Donald Trump is a president who never seems to be out of the headlines, normally for all the wrong reasons. Trump has diminished the US presidency, this will take multiple terms of new presidents to return the prestige of the US President to world leadership status. Donald Trump in his wisdom has halted the annual military exercises with only half the exercise complete.

For his latest fiasco, Trump has infuriated longtime friend of the United States, South Korea. There are numerous US bases in South Korea, this is an important strategic partner in Asia. Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, close to Seoul is the South Korean headquarters. This is designated the United States Forces Korea [USFK] and largest overseas US base with over 41,000 personnel on site. Camp Humphreys hosts Desiderio Army Airfield [K-6]; a busy airfield hosting the 2nd Infantry Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade.

There is the Osan Air Base, the primary base for the 7th Air Force south west of Seoul with F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 51st Fighter Wing and A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft affectionately known as the Warthog. The Osan Air Base also hosts There is also the Kunsan Air Base, further south of the Osan Air Base on the coast hosting the 8th Fighter Wing with F-16 Fighting Falcons. There are also air support operations at the base, so this is a serious installation in South Korea. Then there is Camp Walker and Camp Henry in the south east region providing logistical support.

Trump called the military exercises “inappropriate and hostile” towards North Korea. This is, of course, the same North Korea that is sending weapons and troops to aid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Donald Trump believes he has a special relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un whom Trump will meet with again later this year. Trump has some affection for dictators, his special relationship with Vladimir Putin allows him to be played like a puppet on the world stage. Trump even stated that as South Korea refused to assist the US in its attack on Iran, it is not a true ally of the US. This is another strategic blunder by Trump, not deterred by his failure in Iran, he believes countries such as South Korea should commit themselves to pulling the US out of the quagmire that Trump himself created.