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With 10.000 troops from nine countries, NATO is holding its biggest military exercise of the year without direct US support! Steadfast Dart 2025 tests the new Allied Response Force, capable of deploying in 10 days, as the war in Ukraine approaches its third year and Trump pressures Europe to pay for its own defense.
Faced with uncertainty about the United States’ commitment to European defense, NATO has decided to take action on its own. The Steadfast Dart 2025 exercise, held in Greece, Bulgaria and Romania, simulates a rapid military response to a potential conflict in the region. For the first time, the United States is not actively participating, reinforcing the need for Europe to strengthen its military independence.
The message is clear: Europeans need to be ready to defend themselves without relying on Washington.
10.000 soldiers, three countries and nine nations involved
This is one of NATO's largest military training exercises in recent years. Forces from Britain, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Bulgaria and Slovenia have joined forces to test rapid response strategies.
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The highlight was an amphibious operation led by Greek and Spanish marines, who landed on a beach in Greece, simulating a tactical assault. Britain took command of the land forces, deploying 2.600 soldiers and 730 vehicles.
The Allied Response Force and NATO's new strategy
Created in July 2024, NATO's Allied Response Force (ARF) represents the alliance's modern response to emerging threats. What sets it apart? Its ability to deploy in just 10 days, which is crucial for responding quickly to crises in Eastern Europe.
According to Military, “this is what we are training for,” said Italian Lt. Gen. Lorenzo D’Addario, commander of the ARF, highlighting the importance of a ready, flexible force capable of operating in all domains of warfare.
in addition to the traditional In addition to land, air and naval firepower, the new NATO is expanding its reach into space and cyberspace. With hybrid threats becoming increasingly common, the alliance is investing heavily in digital defense and military satellites.
If wars were once won by tanks and planes, today a cyber attack can be as destructive as a bombing raid. NATO knows this and is adapting.
The changing US stance and pressure for more European spending
The US absence from these exercises comes at a critical moment in international geopolitics. President Donald Trump recently announced that he wants to negotiate directly with Russia, raising uncertainty about the US commitment to NATO.
This raises a worrying question: is this the beginning of a strategic US distancing itself from European defense?
New US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made it clear that Europeans must bear the brunt of the costs of the war in Ukraine. In his first meeting with NATO leaders, he demanded a sharp increase in European military spending.
The US message to NATO is simple: either you learn to fend for yourself, or you will be vulnerable.
The strategic impact of the new NATO on the future of the alliance
Steadfast Dart 2025 is a milestone in NATO history. For the first time in decades, Europe is training for a scenario where it needs to defend itself without the guarantee of a US military presence. This can be seen in two ways:
- A stronger, more independent Europe, capable of dealing with emerging threats on its own.
- A more vulnerable Europe, without the support of the world's largest army should a large-scale conflict occur.
Which of these visions will come to fruition? The answer may depend on how NATO will be able to maintain itself united in the coming years.
Russia, of course, is watching NATO’s every move. Vladimir Putin knows that without the US at the helm, differences between European countries could create divisions within the alliance.
In fact, Greece and Turkey, two NATO members that have historically been rivals, have participated in the exercises together. But how long will this cooperation last? If pressure mounts, will NATO be able to keep all its members on the same page?
