Speaking in Brussels, Hegseth said the review would help shape a "NATO 3.0" framework focused on Europe assuming primary responsibility for its own defence. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signalled one of the most significant shifts in Washington's approach towards NATO in years, announcing a six-month Pentagon review of American military forces stationed in Europe while urging European allies to assume greater responsibility for the continent's security. Speaking during a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels on Thursday, Hegseth said the review would examine the future posture of US forces across Europe and determine whether the alliance was moving quickly enough towards what he described as a new phase of burden-sharing. "This will be a real review," Hegseth told allies. "It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defence of Europe." The comments represent the clearest indication yet that the Trump administration is reassessing America's long-standing military commitments across the continent while prioritising resources for potential future challenges elsewhere, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. The Pentagon chief's remarks are indicative of growing frustration within Washington over what US officials view as Europe's continued reliance on American military power despite recent increases in defence spending across NATO member states. Beyond force posture, Hegseth sharply criticised several NATO allies for refusing access to bases, airspace and logistical support during recent American military operations targeting Iran. He argued that such restrictions placed American service personnel at unnecessary risk and undermined alliance cohesion during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East. "These allies put America's sons and daughters at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all," Hegseth said. The US Defense Secretary also took aim at what he characterised as misplaced policy priorities within parts of Europe. Echoing themes frequently raised by Vice President JD Vance, Hegseth argued that some governments had focused excessively on issues such as climate policy and social initiatives while neglecting military preparedness. His remarks sparked renewed debate over the future direction of the alliance at a time when NATO members are undertaking some of the largest defence spending increases since the end of the Cold War. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted that European allies and Canada increased defence spending by roughly $90 billion last year, representing a significant rise compared with previous years. The meeting also produced a rare development on the alliance's nuclear posture. NATO's Nuclear Planning Group released its first formal statement in 19 years following discussions among defence ministers. The statement reaffirmed that NATO's nuclear forces remain the ultimate guarantee of alliance security and confirmed plans to continue modernising deterrence capabilities. The group agreed to strengthen nuclear planning mechanisms, modernise delivery systems and adapt NATO's deterrence architecture to meet evolving security challenges. The announcement comes against the backdrop of broader strategic uncertainty within the alliance. Earlier this month, the United States informed allies that certain military assets traditionally expected during a major NATO crisis—including aircraft carriers, aerial refuelling aircraft and additional fighter squadrons—might no longer be automatically available. The move reflects Washington's growing focus on preparing for simultaneous crises in different regions, particularly a potential confrontation involving China in the Indo-Pacific. While the Pentagon review does not currently envision removing US nuclear weapons from Europe, it reinforces a central message emerging from Washington: future NATO security arrangements may increasingly depend on Europe carrying a greater share of the military burden. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World. Yuvraj Tyagi is a Senior Copy Editor, specializing in security, national, international and defense affairs. With extensive experience covering the Ka... View More