Pacific Winds 20230805

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Aug 04, 2023

Alliances

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

US lawmakers back closer coordination with Pacific islands to counter China
Reuters 20230804
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-lawmakers-back-closer-coordination-with-pacific-islands-counter-china-2023-08-04/

Laying Down the Law Under the Sea: Analyzing the US and Chinese Submarine Cable Governance Regimes
Jamestown 20230804
https://jamestown.org/program/laying-down-the-law-under-the-sea-analyzing-the-us-and-chinese-submarine-cable-governance-regimes/

Court denies TRO request in the Angaur case, Angaur citizens divided on the lawsuit
Island Times 20230804
https://islandtimes.org/court-denies-tro-request-in-the-angaur-caseangaur-citizens-divided-on-the-lawsuit/

Major general: Missile defense system will have most modern Army capabilities
PDN 20230805
https://www.guampdn.com/news/major-general-missile-defense-system-will-have-most-modern-army-capabilities/article_36d64150-3299-11ee-a2c5-c739ed0bc84d.html

Guam Defense System could require 1,000 acres, 700 soldiers
GDP 20230805
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/guam-defense-system-could-require-1-000-acres-700-soldiers/article_34de87a6-31b1-11ee-8e30-4b8bb00737c3.html

Residents question, comment on proposed missile defense
GDP 20230805
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/residents-question-comment-on-proposed-missile-defense/article_b1883f7c-326a-11ee-b83b-af13a71cd48f.html

What is the role of nuclear microreactors on Guam?
PIT 20230804
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/what-is-the-role-of-nuclear-microreactors-on-guam

China’s tourists tops visitor numbers again
Island Times 20230804
https://islandtimes.org/chinas-tourists-tops-visitor-numbers-again/

Island Waves

Taiwan + SCS

‘Collective ambiguity’ on Taiwan needs shoring up
Asia Times 20230804
https://asiatimes.com/2023/08/collective-ambiguity-on-taiwan-needs-shoring-up/

US urged to take actions to build guardrails, reject Lai’s ‘transit’ trip
GT 20230804
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1295701.shtml

Taiwan tracks 14 Chinese military aircraft, 11 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20230804
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4962326

Philippines, US to mount West PH Sea joint patrols by end-2023
ABS-CBN 20230804
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/04/23/philippines-us-to-mount-west-ph-sea-joint-patrols-by-end-2023

Vietnam opposes China's illegal drills at Paracel Islands
VN Express 20230803
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-opposes-china-s-illegal-drills-at-paracel-islands-4637505.html

Capabilities

LESSONS LEARNED OR LESSONS OBSERVED: THE U.S. NAVY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH MINE WARFARE
WOTR 20230804
https://warontherocks.com/2023/08/lessons-learned-of-lessons-observed-the-u-s-navys-relationship-with-mine-warfare/

Planning defence projects for a new submarine era
ASPI 20230804
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/planning-defence-projects-for-a-new-submarine-era/

Senator Blocking US-Australia Submarine Deal Has a Good Point
Bloomberg 20230803
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-08-03/wicker-is-right-to-block-aukus-submarine-deal-with-australia-uk

Marine Corps now has unit in Indo-Pacific flying Reaper drones
Defense Nes 20230803
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-marine-corps/2023/08/03/marine-corps-now-has-unit-in-indo-pacific-flying-reaper-drones/

Space Force intel focus: 50% on China; 25% on Russia
Breaking Defense 20230804
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/space-force-intel-focus-50-on-china-25-onrussia/

Here’s how Air Force special ops ‘power projection wings’ will work
Defense News 20230803
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-air-force/2023/08/03/heres-how-air-force-special-ops-power-projection-wings-will-work/

Diversified UAV development layout underlines Japan's military ambitions
China Military 20230804
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16242512.html

The US needs to modernize its approach to munitions
Defense News 20230804
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2023/08/04/the-us-needs-to-modernize-its-approach-to-munitions/

Torres Strait grows in strategic importance
ADM 20230803
https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/torres-strait-grows-in-strategic-importance

Navy says destroyer deal helps two yards boost capacity at best pace
Military Times 20230804
https://www.militarytimes.com/naval/2023/08/04/navy-says-destroyer-deal-helps-two-yards-boost-capacity-at-best-pace/

KC-46A tanker still has 6 category 1 deficiencies, but fixes are in the works: USAF official
Breaking Defense 20230804
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/kc-46a-tanker-still-has-6-category-1-deficiencies-but-fixes-are-in-the-works-usaf-official/

China remains in focus as US House and Senate shape Pentagon budget bill
SCMP 20230805
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3230068/us-house-and-senate-hammer-pentagon-budget-bill-shape-china-remains-sharply-focus

Exercises

Pegase 2023: The French Air Force Flies Across the Indo-Pacific
The Diplomat 20230804
https://thediplomat.com/2023/08/pegase-2023-the-french-air-force-flies-across-the-indo-pacific/

U.S., Australian Air Force Units Emphasize Interoperability
US DoD 20230804
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3483374/us-australian-air-force-units-emphasize-interoperability/

Australian drills draw Indo-Pacific militaries closer as Chinese threat grows
S&S 20230804
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-08-04/talisman-sabre-military-exercise-australia-10940943.html

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