Pacific Winds 20260112
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump’s China cacophony not music to American ears
EAF 20260111
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/11/trumps-china-cacophony-not-music-to-american-ears/
South Korea walks a narrow bridge between China and Japan
Asia Times 20260111
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/south-korea-walks-a-narrow-bridge-between-china-and-japan/
S.Korea finds devt synergy in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan
GT 20260111
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352889.shtml
N. Korea slams Japan’s push to revise 3 key national security documents
Yonhap 20260111
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260111000800315
Japanese PM’s claim on China’s export control on dual-use items exposes ‘lack of sincerity and dangerous foreign policy approach,’ expert says
GT 20260111
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352883.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Stop bogarting the land or you will be mullard
PDN 20260111
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-underwood-stop-bogarting-the-land-or-you-will-be-mullard/article_ffcb0eed-8f59-4821-b496-9b2ed86f3606.html
Island Waves
History unsettled, military burdens: Why Ryukyu people say ‘NO’ to US bases
GT 20260111
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352888.shtml
Taiwan + SCS
Legislator says HIMARS shifts Taiwan Army’s mission
Taiwan News 20260111
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6280445
Taiwan tracks 4 PLA aircraft and 7 ships
Taiwan News 20260111
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6280390
Capabilities
Japan Seeks to Enhance Defense Capabilities in Pacific as 3 National Security Documents to Be Revised
Yomiuri 20260111
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260111-303472/
Japan expands Pacific defense and surveillance to counter China
Chosun Biz 20260111
https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-international/2026/01/11/7T4QJK7JCBGOTJQOLNB55WJ47A/
Defense Spending Set to Top ¥9 Trillion: Vigilant Monitoring of Western Pacific Is Needed
Yomiuri 20260111
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260111-303463/
Can China’s Military Actually Fight?
The Diplomat 20260109
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/can-chinas-military-actually-fight/
N. Korea says it takes note of Seoul’s announcement military not involved in drone incursions
Yonhap 20260111
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260111000400315
China set to supercharge fifth-gen J-20 stealth fighter with radar, engine and AI upgrades
SCMP 20260111
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3339481/china-set-supercharge-fifth-gen-j-20-stealth-fighter-radar-engine-and-ai-upgrades
Power
US strips moral framing from foreign aid in ‘America first’ pivot
SCMP 20260111
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3339382/us-strips-moral-framing-foreign-aid-america-first-pivot
US strategy turns inward under Trump
EAF 20260111
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/11/us-strategy-turns-inward-under-trump/