Drills Reduced, Crisis Escalated: 5 Reasons Freedom Shield 2026 Is Shaking Up the Korean Peninsula Security Equation
The US and South Korea will commence Freedom Shield exercises from March 9–19. While field training exercises have been dramatically reduced to 22 sessions — just one-third of last year's FS — the Korean Peninsula security paradox deepens as the Iran crisis, North Korean backlash, and the ticking clock of OPCON transfer all converge.