{"id":882,"date":"2026-06-19T11:08:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=882"},"modified":"2026-06-19T11:08:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:08:04","slug":"pentagon-chiefs-review-appears-out-of-step-with-what-nato-allies-are-already-doing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=882","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon chief\u2019s review appears out of step with what NATO allies are already doing"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

BRUSSELS (AP) \u2014 Hours after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth upbraided his NATO allies and announced a Pentagon review<\/span> of their performance, the leaders of many European nations were assessing a check list of progress made on security priorities.<\/p>\n

Read more Cambodian Supreme Court upholds incitement conviction of opposition politician, sparking anger<\/a><\/p>\n

In essence, Hegseth was telling the Europeans things they already know<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The list included their hike in defense spending, investment in industry to boost the production of military equipment, best use of lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, and the need to buy or develop drones, air defense systems and long-range weapons.<\/p>\n

At a summit ending Friday, they mulled how to put joint European Union funding to best use and cut red tape to speed purchases, weighed the state of \u201cmilitary mobility\u201d to speed the deployment of troops and equipment, and upgrade ports and airports.<\/p>\n

\u201cEurope\u2019s defense readiness must be decisively ramped up by 2030,\u201d they reaffirmed. The list was not new, rather something they have developed<\/span> since Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine<\/span> in 2022.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Intelligence agencies have warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could order an attack elsewhere in Europe before the end of the decade, especially if he defeats Ukraine. Already they accuse Russia of acts of sabotage<\/span> and misinformation across Europe.<\/p>\n

About two-thirds of EU member countries also stand in NATO\u2019s ranks, and the added unpredictability<\/span> of the Trump administration has only girded them to forge ahead alone. Hegseth\u2019s Pentagon review was just the latest surprise.<\/p>\n

Pentagon chief blasts US allies<\/h2>\n

Hegseth does not attend many NATO meetings, and he left Thursday\u2019s gathering of defense ministers early. But his first major speech to the allies in February 2025<\/span> and his follow-up this week were memorable.<\/p>\n

On Thursday he berated NATO as a \u201cpaper-tiger,\u201d said allies had been \u201cshameful\u201d and that \u201ctoo many failed\u201d a test put to them by President Donald Trump when he sought use of their bases in Europe<\/span> to launch attacks on Iran.<\/p>\n

He even took a shot at their focus on \u201cgender equity and climate change\u201d and slammed their migration policies.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Hegseth then gave them six months to shape up for a Pentagon performance review that tied the presence of U.S. forces in Europe and American investment in NATO to whether he believes they are pulling their weight.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s protection racket framing that undermines NATO solidarity, trust in the U.S. commitment to NATO, and, ultimately, U.S. security interests,\u201d said Rachel Ellehuus, Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute think-tank.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Terms of the review are unknown<\/h2>\n

What the review really involves is not clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,\u201d Hegseth said. \u201cSome countries will fail and others will pass with flying colors.\u201d<\/p>\n

It might last \u201cup to six months, could be less,\u201d he said, and involve U.S. military commanders, members of Congress and the allies themselves.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n
\nSign up for Morning Wire:<\/strong>
\n Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day.\n <\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n