Hegseth orders review of U.S. troop presence in Europe

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has launched a six-month assessment of American force deployments across Europe, explicitly linking future U.S. military commitments to the continent’s ability to pay its own way. The move marks a shift toward demanding that NATO allies assume primary responsibility for their own conventional defense.

Editorial·June 18, 2026·reads: 2,587

Hegseth orders review of U.S. troop presence in Europe

Addressing defense ministers in Brussels, Hegseth signaled a departure from traditional alliance dynamics by threatening to withhold U.S. dues if partners fail to meet spending obligations. He pointedly criticized nations that denied the U.S. basing and overflight rights during recent conflicts with Iran, framing the review as a mechanism to secure future operational access. The Pentagon’s strategy aims to dismantle what officials describe as an unhealthy reliance on American military infrastructure, especially as Washington balances commitments across multiple global theaters.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that the reduction of American contributions to the alliance’s crisis forces is already in effect, an admission that has triggered urgent negotiations among member states. While Belgium has pledged to bolster its contribution with F-16 jets and MQ-9B drones, other allies face significant hurdles. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned that the sudden withdrawal of specific capabilities—particularly deep-strike missiles—creates dangerous security gaps. According to military sources, the U.S. is reducing its available F-15 fighter jet pool by one-third, to 99 aircraft, and halving its fleet of Reaper drones to 12. These cuts force a tense scramble as European leaders prepare for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.