The United States has distributed a questionnaire to NATO allies, seeking input on a new defense strategy that would see European members take on a larger role in the alliance’s conventional operations as Washington refocuses its military resources.

The US government has initiated consultations with NATO allies as part of a review of its military presence in Europe. This move includes the distribution of a questionnaire aimed at gathering feedback on how European nations can assume greater responsibility for the continent’s conventional defense. The initiative is part of a broader strategy known as ‘NATO 3.0,’ which emphasizes a shift in burden-sharing within the alliance. Under this model, European countries would provide the majority of conventional military capabilities while the United States continues to offer its nuclear deterrent.

US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, speaking in Brussels alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, explained that the shift is driven by Washington’s need to prioritize defense of the western hemisphere and address evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. While specific details of the questionnaire remain undisclosed, alliance sources indicate that it includes sensitive topics such as increased European leadership in NATO’s command structure, procurement of defense equipment from American firms, and existing restrictions on US troop activities in Europe. These issues have gained heightened attention, particularly following the restrictive measures taken by countries like Spain during the Iran conflict.

European leaders have expressed mixed reactions to the proposal. Some fear potential US troop reductions in countries perceived as insufficiently aligned with US policies, but NATO Secretary-General Rutte framed the discussions as a positive step toward strengthening the alliance. He highlighted increased European and Canadian defense spending, including a $139 billion surge in 2025, as evidence of commitment to bolstering collective security. Colby also praised nations like Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands for their recent investments and contributions to leadership within NATO.