Pacific Winds 20231215
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan GSDF, US, Australia, Philippines armies confirm further cooperation
NHK 20231214
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231214_05/
Rocket men: Kim and Putin fire up their alliance
RFA 20231214
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/northkorea-russia-beareast-12142023094458.html
Biden’s trade policy U-turn bodes ill for Indo-Pacific security
ASPI 20231214
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/bidens-trade-policy-u-turn-bodes-ill-for-indo-pacific-security/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Island Ohana and Aloha to Compact Impact Aid
PDN 20231214
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/underwood-island-ohana-and-aloha-to-compact-impact-aid/article_dc0a20f2-9a30-11ee-891f-9b4e7553a81d.html
Island Waves
Jet for Pacific leaders’ use – Minister Pio
Fiji Times 20231214
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/jet-for-pacific-leaders-use-minister-pio/
Tikoduadua reveals purpose of US executive jet stationed in Fiji
FBCN 20231214
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/596930/
More cyber support for the Pacific as threat of attacks loom
ABC (AU) 20231214
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/aust-cyber-team/103227976
US Army Medical Team Give Support to PMGH
National (PNG) 20231214
https://www.thenational.com.pg/us-army-medical-team-gives-support-to-pmgh/
Taiwan + SCS
US, Taiwan Discuss Broadening Taiwan's International Participation
VoA 20231213
https://www.voanews.com/a/us-taiwan-discuss-broadening-taiwan-s-international-participation-/7397581.html
The West’s Sanctions on Russia Aren’t Scaring China One Bit
Bloomberg 20231213
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-12-13/west-s-russia-sanctions-aren-t-scaring-china-from-a-taiwan-invasion
Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft, 9 naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20231214
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5059186
China ships linger in Ayungin after blasting water-cannons at PH resupply mission
Rappler 20231214
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/china-ships-linger-ayungin-shoal-after-water-cannoning-resupply-mission-december-2023/
Philippines 'wargaming' Chinese hostilities as sea standoffs intensify
Reuters 20231214
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-wargaming-chinese-hostilities-sea-standoffs-intensify-2023-12-14/
Philippine envoy struggles for limited US resources with South China Sea war hype: analysts
GT 20231214
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303657.shtml
PH, US to boost coordination with other countries in WPS amid China's 'unlawful' actions
GMA 20231214
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/891302/ph-us-to-boost-coordination-with-other-countries-in-wps-amid-china-s-unlawful-actions/story/
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
US DoD 20231213
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3616858/readout-of-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iiis-call-with-philippine-secret/
Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Call with the National Security Advisors of Japan and the Philippines
US DoD 20231213
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/12/13/readout-of-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivans-call-with-the-national-security-advisors-of-japan-and-the-philippines/
Beijing reiterates position on South China Sea
China Military 20231214
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/VOICES/16273373.html
China Coast Guard Navigate near Senkaku Islands for Record 337 Days This Year
Yomiuri 20231214
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20231214-155654/
Capabilities
This Is Exactly How The Latest Ballistic Missile Defense Test Worked
The Drive 20231213
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/this-is-exactly-how-the-latest-ballistic-missile-defense-test-worked
Second successful live-fire for RTX's Raytheon Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor
RTX Release 20231213
https://raytheon.mediaroom.com/2023-12-13-Second-successful-live-fire-for-RTXs-Raytheon-Lower-Tier-Air-and-Missile-Defense-Sensor
The Army’s New Precision Strike Missile Can Destroy Moving Targets From Up to 310 Miles Away
Popular Mechanics 20231214
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a46094242/precision-strike-missile/
China launches mystery reusable spaceplane for third time
Space News 20231214
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-mystery-reusable-spaceplane-for-third-time/
Saltzman: ‘Probably No Coincidence’ X-37 and Chinese Space Plane Will Launch Near Each Other
Air & Space 20231213
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/x-37-launch-delayed-saltzman-future/
To deter China, Space Force acquisition command focusing on networks, AI/ML and ‘dynamic’ ops
Breaking Defense 20231214
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/to-deter-china-space-force-acquisition-command-focusing-on-networks-ai-ml-and-dynamic-ops/
Space Force’s new, classified ‘threat warning’ sensors now delivering intel on ‘foreign capabilities’
Breaking Defense 20231214
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/space-forces-new-classified-threat-warning-sensors-now-delivering-intel-on-foreign-capabilities/
Draft Space Force-NRO plan for tracking moving targets ‘floating’ around military, IC
Breaking Defense 20231214
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/12/draft-space-force-nro-plan-for-tracking-moving-targets-floating-around-military-ic/
Astute lessons for Australia’s AUKUS submarine workforce
ASPI 20231214
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/astute-lessons-for-australias-aukus-submarine-workforce/
Australia must act now to develop a national security strategy
ASPI 20231214
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-must-act-now-to-develop-a-national-security-strategy/
THE STRATEGIC POSTURE COMMISSION’S AMAZING TRIP BACK TO THE FUTURE
WOTR 20231213
https://warontherocks.com/2023/12/the-strategic-posture-commissions-amazing-trip-back-to-the-future/
Shifting Quad relief operations from theory to practice
Lowy 20231214
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/shifting-quad-relief-operations-theory-practice
The People's Liberation Army's Approach to Maintenance Management
RAND 20231214
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA1900/RRA1995-1/RAND_RRA1995-1.pdf
Amid recruiting woes, active duty end strength to drop again in 2024
Military Times 20231214
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2023/12/14/amid-recruiting-woes-active-duty-end-strength-to-drop-again-in-2024/
Power
Soft power is not the PRC’s thing
Asia Times 20231214
https://asiatimes.com/2023/12/soft-power-is-not-the-prcs-thing/
The Use and Misuse of History: What Should We Learn From the Korean War?
The Diplomat 20231214
https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/the-use-and-misuse-of-history-what-should-we-learn-from-the-korean-war/
Exercises
6 Chinese, Russian military aircraft enter S. Korea's air defense zone: JCS
Yonhap 20231214
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231214006852315?section=news
Chinese, Russian militaries hold 7th joint aerial strategic patrol
GT 20231215
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202312/1303700.shtml
Strengthening partnerships in the Pacific
USAF PacAF 20231213
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3618015/strengthening-partnerships-in-the-pacific/