Pacific Winds 20260210
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Sanae Takaichi’s victory is a win for Indo-Pacific security
ASPI 20260209
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/sanae-takaichis-victory-is-a-win-for-indo-pacific-security/
Sanae Takaichi’s stomping victory will have profound consequences for Australia and the Asia-Pacific
ABC (AU) 20260209
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-09/japanese-pm-sanae-takaichi-s-election-victory/106323082
Japan After the Landslide: Takaichi’s Supermajority and the Trump Challenge
The Diplomat 20260209
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/japan-after-the-landslide-takaichis-supermajority-and-the-trump-challenge/
LDP’s Landslide Victory: Takaichi Should Leverage Stable Base to Solve Issues / Aim to Rebuild Peace and Order
Yomiuri 20260209
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20260209-310161/
China warns Japan against “militarism” after ruling party’s election win
Kyodo 20260209
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/70223
FM urges Japan to exercise prudence, take concrete actions to break from militarism in response to Takaichi’s claims regarding Yasukuni Shrine
GT 20260209
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355053.shtml
Why China is worried that Japan election may prompt change to pacifist constitution
SCMP 20260209
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342964/why-china-worried-japan-election-may-prompt-change-pacifist-constitution
How the Takaichi era can save Japan
Asia Times 20260209
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/how-the-takaichi-era-can-save-japan/
Trump’s support for Japan’s Takaichi masks fury over investment delays
Nikkei 20260210
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/trump-s-support-for-japan-s-takaichi-masks-fury-over-investment-delays
Trump hands Beijing a gift: nervous Asian allies
Lowy 20260209
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/trump-hands-beijing-gift-nervous-asian-allies
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Nauru president to celebrate festival with relatives in Guangdong, seek cooperation; Visit shows human bonds beyond geopolitical games: expert
GT 20260209
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355068.shtml
Experts warn moving Marines away from Okinawa would play into China’s hands
Task & Purpose 20260209
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/marines-okinawa-china-2026/
Angel Demapan talks federal aid, 902, deep seabed mining, and more
Marianas Press 20260209
https://marianaspress.com/news/article/angel-demapan-talks-federal-aid-902-deep-seabed-mining-and-more
Labelled, judged and far from home: Marshallese deported by ICE ‘having the hardest time’
RNZ 20260210
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/586374/labelled-judged-and-far-from-home-marshallese-deported-by-ice-having-the-hardest-time
Island Waves
US Congress tries to link Chinese Pacific projects to military threat
Islands Business 20260209
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/us-congress-tries-to-link-chinese-pacific-projects-to-military-threat/
Subnational diplomacy underpins Australia’s Pacific engagement
ASPI 20260209
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/subnational-diplomacy-underpins-australias-pacific-engagement/
INTERNATIONAL CYBER LAW TRAINING LAUNCHED IN PORT MORESBY
PNG Haus Bung 20260209
https://pnghausbung.com/international-cyber-law-training-launched-in-port-moresby/
SINBIP Successfully Commissions Two Towers in Malaita
Solomon Star 20260209
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/sinbip-successfully-commissions-two-towers-in-malaita/
U.S visa ban ‘unfortunate’: Tonga PM
PINA 20260209
https://pina.com.fj/2026/02/09/u-s-visa-ban-unfortunate-tonga-pm/
Taiwan + SCS
‘Playing with fire’: Taiwan defense spending battle rattles China hawks
The Hill 20260208
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5727222-taiwan-defense-spending-stalemate-senate-concern/
PLA flight data indicate shift in training: experts
Taipei Times 20260210
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/02/10/2003852076
Deterrence Won’t Fail in the Taiwan Strait — It Will Be Bypassed
WOTR 20260209
https://warontherocks.com/2026/02/deterrence-wont-fail-in-the-taiwan-strait-it-will-be-bypassed/
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20260209
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6298808
Capabilities
Why China’s nuclear arsenal is under fire as US-Russia pact falls apart
SCMP 20260209
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3342957/why-chinas-nuclear-arsenal-under-fire-us-russia-pact-falls-apart
National security will suffer if Defence keeps cutting northern presence
ASPI 20260209
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/national-security-will-suffer-if-defence-keeps-cutting-northern-presence/
Will Darwin Port Remain Under Chinese Control?
The Diplomat 20260209
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/will-darwin-port-remain-under-chinese-control/
Why Missile Defense Now Raises the Risk of War
FP 20260209
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/09/missile-defense-war-us-trump-israel-iran-russia-ukraine-middle-east/
Drone Mini-Submarine That Attaches Itself To Other Vessels Unveiled By Lockheed
TWZ 20260209
https://www.twz.com/sea/drone-mini-submarine-that-attaches-itself-to-other-vessels-unveiled-by-lockheed
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 9, 2026
USNI 20260209
https://news.usni.org/2026/02/09/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-feb-9-2026