Pentagon quizzes NATO allies on political loyalty, documents reveal

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that the Pentagon has circulated a questionnaire to NATO allies that probes whether they are publicly backing President Donald Trump’s foreign policy priorities and aligning with what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described as a “strong, clear, and quiet” approach. The three-page document, titled “Questions for NATO Allies & Other Key Stakeholders,” was obtained by the outlet from an official who received it. Bloomberg News had previously reported on parts of the questionnaire.

According to the report, the questions appear intended to shape discussions during an ongoing Pentagon review of US force posture in Europe. They also ask allies about restrictions on US bases and military flights, including whether they would ease or remove such limits. That point has become sensitive amid disputes linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, after several European countries imposed restrictions following the conflict’s start.

The questionnaire also asks whether allies support the administration’s “NATO 3.0” idea, which would shift more defence responsibility to European members while reducing US support. It reflects Trump’s long-running demands that allies spend more on defence and contribute more to NATO capabilities. Spain is singled out in the broader context because it has resisted a 2025 spending target and restricted US military use of its territory.

The piece says some officials view the document as evidence of a push to tie alliance management more closely to White House political expectations, though the Pentagon had not commented by publication time.