US Defense Secretary Hegseth Urges NATO Allies to Shoulder More Responsibility

TDT | Manama

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a firm message to NATO allies on Thursday, emphasizing that the United States cannot be the sole pillar of the alliance’s defense strategy in an increasingly volatile global environment.

Speaking at a high-level NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Hegseth called on member states to boost their defense spending to five percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – a significant leap from the current two percent target.

“Our message is going to continue to be clear. It's deterrence and peace through strength, but it can't be reliance,” said Hegseth. “It cannot and will not be reliance on America in a world of a lot of threats.”

The call comes amid growing security concerns in Europe and beyond, from ongoing conflicts to emerging threats in cyber and space domains. Hegseth’s remarks underline Washington’s push for greater burden-sharing within NATO, as U.S. leaders continue to stress the importance of a balanced alliance.

While several NATO members have increased defense budgets in recent years, the U.S. still shoulders a disproportionate share of the alliance's military spending. Hegseth's proposal marks a new benchmark that could reshape future NATO commitments, signaling Washington’s intent to recalibrate its role within the bloc.

The Brussels meeting is expected to spark further debate over the financial and strategic responsibilities of member nations ahead of the NATO summit later this year.