Trump’s decision to halt ‘ war games’ sounds alarm

move forward on talks aimed at eliminating his nuclear arsenal.

But Trump’s decision, without warning to allies South Korea and Japan, marked a potentially sharp shift in U.S. defense posture. And the president echoed North Korea’s own pejorative phrases in announcing suspension of the joint exercises with South Korea. Trump said he had agreed to stop the “war games” because they are “very provocative,” terms used by North Korea in denouncing the drills, adding that it would save the United States “a tremendous amount of money.”

He said the exercises would be suspended “unless and until we see the future negotiation” on eliminating Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal “is not going along like it should.”

The decision was quickly portrayed by critics as a onesided giveaway.

“These exercises for years have served as an important signal that the United States supports our allies in the region,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said in a statement.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, said the move “blindsided our principal ally in the region and some of our own military commanders.”

“Americans welcome the fact that President Trump has begun discussions with” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Kasich said. “But we must remain vigilant.”

Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, a Niles Democrat, said Trump “would do well to remember who our friends really are.”

“Regrettably, it seems that we have nothing today to show for our efforts other than a toothless statement and the same promises that the North Korean regime has already given and broken many times over to previous presidents,” Ryan said.

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said “the exercises with South Korea are important. I don’t think we should give them up without being sure they are meeting the requirements they’ve agreed to.”

Vice President Mike Pence reassured Republicans that smaller, routine training exercises will continue, according to Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo.

In the past, Portman said, “North Korea has used talks to stall while continuing its nuclear and missile programs, and empty promises cannot buy any more time.”

Kasich, Portman and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, brought up the tragic death of Otto Warmbier of Wyoming, Ohio, who died in Cincinnati last year shortly after being released by North Korea, where had been held in prison for more than a year. But Trump said Warmbier “did not die in vain” because his death helped bring about the nuclear talks.

The military exercises have been held since at least 1976 to help the allied forces prepare for a possible North Korea attack. Military commanders say the drills are essential in a foreign theater where rank-and-file service members, their officers and the civilian analysts who support them turn over annually.

The next scheduled major exercise normally is held in August. The Pentagon was awaiting further word on whether the August exercise would proceed.

Suspending all such drills without parallel concessions from Pyongyang takes away leverage from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is expected to lead continuing talks, said Michael Green, senior vice president for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Green said the action “is heartwarming for Moscow and Beijing.” Russia and China have long joined North Korea in denouncing the U.S. maneuvers as a rehearsal for invasion.