Robert Kelly, an international relations professor at Pusan National University, said Trump’s decision to sharply scale back US–South Korea joint military exercises appears intended to shift blame for a protracted, non‑decisive campaign against Iran. Kelly said Trump expected a quick, Venezuela‑style victory but the conflict became a slow, escalating stalemate; allies have become convenient scapegoats and South Korea was neither involved nor consulted.

2026-08-17

Robert Kelly, an international relations professor at Pusan National University, said Trump’s decision to sharply scale back US–South Korea joint military exercises appears intended to shift blame for a protracted, non‑decisive campaign against Iran. Kelly said Trump expected a quick, Venezuela‑style victory but the conflict became a slow, escalating stalemate; allies have become convenient scapegoats and South Korea was neither involved nor consulted.