Retired colonel knocks Trump order to cut back on ‘critical’ joint exercises with South Korea - The Hill

“A retired U.S. Army colonel publicly challenged President Trump's directive to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, labeling the drills as essential to regional stability and deterrence against North Korean aggression. The colonel warned that reducing these ‘critical’ exercises could embolden Pyongyang and undermine the U.S. security umbrella in East Asia, potentially raising defense spending for American forces stationed abroad. For U.S. businesses, heightened tensions could disrupt supply chains in the Pacific, affect technology component imports, and increase insurance premiums for firms operating in the region. Expert Analysis: The pushback underscores a growing rift between the Pentagon’s strategic priorities and political leadership, suggesting future congressional hearings and possible legislative safeguards for alliance commitments. A prolonged scaling‑back could also spur allies to seek alternative security arrangements, reshaping defense market dynamics and creating opportunities for domestic defense contractors.”