Visits to Manila, Seoul and Tokyo seek to reassure, even as the Iran war drains assets and White House rhetoric rattles allies
4-MIN READ4-MINSam BeltranPublished: 12:00pm, 19 Aug 2026Senior US defence officials have fanned out across Asia in recent weeks to reassure allies of Washington’s commitment to the region, even as the war with Iran strains American resources and President Donald Trump fuels doubts by criticising joint combat drills with South Korea.The visits by Admiral Frank Bradley and Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby were intended to show that Washington was still invested in the Indo-Pacific, according to analysts.
But the comments by Bradley and Colby have been complicated by Trump’s suggestion that the US military should “substantially reduce” the drills held in South Korea.
“The best way to deter conflict is by being able to demonstrate convincingly to any adversary who may want to start a conflict that they won’t be able to win it,” Bradley said.
