Pacific Winds 20260125
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
US defense plan calls for ‘strength, not confrontation’ versus China
Nikkei 20260124
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/defense/us-defense-plan-calls-for-strength-not-confrontation-versus-china
US defence strategy banks on strength – not confrontation – to deny China in Indo-Pacific
SCMP 20260124
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3341099/us-defence-strategy-banks-strength-not-confrontation-deny-china-indo-pacific
U.S. defense strategy downplays China threat, says it will limit support for allies
Japan Times 20260124
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/24/asia-pacific/us-national-defense-strategy-2026/
US army says homeland, curbing China priorities; limited support for allies
Al Jazeera 20260124
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/24/us-army-says-homeland-curbing-china-priorities-limited-support-for-allies
US’ National Defense Strategy reportedly adopts softer tone toward China; concrete actions needed to maintain stable ties: expert
GT 20260124
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354089.shtml
S. Korea capable of taking ‘primary’ responsibility to deter N.K. with ‘critical, but more limited’ U.S. support: NDS
Yonhap 20260124
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260124002452315
New U.S. strategy signals USFK posture ‘upgrade,’ ups pressure on S. Korea to boost defense capabilities
Yonhap 20260124
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260124003000315
US looks to South Korea to take ‘primary responsibility’ in monitoring Kim Jong Un and North Korea
ABC (AU) 20260124
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-24/pentagon-north-korea-kim-jong-un-threat-usa-looks-to-south-korea/106265180
Pentagon foresees ‘more limited’ role in deterring North Korea
Reuters 20260124
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/pentagon-foresees-more-limited-role-deterring-north-korea-2026-01-24/
Pentagon releases National Defense Strategy, with homeland defense as top priority
Breaking Defense 20260124
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354089.shtml
US unveils national defence strategy to counter China in Indo-Pacific
FT 20260124
https://www.ft.com/content/a0153971-1e92-4ff8-b603-e393e7b6c93f
U.S. urges allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP
Kyodo 20260124
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/69162
What about Taiwan? Why US foreign policy is now all about the western hemisphere
SCMP 20260124
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341101/what-about-taiwan-why-us-foreign-policy-now-all-about-western-hemisphere
National Defense Strategy 2026
US DoW/DoD 20260123
https://media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/2003864773/-1/-1/0/2026-NATIONAL-DEFENSE-STRATEGY.PDF
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry in Transition: Pragmatic Diplomacy in Practice
The Diplomat 20260123
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/south-koreas-foreign-ministry-in-transition-pragmatic-diplomacy-in-practice/
The Philippines-Japan strategic partnership is critical
Phil Star 20260125
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2026/01/25/2503253/philippines-japan-strategic-partnership-critical/amp/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
U.S. leaders need to ‘show up’ in the Pacific says island ally
Star-Advertiser 20260124
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2026/01/24/hawaii-news/u-s-leaders-need-to-show-up-in-the-pacific-says-island-ally/
Guam leaders link federal overreach, status uncertainty as island weighs its future
GDP 20260124
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/guam-leaders-link-federal-overreach-status-uncertainty-as-island-weighs-its-future/article_a5adb152-e4e7-4bda-ae6b-47953b6862cf.html
Island Waves
MCC delegation in Vanuatu to review progress, discuss priorities
Daily Post 20260124
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/mcc-delegation-in-vanuatu-to-review-progress-discuss-priorities/article_fa5318fe-fc52-533b-8192-2ad8cfb2af20.html
RSIPF strengthens leadership with new Sergeants Program
SIBC 20260123
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/rsipf-strengthens-leadership-with-new-sergeants-program/
Taiwan + SCS
The Island That Actually Matters to American Interests
NYTimes 20260124
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/opinion/taiwan-china-us-trump-xi.html
Fujian coast guard conducts routine patrol in waters near Kinmen
Xinhua 20260124
https://english.news.cn/20260124/0e6ad194b7264c91a354b7ed86d9f4d3/c.html
Taiwan tracks 26 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval vessels and 3 balloons
Taiwan News 20260124
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6289017
Capabilities
China’s retro submarine design speeds up challenge to US undersea dominance
S&S 20260123
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-01-23/china-diesel-powered-submarines-20500731.html
Why the US Army must focus on winning the first battle of the next war
Defense News 20260124
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2026/01/24/why-the-us-army-must-focus-on-winning-the-first-battle-of-the-next-war/
China cancels rocket launches after failures – but will the Long March-10A still lift off?
SCMP 20260124
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3341113/china-cancels-rocket-launches-after-failures-will-long-march-10a-still-lift
Exercises
Japan Responds to Russian Surveillance, Bomber Aircraft
USNI 20260123
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/23/japan-responds-to-russian-surveillance-bomber-aircraft