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Hegseth announces US review of Europe forces, says some allies will fail
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Hegseth announces US review of Europe forces, says some allies will fail

BBC World · Jun 18, 2026, 1:31 PM · Also reported by 4 other sources

Key takeaways

  • "Some countries will fail, and others will pass with flying colours," he said at a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels, singling out allies that he suggested had been "free-riding".
  • Hegseth was also highly critical of Nato member states that had imposed limits on help to US forces during the war with Iran.
  • His announcement follows a US decision to scale back its commitments to a high readiness force within the alliance known as the Nato Force Model (NFM).

Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.

Dan Salesand Jessica Parker,Berlin correspondent EPAPete Hegseth warned that while some countries would fail, "others will pass with flying colours"US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has severely criticised some of America's Nato allies, while announcing a six-month review of US forces in Europe.

"Some countries will fail, and others will pass with flying colours," he said at a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels, singling out allies that he suggested had been "free-riding".

Hegseth was also highly critical of Nato member states that had imposed limits on help to US forces during the war with Iran.

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