What Happened
US Curtails Joint Exercises With Key Ally Amid Tensions
President Trump has instructed the Pentagon to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, a longtime US ally in the Asia-Pacific region. The move comes as the US is running low on critical weapons and redirecting military resources to the Middle East. Trump cited the costs of the exercises and his desire to improve relations with North Korea, which he described as ‘unthreatening and respectful’ during his presidency. The decision may heighten concerns among Asian allies about the US commitment to regional security, according to an article in The New York Times.