US weighs nuclear weapons expansion across NATO Europe

The United States is considering deploying nuclear weapons to additional European NATO member states, according to a Financial Times report published Tuesday. U.S. officials have signaled openness to expanding deployments beyond the six nations currently hosting nuclear-capable bombers, with discussions involving more countries hosting dual-capable aircraft (DCA), which are designed to deliver nuclear strikes. The report cautioned that any agreement to broaden U.S. nuclear hosting capabilities is not imminent. Poland and Baltic states on NATO's eastern flank have expressed interest in potentially hosting DCA bases, with discussions continuing through NATO channels. Reuters was unable to immediately verify the report, and requests for comment from the White House, Department of Defense, and NATO went unanswered. Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby has previously affirmed that the United States intends to continue using its nuclear weapons to safeguard NATO members. The potential expansion comes as President Donald Trump and many of his aides have criticized European allies for insufficient military spending and their reliance on the United States for conventional defense. Colby has stated that while European allies take the lead on conventional forces, the U.S. nuclear umbrella over NATO will remain in place.