The Trump administration is insisting South Korea accepts as much as a 50 per cent increase in what it pays for US military protection, including subsidising the nuclear-capable bombers stationed thousands of miles away on Guam. The dispute caused their cost-sharing deal to lapse on December 31 and, if it’s not renewed soon, South Korean civilian personnel will face furloughs like the ones that just ended in Washington. Source: South China Morning Post
Ankara late Wednesday condemned the Greek deputy foreign minister’s “provocative” remarks against Turkey and its president that could escalate tensions. “We strongly condemn the immoral statements, which are not in line with political and diplomatic practices, of Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece Miltiadis Varvitsiotis about our country and our president in an interview with a television channel,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Source Daily Sabah
China has sent more fighter jets into Taiwan’s air defence zone in an increased show of force, as Taiwan’s foreign minister vowed the island would fight to the end if China attacks. Taipei’s defence ministry said it scrambled aircraft to broadcast warning messages to the latest incursion, which included 12 Chinese fighters. Source The Guardian
A top Russian official has warned that Moscow could intervene to help Russian-speaking residents in eastern Ukraine if Ukraine launches an all-out assault on separatists there. Source BBC
