Pentagon Policy Chief Elbridge Colby Urges “NATO 3.0” Partnership in Brussels Address
BRUSSELS — In a significant address to European allies today, Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy chief, called for a fundamental shift in the transatlantic security relationship, urging European nations to transition from “dependency” to a true partnership capable of leading the continent’s conventional defense.
Speaking to NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Colby delivered a message that struck a conciliatory yet firm tone, emphasizing the need for the alliance to evolve into what he termed “NATO 3.0.” The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy stressed that while the United States remains steadfast in its commitment to the alliance, the geopolitical realities of the 21st century require Europe to shoulder a larger share of the burden for its own security.
“It is time to march out together, to be pragmatic,” Colby told the assembly. “We have a really strong basis for working together in partnership, for a NATO based on partnership rather than dependency.”
The speech comes as Washington seeks to rebalance its global military footprint, with a growing focus on the Indo-Pacific region. Colby reassured allies that this strategic pivot does not constitute an abandonment of Europe. He confirmed that the U.S. would continue to provide an “extended nuclear deterrent” and maintain a presence to support NATO’s Article 5 guarantee, which considers an attack on one member an attack on all.
However, he was clear that the nature of the U.S. contribution would change. “The United States will continue to ready our forces to do our part,” Colby said, but noted that American forces would be deployed “in a more limited and focused fashion” moving forward. He argued that for the alliance to remain robust, European members must prioritize “war-fighting effectiveness over bureaucratic and regulatory stasis.”
A central theme of Colby’s remarks was the necessity for European defense spending to translate into tangible military power. Acknowledging recent commitments by NATO members to increase spending, he urged ministers to look beyond mere budget allocations.
“For Europe, it means moving beyond inputs and intentions toward outputs and capabilities,” Colby stated. “It means making hard choices about force structure, readiness, stockpiles, and industrial capacity that reflect the realities of modern conflict rather than peacetime politics.”
The Pentagon chief’s comments were well-received by several delegations, who viewed the speech as a constructive roadmap for the alliance’s future. By framing the demand for increased European capability as a step toward “partnerships not dependencies,” Colby sought to alleviate concerns about U.S. disengagement while pressing for necessary reforms.
“In 2025, we saw a genuine commitment to have Europe lead the conventional defense of NATO,” Colby observed, referencing the progress made over the last year. “Now, we must ensure that this commitment delivers ready forces, usable munitions, and resilient logistics.”
The meeting in Brussels concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among the defense ministers, who are expected to discuss the practical implementation of these “NATO 3.0” goals in the coming months. As the alliance adapts to a changing global security environment, Colby’s address has set a clear expectation: the future of transatlantic security will depend on a Europe that is capable, combat-ready, and autonomously strong.
* aljazeera.com
* irishtimes.com
* finedayradio.com
* wam.ae
* war.gov
* irishexaminer.com
* theguardian.com
