President Trump has rightly laid out that Europe must step up, and NATO must no longer be a paper tiger.
Through the historic Hague Commitments, Europe has begun to do so.
But the key now is, in the words of SecGen Rutte, action over words. As Rutte put it this week, “Air defense systems, drones, ammunition, radars, space capabilities — that is what will keep us safe.” 1/
Germany is now taking the leading role in this. After years of disarmament, Berlin is stepping up. The DOW is already working closely with European allies, especially Germany, to accelerate this transition to NATO 3.0. 2/
Berlin’s new Military Strategy shows a clear path forward and we look forward to collaborating closely with the FRG to implement this. Below are some key excerpts: 3/
General Carsten Breuer wrote in the Strategy’s Foreword that: “The Military Strategy reflects the idea that, as the largest economy in Europe…Germany must and will assume a leading role within NATO – also at the military level. It represents a paradigm shift and underpins our ambition to play an active and substantial role.” 4/
The Strategy also affirms that “Germany…will take on additional burdens, including targeted strategic responsibility for Europe at the strategic level…The Bundeswehr will thus become the strongest conventional army in Europe.” 5/
“Germany is taking on a historically unprecedented amount of responsibility for Europe, and will continue to build on this basis. NATO must become more European to remain transatlantic.” 6/
“The United States is essential to NATO. Both in political terms and due to its military capabilities. However, it has indicated that it is increasingly shifting its strategic focus towards its Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific.” 7/
“Beyond this reorientation toward the Indo-Pacific, the United States is demanding in its 2026 National Defense Strategy that its allies step up their efforts to safeguard their own security. Germany must therefore become an even stronger military Ally to the United States while working together with other Allies to take on more responsibility for the shared Euro-Atlantic security.” 8/
Moreover, a “national and European projection capability would strengthen deterrence and collective defense, lighten the burden on the United States and enhance Europe’s ability to take action.” In other words, a stronger Europe will be able to contribute more to critical missions, as the President has emphasized. 9/
Germany’s Military Strategy represents a clear, credible way forward to NATO 3.0: A NATO in which Europe and Canada step up to meet their responsibilities within the Alliance and transform it from a paper tiger to a strong deterrent and defense.
President Trump has provided the clear and consistent message Europe and Canada need to hear. We at DoW stand ready to engage and aid those who heed his message and take real action at the speed of relevance. 10/10
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It was an honor to represent Secretary Hegseth yesterday at a productive session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Our European allies must take primary responsibility for their continent’s security by expanding their industrial capacity and leading on support to Ukraine. 1/
Have also enjoyed recent productive engagements with NATO Chief of Staff @leeuwengew, Mike Needham @CounselorDOS, and Matt Whitaker @USAMBNATO as we at the DoW work to put the Alliance on a stronger and more durable footing.
Some key points from my remarks at the UDCG below.🧵2/
“We must be clear-eyed about the gravity of the current moment: Europe must accelerate its assumption of primary responsibility for the conventional defense of the continent. This is not a matter of choice, but of strategic necessity.” 3/
It was a great privilege to visit India in recent days – my first visit as Under Secretary of War for Policy to a non-treaty ally. My visit only strengthened the conviction that there is deep alignment of interest between the United States and India. I come away with redoubled confidence that India is and will continue to be a strong and durable key partner for the United States. 1/16
It was a particular privilege to meet with Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar and have a wide-ranging discussion on geopolitics and the importance of a clear-eyed approach to international politics. @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia 2/16
I co-chaired the Defense Policy Group (DPG) with Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh to advance the Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership, which Secretary of War Hegseth and Defense Minister Singh signed last October. @SpokespersonMoD 3/16 media.defense.gov/2025/Nov/13/20…
.@SecWar delivered a landmark address at the Reagan National Defense Forum this past weekend, articulating the War Department’s four lines of effort, consistent with President Trump’s National Security Strategy. 1/
“Folks in Washington like to invoke President Reagan’s name, often when they criticize President Trump. They say, or at least insinuate, that Donald Trump is nothing like Ronald Reagan…But those folks are wrong. They’re dead wrong. Most who invoke Ronald Reagan’s name today—especially self-styled Republican hawks—are not much like him.” 2/
“If you look at actual policies, Donald Trump is the true and rightful heir of Ronald Reagan. It is President Trump who has inherited and restored President Reagan’s powerful—but focused and realistic—approach to national defense.” 3/
President Trump’s National Security Strategy is a clear and powerful articulation of his common-sense, America First, Peace Through Strength agenda.
This Strategy lays out his realistic approach to advancing our nation’s interests, above all by ensuring we are always operating from a position of strength. 1/
President Trump is keenly focused on the U.S. national interest—how U.S. policy will benefit Americans, first. The NSS clearly states that “to focus on everything is to focus on nothing. America’s core national security interests shall be our focus.” 2/
Peace Through Strength is likewise core to President Trump’s vision.
The NSS lays out that “Strength is the best deterrent. Countries or other actors sufficiently deterred from threatening American interests will not do so…Therefore, the United States must maintain the strongest economy, develop the most advanced technologies, bolster our society’s cultural health, and field the world’s most capable military.” 3/
Counselor Mike Needham gave an important speech at last week’s Reindustrialize conference. Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s leadership, we at DOD are laser-focused on restoring America’s defense industrial base to its prior strength. This task is vital to the continued security, prosperity, and freedom of our great nation. 1/
“Americans are different from the rest of the world. Everyone knows it, but not everyone knows why. Some say it’s our Constitution, or our political traditions, or our vast landmass. But that’s not the whole story.” 2/ americanmind.org/salvo/building…
“Above all else, what sets America apart from the rest of the world is our people…America is a nation of pioneers, explorers, and inventors.” 3/
An important, clear-eyed strategic assessment from our close ally Japan.
“The international community is now facing its greatest trial since the end of World War II. The existing order of world peace is being seriously challenged, and Japan finds itself in the most severe and complex security environment of the post-war era.” 1/ mod.go.jp/en/publ/w_pape…
We at DOD stand ready to work closely with Tokyo to adjust to this new era and to follow President Trump’s guidance to make our alliances stronger, more equitable, and thus sustainable.
“The international community is facing its greatest trial since World War II and entering a new era of crisis. The global balance of power is shifting dramatically and competition among states continues.” 2/
“Countries are striving to develop innovative technologies that can become so-called game changers. The traditional military structure is undergoing fundamental changes, as are warfare tactics and strategies.” 3/