Trump Orders Cuts to South Korea Military Drills, Citing Seoul's Refusal to Join Iran War

Trump instructed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, linking the order to Seoul's refusal to join the US-Israel campaign against Iran. He questioned US protection of allies that declined to contribute. The 39,000 US troops in South Korea have historically deterred North Korea independently of other operations. South Korean officials said drills began as planned.