Pacific Winds 20260214
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
America’s security bargains in Northeast Asia are being redrawn
Asia Times 20260212
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/americas-security-bargains-in-northeast-asia-are-being-redrawn/
US, Japan must reimagine alliance to survive transactional phase, expert says
S&S 20260213
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-02-13/us-japan-alliance-trump-fccj-20724371.html
Takaichi’s Landslide Victory Draws Mixed Responses in South Korea
The Diplomat 20260212
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/takaichis-landslide-victory-draws-mixed-responses-in-south-korea/
N.K. leader’s sister calls Seoul’s regret over drone incursion ‘sensible’
Yonhap 20260213
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260213000951315
China’s ‘new multilateralism’: A rival to the US-led order?
Think China 20260212
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/chinas-new-multilateralism-rival-us-led-order
Pentagon adds Chinese firms to military list, then withdraws filing
SCMP 20260214
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3343540/pentagon-adds-chinese-firms-military-list-then-withdraws-filing
Pentagon withdraws list after alleging Alibaba, BYD aiding Chinese military
Nikkei 20260214
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/us-china-tensions/pentagon-withdraws-list-after-alleging-alibaba-byd-aiding-chinese-military
US reportedly shelves tech curbs ahead of high-level contacts; Move signals co-op but containment mindset remains unchanged in key sectors: expert
GT 20260213
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355330.shtml
Japan, U.S. Fail to Make Final Decision on $550 Bil. Investment Plan Project
Yomiuri 20260214
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20260214-311034/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Lawsuit seeks emergency halt to plan to accept U.S. deportees in Palau
Island Times 20260213
https://islandtimes.org/lawsuit-seeks-emergency-halt-to-plan-to-accept-u-s-deportees-in-palau/
Why China’s New JH-XX Stealth Bomber is the Ultimate Threat to U.S. Bases in Guam
National Interest 29260112
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2026/02/why-chinas-new-jh-xx-stealth-bomber-is-the-ultimate-threat-to-u-s-bases-in-guam/
United States-Japan Alliance: Reducing Burdens or Winning Wars?
Japan Forward 20260213
https://japan-forward.com/united-states-japan-alliance-reducing-burdens-or-winning-wars/
Population decline in FSM and RMI
DevPolicy 20260213
https://devpolicy.org/depopulation-in-fsm-and-rmi/
Japan donates motorcycles, equipment to strengthen Palau emergency response
Island Times 20260213
https://islandtimes.org/japan-donates-motorcycles-equipment-to-strengthen-palau-emergency-response/
Air Force’s Supreme Court petition up for next week’s conference
GDP 20260213
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/air-forces-supreme-court-petition-up-for-next-weeks-conference/article_c8019318-226c-4262-bcee-3e6e31eae631.html
Island Waves
Year of the Horse signals new momentum in SI–China relations
Solomon Star 20260213
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/year-of-the-horse-signals-new-momentum-in-si-china-relations/
Japan and Tonga share commitment to peace and stability in Indo-Pacific, says Ambassador
Matangi Tonga 20260214
https://matangitonga.to/2026/02/14/japan-and-tonga-share-commitment-peace-and-stability-indo-pacific
US Coast Guard returns to help patrol waters
Samoa Observer 20260213
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/118415
RAPPP Delivers Mandatory First Aid Certification for CPP Officers
Solomon Star 20260213
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rappp-delivers-mandatory-first-aid-certification-for-cpp-officers/
Taiwan + xCS
US lawmakers step up pressure on Taiwan parliament to approve defence spending
Reuters 20260213
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-lawmakers-step-up-pressure-taiwan-parliament-approve-defence-spending-2026-02-13/
US pushes Taiwan to boost defense spending amid China threat
DW 20260213
https://www.dw.com/en/us-lawmakers-press-taiwan-to-boost-defense-spending-amid-china-threat/a-75945362
Pro-Taiwan or Anti-China? Parsing US Public Support for Defending Taiwan
The Diplomat 20260212
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/pro-taiwan-or-anti-china-parsing-us-public-support-for-defending-taiwan/
President Lai touts benefits of Taiwan-U.S. trade deal
CNA (TW) 20260213
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202602130016
Taiwan-US trade agreement: Opposition voices discontent with trade deal terms
Taipei Times 20260214
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/02/14/2003852317
DPP's so-called trade deal with US ‘a political loyalty pledge’ disguised as economic matter, selling out island’s interests: experts
GT 20260213
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355338.shtml
Any attempt to split the motherland and oppose reunification is sheer fantasy: Mainland spokesperson on Lai’s interview with AFP
GT 20260213
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355352.shtml
Taiwan tracks 42 Chinese military aircraft, 11 naval ships
Taiwan News 20260213
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6302415
HMAS Toowoomba transits South China Sea
AU DoD 20260213
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2026-02-13/hmas-toowoomba-transits-south-china-sea
Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat off Nagasaki, arrests skipper
Kyodo 20260213
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/70463
Japan Detains a Chinese Boat and Its Captain Amid Rift With Beijing
NYTimes 20260213
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/world/asia/japan-seizes-chinese-boat.html
China urges Japan to observe fisheries agreement after seizure of Chinese fishing vessel; captain released as Japanese media reported
GT 20260213
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355361.shtml
Capabilities
SECNAV Phelan: FY 2027 Shipbuilding Budget Could be ‘More Than Double’ 2026 Ship Total
USNI 20260212
https://news.usni.org/2026/02/12/secnav-phelan-fy-2027-shipbuilding-budget-could-be-more-than-double-2026-ship-total
Gilded Capability: Overinvestment and the Survivability Paradox
WOTR 20260212
https://warontherocks.com/2026/02/gilded-capability-overinvestment-and-the-survivability-paradox/
Japan’s unused defense budget reaches $6.5bn a year amid buildup rush
Nikkei 20260213
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/defense/japan-s-unused-defense-budget-reaches-6.5bn-a-year-amid-buildup-rush
Philippines still eying F-16s, but costs are causing political headaches
Defense News 2260213
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/02/13/philippines-still-eying-f-16s-but-costs-are-causing-political-headaches/
This doesn’t add up: as strategy looks north, Defence workforce shifts south
ASPI 20260213
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/this-doesnt-add-up-as-strategy-looks-north-defence-workforce-shifts-south/
Will Darwin Port Remain Under Chinese Control?
Heritage 20260212
https://www.heritage.org/china/commentary/will-darwin-port-remain-under-chinese-control
Project Hecate: The Space Force’s quiet effort to keep GPS survivable after 2040
Breaking Defense 20260212
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/02/project-hecate-the-space-forces-quiet-effort-to-keep-gps-survivable-after-2040/
Exercises
Chinese fighter jets locked radar on foreign stealth plane at 800 metres
SCMP 20260213
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3343509/chinese-fighter-jets-locked-radar-foreign-stealth-plane-800-metres-pla-daily