Pacific Winds 20250129
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Can Trump seize the moment on China?
Brookings 20250128
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/can-trump-seize-the-moment-on-china/
South Korea Doesn’t Want North Korea Labeled as a Nuclear Power. It’s Causing Friction With the United States.
Carnegie 20250123
https://carnegieendowment.org/emissary/2025/01/north-korea-nuclear-weapons-npt-us-denuclearization-policy
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
NZ-Kiribati fallout: Maamau govt minister says 'impacts to be felt by the people'
RNZ 20250128
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/540145/nz-kiribati-fallout-maamau-govt-minister-says-impacts-to-be-felt-by-the-people
Winston Peters rejects Kiribati's excuse as Hipkins urges constructive diplomacy
RNZ 20250128
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/540181/winston-peters-rejects-kiribati-s-excuse-as-hipkins-urges-constructive-diplomacy
US Sends Nuclear-Powered Submarines to China's Backyard
Newsweek 20250128
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-navy-submarines-guam-pacific-china-2021836
Resolution calls for full federal funding of Civil Defense infrastructure on Guam amid rising tensions
KUAM 20250128
https://www.kuam.com/story/52258981/resolution-calls-for-full-federal-funding-of-civil-defense-infrastructure-on-guam-amid-rising-tensions
Japan F35 stealth fighters to fly in joint drill with US, Australia for 1st time
Mainichi 20250128
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250127/p2a/00m/0na/019000c
Japan to join F-35 stealth fighter drills over Guam alongside US, Australia
S&S 20250128
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-01-28/japan-f35-guam-cope-north-16623568.html
Island Waves
Deep freeze: Trump leaves US diplomats with little to offer Pacific
Benar 20240128
https://www.benarnews.org/english/commentaries/trump-2-0-pacific-01282025001413.html
In Pacific island countries, Trump should pursue embassy transformation
ASPI 20250128
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-pacific-island-countries-trump-should-pursue-embassy-transformation/
Looking Ahead: Next Steps in the Pacific
CSIS 20250127
https://www.csis.org/analysis/looking-ahead-next-steps-pacific
USAID Projects now in Limbo
Tavuli 20240928
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/usaid-review-solomon-islands/
Fiji should prepare for US deportees, says Naidu
FBCN 20250128
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-should-prepare-for-us-deportees-says-naidu/
PM acknowledges former DCGA, China for new medical centre
Solomon Star 20240928
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/pm-acknowledges-former-dcga-china-for-new-medical-centre/
Taiwan + SCS
How much of the world really backs Beijing’s claim to Taiwan?
Lowy 20250129
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/how-much-world-really-backs-beijing-s-claim-taiwan
China May Have Practiced Blocking U.S. Forces in Drill Near Taiwan, Says Japan Institute for National Fundamentals
Yomiuri 20250128
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20250128-235339/
Taiwanese premier calls to roll back ‘absolutely irrational’ military costs freeze
SCMP 20250128
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3296486/taiwanese-premier-calls-roll-back-absolutely-irrational-military-costs-freeze
Taiwan Identifies 52 ‘Suspicious’ Chinese Ships for Close Monitoring
Defense Post 20250128
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/01/28/taiwan-chinese-ships-monitoring/
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese naval ships, 6 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250128
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6024823
West PH Sea: Fewer Chinese ships seen during latest Ayungin resupply mission
Inquirer (PH) 20250128
https://www.inquirer.net/426674/west-ph-sea-fewer-chinese-ships-spotted-during-latest-ayungin-resupply/#ixzz8yfQVSb4e
Capabilities
Philippines to Train With US Typhon Missile System Next Month
Defense Post 20250128
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/01/28/philippines-us-typhon-missile-system/
Trump’s Iron Dome for America calls for space-based interceptors
Breaking Defense 20250128
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/trumps-iron-dome-for-america-calls-for-space-based-interceptors/
Weaponizing Space Key To Trump’s Iron Dome Missile Defense Shield Vision
TWZ 20250128
https://www.twz.com/news-features/weaponizing-space-key-to-trumps-iron-dome-missile-defense-shield-vision
‘What the f— is going on?’ Confusion, uncertainty in industry as Army contracts seemingly halted
Breaking Defense 20250128
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/what-the-f-is-going-on-confusion-uncertainty-in-industry-as-army-contracts-seemingly-halted/
Images show China building huge fusion research facility, analysts say
Reuters 20250128
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/images-show-china-building-huge-fusion-research-facility-analysts-say-2025-01-28/
CRS Report to Congress on TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program
USNI 20250128
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/28/report-to-congress-on-tagos-25-ocean-surveillance-shipbuilding-program
A shipbuilding action plan for the Trump administration
Breaking Defense 20250128
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/a-shipbuilding-action-plan-for-the-trump-administration/
Leidos Eyes Oil Rigs for Logistical Hubs, Faster VLS Reloading
Naval News 20250128
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/01/leidos-eyes-oil-rigs-for-logistical-hubs-faster-vls-reloading/
Exercises
British carrier strike group to counter Chinese influence
UKDJ 20240928
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-carrier-strike-group-to-counter-chinese-influence/