Hegseth orders sweeping 6-month review of U.S. troops in Europe

War Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a scathing rebuke of NATO allies and announced a six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe.

Hegseth spoke to officials at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, announcing that the outcome of the Pentagon review of American forces will hinge on how quickly European nations increase their own military self-reliance.

NATO 3.0: Europe must take the lead. pic.twitter.com/9mosHqg0BD

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) June 18, 2026

“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,” he said.

“It’s a review that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colors,” Hegseth added.

Secretary Hegseth has just announced a six-month review at the @DEPTOFWAR that will examine America’s force posture and basing in Europe.

The NATO 3.0 Review. pic.twitter.com/GSnU2wNLVU

— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) June 18, 2026

He also called out the “shameful” way European allies failed to assist the U.S. in its war with Iran, denying the use of military bases.

“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,” he said.

.@SECWAR “As President Trump put it, he gave our allies a test—to support America when we asked for their help—and too many failed it.

The United States has defended Europe for GENERATIONS, and all the President said was that our jets need to take off from bases in Europe or our… pic.twitter.com/bvQy9FQQaG

— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) June 18, 2026

Hegseth called out the emphasis on European social policies at a cost to defense budgets that “cratered.”

“Instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defense austerity. Europe’s borders flew wide open, welfare states expanded, defense budgets cratered. Along with Europe’s belief in itself and its civilization,” Hegseth said.

Speaking with reporters before departing for the U.S., Hegseth elaborated on the Pentagon plans.

“It was great to hear country after country say, ‘We’re going to meet our target. We’re going to meet our target.’ There are still a few outliers, and we will be clear with them as we do this review,” he said.

LIVE: @SecWar speaks to the press following the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels. https://t.co/R1oeUOgPGX

— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) June 18, 2026

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