Despite Trump's claims, U.S. troops in the region have value

Opinion

Despite Trump’s claims, U.S. troops in the region have value

Republican nominee's proposals show little understanding of wider security situation in Asia

Donald Kirk July 25, 2016

Despite Trump’s claims, U.S. troops in the region have value

Trump by IoSonoUnaFotoCamera on 2016-07-07 11:16:48

Koreans have good reason to be concerned about Donald Trump. It’s fine for him to want to “make America great again,” to denounce his opponents, all of them, in the most scathing, insulting terms, but it’s hard to believe that this seemingly tough guy would actually betray South Korea.

That’s exactly what Trump threatens to do when he suggests the U.S. might as well pull its 78,500 or so troops from Korea and Japan. He wants to know what the U.S. is getting for this investment but doesn’t seem aware of the obvious responses.

About the Author

Donald Kirk

Donald Kirk is a veteran correspondent and noted author on conflict and crisis from Southeast Asia to the Middle East to Northeast Asia. Don has covered wars from Vietnam to Iraq, focusing on political, diplomatic, economic and social as well as military issues. He is also known for his reporting on North Korea, including the nuclear crisis, human rights and payoffs from South to North Korea preceding the June 2000 inter-Korean summit. Kirk earned his Bachelors at Princeton and a Masters in International Relations from the University of Chicago. He also holds an honorary doctorate of letters from the University of Maryland College Park.

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