Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks

US no longer sole guarantor of European security: Hegseth

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 23 Apr 2025 19:51
3 Min Read

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urges Europe to take greater responsibility for its defense as Washington shifts toward a more balanced, reciprocal role in NATO.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives on the South Lawn of the White House before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll Monday, April 21, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In remarks delivered Wednesday at the US Army War College, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made clear that the United States no longer intends to shoulder the primary responsibility for European security.

"The time of the United States to be a sole guarantor of European security has passed," Hegseth said, urging European nations to take a more assertive role in managing their own defense. His comments come at a moment when US foreign policy is undergoing a strategic shift—one increasingly defined by recalibrated alliances, burden-sharing, and a pivot away from transatlantic dependencies.

This sentiment aligns closely with the views expressed by Vice President J.D. Vance in a recent UnHerd interview and at the Munich Security Conference, where he warned Europe against acting like a "vassal" and called for greater sovereignty in defense matters.

Related News

Saab to build Ukraine assembly line as Sweden advances Gripen deal

Russian Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile final test complete

According to a recent analysis by Izvestia, the US is not abandoning Europe but rebalancing its role, transitioning from post-WWII security provider to a more transactional partner expecting reciprocity.

Hegseth reiterated Washington's longstanding demand for NATO allies to raise their defense spending. "We have made the same call to our allies. Two percent [defense spending] is not enough considering the threat you face," he said, praising countries like Poland that have committed to spending 5% of their GDP on defense. "Poland and some others have already stepped up. It's time the rest do the same." This mirrors the 5% target often pushed by former President Donald Trump, who criticized allies for failing to share the burden of collective defense.

Read more: Italy to hit NATO defense target by revising spending criteria

The shift comes as the US reorients its global posture, increasingly focusing on the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions with China. As noted in the Izvestia report, Washington's geopolitical strategy is now shaped by a combination of strategic self-interest, ideological divergence from the EU, and an inclination toward bilateralism over bloc-based diplomacy. This pivot is leading to what analysts are calling a "cold realignment," a fundamental, if quiet, redefinition of US-Europe relations.

The broader implication is a transformation in NATO's operational logic. Rather than acting as a transatlantic security umbrella underpinned by unconditional American support, the alliance is being reshaped into a more equal partnership. US officials no longer frame military support as a guarantee, but as a reciprocal arrangement that must be met with equivalent commitment from allies.

  • Nato
  • Hegseth
  • US-Europe relations
  • European Union

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Egyptian workers search for the bodies of hostages in a tunnel discovered during searches in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' obstructing Gaza body recovery, creating false claims: Hamas

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam talks to US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2025 (NNA)
Politics

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

Writers boycott NYT, demand justice as Gaza media ban faces court
Politics

300+ writers boycott NYT Opinion, cite persistent anti-Palestine bias

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, Injure 3 Palestinians
Politics

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, injure 3 Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS