Pacific Winds 20260208
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
New ‘America First Arms Transfer Strategy’ to create a list of priority weapons to sell
Breaking Defense 20260206
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/02/new-america-first-arms-transfer-strategy-to-create-a-list-of-priority-weapons-to-sell/
New U.S. Arms Export Policy Boosts Production of Weapons Important to Pentagon
WSJ 20260206
https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/new-u-s-arms-export-policy-boosts-production-of-weapons-important-to-pentagon-84871a7b
Trump signs order to prioritize arms sales to countries investing in their own self-defense
Yonhap 20260207
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260207001200315
ESTABLISHING AN AMERICA FIRST ARMS TRANSFER STRATEGY
US White House 20260206
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/establishing-an-america-first-arms-transfer-strategy/
US steps up APEC role after Xi–Trump call as ties with China show signs of thaw
SCMP 20260207
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3342737/us-steps-apec-role-after-xi-trump-call-ties-china-show-signs-thaw
Understanding Trump’s Latest Tariff Threat Against South Korea
The Diplomat 20260206
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/understanding-trumps-latest-tariff-threat-against-south-korea/
Social Media and Sinophobia: South Korea’s New Political Frontier
The Diplomat 20260207
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/social-media-and-sinophobia-south-koreas-new-political-frontier/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Australia delivers new Guardian-class Patrol Boat to the Republic of the Marshall Islands
AU DoD 20260130
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2026-01-30/australia-delivers-new-guardian-class-patrol-boat-republic-marshall-islands
Island Waves
Japan’s Vote and the Quiet Geopolitics of the Pacific
Blog 20260207
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/japans-vote-quiet-geopolitics-pacific-alfred-oehlers--bqmhc/
“Violent, often disproportionate repression” in New Caledonia
Inside Story 20260206
https://insidestory.org.au/violent-often-disproportionate-repression-in-new-caledonia/
Fiji and China signal deeper cooperation
FBCN 20260207
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-and-china-signal-deeper-cooperation/
Cook Islands and U.S. forge strategic alliance on critical minerals
Cook Island News 20260205
https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/environment/cook-islands-and-u-s-forge-strategic-alliance-on-critical-minerals/
Is Japan Ready for Internal Displacement Sparked by a Taiwan War?
The Diplomat 20260206
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/is-japan-ready-for-internal-displacement-sparked-by-a-taiwan-war/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan has misplaced confidence in Trump’s National Security Strategy
EAF 20260207
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/02/07/taiwan-has-misplaced-confidence-in-trumps-national-security-strategy/
Self-help Taiwan’s best protection: European lawmakers
CNA (TW) 20260207
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202602070005
U.S. senators call on Legislature to pass Cabinet defense plan
CNA (TW) 20260207
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202602070011
US weighs arms sale to Taiwan: report
Taipei Times 20260208
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/02/08/2003851974
Black Hawk to drone: new frontier in US rivalry with Beijing over Taiwan Strait?
SCMP 20260207
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3342774/black-hawk-drone-new-frontier-us-rivalry-beijing-over-taiwan-strait
Taiwan to Construct 10 Light Frigates for Air Defense, Anti-submarine Missions
USNI 20260206
https://news.usni.org/2026/02/06/taiwan-to-construct-10-light-frigates-for-air-defense-anti-submarine-missions
Taiwan tracks 6 PLA aircraft and 7 naval vessels
Taiwan News 20260207
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6298297
PLA conducts routine patrols in South China Sea: spokesperson
Xinhua 20260207
https://english.news.cn/20260207/1564049ae45d47878cda3c33dbf70b29/c.html
PLA Southern Theater Command conducts routine patrol, condemns Philippine move to rope in outside countries for ‘bilateral air patrols’
GT 20260207
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1354981.shtml
China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed South China Sea
Reuters 20260207
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-conducts-naval-air-patrols-around-disputed-south-china-sea-2026-02-07/
Is China Really Changing Its Approach to the Yellow Sea?
The Diplomat 20260206
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/is-china-really-changing-its-approach-to-the-yellow-sea/
Capabilities
PM Takaichi aims to push proactive defense policy with election win
Kyodo 20260207
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/69973
THAAD Will Integrate Into IBCS Faster And Cheaper Than DoD Planned, Northrop Grumman Says
Defense Daily 20260206
https://www.defensedaily.com/thaad-will-integrate-into-ibcs-faster-and-cheaper-than-dod-planned-northrop-grumman-says/missile-defense/
Hunt For Container Launchers Packed With Drones Kicked-Off By Pentagon
TWZ 20260206
https://www.twz.com/news-features/hunt-for-container-launchers-packed-with-drones-kicked-off-by-pentagon
Australia’s destroyer HMAS Hobart enters upgrade phase
Naval News 20260206
https://www.navaltoday.com/2026/02/06/australias-destroyer-hmas-hobart-enters-upgrade-phase/
The US Army’s quiet rotation in the Philippines
Military Times 20260207
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/02/07/the-us-armys-quiet-rotation-in-the-philippines/
Hawaii’s 25th Infantry Division gears up for combat ‘rehearsals’ in the Philippines
S&S 20260206
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-02-05/pacific-pathways-army-25th-id-20630812.html
Exercises
French Amphibious Warship, Frigate to Join Balikatan 2026
Naval News 20260207
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/02/french-amphibious-warship-frigate-to-join-balikatan-2026/