Hegseth seems out of line with his criticism of NATO allies

BRUSSELS (AP) — Hours after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized his NATO allies and announced a Pentagon review of their performance, leaders of several European countries were assessing a checklist of progress on security priorities.

In essence, Hegseth was telling Europeans things they already knew.

The list included increasing defense spending, investing in industry to boost the production of military equipment, making optimal use of lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, and the need to purchase or develop drones, air defense systems and long-range weapons.

At a summit that concluded on Friday, they discussed how to best use EU joint funding and cut red tape to speed up procurement, and examined the case for “military mobility” to speed up the deployment of troops and equipment, and modernize ports and airports.

They reiterated that “Europe’s defense preparedness must be strengthened decisively by 2030.” The list was not new, but rather something that had been developed since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Intelligence agencies have warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could order an attack elsewhere in Europe before the end of the decade, especially if he defeats Ukraine. They are already accusing Russia of committing acts of sabotage and spreading disinformation across Europe.

About two-thirds of EU member states are also joining NATO, and the unpredictability of the Trump administration has only pushed these countries to go it alone. Hegseth’s review of the Pentagon was just the latest surprise.

The head of the Pentagon attacks US allies

Hegseth does not attend many NATO meetings, and left Thursday’s defense ministers’ meeting early. But his first major speech to allies in February 2025 and its follow-up this week were unforgettable.

Trump on Thursday berated NATO as a “paper tiger,” saying the allies were “disgraceful” and that “many of them failed” the test President Donald Trump set for them when he sought to use their bases in Europe to launch attacks on Iran.

He even criticized their focus on “gender equality and climate change” and criticized their immigration policies.

Hegseth then gave them six months to prepare for a Pentagon performance review that tied the presence of American forces in Europe and American investments in NATO to whether he thought they were pulling their weight.

“It is the protectionist framework that undermines NATO solidarity, confidence in the US commitment to NATO and, ultimately, US security interests,” said Rachel Elihouse, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute.

Review terms are unknown

What the review really entails is not clear.

“It will be designed to ensure that NATO moves quickly and irreversibly towards European leadership, and steps up to assume primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,” Hegseth said. “Some countries will fail and others will succeed.”

He added that the operation could last “up to six months, perhaps less,” and include American military commanders, members of Congress, and the allies themselves.

He said US payments to NATO’s joint budget that runs its headquarters and other facilities would depend on how they performed. “When other allies do not spend urgently, our eligible contributions will decline,” Hegseth said.

Speaking to reporters at Brussels airport before flying, he said the plane would also address “where is the right place to be stationed. Where can we make sure we have access and flying when we need it, so that America is appropriately positioned on the continent.”

NATO did not play any active role in the Iran war, but it protected NATO territory from any possible attack.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was unable to shed light on what Hegseth’s review might entail.

“There is still no clarity on exactly what the outcome will be, because that will depend on the review. So, we will see what happens,” Rutte said, adding: “Wherever we can be useful, we will be useful.” Rutte may learn more when he travels to Washington next week.

The numbers show that US allies are in good shape

As far as Rutte is concerned, European allies and Canada are doing well, although they can always do more.

“What we are seeing is an influx of amazing amounts of money,” he told reporters. “Europe and Canada will spend more than $90 billion more in 2025 than in 2024, representing an almost 20% increase in defense spending.”

The additional funds must now be diverted into more military equipment, weapons and ammunition.

At their summit last year, the allies agreed to boost their military budgets to match the US budget in terms of gross domestic product. Trump left the meeting a happy man, describing his NATO counterparts as a “nice group of people.” But this review does not bode well for the next summit, which will be held in Türkiye on July 7-8.

However, senior European military officers now hold more leadership roles in NATO, and US allies are taking responsibility for moving weapons and money to Ukraine as the Trump administration steps back.

Some Europeans and Canada are also spending billions to buy vital air defense systems from the United States that they are donating to Ukraine, whose war with Russia they see as an existential threat to Europe.

Indeed, it is difficult to see what could be done faster, except perhaps providing unfettered access to their airspace and bases on their soil so America can wage its wars elsewhere.

Elihus, a former senior US adviser to NATO, said force positioning “should be driven by detailed threat assessments, operational requirements, and military planning – and not used as a form of reward, punishment or retaliation.”

“Such framing undermines allies as they actively try to solve the problem and sends a message to adversaries that American security commitments come at a price,” she said.