Hegseth Critiques NATO Allies During Europe Force Review Visit

WHO:

Fortune - NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted that European allies and Canada spent $90 billion more on defense last year, a 20% increase over 2024.

Fortune - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized NATO allies for their focus on "gender equity and climate change" instead of military readiness.

Fortune - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized NATO allies for failing to provide U.S. forces access to bases in Europe, calling it “shameful.”

CBS News - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review of U.S. forces in Europe.

Fortune - NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted the increase in defense spending among European allies.

WHAT:

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

Fortune - Hegseth remarked that U.S. payments into a joint NATO budget would depend on how well allies perform in the upcoming review, stating, “Where other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues contributions will go down.”

PBS - Hegseth described NATO as a "paper-tiger" and stated that "too many failed" a test put to them by Trump regarding the use of bases in Europe for attacks on Iran.

PBS - Hegseth indicated that U.S. payments into a joint NATO budget would depend on how well allies perform in the upcoming review.

NBC News - Hegseth stated, “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.”

Fortune - Hegseth remarked that the review would assess whether the U.S. has full access and overflight “when we need it.”

CBS News - The Pentagon is launching a six-month review of U.S. forces and bases in Europe.

Fortune - Hegseth stated that the outcome of the review will depend on how quickly European allies take responsibility for their own security.

Fortune - Hegseth criticized NATO allies for potentially failing the review, stating, “It’s a review that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colors.”

Fortune - Hegseth described the lack of access to bases for U.S. forces as “shameful.”

Fortune - NATO allies and Canada spent $90 billion more on defense last year, a 20% increase over 2024.

WHERE:

CBS News - The announcement was made at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.

Fortune - Hegseth made his remarks at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

WHEN:

Fortune - A NATO leaders summit is scheduled for July 7-8 in Turkey.

Fortune - A NATO leaders summit is scheduled for July 7-8.

WHY:

Fortune - Hegseth's review aims to ensure that NATO is moving towards Europe taking primary responsibility for its defense.

PBS - Hegseth's review aims to ensure that NATO is moving towards Europe taking primary responsibility for its defense.

Fortune - Hegseth's comments included criticism of European policies, stating, “Instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defense austerity.”

Fortune - Hegseth's review aims to ensure that NATO is moving towards Europe taking primary responsibility for its defense.

Fortune - The review follows the Trump administration's indication that it would reduce military support for NATO members under attack.

HOW:

Fortune - The review may last "up to six months, could be less," and will involve U.S. military commanders, members of Congress, and NATO allies.

PBS - The review may last "up to six months, could be less," and will involve U.S. military commanders, members of Congress, and NATO allies.

Fortune - NATO’s supreme allied commander is working on backup plans to defend Europe after the U.S. signaled it would no longer supply an aircraft carrier and support ships, aerial refueling planes, and dozens of fighter jets in a crisis.

Fortune - Hegseth's review will assess U.S. access and overflight capabilities in Europe.

Fortune - The U.S. intends to plan for two simultaneous conflicts, requiring more military resources in the Indo-Pacific region.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 19:27 UTC)

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that European allies and Canada increased their defense spending by $90 billion last year, marking a significant 20% rise over 2024. Hegseth emphasized that a forthcoming review will focus on ensuring NATO transitions to Europe taking the lead in its own defense, with U.S. contributions to the joint budget being contingent on the performance of allies during this assessment. A NATO leaders summit is set to take place on July 7-8 in Turkey, where discussions will likely center around this critical review, which could last up to six months and will include U.S. military commanders and members of Congress.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 17:41 UTC)

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has criticized NATO allies for prioritizing "gender equity and climate change" over military readiness, labeling the alliance a "paper-tiger." He stated that too many allies failed a test set by Trump regarding the use of bases in Europe for potential attacks on Iran, and he indicated that U.S. contributions to NATO's joint budget will hinge on the performance of allies in an upcoming review. This review, which could last up to six months, will involve U.S. military commanders, members of Congress, and NATO allies, and aims to ensure Europe takes primary responsibility for its own defense.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 06:43 UTC)

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has sharply criticized NATO allies for not granting U.S. forces access to bases in Europe, calling their actions “shameful.” He emphasized that denying predictable access puts American service members at risk and announced a review to determine if the U.S. has the necessary access and overflight when needed. Hegseth also pointed out that European policies have shifted focus away from military readiness, highlighting an emphasis on issues like gender equity and climate change instead of essential defense capabilities.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 19:51 UTC)

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of U.S. forces and bases in Europe during a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, emphasizing that the outcome will depend on how quickly European allies take responsibility for their own security. Hegseth criticized NATO allies for potentially failing the review, stating that some countries will pass with flying colors while others may not, and he described the lack of access to bases for U.S. forces as "shameful." This announcement comes as NATO allies and Canada have increased defense spending by $90 billion last year, a 20% rise over 2024, with a NATO leaders summit scheduled for July 7-8 to discuss these developments further.