By — Geoff Bennett Geoff Bennett By — Dan Sagalyn Dan Sagalyn Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/south-korea-relationship-shift-highlights-trumps-transactional-approach-to-allies Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio President Trump is straining one of America’s closest alliances after scaling back joint military exercises with South Korea. He cited their cost, his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Seoul’s refusal to join the Iran war. It's the latest example of Trump taking a transactional approach to alliances. Geoff Bennett discussed more with retired Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery. Listen to this Segment Watch Watch the Full Episode PBS NewsHour from Aug 18, 2026 By — Geoff Bennett Geoff Bennett Geoff Bennett is co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS News Hour, where he brings incisive reporting and sharp analysis to the political and cultural forces shaping American life. @GeoffRBennett By — Dan Sagalyn Dan Sagalyn As the deputy senior producer for foreign affairs and defense at the PBS NewsHour, Dan plays a key role in helping oversee and produce the program’s foreign affairs and defense stories. His pieces have broken new ground on an array of military issues, exposing debates simmering outside the public eye. @DanSagalyn