Pentagon launches up to six-month review of US troop deployments in Europe, presses NATO allies on defence spending

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon has begun a comprehensive review of America’s military deployments in Europe that could run for up to six months. He warned NATO allies that Washington expects them to raise defence spending and take greater responsibility for Europe’s security. The US has already moved to cut some crisis-response capabilities it makes available to NATO, including F-15 fighters and MQ-4/MQ-9 drone deployments. European countries, including Belgium, are stepping up contributions such as F-16s and MQ-9B drones, though German officials cautioned that a rapid US pullback could leave capability gaps.