Washington is pulling military support away from South Korea after Seoul declined to help in the Iran war — bad news for South Korea, and for Ukraine too.

• Trump ordered a big cut to the annual joint military drills with South Korea, praising Kim Jong-un as "unthreatening and respectful."
• The real trigger: Seoul said no when asked to pitch in on Iran, and Trump is now questioning why the US defends it at all.
• Missile interceptors and other weapons have been shifted from Korea to the Middle East, leaving stockpiles thin.
• Ukraine is feeling the same squeeze, with Patriot launchers running empty as Russian strikes get through.
• North Korea has run two dozen ballistic missile tests since Trump returned to office and is deepening ties with Russia.

Outlook: Expect more friction between Washington and Seoul, and thinner air defenses for both South Korea and Ukraine while the Iran war drags on.