Pacific Winds 20260206
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
US congressional report explores option of not delivering any Aukus nuclear submarines to Australia
Guardian 20260204
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/05/not-delivering-any-aukus-nuclear-submarines-to-australia-explored-as-option-in-us-congressional-report
Defense ministry proposes joint, partial management of DMZ to U.S.: source
Yonhap 20250205
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260204012300315
Security adviser expresses concerns over U.S. tariff risk’s impact on security consultations
Yonhap 20260205
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260205015400315
Envisioning US Forces Korea’s role in a Taiwan war
Asia Times 20260205
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/envisioning-us-forces-koreas-role-in-a-taiwan-war/
North Korea Waits for Major Concessions From Trump
The Diplomat 20260205
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/north-korea-waits-for-major-concessions-from-trump/
The side war against a not-yet-ready China
Think China 20260204
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/side-war-against-not-yet-ready-china
Carney’s guide to Australia’s middle power dilemma in the Pacific
Lowy 20260205
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/carney-s-guide-australia-s-middle-power-dilemma-pacific
Japan-Philippines Security Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region
The Diplomat 20260205
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/japan-philippines-security-cooperation-in-the-indo-pacific-region/
What Xi’s calls with Trump and Putin reveal about China’s balancing act
SCMP 20260205
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342561/what-xis-calls-trump-and-putin-reveal-about-chinas-balancing-act
Trump’s Hot New Critical Minerals Club
FP 20260205
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/05/trump-china-rare-earth-critical-mineral-trade-bloc/
Unacceptable: Chinese ambassador threatens as Australia reviews Darwin Port lease
ASPI 20260205
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/unacceptable-chinese-ambassador-threatens-as-australia-reviews-darwin-port-lease/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
The U.S. Neocolonial Binge in the Compact States
FPIF 20260205
https://fpif.org/the-u-s-neocolonial-binge-in-the-compact-states/
Marines Drill on Establishing Arming, Refueling Point at remote Tinian Island in the Pacific
USNI 20260204
https://news.usni.org/2026/02/04/marines-drill-on-establishing-arming-refueling-point-at-remote-tinian-island-in-the-pacific
Release: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/557381/free-and-open-us-marines-establish-farp-operations-tinian
The Marine Corps presence in Okinawa is critical to deterring China and North Korea
Atlantic Council 20260203
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/the-marine-corps-presence-in-okinawa-is-critical-to-deterring-china-and-north-korea/
Guam, national defense and world peace
PIT 20260205
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/guam-national-defense-and-world-peace
Looking south: Marshall Islands president visits Australia
Islands Business 20260205
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/looking-south-marshall-islands-president-visits-australia/
Island Waves
VT189.5M Wharf Road Landslide Clearance Project on track
Daily Post (VU) 20260205
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vt189-5m-wharf-road-landslide-clearance-project-on-track/article_f604645b-ee3d-5d49-8b6b-296ff379f34c.html
Japan grants VT14.8M to help women micro-entrepreneurs after earthquake
Daily Post (VU) 20260205
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/japan-grants-vt14-8m-to-help-women-micro-entrepreneurs-after-earthquake/article_c1c0b60b-0a41-51c8-a7b4-97508e2d4898.html
SINBIP Commissions Three Towers in Western Province, Choiseul
Solomon Star 20260205
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/sinbip-commissions-three-towers-in-western-province-choiseul/
MCC visit signals renewed U.S. development focus on Vanuatu
Daily Post (VU) 20260205
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/mcc-visit-signals-renewed-u-s-development-focus-on-vanuatu/article_19f793d1-46db-5ebf-89df-0994dd96be4c.html
Two constituencies laud PRC’s support
Solomon Star 20260205
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/two-constituencies-laud-prcs-support/
The fiery pursuit of development in the Pacific
EAF 20260205
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/02/05/the-fiery-pursuit-of-development-in-the-pacific/
Taiwan + SCS
Australia-Taiwan relations: Policy options and priorities for engagement
USSC 20260205
https://www.ussc.edu.au/australia-taiwan-relations-policy-options-and-priorities-for-engagement
Report calls for Australia to grow security, trade and diplomatic ties with Taiwan because of China’s influence
ABC (AU) 20260205
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-05/australia-taiwan-security-trade-ties-should-expand-experts-say/106306736
China’s Xi Presses Trump on Taiwan in Phone Call
NYTimes 20260205
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/us/politics/xi-phone-call-taiwan.html
Taiwan question at the core of China's core interests, says Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson after Chinese, US leaders' phone talk
GT 20260205
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1354842.shtml
Relations with US ‘rock solid,’ Taiwan president says after Trump-Xi call
Reuters 20260205
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/relations-with-us-rock-solid-taiwan-president-says-after-trump-xi-call-2026-02-05/
Xi, Trump and why their talks are stoking unease in Taiwan
SCMP 20260205
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3342534/xi-trump-and-why-their-talks-are-stoking-unease-taiwan
Why the “Taiwan Dome” won’t survive a Chinese attack
Lowy 20260206
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-taiwan-dome-won-t-survive-chinese-attack
Taiwan Strait missions are about international law, not provocation, French diplomat says
Reuters 20260205
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-strait-missions-are-about-international-law-not-provocation-french-2026-02-05/
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships
Taiwan News 20260205
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6296674
Capabilities
Could China’s first hybrid transport drone prove a ‘game changer’ in Taiwan Strait?
SCMP 20260205
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3342435/could-chinas-first-hybrid-transport-drone-prove-game-changer-taiwan-strait
PLA Navy commissions new Type 052D destroyer; Chinese military affairs expert highlights type’s continuous production and upgrades
GT 20260205
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1354852.shtml
US drone makers seek Asia sales as China threat rises
Reuters 20260205
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-drone-makers-seek-asia-sales-china-threat-rises-2026-02-05/
Beyond the Missile: A Cost-Per-Effect Blueprint for the Future Force
WOTR 20260205
https://warontherocks.com/2026/02/beyond-the-missile-a-cost-per-effect-blueprint-for-the-future-force/
New Report: Air Force Needs 200 B-21s, 300 F-47s to Deny Enemy ‘Sanctuaries’
Air & Space 20260204
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-report-air-force-b-21s-f-47s-enemy-sanctuaries/
To finance the $1.5T defense budget, push for $600B in reconciliation
AEI 20260205
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/to-finance-the-1-5t-defense-budget-push-for-600b-in-reconciliation/
Japan’s ‘Owl’ spy satellites in orbit
Asia Times 20260205
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/japans-owl-spy-satellites-in-orbit/
Hack-proofing our space infrastructure
ASPI 20260205
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1354842.shtml
Pentagon’s Commercial Tech Hub on the Hunt for Missile Tracking Sensors, Satellite Disposal
Air & Space 20260205
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/diu-commercial-sensors-missile-tracking-satellite-disposal/
Nuclear Arms Control Era Comes to End Amid Global Rush for New Weapons
NYTimes 20260205
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/us/politics/new-start-nuclear-arms-control.html
Fears of a nuclear arms race rise as New START expires
Defense One 20260205
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/02/fears-nuclear-arms-race-rise-new-start-expires/411210/
Nuke treaty loss a ‘colossal’ failure that could lead to nuclear arms race
Responsible Statecraft 20260205
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/new-start-russia/
Sun Tzu in the Supply Chain: The New Face of Economic War With China
WOTR 20260205
https://warontherocks.com/2026/02/sun-tzu-in-the-supply-chain-the-new-face-of-economic-war-with-china/