Pacific Winds 20260127
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Alliance with US would ‘collapse’ if Japan fled a Taiwan crisis: Takaichi
Nikkei 20260127
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/taiwan-tensions/alliance-with-us-would-collapse-if-japan-fled-a-taiwan-crisis-takaichi
Asia’s response to the rupture of the rules-based global order
EAF 20260126
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/26/asias-response-to-the-rupture-of-the-rules-based-global-order/
Colby calls S. Korea ‘model ally’ again for pledging to increase defense spending, take greater defense burden
Yonhap 20260126
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260126010400315
Pentagon Official Praises Seoul as US Eyes Less Military Support
Bloomberg 20260126
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-26/pentagon-official-in-seoul-as-us-eyes-military-support-reduction
Remarks by Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby at the Sejong Institute in South Korea (As Delivered)
US DoW 20260126
https://www.war.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/4389207/remarks-by-under-secretary-of-war-for-policy-elbridge-colby-at-the-sejong-insti/
What 2026 U.S. National Defense Strategy means for Korea
Korea Times 20260126
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/opinion/20260126/what-the-2026-us-national-defense-strategy-means-for-korea-lessons-risks-and-required-action
US Defense Strategy Signals Shift in Korea Defense, Pushing Seoul to Lead
The Diplomat 20260126
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/us-defense-strategy-signals-shift-in-korea-defense-pushing-seoul-to-lead/
Three potential pathways for US-China relations under Trump
Brookings 20260126
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/three-potential-pathways-for-us-china-relations-under-trump/
Trump stretches Australia’s strategic straddle
EAF 20260126
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/26/trump-stretches-australias-strategic-straddle/
China issues new Japan travel warning as row over Takaichi’s Taiwan comments rumbles on
SCMP 20260126
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341284/china-issues-new-japan-travel-warning-row-over-takaichis-taiwan-comments-rumbles
China willing to work with US to manage differences, advance cooperation and maintain stable trade ties: MOFCOM official
GT 20260126
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354194.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Palau Senate votes to block US deportees, go to referendum
RNZ 20260126
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/584977/palau-senate-votes-to-block-us-deportees-go-to-referendum
Palau Leaders Clash Over Talks on Third-Country Nationals Agreement
Island Times 20260126
https://islandtimes.org/palau-leaders-clash-over-talks-on-third-country-nationals-agreement/
Palau Executive Defends Process on U.S. Deportee Agreement, Senate and Chiefs Dispute
Island Times 20260126
https://islandtimes.org/palau-executive-defends-process-on-u-s-deportee-agreement-senate-and-chiefs-dispute/
Palauans Weigh In On Proposed Referendum Over U.S. Deportees
Island Times 20260126
https://islandtimes.org/palauans-weigh-in-on-proposed-referendum-over-u-s-deportees/
Taiwan’s New Envoy to Palau Vows to Boost Tourism, Tech Investment in Pacific Ally
Island Times 20260126
https://islandtimes.org/taiwans-new-envoy-to-palau-vows-to-boost-tourism-tech-investment-in-pacific-ally/
CNMI leaders push back against US senators’ calls to end visa waivers
RNZ 20260126
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/584989/cnmi-leaders-push-back-against-us-senators-calls-to-end-visa-waivers
Pacific delegates warn against US fast-tracking seabed mining
RNZ 20260127
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/585055/pacific-delegates-warn-against-us-fast-tracking-seabed-mining
Unified approach to impacts of militarization
PDN 20260126
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-lotz-unified-approach-to-impacts-of-militarization/article_9fcf40a9-dd67-4943-84f7-4a4b9d50b4cb.html
Island Waves
President receives executive sedan from China
FBCN 20260127
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/president-receives-executive-sedan-from-china/
RSIPF Receives Upgraded International Affairs Dept, Forensics equipment from AFP
Solomon Star 20260126
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rsipf-receives-upgraded-international-affairs-dept-forensics-equipment-from-afp/
Australia-funded solar streetlights for State Ridge community
Solomon Star 20260126
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/australia-funded-solar-streetlights-for-state-ridge-community/
PS Toiraena In Japan For Development Talks
Solomon Star 20260126
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/ps-toiraena-in-japan-for-development-talks/
First round of grant support from Australia available
Solomon Star 20260126
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/first-round-of-grant-support-from-australia-available/
Bougainville Pursues Sovereignty, Targets 2027 Timeline
Post Courier (PNG) 20260126
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/bougainville-pursues-sovereignty-targets-2027-timeline/
The longing of islanders: Indigenous people seek justice in homeland dispute with Japanese government
GT 20260126
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354221.shtml
Taiwan + SCS
China’s military purge pushes back Taiwan operation plans
Defence Blog 20260125
https://defence-blog.com/chinas-military-purge-pushes-back-taiwan-operation-plans/
Taiwan launches firepower hub with US as Beijing steps up military pressure
SCMP 20260126
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341291/taiwan-launches-firepower-hub-us-beijing-steps-military-pressure
Taiwan military’s reported ‘joint firepower coordination center’ futile attempt to resist reunification: Chinese mainland expert
GT 20260126
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354181.shtml
Taiwan defense minister denies US troops at new military facility
Taiwan News 20260126
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6289532
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese ships, 5 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260126
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6289454
Philippines lodges ‘firm representations’ to Chinese embassy over ‘escalating’ war of words on South China Sea
Reuters 20260126
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-lodges-firm-representations-chinese-embassy-over-escalating-war-2026-01-26/
Capabilities
Revisiting the ‘Normal Country’: Will Japan Continue Its Pacifist Path?
The Diplomat 20260127
https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/revisiting-the-normal-country-will-japan-continue-its-pacifist-path/
Nuclear armament is not an option for Japan’s security
GT 20260126
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354219.shtml
China Trains AI-Controlled Weapons With Learning From Hawks, Coyotes
WSJ 20260124
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-ai-weapons-hawks-wolves-2fcb58bb
New Philippine Navy OPVs to Operate VTOL Drones
Naval News 20260125
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/01/new-philippine-navy-opvs-to-operate-vtol-drones/
Defense chief, U.S. undersecretary discuss Seoul’s nuclear sub push, wartime troop control transfer
Yonhap 20260126
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260126006400315
Shandong’s use of PLA’s newest dry dock near South China Sea suggests carrier milestone
SCMP 20260126
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3341270/shandongs-use-plas-newest-dry-dock-near-south-china-sea-suggests-carrier-milestone
Can this new tech help China’s stealth bomber break the sound barrier?
SCMP 20260126
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3341295/can-new-tech-help-chinas-stealth-bomber-break-sound-barrier
Golden Dome is forcing the Pentagon to confront missile defense economics
Space News 20260125
https://spacenews.com/golden-dome-is-forcing-the-pentagon-to-confront-missile-defense-economics/
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 26, 2026
USNI 20260126
https://news.usni.org/2026/01/26/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-jan-26-2026