Pacific Winds 202600128
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The 2026 National Defense Strategy by the Numbers: Radical Changes, Moderate Changes, and Some Continuities
CSIS 20260127
https://www.csis.org/analysis/2026-national-defense-strategy-numbers-radical-changes-moderate-changes-and-some
The US National Defense Strategy
GMF 20260126
https://www.gmfus.org/news/us-national-defense-strategy
What Does the Trump Administration’s New National Defense Strategy Say About China?
CSIS 20260126
https://www.csis.org/analysis/what-does-trump-administrations-new-national-defense-strategy-say-about-china
U.S. National Defense Strategy: Strength of Alliance Cannot Be Measured by Numbers Alone
Yomiuri 20260127
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260127-306983/
No QUAD, No Taiwan in New U.S. Defense Blueprint: Is Trump Leaving Indo-Pacific Allies To The Wolves?
EurAsian Times 20260127
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/no-quad-no-taiwan-in-new-u-s-defense-blueprint-is-trump-leaving-indo-pacific-allies-to-the-wolves/
Why China is playing it cool amid Trump’s chaos
Responsible Statecraft 20260127
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-china-restraint/
Extended U.S. nuclear deterrence nearing end, allies need options: expert
Kyodo 20260127
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/69252
The burden of being a ‘model ally’
Joon Ang 20260127
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-01-27/opinion/columns/The-burden-of-being-a-model-ally/2508789
Japan-US alliance would crumble if Tokyo ignored Taiwan crisis, PM Takaichi says
Reuters 20260127
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japan-us-alliance-would-crumble-if-tokyo-ignored-taiwan-crisis-pm-takaichi-says-2026-01-27/
Takaichi says ties will ‘collapse’ if US forces are hit in Taiwan and Tokyo does nothing
SCMP 20260127
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341359/takaichi-says-ties-will-collapse-if-us-forces-are-hit-taiwan-and-tokyo-does-nothing
Chinese FM refutes Sanae Takaichi’s latest Taiwan-related claims, says remarks expose ambitions of Japan’s right-wing forces to stir up confrontation
GT 20260127
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354283.shtml
China-Japan Conflict over the Taiwan Issue and Its Implications for South Korea
AIPS 20260127
https://asaninst.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=s1_1_eng&wr_id=275
China’s global leadership would be different
Asia Times 20260127
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/chinas-global-leadership-would-be-different/
China calls for closer defence ties with Russia in ministers’ talks
Reuters 20260127
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-calls-closer-defence-ties-with-russia-ministers-talks-2026-01-27/
China and Russia to bolster defence ties to counter risks
SCMP 20260127
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341451/china-and-russia-bolster-defence-ties-counter-risks
China stands ready to add positive energy to global security and stability with Russia, Chinese defense minister says in phone call
GT 20260127
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354296.shtml
White House official says S. Korea made ‘no progress’ despite Trump’s tariff cuts
Yonhap 20260127
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260128000352315
Vowing Higher Tariffs, Trump Rattles South Korea Months After Trade Deal
NYTimes 20260127
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/world/asia/korea-trump-higher-tariff.html
Trump says U.S. is raising auto, reciprocal tariffs on S. Korea
Yonhap 20260127
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260127000952315
Trump’s tariff hike announcement seemingly aimed at expediting S. Korea’s investment in U.S.: experts
Yonhap 20260127
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260127003100320
Trump’s Korea tariff threat possibly negotiating tactic, raises questions about U.S. trade commitment
Yonhap 20260127
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260128000200315
Trump national security tariffs threaten $621bn in trade with Asia
Nikkei 20260127
https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade-war/trump-tariffs/trump-national-security-tariffs-threaten-621bn-in-trade-with-asia
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Japan, Palau cut ribbon on revamped school, boosting island kids’ education
Island Times 20260127
https://islandtimes.org/japan-palau-cut-ribbon-on-revamped-school-boosting-island-kids-education/
Island Waves
Strengthening partnerships with Pacific Island Leaders
AU FM 20260127
https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/strengthening-partnerships-pacific-island-leaders
President Whipps Attends Pacific Islands Forum Troika Meeting in Brisbane Ahead of PIF 2026
Island Times 20260127
https://islandtimes.org/president-whipps-attends-pacific-islands-forum-troika-meeting-in-brisbane-ahead-of-pif-2026/
Taiwan + xCS
How Trump’s 2026 National Defense Strategy Approaches Taiwan and China
The Diplomat 20260127
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/how-trumps-2026-national-defense-strategy-approaches-taiwan-and-china/
Holding out: Taiwan’s priority preparations in case of Chinese blockade
ASPI 20260127
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/holding-out-taiwans-priority-preparations-in-case-of-chinese-blockade/
Taiwanese Special Defense Budget to Include Long-range American Munitions, Sea Drones
USNI 20260127
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/27/taiwanese-special-defense-budget-to-include-long-range-american-munitions-sea-drones
More firms prepare emergency plans in Taiwan as security concerns rise, US business group says
Reuters 20260127
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/more-firms-prepare-emergency-plans-taiwan-security-concerns-rise-us-business-2026-01-27/
Xi’s military purge probably cuts imminent Taiwan war risk. Probably
ASPI 20260127
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/xis-military-purge-probably-cuts-imminent-taiwan-war-risk-probably/
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese ships, 2 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260127
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6290191
Fearing China clash, Japan asks fishermen to avoid flashpoint islands
Reuters 20260127
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/fearing-china-clash-japan-asks-fishermen-avoid-flashpoint-islands-2026-01-27/
China appears set on militarizing another reef in the South China Sea
Defense News 20260127
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/01/27/china-appears-set-on-militarizing-another-reef-in-the-south-china-sea/
Philippine, US hold joint military drill at disputed South China Sea shoal
Reuters 20260127
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-us-hold-joint-sail-disputed-south-china-sea-shoal-2026-01-27/|
USN Release: https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4390339/philippines-us-conduct-bilateral-maritime-cooperative-activity/
PLA Southern Theater Command Navy conducts routine patrol in SCS; 'joint patrols' by Philippines, countries outside region disrupt peace: spokesperson
GT 20260127
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354276.shtml
US unqualified to act as judge of UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and dictate to other countries, Chinese UN envoy says on S.China Sea issue
GT 20260127
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354268.shtml
S. Korea calls China’s removal of steel tower in Yellow Sea ‘meaningful progress’
Yonhap 20260127
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260127008451315
Capabilities
It is now 85 seconds to midnight: 2026 Doomsday Clock Statement
BAS 20260127
https://thebulletin.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Doomsday-Clock-Statement.pdf
N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea
Yonhap 20260127
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260105008252315
North Korea fires at least 2 possible ballistic missiles: Japan gov’t
Kyodo 20260127
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/69323
Zumwalt’s hypersonic reboot adds punch but not parity with China
Asia Times 20260127
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/zumwalts-hypersonic-reboot-adds-punch-but-not-parity-with-china/
CRS Report to Congress on the Virginia-class Submarine Program and AUKUS Pillar I
USNI 20260127
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26510460-crs-on-aukus/
Navy shipbuilding stands to get $27 billion in funding in 2026
Defense One 20260126
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/01/navy-shipbuilding-stands-get-27-billion-funding-2026/410959/
Pentagon expands counter-drone authorities beyond ‘fence line’
Breaking Defense 20260128
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/pentagon-expands-task-forces-counter-drone-authorities-handing-commanders-more-flexibility/
Space Force envisions rolling awards for new RG-XX neighborhood watch satellites
Breaking Defense 20260126
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/space-force-envisions-rolling-awards-for-new-rg-xx-neighborhood-watch-satellites/