Pacific Winds 20231203
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Former U.S. Forces Korea Commander Calls for More Communication with North Korea
USNI 20231201
https://news.usni.org/2023/12/01/former-u-s-forces-korea-commander-calls-for-more-communication-with-north-korea
Is China Replacing the US as Thailand’s Main Security Partner?
The Diplomat 20231202
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/is-china-replacing-the-us-as-thailands-main-security-partner/
PH, France considering visiting forces deal
PNA 20231202
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1214753
‘Game on’: Raimondo calls for beefing up tech export controls to counter China
Breaking Defense 20231202
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/game-on-raimondo-calls-for-beefing-up-tech-export-controls-to-counter-china/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Ex-president of Micronesia urges US to live up to funding promise, warns of China’s influence drive in Pacific
SCMP 20231202
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3243627/ex-president-micronesia-urges-us-live-funding-promise-warns-chinas-influence-drive-pacific
GWA: Not enough information provided to understand impact of missile defense project
GDP 20231203
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/gwa-not-enough-information-provided-to-understand-impact-of-missile-defense-project/article_edcac30e-8f28-11ee-90b1-43521415887c.html
Chinese spies could use travel program to monitor US sites in Guam: senator
NY Post 20231130
https://nypost.com/2023/11/30/news/how-chinese-spies-could-monitor-us-sites-in-guam-senator/
U.S. lawmakers want Homeland Security to change visa policy for Chinese Nationals entering the Northern Marianas
KUAM 20231202
https://www.kuam.com/story/50141959/breaking-us-lawmakers-want-homeland-security-to-change-visa-policy-for-chinese-nationals-entering-the-northern-marianas
Satellite photos show how the US Air Force is reclaiming a WWII-era airfield from the jungle to prepare to dodge Chinese missiles
BI 20231130
https://www.businessinsider.com/satellite-photos-air-force-ace-airfield-tinian-pacific-island-2023-11
Island Waves
Group expects hundreds to turn out for anti-Osprey rally on Okinawa
S&S 20231201
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-12-01/anti-osprey-rally-okinawa-crash-12222304.html
Taiwan + SCS
Beyond the Battlefield: China’s Quiet Bid to Sway Taiwan’s 2024 Election (and Future)
The Diplomat 20231202
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/beyond-the-battlefield-chinas-quiet-bid-to-sway-taiwans-2024-election-and-future/
American Institute in Taiwan director says no imminent Chinese threat
Taiwan News 20231202
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5051215
Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese military aircraft, 4 naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20231202
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5051137
The Most Dangerous Conflict No One Is Talking About
Atlantic 20231202
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2023/12/south-china-sea-philippines-dispute-explained/676218/
China, Vietnam vow to maintain South China Sea as a sea of peace and cooperation
GT 20231202
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1302889.shtml
Capabilities
US Navy, UK, Australia Will Test AI System to Help Crews Track Chinese Submarines in the Pacific
Bloomberg 20231201
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-02/us-navy-will-test-ai-system-to-help-crews-track-chinese-subs-in-the-pacific
Australia to put artificial intelligence to the test tracking Chinese submarines under AUKUS deal
ABC (AU) 20231202
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-02/australia-to-test-tracking-chinese-submarines-with-ai-via-aukus/103181178
US, UK, Australia announce trilateral Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability initiative
US Space Force 20231202
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3604036/us-uk-australia-announce-trilateral-deep-space-advanced-radar-capability-initia/
Austin, AUKUS partners announce Pillar II plans: Maritime exercises, DIU challenges, industry forums
Breaking Defense 20231201
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/austin-aukus-partners-announce-pillar-ii-plans-maritime-exercises-diu-challenges-industry-forums/
Defense officials put technology at center of AUKUS summit
Defense News 20231201
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/12/02/defense-officials-put-technology-at-center-of-aukus-summit/
Pentagon presses Congress to enable AUKUS' next stage
Defense One 20231201
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2023/12/aukus-tech-focused-pillar-two-will-require-congressional-action-pentagon-says/392431/?oref=d1-homepage-top-story
DOD Plans Indo-Pacific Innovation Challenge
US DoD 20231201
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3604589/dod-plans-indo-pacific-innovation-challenge/
Defense Officials Report Progress on Replicator Initiative
US DoD 20231201
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3604459/defense-officials-report-progress-on-replicator-initiative/
U.S. to deploy new ground-based missiles to Indo-Pacific in 2024
Nikkei 20231203
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/U.S.-to-deploy-new-ground-based-missiles-to-Indo-Pacific-in-2024
Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen On Chinese J-16 Fighters
The Drive 20231202
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/massive-pl-17-air-to-air-missile-seen-on-chinese-j-16-fighters
Japan Fears Growing Threat From North Korea’s Latest Spy Satellite
The Diplomat 20231202
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/japan-fears-growing-threat-from-north-koreas-latest-spy-satellite/
N. Korea bristles at U.S. over comments about possible disabling of spy satellite
Yonhap 20231202
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231202001851315?section=news
North Korea says interference with its satellites would be declaration of war
ABC (AU) 20231203
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-03/north-korea-satellites-interference-declaration-of-war/103181544
Air Force Secretary: Military needs AI to augment human capabilities
Space News 20231202
https://spacenews.com/air-force-secretary-military-needs-ai-to-augment-human-capabilities/
Power
What Happens When the U.S. Overestimates Its Power
Atlantic 20231202
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/12/israel-ukraine-wars-united-states-role/676209/