Hegseth Orders 6-Month Europe Troop Review as US Threatens NATO Funding Cuts
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 27
Hegseth Orders 6-Month Europe Troop Review as US Threatens NATO Funding Cuts
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 27
Summary
A six-month Pentagon review will reassess US force posture and basing in Europe after Pete Hegseth warned Washington could cut NATO funding for allies not meeting spending commitments.
Hegseth tied the move to European refusals to grant basing and overflight rights for the US war on Iran and accused governments of prioritizing "gender equity and climate change" over hard defense.
The warning lands just after NATO members agreed in The Hague to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a Trump-backed target already closer to reality in Poland and the Baltic states than in western Europe.
Eastern flank states may clear Hegseth's test on spending, but officials fear the renewed public threats before July's Ankara summit deepen doubts about US willingness to defend NATO territory.
That uncertainty has pushed eastern European governments to weigh a future with a smaller, less predictable US role even as they still see American military power as irreplaceable against Russia.
Is President Trump's transactional approach to NATO unintentionally forging a more powerful and independent European military alliance?
As Europe builds its own defenses, can it replace critical US capabilities like intelligence and air defense fast enough?
NATO at a Crossroads: U.S. 2026 Review Ties European Troop Levels to 5% GDP Defense Spending
Overview
In June 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a sweeping six-month review of the American military presence in Europe, aiming to reshape the continent’s security landscape. This review, called 'Nato 3.0,' focuses on shifting leadership to Europe by examining U.S. troop levels, base locations, and military agreements. With about 80,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in Europe, immediate changes include withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany and reducing advanced military assets. The review’s goal is to ensure NATO moves quickly toward European-led security, marking a significant shift in transatlantic defense priorities.