NATO Allies Criticized by Hegseth During Roundtable Meeting

June 18, 2026 • Al Jazeera

NATO Allies Criticized by Hegseth During Roundtable Meeting

Pentagon Chief Criticizes NATO Allies at Roundtable Meeting

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has expressed concerns about defence spending and access to bases in Europe during a roundtable meeting with his NATO counterparts.

According to sources, Hegseth made the comments during the gathering, which aimed to discuss issues related to US military presence in Europe. The Pentagon chief reportedly stated that some NATO allies have not provided adequate support for US forces in terms of defence spending and access to bases.

Hegseth also announced that a review of the US military presence in Europe will be conducted. This review is expected to examine the current state of US military operations in the region and identify areas for improvement.

The roundtable meeting was an opportunity for Hegseth to engage with his NATO allies on key defence issues, including the need for increased cooperation and coordination between nations. The meeting also provided a platform for discussion on how to address common challenges facing the alliance.

Details of the review process are not yet available, but it is expected that the Pentagon will provide further information in the coming weeks. The announcement comes as tensions between the US and Iran remain high, with some arguing that increased military presence in Europe could be necessary to counter potential threats from the region.

Source: Al Jazeera