Pacific Winds 20230913
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Amid great power visits, don’t underestimate middle power cooperation
Lowy 20230912
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/amid-great-power-visits-don-t-underestimate-middle-power-cooperation
ASEAN, China and the trust deficit
Lowy 20230912
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/asean-china-trust-deficit
Can ASEAN Find a Role in the Rapidly Evolving Indo-Pacific Reconfiguration?
The Diplomat 20230912
https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/can-asean-find-a-role-in-the-rapidly-evolving-indo-pacific-reconfiguration/
China-US ties stabilizing, may pave way for state heads’ meeting: experts
GT 20230912
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298082.shtml
Blinken to host Wang Yi by year end? US urged to first show sincerity, stop provocations against China
GT 20230912
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298080.shtml
The China-Russia Axis Takes Shape
FP 20230911
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/09/11/china-russia-alliance-cooperation-brics-sco-economy-military-war-ukraine-putin-xi/
N. Korea's Kim arrives in Russia for rare summit with Putin
Yonhap 20230912
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230912000453325?section=news
In desperation, N. Korea, Russia turn to one another for mutual assistance rivaling U.S.-S. Korea cooperation
Yonhap 20230912
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230912004100325
NORTH KOREA’S COMING BREAKOUT
WOTR 20230912
https://warontherocks.com/2023/09/north-koreas-coming-breakout/
U.S. will not hesitate to take action if N. Korea provides weapons to Russia: state dept.
Yonhap 20230913
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230913000351325?section=news
China must play 'responsible' role in curbing North's threats - South Korea's Yoon
Reuters 20230912
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-must-play-responsible-role-curbing-norths-threats-south-koreas-yoon-2023-09-12/
What the US can learn from Vietnam's Four No's
Responsible Statecraft 20230912
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/biden-vietnam/
China military officers shelve Japan visit amid Fukushima water row
Kyodo 20230912
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/09/3b2b4ff1263a-china-military-officers-shelve-japan-visit-amid-fukushima-water-row.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Air Force clearing out jungles in Pacific to bolster airfield options
Defense One 20230912
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2023/09/air-force-clearing-out-jungles-pacific-bolster-airfield-options/390210/
Contractors respond to Q&A on the TACMOR site in Angaur
Island Times 20230912
https://islandtimes.org/contractors-respond-to-qa-on-the-tacmor-site-in-angaur/
US Coast Guard expands overseas operations
China Military 20230912
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16251685.html
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and CNMI agencies successfully conduct joint search and rescue exercise
USCG MSG 20230912
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/453213/us-coast-guard-forces-micronesia-sector-guam-and-cnmi-agencies-successfully-conduct-joint-search-and-rescue-exercise
Island Waves
Fiji PM defends decision to endorse report
Fiji Times 20230912
https://www.fijitimes.com/fiji-pm-defends-decision-to-endorse-report/
USS Jackson due in Apia
Samoa Observer 20230912
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/105616
Solomon Islands and China Enhance Cooperation
Tavuli News 20230912
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/solomon-islands-and-china-enhance-cooperation/
Australian Funding Boosts Electoral Center
Tavuli News 20230912
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/australian-funding-boosts-electoral-center/
Statecraftiness: Mapping Statecraft in the Pacific Islands
University of Adelaide 20230912
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b047ee4be82e47a8a6f3e580cf688d40
Taiwan + SCS
Japan elevates Taiwan security ties in move likely to rile Chin
Reuters 20230912
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-elevates-taiwan-security-ties-move-likely-rile-china-2023-09-12/
China turbulence could raise Taiwan invasion risk: U.S. lawmaker
CNA (TW) 20230912
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202309120021
China cranks up 'gray zone' incursions, Taiwan warns
Nikkei 20230912
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Taiwan-tensions/China-cranks-up-gray-zone-incursions-Taiwan-warns
Taiwan says China bolstering air power along coastline facing island
Reuters 20230912
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-china-bolstering-air-power-along-coastline-facing-island-2023-09-12/
PLA’s Fujian aircraft carrier poses ‘substantial threat’, Taiwanese defence ministry warns
SCMP 2230912
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3234285/plas-fujian-aircraft-carrier-poses-substantial-threat-taiwanese-defence-ministry-warns
Defense ministry releases latest national-defense report
Taiwan News 20230912
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/09/12/2003806131
Taiwan defense white paper outlines plan for 7,700 drones
Taiwan News 20230912
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4996694
Taiwan tracks 22 Chinese military aircraft, 20 ships around nation
Taiwan News 20230912
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4996443
US-donated ships to boost PH patrols
Manila Times 20230911
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/09/11/news/us-donated-ships-to-boost-ph-patrols/1909492
Capabilities
China, Russia will use cyber to sow chaos if war starts, Pentagon says
Defense News 20230912
https://www.defensenews.com/cyber/2023/09/12/china-russia-will-use-cyber-to-sow-chaos-if-war-starts-pentagon-says/
KC-135 Tankers Being Eyed For Drone Launcher Role
The Drive 20230911
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/kc-135-tankers-being-eyed-for-drone-launcher-role
Air Force bullish on drone future: ‘We’re gonna need them around just about everywhere’
Breaking Defense 20230912
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/air-force-considers-future-drone-use-were-gonna-need-them-around-just-about-everywhere/
Pacific Air Forces Commander releases PACAF Strategy 2030: Evolving Airpower
USAF 20230911
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3522468/pacific-air-forces-commander-releases-pacaf-strategy-2030-evolving-airpower/
PacAF Strategy: http://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Tag/257163/pacaf-strategy-2030-airmen-priority-theater/
US, PH officials to visit 3 EDCA sites
Manila Times 20230913
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/09/13/news/national/us-ph-officials-to-visit-3-edca-sites/1909705
China preparing for war with US, Air Force secretary says
The Hill 20230912
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4199367-china-preparing-for-war-with-us-air-force-secretary-says/
Confronting China, Washington Speaks Loudly but Carries a Feather
AEI 20230912
https://www.aei.org/articles/confronting-china-washington-speaks-loudly-but-carries-a-feather/
The Best Outcome for the U.S. Military and U.S. Security: Recommendations for the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act
Heritage 20230912
https://www.heritage.org/defense/report/the-best-outcome-the-us-military-and-us-security-recommendations-the-fy-2024
Power
Beware the False Prophets of War
The Atlantic 20230911
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/09/false-prophets-iraq-afghanistan-ukraine-war/675279/
Rules of Order: Assessing the State of Global Governance
Carnegie 20230912
https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/09/12/rules-of-order-assessing-state-of-global-governance-pub-90517
Exercises
PACAF Boss: China Risks ‘Disaster’ With Unsafe Intercepts of US Aircraft
Air & Space 20230911
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/pacaf-boss-china-intercepts-us-aircraft/
China’s navy starts largest-ever exercises in Pacific Ocean
FT 20230911
https://www.ft.com/content/88e2eeab-e464-4ec3-a17f-5417150c5350
Chinese Warships and Shandong Aircraft Carrier Enter the Pacific in Separate Routes
China Arms 20230912
https://www.china-arms.com/2023/09/chinese-warships-and-carrier-enter-pacific/
Chinese ships, planes active near Taiwan and Japan days after US-Canada demonstration
S&S 20230912
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-09-12/chinese-ships-planes-taiwan-japan-demonstration-11349605.html
Large PLA naval task force joins force with Shandong carrier group in West Pacific
GT 20230912
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202309/1298051.shtml
Super Garuda Shield: U.S., Partners Train in Indo-Pacific
US DoD 20230912
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3523152/super-garuda-shield-us-partners-train-in-indo-pacific/