Pete Hegseth accuses Nato countries of ‘free riding’ in combative address

The Guardian World Thursday 18 June 2026, 18:23 UTC By Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor 1 min read

Key Points

US defence secretary addresses allies in latest attempt to get Europe to raise military budgetsPete Hegseth has announced a review of US military presence across Europe, in a combative address to Nato allies where he threatened to cut force numbers in countries spending the least on defence. The US defence secretary, speaking at a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels, accused some countries of “free riding” and others of being shameful for not allowing their airbases to be used by...

US defence secretary addresses allies in latest attempt to get Europe to raise military budgets

Pete Hegseth has announced a review of US military presence across Europe, in a combative address to Nato allies where he threatened to cut force numbers in countries spending the least on defence.

The US defence secretary, speaking at a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels, accused some countries of “free riding” and others of being shameful for not allowing their airbases to be used by US jets bombing Iran in the spring.

Pete Hegseth (PERSON) Nato (ORG) US (LOCATION) Europe (LOCATION) Hegseth (PERSON) Brussels (LOCATION) Iran (LOCATION)

Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

Obama opens Chicago presidential center, urges Americans to defend democracy Former US President Barack Obama opened his presidential center in Chicago on Thursday, calling for the defense of democracy in a star-studded event attended by three former presidents. “I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of how precious our democracy truly is,” Obama said, as Stevie Wonder closed the celebration. Former President Barack Obama formally opened his presidential center in Chicago on...

France 24 20m ago

Switzerland crush Bosnia 4-1 in World Cup Group B clash

Switzerland crush Bosnia 4-1 in World Cup Group B clash INGLEWOOD, California, June 18 : Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 helped by a second- half double from substitute Johan Manzambi to take control of World Cup Group B on Thursday at Los Angeles Stadium. After an uneventful first half, the Swiss finally broke through the Bosnia defence when Manzambi came off the bench and had an immediate impact, volleying home to break the deadlock in the 74th minute, three minutes after being...

Channel News Asia 20m ago

Knicks owner appears to take swipe at Mamdani at NBA championship celebration, stiffs photo op with him

Last week, New York Knicks owner James Dolan and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani got into a war of words regarding team watch parties. Well, the two came face-to-face at City Hall to conclude the team's championship parade, and there sure appeared to be some tension on stage. During the watch party battle, Dolan said in an interview that Mamdani was not a real Knicks fan.

Fox News 21m ago

Off-duty ICE officer relies on 'sixth sense' to save drowning child before delivering message to critics

An off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer is being praised for diving fully clothed into a Florida community pool to rescue an unconscious 6-year-old child from drowning. Speaking on "Fox & Friends First," ICE officer Gregory Simmonds described the moment he knew something was wrong and delivered a message to those who oppose his agency. "There was kind of a sixth sense going on," Simmonds said.

Fox News 22m ago

Pete Hegseth accuses Nato countries of ‘free riding’ in combative address

Related Stories

Obama opens Chicago presidential center, urges Americans to defend democracy

Switzerland crush Bosnia 4-1 in World Cup Group B clash

Knicks owner appears to take swipe at Mamdani at NBA championship celebration, stiffs photo op with him

Off-duty ICE officer relies on 'sixth sense' to save drowning child before delivering message to critics