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Hegseth lashes out at NATO allies and announces a review of U.S. forces in Europe
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of U.S. forces in Europe, emphasizing that NATO allies must take greater responsibility for their own defense and lead the continent's security efforts.
- Hegseth criticized European allies for denying U.S. forces access to bases for potential attacks on Iran, calling it "shameful" and accusing them of putting American troops at risk.
- He called for a transformation of NATO into "NATO 3.0," a hard-line military alliance with strong conventional capabilities to deter threats directly on European soil.
- The U.S. plans to invest $1.5 trillion in defense by 2027, aiming to build an "arsenal of freedom" that protects American interests and supports NATO allies.
- Following a U.S. decision to limit certain military support to allies during crises, NATO is working on backup defense plans, reflecting a shift as the U.S. prepares for potential simultaneous conflicts, especially with China.
