Hegseth calls NATO allies 'paper tiger', launches troop review

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has sharply criticized NATO allies, calling them a "paper tiger" — a term implying an organization that appears strong but is actually weak. The criticism comes alongside an announcement of a six-month review of US military deployments in Europe. Hegseth also pressed European nations to assume greater responsibility for their own defense. The move underscores growing tensions between the United States and its NATO partners over burden-sharing and collective security commitments. The review aims to assess the current US force posture in Europe and determine whether adjustments are needed given the evolving security environment.