Christopher Woody
@chrstphrwdy.bsky.social
Journalist covering defense and international affairs from Bangkok | writing here: https://thedateline.substack.com/
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
Thailand's PM: “I no longer care about trade and tariff negotiations” ... “It’s fine if they use tax measures to pressure us — other countries face the same. If US tariffs on our goods rise to 100%, the ones to suffer will be their own buyers.” 👀 www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/4...
Anutin vows no more peace talks with Cambodia, unafraid of US tariff threat
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vows Thailand will not resume peace talks with Cambodia, accusing Phnom Penh of breaching the peace accord, and says he is unafraid of US tariff threats.
www.nationthailand.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Thailand's PM: “I no longer care about trade and tariff negotiations” ... “It’s fine if they use tax measures to pressure us — other countries face the same. If US tariffs on our goods rise to 100%, the ones to suffer will be their own buyers.” 👀 www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/4...
“Disagreements at the G20 are common, but participating nations are usually able to issue joint declarations. This year, though, Trump admin officials have mounted what some participants have called a concerted effort to block consensus on a wide range of principles” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/w...
Trump Officials Are Policing Words and Foiling Deals at G20 Summit
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:36 AM
“Disagreements at the G20 are common, but participating nations are usually able to issue joint declarations. This year, though, Trump admin officials have mounted what some participants have called a concerted effort to block consensus on a wide range of principles” www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/w...
"When asked how Thailand would respond to the US tariff stance, Nikorndej said Prime Minister Anutin had clarified to President Trump that Thailand is committed to separating the border issue from trade negotiations ... and has asked Washington to do the same." www.nationthailand.com/news/world/4...
US trade envoy halts tariff negotiations with Thailand, Foreign Ministry confirms
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry says the US has suspended bilateral tariff talks pending Thailand’s return to the Thai-Cambodian Joint Declaration, prompting disappointment in Bangkok.
www.nationthailand.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:48 PM
"When asked how Thailand would respond to the US tariff stance, Nikorndej said Prime Minister Anutin had clarified to President Trump that Thailand is committed to separating the border issue from trade negotiations ... and has asked Washington to do the same." www.nationthailand.com/news/world/4...
“It also represents the first state visit to China by a reigning monarch of Thailand in history.” www.nationthailand.com/news/general...
King and Queen welcomed by Xi Jinping at the great hall of the people
Their Majesties the King and Queen received a full state welcome in Beijing on Friday, marking a historic first royal visit to China and celebrating 50 years of Thailand–China diplomatic relations.
www.nationthailand.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
“It also represents the first state visit to China by a reigning monarch of Thailand in history.” www.nationthailand.com/news/general...
"On the TV program, [Japan's defense minister] referred to South Korea’s move toward acquiring nuclear submarines, noting, 'This is a new development and all the surrounding countries have them.'" www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
It could take South Korea a decade or longer to build the nuclear-powered subs that Trump approved of after a summit last week, but if Seoul pursues them it would be only one of many sub programs underway across Asia. New story on substack: thedateline.substack.com/p/trump-supp...
November 12, 2025 at 9:12 AM
"On the TV program, [Japan's defense minister] referred to South Korea’s move toward acquiring nuclear submarines, noting, 'This is a new development and all the surrounding countries have them.'" www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
"The Pentagon's review of AUKUS is likely to conclude in the first half of December ... On two occasions, the White House pushed back on Pentagon proposals to make significant changes to the submarine plans, according to a source." asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...
AUKUS review set to conclude next month after summer of confusion
Pentagon policy chief Colby comes under fire from Congress for agitating allies
asia.nikkei.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:02 AM
"The Pentagon's review of AUKUS is likely to conclude in the first half of December ... On two occasions, the White House pushed back on Pentagon proposals to make significant changes to the submarine plans, according to a source." asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...
“Thailand has suspended efforts to implement a ceasefire with Cambodia formalized during President Donald Trump’s trip to Asia last month after several Thai soldiers were injured in a land mine explosion in a disputed border area.” www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Thailand halts ceasefire deal with Cambodia previously heralded by Trump
The neighbors signed a deal President Donald Trump helped broker last month, but Thailand suspended the truce after several Thai soldiers were injured by land mines.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:17 AM
“Thailand has suspended efforts to implement a ceasefire with Cambodia formalized during President Donald Trump’s trip to Asia last month after several Thai soldiers were injured in a land mine explosion in a disputed border area.” www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Big naval news: China's Fujian, its third service aircraft carrier and its first with electromagnetic catapults for aircraft, has entered service. Xi attended its commissioning and "boarded the aircraft carrier to inspect the vessel at a naval port in" Hainan province english.news.cn/20251107/aa7...
Xi attends commissioning of China's Fujian aircraft carrier
english.news.cn
November 7, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Big naval news: China's Fujian, its third service aircraft carrier and its first with electromagnetic catapults for aircraft, has entered service. Xi attended its commissioning and "boarded the aircraft carrier to inspect the vessel at a naval port in" Hainan province english.news.cn/20251107/aa7...
"As [Malaysia's trade minister] told me: 'We signed this [US deal] on Sunday. On Monday, we signed an [Asean] agreement with China.'” www.ft.com/content/62e5...
The US can’t force Asian countries into its trade camp
Trump’s deals with Malaysia and Cambodia will not turn them into economic satellites in a cold war of commerce
www.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:19 PM
"As [Malaysia's trade minister] told me: 'We signed this [US deal] on Sunday. On Monday, we signed an [Asean] agreement with China.'” www.ft.com/content/62e5...
Reposted by Christopher Woody
It could take South Korea a decade or longer to build the nuclear-powered subs that Trump approved of after a summit last week, but if Seoul pursues them it would be only one of many sub programs underway across Asia. New story on substack: thedateline.substack.com/p/trump-supp...
November 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
It could take South Korea a decade or longer to build the nuclear-powered subs that Trump approved of after a summit last week, but if Seoul pursues them it would be only one of many sub programs underway across Asia. New story on substack: thedateline.substack.com/p/trump-supp...
It could take South Korea a decade or longer to build the nuclear-powered subs that Trump approved of after a summit last week, but if Seoul pursues them it would be only one of many sub programs underway across Asia. New story on substack: thedateline.substack.com/p/trump-supp...
November 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
It could take South Korea a decade or longer to build the nuclear-powered subs that Trump approved of after a summit last week, but if Seoul pursues them it would be only one of many sub programs underway across Asia. New story on substack: thedateline.substack.com/p/trump-supp...
"US Army Spc. Ayden Holbert and Pfc. Daniel Tippett interact with a dog named Bailey during a presence patrol in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC, Nov. 3, 2025." (US Air National Guard/Tech. Sgt. Andrew Enriquez)
November 5, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"US Army Spc. Ayden Holbert and Pfc. Daniel Tippett interact with a dog named Bailey during a presence patrol in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC, Nov. 3, 2025." (US Air National Guard/Tech. Sgt. Andrew Enriquez)
Japan cancels plan to refuel South Korean air force planes at a Japanese base, which would have been a first for the two countries, because some of the planes had flown around Takeshima Island, which Seoul controls but Tokyo claims japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/def...
Japan Canceled Plan to Refuel S. Korean Air Force Planes at Japan Base, as They Flew Around Takeshima Island, Sources Says
<p>The Japanese and South Korean governments canceled a plan to refuel South Korean Air Force planes at a Self-Defense Forces base because some of the planes had flown around Takeshima Island in Shima...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
November 3, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Japan cancels plan to refuel South Korean air force planes at a Japanese base, which would have been a first for the two countries, because some of the planes had flown around Takeshima Island, which Seoul controls but Tokyo claims japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/def...