US defence chiefs tour Asia to calm fears as Trump’s drill remarks sow doubts

News - South China Morning Post · Aug 19, 2026

Senior 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...