U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized NATO allies during a Brussels summit Thursday, calling the alliance a "paper-tiger" and describing their performance as "shameful," before announcing a Pentagon review that would tie U.S. force presence in Europe to allied defense spending. The remarks came as European leaders pointed to significant increases in military budgets they say demonstrate commitment to the alliance.
The summit of NATO defense ministers ended Friday with allies reaffirming their goal to ramp up Europe's defense readiness by 2030, citing progress on security priorities including hiking defense spending, investing in military equipment production, and purchasing drones, air defense systems, and long-range weapons. Hegseth left Thursday's gathering early but delivered his sharpest critique of the alliance since taking office.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative supporters argue Hegseth is holding allies accountable for longstanding commitments. They note that despite years of requests, many NATO members historically underdelivered on defense spending, leaving the U.S. to bear a disproportionate share of alliance costs and security responsibilities.
The Pentagon review seeks to ensure European nations take "primary responsibility for the defense of Europe," as Hegseth described it. The Defense Secretary said some countries would fail the assessment while others would "pass with flying colors." He also criticized what he called allies' focus on "gender equity and climate change" and their migration policies.
White House allies have backed the tough approach, arguing that NATO members must demonstrate tangible contributions rather than simply meeting percentage-based spending targets. The six-month review will examine where U.S. forces should be based and whether allies provide adequate access and overflight rights for American military operations.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics argue that Hegseth's approach risks alienating key allies at a critical moment. Rachel Ellehuus, Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute think-tank and a former top U.S. advisor at NATO, called his strategy counterproductive. "It's protection racket framing that undermines NATO solidarity, trust in the U.S. commitment to NATO, and, ultimately, U.S. security interests," she said.
Democratic lawmakers have echoed concerns about the Pentagon review's impact on alliance cohesion. They note that European allies have significantly increased defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with many now meeting or approaching the 2% GDP defense spending target NATO has long requested from its members.
Critics also point to European support for Ukraine as evidence of allied commitment. U.S. allies have taken charge of funneling arms and money into Ukraine as the Trump administration stepped back from that role. Some European nations are purchasing air defense systems from the United States and donating them to Kyiv, which they view as an existential threat to Europe.
What the Numbers Show
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte presented data showing European allies are increasing defense investments at historic rates. "Europe and Canada are spending in 2025 more than $90 billion extra compared to 2024, which is almost a 20% increase in defense spending," he told reporters in Brussels.
At last year's summit, NATO allies agreed to boost military budgets to match U.S. levels as a percentage of gross domestic product. Intelligence agencies have warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could order attacks elsewhere in Europe before the decade ends, particularly if he defeats Ukraine. Agencies also accuse Russia of sabotage and misinformation campaigns across the continent.
Approximately two-thirds of European Union member countries are NATO members. The alliance has no active role in recent U.S. military operations against Iran, though it did shield alliance territory from potential retaliation during that conflict.
The Bottom Line
The Pentagon review announced by Hegseth creates uncertainty ahead of NATO's next summit in Turkey on July 7-8. While European allies acknowledge they can always do more to convert increased spending into military capability, many struggle to see what additional steps could be taken faster than they already are being implemented.
NATO Secretary-General Rutte said there is "still no clarity" on what Hegseth's review will entail. He may learn more during a planned visit to Washington next week. Ellehuus warned that force positioning decisions should be driven by threat assessments and military planning rather than used as reward or punishment mechanisms.
The tension highlights the shifting dynamics within the alliance, with European nations increasingly coordinating defense efforts independently while questioning whether American security commitments come with conditions that could undermine collective deterrence.