Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a comprehensive six-month review of United States military forces deployed across Europe during a visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday. The initiative, which Hegseth labeled 'NATO 3.0,' signals a formal reassessment of the American military footprint on the continent under the Trump administration.

The review will examine the size, structure, and positioning of U.S. forces in Europe, with officials indicating that the findings could lead to adjustments in troop levels or deployment configurations. The announcement comes amid ongoing debate within the alliance over burden-sharing and the appropriate long-term American commitment to European security.

Hegseth used the Brussels appearance to sharply criticize European NATO allies, accusing some member nations of failing to meet defense spending obligations and of placing American troops at greater risk as a result. He argued that the alliance must modernize its expectations of all member states if it is to remain effective in the current security environment.

The announcement follows months of tension between the Trump administration and European governments over the future of transatlantic security arrangements. European officials and some American defense analysts have raised concerns that a significant drawdown of U.S. forces could weaken deterrence against Russian aggression, particularly given the ongoing war in Ukraine. The review's six-month timeline means conclusions are expected before the end of 2026.

NATO allies are closely watching the process, with some expressing wariness about the potential implications for collective defense commitments under Article 5 of the NATO treaty. U.S. officials have not specified which countries or regions might see the most significant changes as a result of the review's findings.