Pacific Winds 20250314

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Mar 13, 2025

Alliances

Trump's ambassador pick wants Japan to pay more for U.S. bases
Nikkei 20250314
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/Trump-s-ambassador-pick-wants-Japan-to-pay-more-for-U.S.-bases

Japan on red alert as Trump rocks international alliances
Nikkei 20250313
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Japan-on-red-alert-as-Trump-rocks-international-alliances

‘Disappointed’ by Trump tariffs, Japan braces for additional moves
Asahi 20250313
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15666757

Nuclear Chain Reaction
GMFUS 20250313
https://www.gmfus.org/news/nuclear-chain-reaction

Trump says he has 'great' relationship with Kim Jong-un, calls N. Korea 'nuclear power'
Yonhap 20250314
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250314000200315

Can Trump Restart Talks With North Korea?
The Diplomat 20250312
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/can-trump-restart-talks-with-north-korea/

The United States’ Illiberal Turn Recasts a Potential Deal with China
CSIS 20250313
https://www.csis.org/analysis/united-states-illiberal-turn-recasts-potential-deal-china

China accuses New Zealand's top spy of spreading 'false information'
Reuters 20250313
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-accuses-new-zealands-top-spy-spreading-false-information-2025-03-13/

To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail: Chinese embassy on NZ security intel’s claims
GT 20250313
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330032.shtml

Don’t use China as a hedge against US, Beijing’s envoy warns Japan
SCMP 20250313
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3302252/dont-use-china-hedge-against-us-beijings-envoy-warns-japan

Southeast Asia Maritime Security and Indo-Pacific Strategic Competition
Wilson 20250313
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/southeast-asia-maritime-security-and-indo-pacific-strategic-competition

Waste Not, Want Not: The Need for US Soft Power in the Indo-Pacific
The Diplomat 20250313
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/waste-not-want-not-the-need-for-us-soft-power-in-the-indo-pacific/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

‘Slim prospects’ for $412M funding request
Marianas Variety 20250314
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/slim-prospects-for-412m-funding-request/article_ca8f54e8-ffef-11ef-8b28-57b5c0edd1f2.html

‘Slim chance of a federal bailout:’ CNMI delegate pushes for 'structural fixes' instead of begging for aid
PIT 20250313
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/slim-chance-of-a-federal-bailout-cnmi-delegate-pushes-for-structural-fixes-instead-of-begging-f

CNMI, Department of Defense discuss updates on military initiatives
Marianas Variety 20250314
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/cnmi-department-of-defense-discuss-updates-on-military-initiatives/article_6836d942-0017-11f0-9954-d3e216df9cd7.html

Pacific governments warned of ‘threat’ from Cambodia’s Prince Group
RFA 20250312
https://www.rfa.org/english/cambodia/2025/03/12/corruption-security-taiwan-palau/

'Only path to survival': Senator eyes Guam becoming 51st state, Commission on Decolonization raises concern
PDN 20250313
https://www.guampdn.com/news/only-path-to-survival-senator-eyes-guam-becoming-51st-state-commission-on-decolonization-raises-concern/article_cac22492-ffde-11ef-849f-871cf548e2b3.html

Island Waves

Taiwan + SCS

Beyond a Budget Boost: Modernizing Taiwan’s Defense
The Diplomat 20250312
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/beyond-a-budget-boost-modernizing-taiwans-defense/

How to Toughen Up Taiwan
FA 20250313
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/how-toughen-taiwan

The war in Ukraine is influencing how Taiwanese think about conflict
Brookings 20250313
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-war-in-ukraine-is-influencing-how-taiwanese-think-about-conflict/

Taiwan president warns of China's 'infiltration' effort, vows counter measures
Reuters 20250313
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-president-says-china-has-deepened-influence-campaign-infiltration-against-2025-03-13/

President unveils plan to counter Chinese sabotage against Taiwan
Taiwan News 20250313
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6058791

Taiwan Works to Restore Military Trials Over China Influence
Bloomberg 20250313
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-13/taiwan-works-to-restore-military-trials-citing-china-influence

Mainland spokesperson slams Lai Ching-te as ‘destroyer of cross-Straits peace’ for his provocative secessionist remarks
GT 20250313
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330097.shtml

US Senate introduces bill to renaming TECRO as 'Taiwan representative office'
Taipei Times 20250313
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/03/13/2003833372

US senators eye renaming Taipei rep office; move might be for own political goals: expert
GT 20250313
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330062.shtml

Taiwan Coast Guard expels Chinese ship from Kinmen restricted waters
CNA (TW) 20250313
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202503130015

Taiwan tracks 20 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships
Taiwan News 20250313
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6058416

To the Philippines: Don’t be a ship lost at sea in foreign policy
GT 20250313
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330065.shtml

Capabilities

Australia moves to arm troops with anti-ship missiles as China threat looms
Reuters 20250313
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-moves-arm-troops-with-anti-ship-missiles-china-threat-looms-2025-03-13/

No chance Trump can catch China’s shipbuilding juggernaut
Asia Times 20250313
https://asiatimes.com/2025/03/no-chance-trump-can-catch-chinas-shipbuilding-juggernaut/

Hanwha Ocean completed its first MRO on US Navy ship
Naval News 20250313
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/03/hanwha-ocean-completed-its-first-mro-on-us-navy-ship/

New bill would create commission to investigate state of American shipbuilding
Breaking Defense 20250313
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/new-bill-would-create-commission-to-investigate-state-of-american-shipbuilding/

‘A huge hit to us’: Senior service leaders warn of delays and disruptions under pending stopgap funding bill
S&S 20250312
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-03-12/military-services-continuing-resolution-senate-17118860.html

New Budget Deal Could Cost USAF Up to $14 Billion
Air & Space 20250312
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-budget-deal-could-cost-usaf/

Our Best Look Yet At China’s New ‘Invasion Barges’
TWZ 20250313
https://www.twz.com/sea/our-best-look-yet-at-chinas-new-invasion-barges

Space Force Asks for ‘Flexibility’ to Manage Effects of Yearlong CR
Air & Space 20250313
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-flexibility-yearlong-cr/

Service leaders beg for flexibility as full-year continuing resolution looms
Defense One 20240312
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/03/service-leaders-ask-flexibility-modernize-under-continuing-resolution/403703/

Power

It’s time to rethink foreign aid
ASPI 20250313
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/its-time-to-rethink-foreign-aid/

Events

Collaborating for Resilience: Japanese and U.S. Industry Cooperation on MRO for USAF Systems
CSIS 18 MArch 2024 2-4 PM EDT
https://www.csis.org/events/collaborating-resilience-japanese-and-us-industry-cooperation-mro-usaf-systems

PCIS - Pacific Winds

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