Pacific Winds 20250112
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan foreign minister to visit Philippines next week for defense, security talks
PhilStar 20250110
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/01/10/2413232/japan-foreign-minister-visit-philippines-next-week-defense-security-talks
Japan Foreign Minister Iwaya arranging to attend Trump inauguration
Kyodo 20250111
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/f1957257f9bd-update1-japan-foreign-minister-iwaya-arranging-to-attend-trump-inauguration.html
Japan must remain vigilant as Trump 2.0 looms
EAF 20250111
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/11/japan-must-remain-vigilant-as-trump-2-0-looms/
Biden team urges Trump administration to keep continuity in Indo-Pacific
VoA 20250110
https://www.voanews.com/a/biden-team-urges-trump-administration-to-keep-continuity-in-indo-pacific-/7933121.html
US national security adviser fears Trump might push some Indo-Pacific nations toward China
SCMP 20250111
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3294340/us-national-security-adviser-fears-trump-might-push-some-indo-pacific-nations-toward-china
Hicks Outlines Plan Tied to Strategic Competition With China
US DoD 20250110
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4026474/hicks-outlines-plan-tied-to-strategic-competition-with-china/
Pentagon 'concerned China will instigate' avoidable conflict: DepSecDef
Defense One 20250110
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/01/pentagon-concerned-china-will-instigate-avoidable-conflict-depsecdef/402107/
Blacklisting of Tencent, CATL fuels US-China tensions
Asia Times 20250111
https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/blacklisting-of-tencent-catl-fuels-us-china-tensions/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
The US Pivot to Asia Reborn: Old Grand Strategies, New Challenges
The Diplomat 20250110
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/the-us-pivot-to-asia-reborn-old-grand-strategies-new-challenges/
Governor shares input provided in missile defense system impact statement
KUAM 20250111
https://www.kuam.com/story/52148984/governor-shares-input-provided-in-missile-defense-system-impact-statement
Island Waves
‘No one will stop our people’: Bougainville president defiant in push for independence
Guardian 20250110
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/10/no-one-will-stop-our-people-bougainville-president-defiant-in-push-for-independence
Japanese leaders urge more restrictions on US troops after latest sexual assault allegation
S&S 20250110
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-01-10/okinawa-military-sexual-assault-cases-16437442.html
Taiwan + SCS
Philippines posts Japanese radar system on islands closest to Taiwan
Taiwan News 20250111
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6013034
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft and 5 ships
Taiwan News 20250111
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6012972
Philippines starts Spratly Islands upgrades after months of tension with China
SCMP 20250111
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3294356/philippines-starts-spratly-islands-upgrades-after-months-tension-china
Philippines seeks diplomatic means in South China Sea disputes but will defend sovereign rights: Foreign Secretary
CNA (SG) 20250110
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippine-foreign-affairs-secretary-enrique-manalo-south-china-sea-donald-trump-4847936
Capabilities
Delivery of F-35B Lightning II Fighters to Japan Delayed
USNI 20250110
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/10/delivery-of-f-35b-lightning-ii-fighters-to-japan-delayed
U.S. Army Validates Maritime Transport of Typhon Missile System
Naval News 20250111
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sna-2025/2025/01/u-s-army-validates-maritime-transport-of-typhon-missile-system/
US ‘risks electronic warfare’ with China after unveiling anti-satellite jammer network
SCMP 20250111
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3294367/us-risks-electronic-warfare-china-after-unveiling-anti-satellite-jammer-network
Machine Failing: The Linkage Between Software Development and Military Accidents
WOTR 20250110
https://warontherocks.com/2025/01/machine-failing-the-linkage-between-software-development-and-military-accidents/
Power
Gradually, then suddenly: in geopolitics, decades can happen in weeks
ASPI 20250111
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/gradually-then-suddenly-in-geopolitics-decades-can-happen-in-weeks/