Hegseth urges Europe to strengthen its defense amid U.S. military support concerns
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has voiced sharp criticism of European allies, highlighting their insufficient support in granting the American military access to bases that could be used for operations against Iran. During remarks made on Thursday, Hegseth emphasized that Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its own security.
He called for a transformation of NATO into a "real hard-line military alliance," one in which member nations contribute more substantially to collective defense efforts. Hegseth's comments underscore his position that European countries should lead efforts to defend the continent rather than relying predominantly on U.S. military resources.
In light of these concerns, Hegseth announced that the U.S. will conduct a comprehensive review of its forces stationed in Europe. This reassessment aims to evaluate current deployments and the strategic posture of American troops on the continent, ensuring alignment with the evolving security environment and alliance commitments.