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US defence officials tour Asia amid doubts over South Korea drill plans
The outreach comes as analysts weigh how Trump’s call to substantially reduce South Korea joint drills could affect deterrence messaging in the region.
Senior US defence officials have traveled across Asia in recent weeks to reassure allies of Washington’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific, despite strains from the war with Iran, according to SCMP Economy. The visits aimed to signal that the United States remains invested in the region even as resources are stretched.
SCMP Economy said Admiral Frank Bradley and Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby have been meeting counterparts as concerns build around President Donald Trump’s criticism of joint combat drills with South Korea. Trump suggested the US military should substantially reduce those drills.
SCMP Economy also noted that Bradley’s comments tied deterrence to the ability to demonstrate combat capability. Bradley said the best way to deter conflict is to convincingly show adversaries they will not be able to win it.
The article said analysts viewed the officials’ regional outreach as an attempt to counter uncertainty created by the drill remarks, while acknowledging that the messaging has become more complicated in the current environment.