Hegseth pressures NATO with review of American forces in Europe

[00:00:00]Welcome back. The White House is back at applying pressure against the NATO alliance again. Today, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he's launching a 6-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe over the Trump administration's dissatisfaction over the allies limited involvement in the war with Iran. US President Donald Trump's security adviser argues that European partners have not done enough with defense and the review's outcome will depend on how quickly European allies take responsibility for their own security. Jason Kahlil joins us live with all the details tonight. Good evening, Jason.

[00:00:33]>> Good evening, Manisha. Hegseth's criticism of NATO is all stemming from the Trump administration's displeasure over allied countries not providing access to bases for US forces to launch attacks on Iran.

[00:00:51]During NATO's vigorous warrior exercises in Estonia this week, US medical troops joined soldiers from Slovenia, Bosnia, Poland, and others participating in medical emergency drills. Despite the pressure test in the event of warfare, the White House says it may change deployment [music] plans on European soil.

[00:01:11]>> I'm announcing today a 6-month Department of War review that will examine America's force posture and basing in [music] Europe. Up to 6 months, could be less.

[00:01:22]Let's call it the NATO 3.0 [music] review.

[00:01:26]>> During a NATO defense ministers meeting in Belgium, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dug into the alliance over a lack of support [music] and says the Pentagon will look into its military involvement in allied countries. Hegseth didn't say the review could result in reductions of US force deployments in Europe, but says the goal is to force the continent's hand to do more in order to help the US meet its global commitments.

[00:01:51]>> And the president said all he said was that our jets would need to take off from bases in Europe or our shaped our ships from ports to strike targets in the Middle East.

[00:02:03]But, too many of our allies said, "No."

[00:02:06]Or tried to drown us in arcane legal debates.

[00:02:10]Or criticized us publicly for doing what they aren't prepared or able to do themselves.

[00:02:16]>> Hegseth continued to argue that it's in Europe's best interest to help out during the war in Iran, >> [music] >> adding that allies face the same threats.

[00:02:24]>> Secretary Hegseth was very clear about the need >> [music] >> for a NATO 3.0, an alliance rebooted for the modern age.

[00:02:33]On that, we all agree.

[00:02:35]>> Prior to the announcement by Hegseth, the Trump administration and Iran agreed to a 60-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In response, NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte [music] says the alliance agreed to a military reboot.

[00:02:50]>> We need to turn the cash into combat-ready capabilities and fast. We want to scale up our defense industries on both sides of the Atlantic while fostering the kind of cooperation that leads to better innovation as well as more production.

[00:03:08]>> Last week, Bulgaria hosted multinational drills using cannon-firing armored vehicles and soldiers using drones. NATO leadership calls for more troops and a larger [music] industrial base capacity that will require additional cash in the billions.

[00:03:43]>> With the US-Iran peace deal in effect and the Pentagon review in place, Germany says its own navy will be on standby to ensure safety in the Middle East. Today, German officials say two of its ships will head to the Red Sea and prepare for possible mine sweeping operations [music] in the Strait of Hormuz as the major trade corridor is set to fully reopen.

[00:04:05]However, US President J.D. Vance added today that business returned in the water.

[00:04:10]>> Last night, [music] 12.5 million barrels of oil went through the Strait of Hormuz. That is a high since the beginning of the conflict. Oil prices are down nearly their level from the pre-war conflict. Gas prices [music] dropped below $4 a gallon today for the first time since the conflict. And importantly, they're going to keep falling further given how low price low oil prices are.

[00:04:31]>> Vance says Iran has not shot at any ships so far and US naval ships are not blocking vessels from passing.

[00:04:40]>> Also today, Pete Hegseth did issue a warning to Iran that if they do break their agreement, US troops will be ready for more military action, including reimposing a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.