Pacific Winds 20260121
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Military advised to establish joint operations command to prepare for wartime control transfer
Yonhap 20260120
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260120002900315
Assessing China’s Intentions from the Korea-China Summit(January 5, 2026) and South Korea’s Responses
AIPS 20260120
https://asaninst.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=s1_1_eng&wr_id=273
Progressive civic groups, lawmakers call for suspension of S. Korea-U.S. military drills
Yonhap 20260120
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260120004300315
FM Cho says seeking to hold talks with China’s Wang Yi in ‘1st quarter’
Yonhap 20260120
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260120007800315
Gov’t, business lobbies discuss U.S. visa issues to support S. Korean firms
Yonhap 20260120
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260120008200315
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Palau Senate Moves Swiftly to Block U.S. Deportee Transfers Under MOU
Island Times 20260120
https://islandtimes.org/palau-senate-moves-swiftly-to-block-u-s-deportee-transfers-under-mou/
Whipps labels US Palau deportation deal a 'win, win'
ABC (AU) 20260119
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/whipps-labels-us-palau-deportation-deal-a-win-win-/106247386
U.S. and Palau Promote Local Business Participation in Landmark Port and Harbor Project
Island Times 20260120
https://islandtimes.org/u-s-and-palau-promote-local-business-participation-in-landmark-port-and-harbor-project/
Island Waves
New Caledonia agreement signed in Paris
Islands Business 20260120
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/new-caledonia-agreement-signed-in-paris/
Another New Caledonia agreement signed in Paris
RNZ 20260120
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/584502/another-new-caledonia-agreement-signed-in-paris
PNG holds back on Bougainville’s freedom
Islands Business 20260120
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/44174/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwanese military’s closed-door meeting draws ‘black box’ criticism
SCMP 20260120
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3340451/taiwanese-militarys-closed-door-meeting-draws-black-box-criticism
China’s air force has technology that rivals the US’s and it could be pivotal in any conflict over Taiwan
ABC (AU) 20260121
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-21/chinese-air-force-rivals-us-taiwan-conflict/106212470
Taiwan plans to buy 200,000 military drones
Taiwan News 20260120
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6285980
Taiwan’s drone program is far too small
ASPI 20260120
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/taiwans-drone-program-is-far-too-small/
Charting a Course: Addressing Chinese Maritime Coercion Around Taiwan
CIMSEC 20260119
https://cimsec.org/charting-a-course-addressing-chinese-maritime-coercion-around-taiwan/
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval ships, 2 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260120
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6285697
Chinese military expels intruding Philippine aircraft from territorial airspace over Huangyan Dao: spokesperson
Xinhua 20260120
https://english.news.cn/20260120/4898536bd06d4ba6ac8f19d1a5c367df/c.html
Capabilities
Missiles and multipolarity: Can an Indo-Pacific coalition defeat China’s missile overmatch?
USSC 20260120
https://www.ussc.edu.au/missiles-and-multipolarity-can-an-indo-pacific-coalition-defeat-china-s-missile-overmatch
Asia’s nuclear reckoning and the crisis of US deterrence
Asia Times 20260120
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/asias-nuclear-reckoning-and-the-crisis-of-us-deterrence/
U.S. and Japan turn to drones to help offset China’s military advantages
Japan Times 20260120
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/20/japan/us-japan-drones-focus/
US hoping sea drones can narrow China’s naval edge
Asia Times 20260120
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/us-hoping-sea-drones-can-narrow-chinas-naval-edge/
Pushed around by China, Australia is not a serious middle power
ASPI 20260120
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/pushed-around-by-china-australia-is-not-a-serious-middle-power/
Keeping Australian Defence contestability independent
Lowy 20260120
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/keeping-australian-defence-contestability-independent
China completes 50 commercial space launches in 2025: CNSA
GT 20260120
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353705.shtml
China is building ‘full-stack’ defense-innovation cities
Defense One 20260119
https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/01/china-building-full-stack-defense-innovation-cities/410779/
FY26 defense bill boosts budget by $8B, largely bypassing last-minute $28B munitions request
Breaking Defense 20260120
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/fy26-defense-bill-boosts-budget-by-8b-largely-bypassing-last-minute-28b-munitions-request/
Exercises
PLA Navy's Type 055 large destroyer boosts anti-submarine capabilities with confrontational exercise in South China Sea
GT 20260120
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353715.shtml
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 20, 2026
USNI 20260120
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/20/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-jan-20-2026