- Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, announced a review of US forces in Europe, stating that the era of other countries 'free riding' on the US for defence is over.
- Speaking at Nato headquarters in Brussels, Hegseth criticised allies for being too reliant on the US and failing to meet defence spending targets, calling Nato a 'paper tiger and a one-way street'.
- He also condemned European countries, including the UK, for their reluctance to support US actions in Iran, accusing them of putting American service members at risk by denying access and overflight.
- In response to these perceived failures, Hegseth warned that US contributions to NATO would become contingent on allies meeting their spending targets, and a Pentagon review of US troop posture in Europe would be launched.
- NAto Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that European members were already committing to replace battlefield equipment that the US was withdrawing, indicating a readiness to increase their contributions.
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