Pacific Winds 20260126
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Pentagon officially announces Colby’s trip to S. Korea, Japan following NDS release
Yonhap 20250125
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260125000200315
Japan and South Korea: Competition and Cooperation
The Diplomat 20260125
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/japan-and-south-korea-competition-and-cooperation/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Abandoned Yona softball field will be used to track space vehicle launches from South Korea
PDN 20260125
https://www.guampdn.com/news/abandoned-yona-softball-field-will-be-used-to-track-space-vehicle-launches-from-south-korea/article_5587e98d-4da4-4823-b2b6-8c5811f066a8.html
Island Waves
The Plight of Pacific Island Nations Under The Trump Administration
The Diplomat 20260125
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/the-plight-of-pacific-island-nations-under-the-trump-administration/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese military aircraft and 10 ships
Taiwan News 20260125
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6289222
Capabilities
Lee calls achieving self-reliant defense ‘most basic of basics’ over new U.S. defense strategy
Yonhap 20260125
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260124004500315
Power
‘Donroe Doctrine’ aims to weaken China, Trump’s inner circle says
Nikkei 20260125
https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/trump-administration/donroe-doctrine-aims-to-weaken-china-trump-s-inner-circle-says
The new Indo-Pacific: How a US shift to ‘Spheres of Influence’ is reshaping global power
The Week 20260125
https://www.theweek.in/theweek/more/2026/01/23/the-new-indo-pacific-how-a-us-shift-to-spheres-of-influence-is-reshaping-global-power.amp.html