U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Reiterates That the U.S. Can No Longer Be the Guarantor of Europe’s Security
Carlisle, Pennsylvania In a pivotal speech delivered at the U.S. Army War College on April 23, 2025, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored a shifting paradigm in American foreign policy, reiterating that the United States can no longer serve as the sole guarantor of Europe’s security.
Hegseth’s remarks highlighted the growing strain on U.S. resources and the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense.
“The era of U.S. overextension is coming to an end. We cannot continue to carry the full burden of European defense,” Hegseth declared.
He called on NATO allies to significantly boost their defense spending to 5% of GDP, a marked increase from the current 2%, in order to strengthen regional security and self-reliance.
This call for burden-sharing is part of a broader strategic shift, as tensions rise with adversaries such as Russia
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