Overview
- Speaking at the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels, Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby said the post–Cold War model no longer fits a world of revived power politics.
- He stated the United States will keep its extended nuclear deterrent but provide conventional forces in a more limited, focused role as European allies take primary responsibility.
- Colby linked the approach to U.S. priorities at home and in the Indo-Pacific and warned allies to plan for potential pressure across multiple theaters.
- He urged conversion of higher outlays pledged at The Hague—3.5% of GDP for core defense and up to 5% overall—into ready units, munitions, resilient logistics and integrated command.
- Rejecting claims of a retreat, he described NATO as a partnership rather than a dependency and said credibility depends on shared roles and deliverable capability.