Pentagon announces review of US troop and base deployments in Europe

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Thursday at a NATO defense ministers meeting that the Pentagon will conduct a review of US troop and base deployments in Europe over the next six months. The review may last up to six months or less, and its goal is to ensure that NATO moves rapidly and irreversibly toward Europe taking the leading role and primary responsibility for the defense of Europe.

Hegseth stated that some countries will fail the review while others will pass with flying colors. The move also aims to clearly define and guarantee US access to military bases and air movement corridors, as some European countries imposed restrictions on US forces during the war with Iran. Washington remains unhappy with allies' reaction to that war, calling it shameful and endangering US sons and daughters.

The US is increasing pressure ahead of next month's NATO summit, seeking to ensure allies meet last year's promise to significantly increase defense spending. Hegseth said that future US contributions to NATO's current organizational costs, which this year will be about $790 million, will depend on whether allies meet their military spending goals. If they do not, US contributions will be reduced.

Despite the sharp remarks, Hegseth acknowledged progress by many NATO members in strengthening their defense capabilities. Washington has made clear to Europe that it wants European NATO allies to take primary responsibility for their conventional defense as US attention shifts toward China.

According to US and German media reports, the cuts will affect a third of the 150 US F-16 and F-15 fighters assigned to NATO, as well as tankers, reconnaissance aircraft, bombers, and drones. A cruise missile submarine and one of two carrier strike groups will also be withdrawn from the European theater.