US pushes Europe to take lead in NATO conventional defense

A significant strategic shift is underway within NATO as the United States pressures European allies and Canada to assume primary responsibility for the continent's conventional defense. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of American force posture and basing in Europe on Thursday, June 18, during a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.

The review, branded by the administration as part of a "NATO 3.0" push, is designed to ensure the alliance moves irreversibly toward European leadership. Hegseth stated the goal is for Europe to step up and take primary responsibility for its own defense, allowing the United States to better meet its global commitments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. He warned that future U.S. financial contributions to NATO's common funding could be contingent on allies meeting defense spending targets.

This announcement follows a recent U.S. decision to reduce its planned contributions to NATO's crisis response forces, affecting assets like fighter jets, aerial refueling tankers, reconnaissance aircraft, and warships. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has sought to downplay concerns, characterizing the...