Christopher Woody
@chrstphrwdy.bsky.social
Journalist covering defense and international affairs from Bangkok | writing here: https://thedateline.substack.com/
Taiwan National Security Bureau chief says PRC naval forces "shadow every ship" from foreign navies that transit Taiwan Strait & "will sometimes mobilise air forces...to carry out simulated attacks in order to demonstrate their military presence and claimed authority" www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Taiwan says China sometimes stages mock attacks on foreign navy ships in strait
China's military sometimes simulates attacks on foreign naval vessels in the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan shares intelligence with international partners when they operate in those waters, a senior Taiwan...
www.reuters.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Taiwan National Security Bureau chief says PRC naval forces "shadow every ship" from foreign navies that transit Taiwan Strait & "will sometimes mobilise air forces...to carry out simulated attacks in order to demonstrate their military presence and claimed authority" www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Myanmar junta forms committee to speed railway project that is key part of China-Myanmar Economic Corridor: www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmar... China sees CMEC as important overland route to Indian Ocean and has pushed junta to secure its CMEC-related projects thedateline.substack.com/p/china-want...
China’s muscle follows its money into Southeast Asia
China is Southeast Asia's leading trade partner, and it's being "very, very bold" about expanding its security presence there.
thedateline.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Myanmar junta forms committee to speed railway project that is key part of China-Myanmar Economic Corridor: www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmar... China sees CMEC as important overland route to Indian Ocean and has pushed junta to secure its CMEC-related projects thedateline.substack.com/p/china-want...
"Three people familiar with the negotiations said Indonesia had rejected the clauses — which the US successfully imposed on Malaysia and Cambodia in similar deals last month — on the grounds that they impinged excessively on the country’s freedom to act." www.ft.com/content/64d2...
Indonesia resists US trade deal ‘poison pill’
Jakarta’s rejection of coercive clauses challenges effort by Donald Trump to counter Chinese influence in south-east Asia
www.ft.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:32 PM
"Three people familiar with the negotiations said Indonesia had rejected the clauses — which the US successfully imposed on Malaysia and Cambodia in similar deals last month — on the grounds that they impinged excessively on the country’s freedom to act." www.ft.com/content/64d2...
"'First and foremost, addressing the common challenges on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the Indo-Pacific region, first starts with having a shared assessment of the threats that we face,' Kim said when asked about how the allies should cooperate on security issues." m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...
(LEAD) U.S. envoy urges allies to address 'common challenges' on Korean Peninsula, Indo-Pacific | Yonhap News Agency
(ATTN: ADDS remarks, details throughout)By Lee Minji SEOUL, Nov. 28 (Yonhap) -- Acting U...
m-en.yna.co.kr
November 29, 2025 at 5:42 AM
"'First and foremost, addressing the common challenges on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the Indo-Pacific region, first starts with having a shared assessment of the threats that we face,' Kim said when asked about how the allies should cooperate on security issues." m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...
Chung-in Moon: "The US insistence on 'strategic flexibility' — which could mean arbitrarily relocating USFK troops or equipment or redefining its role without adequate prior discussion with the Korean government — is bound to be a serious liability." english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
[Column] A prospect more worrying than a Korean Peninsula sans US
The worst-case scenario is maintaining the uncertainty of the current status quo
english.hani.co.kr
November 29, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Chung-in Moon: "The US insistence on 'strategic flexibility' — which could mean arbitrarily relocating USFK troops or equipment or redefining its role without adequate prior discussion with the Korean government — is bound to be a serious liability." english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
The hottest spot in the Nansei Shoto is Yonaguni island. This place has everything — Japanese missiles, American FARPs, Chinese aircraft carrier transits thedateline.substack.com/p/us-japanes...
US and Japanese troops are preparing for crisis within sight of Taiwan
Recent drills show the two militaries are focused on potential crises around Japan's far southwestern islands.
thedateline.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The hottest spot in the Nansei Shoto is Yonaguni island. This place has everything — Japanese missiles, American FARPs, Chinese aircraft carrier transits thedateline.substack.com/p/us-japanes...
"Nevertheless, a deep-seated wariness persists within the Japanese government about the possibility that the United States might draw closer to China and make decisions with Beijing over the head of US ally Japan." www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Amid fight with China, Japan wary of where Trump stands | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
U.S. President Donald Trump did not convey any concerns about the current Japan-China feud in a telephone call with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Nov. 25, sources said.
www.asahi.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:49 AM
"Nevertheless, a deep-seated wariness persists within the Japanese government about the possibility that the United States might draw closer to China and make decisions with Beijing over the head of US ally Japan." www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Reposted by Christopher Woody
Over the past year, and especially over the past few months, the US and Japanese militaries have been doing more training at far end of Japan's Southwest Islands, a sign that both are preparing for a potential crisis around Taiwan. New story by me: thedateline.substack.com/p/us-japanes...
November 26, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Over the past year, and especially over the past few months, the US and Japanese militaries have been doing more training at far end of Japan's Southwest Islands, a sign that both are preparing for a potential crisis around Taiwan. New story by me: thedateline.substack.com/p/us-japanes...
Over the past year, and especially over the past few months, the US and Japanese militaries have been doing more training at far end of Japan's Southwest Islands, a sign that both are preparing for a potential crisis around Taiwan. New story by me: thedateline.substack.com/p/us-japanes...
November 26, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Over the past year, and especially over the past few months, the US and Japanese militaries have been doing more training at far end of Japan's Southwest Islands, a sign that both are preparing for a potential crisis around Taiwan. New story by me: thedateline.substack.com/p/us-japanes...
Reposted by Christopher Woody
Since early September, U.S. forces have launched at least 21 separate strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. By comparison, at least 28 U.S. strikes in Somalia have occurred during that same time, according to AFRICOM.
100th Somalia strike of year shows AFRICOM mission that outpaces even US action in Caribbean
U.S. Africa Command carried out its 100th airstrike of the year in Somalia.
www.stripes.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Since early September, U.S. forces have launched at least 21 separate strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. By comparison, at least 28 U.S. strikes in Somalia have occurred during that same time, according to AFRICOM.
How are they going to get anything else done? en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...
November 26, 2025 at 2:53 AM
How are they going to get anything else done? en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...
Trump admin ends TPS for people from Myanmar days after backing a UN resolution criticizing Myanmar's military regime for rights abuses that make Myanmar “unsuitable for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of all refugees and forcibly displaced persons” www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Myanmar is Safe?
Is it safe to return to a country wracked by an abusive armed conflict, widespread atrocities, and targeted ethnic violence, including war crimes and crimes against humanity?
www.hrw.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Trump admin ends TPS for people from Myanmar days after backing a UN resolution criticizing Myanmar's military regime for rights abuses that make Myanmar “unsuitable for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of all refugees and forcibly displaced persons” www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
“…junior officers in the military, fearing potential legal exposure, asked military lawyers, known as judge advocates general, for written sign-off before taking part in strikes, said two people familiar... It does not appear that such memos were furnished.” www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats
The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
“…junior officers in the military, fearing potential legal exposure, asked military lawyers, known as judge advocates general, for written sign-off before taking part in strikes, said two people familiar... It does not appear that such memos were furnished.” www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
China State Shipbuilding Corp official says a Chinese engine is being fitted on the sub Thailand ordered in 2017 after deal in Sept to replace a German-made engine. Official says delivery is on track for w/in 3 years and there have been talks on Thais ordering more subs www.janes.com/osint-insigh...
Defense & Security 2025: China on track with Thai submarine delivery
The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has confirmed that it is on track to deliver the Royal Thai Navy's (RTN's) on-order S26T diesel-electric submarine (SSK)...
www.janes.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:37 AM
China State Shipbuilding Corp official says a Chinese engine is being fitted on the sub Thailand ordered in 2017 after deal in Sept to replace a German-made engine. Official says delivery is on track for w/in 3 years and there have been talks on Thais ordering more subs www.janes.com/osint-insigh...
"'We don’t have to choose' between the two powers, Wong said, adding that the country will engage 'issue by issue' and through the lens of Singapore’s national interest." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
US-China Rivalry to Persist Despite Trade Truce, Singapore Says
Fierce competition between the US and China will persist despite the recent meeting of the countries’ leaders creating an opportunity for the two economic superpowers to engage and deescalate, said Si...
www.bloomberg.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:51 AM
"'We don’t have to choose' between the two powers, Wong said, adding that the country will engage 'issue by issue' and through the lens of Singapore’s national interest." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"Slashing travel times between China and Peru was the main selling point of the Chancay [port]...But MSC’s new route shows that Chancay’s impact was broader, forcing other ports to find ways to link the two countries more quickly—a feat long considered unprofitable" www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Shipping Giants Race to Speed Up China-Peru Trade With New Route
Competition to accelerate maritime trade between China and Peru is heating up after a sprawling Chinese-owned port opened along the country’s Pacific coast.
www.bloomberg.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:22 AM
"Slashing travel times between China and Peru was the main selling point of the Chancay [port]...But MSC’s new route shows that Chancay’s impact was broader, forcing other ports to find ways to link the two countries more quickly—a feat long considered unprofitable" www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Christopher Woody
Yes. The issue is how Americans have come to view terrorism over past 25 years—from a criminal problem that might occasionally require US military response when it poses a threat to US, to something many assume *always* justifies/demands US military force. That’s what the admin is capitalizing on.
Cartels employ terrorism routinely. They kill journalists, mayors and mayoral candidates, and all manner of civilians to terrorize the rest into tolerating them. There are 99 problems with what we’re doing about them but calling them “narco-terrorists” ain’t one.
November 19, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Yes. The issue is how Americans have come to view terrorism over past 25 years—from a criminal problem that might occasionally require US military response when it poses a threat to US, to something many assume *always* justifies/demands US military force. That’s what the admin is capitalizing on.
Good map of the PLAN trip around Australia in Feb/March, from the US-China Commission's 2025 annual report. The return via Sunda Strait is notable, as China and the US are both increasingly active around that and other chokepoints, which I wrote about in Aug: thedateline.substack.com/p/us-and-all...
November 19, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Good map of the PLAN trip around Australia in Feb/March, from the US-China Commission's 2025 annual report. The return via Sunda Strait is notable, as China and the US are both increasingly active around that and other chokepoints, which I wrote about in Aug: thedateline.substack.com/p/us-and-all...
Japan's Defense Ministry on Monday told local authorities that the US missile system deployed to a base in Iwakuni for an exercise in September has been removed, though the reason for the extended deployment has not been disclosed www.scmp.com/news/china/m...
The US military has been sending new missile systems to drills in the Philippines and Japan and then quietly extending their deployments, in some cases for months. It’s part of an effort to upgrade the US arsenal and do more training with it in the Western Pacific: open.substack.com/pub/thedatel...
New US missiles are quietly lingering on the frontline with China
The US has extended recent deployments of missiles to the Philippines and Japan and said little about how long they'll stay.
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Japan's Defense Ministry on Monday told local authorities that the US missile system deployed to a base in Iwakuni for an exercise in September has been removed, though the reason for the extended deployment has not been disclosed www.scmp.com/news/china/m...
This article highlights how US officials are talking more about US forces in SKorea as having a regional role rather than focusing only on NKorea. In May the USFK commander said US presence in SKorea "imposes costs, changes the calculations" for NKorea, Russia, and China en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...
Commander of US Forces Korea writes about "East-up mapping," which gives a "shift in perspective [that] illuminates Korea's role as a natural strategic pivot" in Northeast Asia and illustrates "a strategic triangle connecting Korea, Japan, and the Philippines" www.usfk.mil/Media/Press-...
November 18, 2025 at 4:52 AM
This article highlights how US officials are talking more about US forces in SKorea as having a regional role rather than focusing only on NKorea. In May the USFK commander said US presence in SKorea "imposes costs, changes the calculations" for NKorea, Russia, and China en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...
Commander of US Forces Korea writes about "East-up mapping," which gives a "shift in perspective [that] illuminates Korea's role as a natural strategic pivot" in Northeast Asia and illustrates "a strategic triangle connecting Korea, Japan, and the Philippines" www.usfk.mil/Media/Press-...
November 18, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Commander of US Forces Korea writes about "East-up mapping," which gives a "shift in perspective [that] illuminates Korea's role as a natural strategic pivot" in Northeast Asia and illustrates "a strategic triangle connecting Korea, Japan, and the Philippines" www.usfk.mil/Media/Press-...
Reposted by Christopher Woody
The US military has been sending new missile systems to drills in the Philippines and Japan and then quietly extending their deployments, in some cases for months. It’s part of an effort to upgrade the US arsenal and do more training with it in the Western Pacific: open.substack.com/pub/thedatel...
New US missiles are quietly lingering on the frontline with China
The US has extended recent deployments of missiles to the Philippines and Japan and said little about how long they'll stay.
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The US military has been sending new missile systems to drills in the Philippines and Japan and then quietly extending their deployments, in some cases for months. It’s part of an effort to upgrade the US arsenal and do more training with it in the Western Pacific: open.substack.com/pub/thedatel...
The US military has been sending new missile systems to drills in the Philippines and Japan and then quietly extending their deployments, in some cases for months. It’s part of an effort to upgrade the US arsenal and do more training with it in the Western Pacific: open.substack.com/pub/thedatel...
New US missiles are quietly lingering on the frontline with China
The US has extended recent deployments of missiles to the Philippines and Japan and said little about how long they'll stay.
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The US military has been sending new missile systems to drills in the Philippines and Japan and then quietly extending their deployments, in some cases for months. It’s part of an effort to upgrade the US arsenal and do more training with it in the Western Pacific: open.substack.com/pub/thedatel...
"With the Trump admin fixated on bilateral trade deals with individual countries, rather than the large multilateral trade deals that have shaped the region’s economic architecture in recent years, the US appears to be yesterday’s story, while Asia has moved on" www.9dashline.com/article/desp...
9DASHLINE — Despite Trump’s red carpet visit, Washington holds a weak hand in Southeast Asia
Written by Dr. Hunter Marston. With the Trump administration fixated on bilateral trade deals with individual countries, rather than the large multilateral trade deals that have shaped the region’s ec...
www.9dashline.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:21 AM
"With the Trump admin fixated on bilateral trade deals with individual countries, rather than the large multilateral trade deals that have shaped the region’s economic architecture in recent years, the US appears to be yesterday’s story, while Asia has moved on" www.9dashline.com/article/desp...
Reposted by Christopher Woody
Chinese astronauts become the first to grill wings in space, paving the way for future uncstronauts
November 4, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Chinese astronauts become the first to grill wings in space, paving the way for future uncstronauts