Threatening Friends and Courting Enemies in Trump’s ‘Upside-Down World’
The president’s hostility to allies like Oman, Canada and South Korea, and his affection for adversaries like North Korea, may still shock some. But it comes as little surprise after a decade of uphea
Politics
nytimes.com
19.08.2026
China’s top envoy to visit Seoul as Trump shakes U.S.-South Korea ties
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet his South Korean counterpart, Cho Hyun, to discuss North Korea and bilateral and global issues.
World
japantimes.co.jp
18.08.2026
BBC breaks down Trump's latest shift on North and South Korea
Trump said the US will "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his "very good relationship" with Kim Jong Un.
World
bbc.co.uk
18.08.2026
Why did Trump scale back war games with South Korea?
US president cites good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
World
aljazeera.com
17.08.2026
Trump scales down war games with South Korea: Why it matters
US president cites Seoul's reluctance to back his war on Iran, and his warm ties with North Korea's leader as reasons.
World
aljazeera.com
17.08.2026
Trump orders Pentagon to "substantially reduce" military exercises with South Korea
President Trump said Sunday that the joint military exercises with South Korea are costly and they "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea.
World
cbsnews.com
17.08.2026
Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea
President Trump explained the decision by saying South Korea had declined to help with the "denuclearization" of Iran and he cited his good relationship with North Korea's leader.
World
npr.org
17.08.2026
Trump orders Pentagon to 'scale back' military drills with South Korea citing good relations with Kim Jong Un
The US president previously slammed the joint drills as “provocative” in 2018 following a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore.
World
euronews.com
17.08.2026
Trump says US to ‘substantially reduce’ military drills with South Korea
US president says he's 'not happy' about the drills, citing his 'very good relationship' with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.
World
aljazeera.com
17.08.2026
Yonhap: North Korean troops briefly crossed the border with South Korea
Azerbaijan
apa.az
16.08.2026
North Korea fumes over upcoming US-South Korea military drills
Pyongyang has accused the US of pushing the world 'to the brink of nuclear war'.
World
aljazeera.com
14.08.2026
North Korea’s denuclearization absent from readouts of latest U.S.-South Korea talks
Questions have grown about Washington and Seoul's commitment to seeking to rid Pyongyang of its nukes after top diplomats' meeting.
World
japantimes.co.jp
25.08.2026
Trump plays nuclear poker with Kim Jong Un — but who holds the cards?
Trump faces a stronger North Korea with 50-70 nuclear weapons and a powerful new partner in Russia, leaving denuclearization increasingly out of reach.
Politics
foxnews.com
23.08.2026
What Trump’s crush on Kim means for the Indo-Pacific
As the U.S president cozies up to the North Korean dictator, America's allies in the region are building a new defense architecture.
World
japantimes.co.jp
23.08.2026
Trump Really Wants to Talk but Kim Jong Un Is Not Taking Anyone's Calls
Trump met North Korea's leader three times during his first term, but is yet to see Kim face-to-face in his second administration.
Politics
newsweek.com
21.08.2026
CNN: North Korea has sent another 8,500 troops to Russia
Azerbaijan
apa.az
21.08.2026
North Korea enjoys rare ‘dash for flash’
Kim Jong Un’s backing for Russian war on Ukraine fuels construction boom and sales of luxury goods
Finance
ft.com
21.08.2026
North Korea’s economy enjoys rare ‘dash for flash’
Kim Jong Un’s backing for Russian war on Ukraine fuels construction boom and sales of luxury goods
Finance
ft.com
21.08.2026
North Korea is ratcheting up its anti-Japan rhetoric
Tokyo is becoming a bigger factor in Pyongyang's geopolitical maneuvering — and a more useful justification to press ahead with its military ambitions.
World
japantimes.co.jp
21.08.2026
On Nuclear Weapons, Trump Said the Quiet Part Out Loud
There are 57 reasons why Trump's handling of North Korea and Iran is not the same.
Politics
newsweek.com
20.08.2026