US pushes Europe to close NATO capability gaps as force posture under review

The United States publicly rebuked European NATO allies for capability gaps described as a “sea of red” as it reviews US deployments in Europe, urging faster European investment in conventional weapons to enable Europe to lead its own defense. Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby pressed allies in Brussels, praising some like the UK while pointing to gaps in others, and Washington circulated a written questionnaire on base access, US weapon purchases, and support for Trump’s policy. The debate ties to Trump-era pressure to raise defence spending toward 5% of GDP by 2035, with several allies already near or meeting 3.5%, and the outcome could influence future US weapons and troop withdrawals.