Europe’s NATO Meeting: Shifting Roles and New Arctic Plans

European leaders met in Brussels to discuss how the United States is stepping back from its traditional leadership role in NATO. The U. S. defense chief, Pete Hegseth, did not attend the meeting, a rare omission that raised questions about America’s commitment to European security. He was replaced by Under Secretary Elbridge Colby, and some allies noted the absence as a “good party” that might not signal disinterest but rather a change in priorities. German and Icelandic officials downplayed the impact, saying that each country has its own agenda. Germany announced a $118 billion plan to modernize its forces after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while the Netherlands pledged more flight simulators for Ukrainian pilots. Britain added half a billion pounds in urgent air‑defense aid, and Sweden plans to buy more U. S. weapons.NATO’s new Arctic Sentry initiative was announced as a response to concerns in the high north. It will bring existing national exercises in Denmark, Norway and other countries under a NATO umbrella but is not a long‑term mission. Participants like Denmark will invest in new Arctic ships and aircraft, while Finland and Sweden are expected to join. The United States’ exact role remains unclear; some U. S. officials say only “enhanced vigilance” is planned. The meeting also touched on tensions over Greenland, where President Trump threatened to annex the territory. NATO’s focus is to defend all member states, not to alter their sovereignty. European allies hope that the Arctic plan will help shift attention back to the real threat posed by Russia’s war in Ukraine.