On August 16, Trump announced that he ordered the Defense Department to diminish the scale of joint exercises with ally Republic of Korea. He justified this measure by labeling North Korea “unthreatening and respectful” over the course of his administration, and by complaining that South Korea did not join his war against Iran.
It is not clear what these smaller exercises, called Ulchi Freedom Shield, will look like.
Trump also praised his relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.
Trump’s latest rant is filled with falsehoods and irrational thinking. Contrary to his claim about North Korea’s behavior, the communist regime continued its belligerent behavior, firing a ballistic missile toward the sea on August 12. Trump also had no reason to expect South Korea to join him in his war of choice against Iran, as Trump did not confer with allies other than Israel and some of the Gulf monarchies before the initiation of hostilities. Furthermore, North Korea and Iran are close allies; both have cooperates on missile technology, some of which is responsible for the loss in American and allied life.
