Pacific Winds 20260122
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Donald Trump’s America-first policies are pushing countries into China’s embrace
ABC (AU) 20260121
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-21/donald-trump-is-a-gift-to-china-that-keeps-on-giving/106249578
US allies’ hedging is a rational response to end of Pax Americana
Asia Times 20260121
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/us-ally-hedging-a-rational-response-to-end-of-pax-americana/
Trump touts ‘historic’ deals with S. Korea, Japan, other countries; stresses push to acquire Greenland
Yonhap 20260121
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260121010500315
Japan finds itself in a precarious position, one year into ‘Trump 2.0’
Japan Times 20260121
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/21/japan/politics/trump-us-japan-year-one/
Japan, South Korea Defense Ministers Mull Meeting Soon; Nations Work to Repair Damaged Relationship
Yomiuri 20260121
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260121-305539/
Defense chief to visit Japan next week for talks with Japanese counterpart: sources
Yonhap 20260121
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260121002651315
South Korea Can Stand Up to China
FA 20260121
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/south-korea-can-stand-china
South Korean president reportedly ‘confident’ about creating cooperative measures that benefit ROK, China; expert says remarks continue to signal willingness to improve ties
GT 20260121
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353800.shtml
South Korean deal shows China’s EV sector opens new co-op opportunities
GT 20260121
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353863.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
New Zealand and Palau eye the next two Pacific Forums
PINA 20260121
https://pina.com.fj/2026/01/21/new-zealand-and-palau-eye-the-next-two-pacific-forums/
Low-hanging fruit of anti-Americanism
GDP 20260120
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/low-hanging-fruit-of-anti-americanism/article_39ff4103-64bf-4e5f-b853-0ddcdedaeb78.html
Two Saipan companies among 114 firms awarded $45B military contract
Marianas Variety 20260121
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/local-news-two-saipan-companies-among-114-firms-awarded-45b-military-contract-pcxig049/article_46158366-045b-431a-ae98-dc1964595f14.html/
Residents participate in Saipan Community Day with U.S Air Force
Marianas Press 20260121
https://marianaspress.com/news/article/residents-participate-in-saipan-community-day-with-us-air-force
Island Waves
Fourth China Medical Team Conducts Community Free Clinicat Gilbert Camp
Solomon Star 20260121
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/fourth-china-medical-team-conducts-community-free-clinicat-gilbert-camp/
US to require up to US$15,000 visa bond for Fijian travellers from today
Fiji Village 20260121
https://www.fijivillage.com/news/us-to-require-up-to-us-15-000-visa-bond-for-fijian-travellers-from-tomorrow-8992a6/
Taiwan + SCS
Most Taiwanese doubtful of self-defense: survey
Taipei Times 20260122
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/01/22/2003851023
What Does Trump’s Greenland Grab Mean for Taiwan?
The Diplomat 20260122
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/what-does-trumps-greenland-grab-mean-for-taiwan/
Despite Trump’s Pressure, $40 Billion in Military Money Is Stalling in Taiwan
NYTimes 20260121
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/world/asia/taiwan-trump-military-gridlock-china.html
Lai hails Taiwan–US tariff deal
Taiwan News 20260121
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6287076
In Taiwan, pressure builds over US deal as critics question true cost of tariff cut
SCMP 20260121
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3340583/taiwan-pressure-builds-over-us-deal-critics-question-true-cost-us-tariff-cut
So-called trade deal between US and Taiwan region would turn ‘tech island’ into ‘hollow island’: mainland spokesperson
GT 20260121
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1353782.shtml
Less than 15% of TSMC advanced processes in U.S. by 2029: Expert
CNA (TW) 20260121
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202601210017
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval vessels, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260121
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6286598
Philippines eyes ‘game changer’ for maritime defence with French shipbuilding boost
SCMP 20260121
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340588/philippines-eyes-game-changer-maritime-defence-french-shipbuilding-boost
Capabilities
China’s new H-6J maritime strike bomber: sharper vision, longer range, versatile roles
SCMP 20260121
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3340595/chinas-new-h-6j-maritime-strike-bomber-more-vision-more-range-more-roles
U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command 2025 in Review
USNI 20260121
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/21/u-s-navys-military-sealift-command-2025-in-review
Assessing the U.S. Indo-Pacific Munitions System
Heritage 20260120
https://www.heritage.org/tidalwave/chapters/chapter-6-assessing-the-us-indo-pacific-munitions-system
Lee says N. Korea continues to produce enough nuclear material for 10 to 20 nuclear bombs per year
Yonhap 20260121
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260121004400315
Drones are shaping warfare in Europe; here’s how they’ll do the same in the Indo-Pacific
Breaking Defense 20260120
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/drones-are-shaping-warfare-in-europe-heres-how-theyll-do-the-same-in-the-indo-pacific/
Could China draw battlefield inspiration from Ukraine’s drone-borne micro bombs?
SCMP 20260121
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3340685/could-china-draw-battlefield-inspiration-ukraines-drone-borne-micro-bombs
The National Commission on the Future of the Navy: The time is now
Breaking Defense 20260121
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/the-national-commission-on-the-future-of-the-navy-the-time-is-now/
Built for speed, a new quick-reaction Air Force unit delivers aid across Indo-Pacific
S&S 20260121
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2026-01-21/air-force-quick-humanitarian-assistance-20474536.html
Canada’s senior diplomat notes strong confidence in S. Korean capabilities amid submarine bid
Yonhap 20260121
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260121006400315
SDA taps Starfish for first-of-its-kind satellite disposal service
Breaking Defense 20260121
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/sda-taps-starfish-for-first-of-its-kind-satellite-disposal-service/
Accelerating digital transformation is the keystone to deterring space war
Space News 20260121
https://spacenews.com/accelerating-digital-transformation-is-the-keystone-to-deterring-space-war/
Defense Budget:Effects of Continuing Resolutions on Selected Activities and Programs Critical to DOD’s National Security Mission
GAO 20260121
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-107065.pdf
Power
Chaos as Condition, Order as Achievement: Rethinking US Strategic Assumptions in Twenty-First-Century Interventions
MWI 20260120
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/chaos-as-condition-order-as-achievement-rethinking-us-strategic-assumptions-in-twenty-first-century-interventions/
Betting on War: Prediction Markets and the Corruption of National Security
WOTR 20260121
https://warontherocks.com/2026/01/betting-on-war-prediction-markets-and-the-corruption-of-national-security/
Exercises
Japan Reports 14% Decrease in Fighter Scrambles to Shadow Chinese, Russian Forces Over Last 9 Months
USNI 20260120
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/20/japan-reports-14-decrease-in-fighter-scrambles-to-shadow-chinese-russian-forces-over-last-9-months