 5% of their gross domestic product on defense by 2035, a significant increase from the previous target of 2%. In a recent statement, Hegseth criticized these nations for prioritizing issues like gender equity and climate change over military readiness, suggesting that some countries may struggle to meet the new defense goals. Meanwhile, NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group has issued its first statement in 19 years, highlighting the importance of nuclear deterrence and agreeing to bolster NATO's nuclear deterrence mission.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 12:13 UTC)

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe during a meeting in Brussels, where he criticized NATO allies for limiting their involvement in the war in Iran. The Pentagon plans to withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from Germany over the next year, while European allies and Canada increased defense spending by $90 billion last year, marking a 20% increase over 2024. Hegseth emphasized that the review aims to ensure NATO is moving towards Europe taking primary responsibility for its defense and highlighted the importance of nuclear deterrence in a recent statement from NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group, which was its first in 19 years.