Pacific Winds 20250315
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Pentagon official stresses 'clear,' 'ironclad' commitment to alliance after S. Korea's exclusion from Hegseth's upcoming Asia swing
Yonhap 20250315
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250314009352315
U.S. Envoy Nominee Glass Shows Tough Stance on Japan
Yomiuri 20250314
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/us-canada/20250314-243304/
Trump's ambassador pick to press Japan to spend more to host U.S. troops
Japan Times 20250314
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03/14/japan/politics/george-glass-us-japan-ambassador-cost-sharing/
The Indo-Pacific grapples with a reckless China and feckless US
FT 20250314
https://www.ft.com/content/6b4c6f45-89cd-477c-aac6-7c71a2a9d65e
Can Singapore’s Measured Approach Endure in a Tumultuous World?
The Diplomat 20250313
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/can-singapores-measured-approach-endure-in-a-tumultuous-world/
New Zealand’s stark choice: navigating uncharted waters
Post (NZ) 20250314
https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360611465/new-zealands-stark-choice-navigating-uncharted-waters
Let’s Focus on What Australia and China can Agree on in Maritime Security
AIA 20240314
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/lets-focus-on-what-australia-and-china-can-agree-on-in-maritime-security/
Japan's Iwaya calls U.S. tariffs "regrettable" in talks with Rubio
Kyodo 20250314
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/e7608216993c-update1-japans-iwaya-calls-us-tariffs-regrettable-in-talks-with-rubio.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Sealing the Interagency Cracks: The United States in Oceania
CSIS 20250313
https://www.csis.org/analysis/sealing-interagency-cracks-united-states-oceania
How Interagency Campaigns Can Counter Chinese Gray Zone Incursions in the Pacific
CSIS 20250313
https://www.csis.org/analysis/how-interagency-campaigns-can-counter-chinese-gray-zone-incursions-pacific
'It's going to happen fairly soon:' CNMI governor optimistic about 702 funding reinstatement
PIT 20250314
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/it-s-going-to-happen-fairly-soon-cnmi-governor-optimistic-about-702-funding-reinstatement
Guam at decolonization ‘crossroads’ with resolution on US statehood
Benar 20250314
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/guam-statehood-decolonization-03142025040420.html
Island Waves
A Blue Pacific rules-based order: “Our home, our rules”
DevPolicy 20250314
https://devpolicy.org/a-blue-pacific-rules-based-order-our-home-our-rules-20250314/
Pacific to bank on ANZ thanks to Australian guarantee
Advertiser (AU) 20250314
https://www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au/story/8916997/pacific-to-bank-on-anz-thanks-to-australian-guarantee/
Canberra to give ANZ $1.3 billion loan guarantee to keep Pacific branches afloat
Reuters 20250314
https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/australian-government-give-anz-13-bln-loan-guarantee-pacific-operations-2025-03-14/
Australia is Solomon Islands nambawan economic partner
SIBC 20250314
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/solomon-islands-australia-partnership-4/
Chinese ambassador reaffirms commitment to strengthening Sino-Fijian ties
Xinhua 20250313
https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20250314/515c621aebbf4c58a46254bfae419f23/c.html
Big hopes pinned on PNG-Bougainville moderation talks next week
NZ 20250314
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/544826/big-hopes-pinned-on-png-bougainville-moderation-talks-next-week
France’s Reset With New Caledonia Could Hit Some Roadblocks
WPR 20250313
https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/france-new-caledonia-reset/
Tokelau sets sights on a potential third referendum
RNZ 20250315
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/544878/tokelau-sets-sights-on-a-potential-third-referendum
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan patrol boat spots Chinese ship surveying Kinmen's restricted waters
Taiwan News 20250314
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6059588
Taiwan slams China comments about not having a president
Taiwan News 20250314
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6059987
China's top legislator stresses firm action against "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, external interference
Xinhua 20250314
https://english.news.cn/20250314/290c1b6503da4ff383a61588a4f9e2e1/c.html
Lai Ching-te’s ‘green terror’ will turn Taiwan island into a cage
GT 20250315
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330161.shtml
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese military aircraft and 8 ships
Taiwan News 20250314
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6059583
The South China Sea: Making the Philippines-US Alliance Work Under Trump 2.0
The Diplomat 20250313
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/the-south-china-sea-making-the-philippines-us-alliance-work-under-trump-2-0/
G7 slams China’s ‘dangerous’ moves in South China Sea
SCMP 20250314
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3302482/g7-slams-chinas-dangerous-moves-south-china-sea-voices-support-ukraine
Truth about Ren'ai Jiao: An integral part of China's Nansha Qundao
China Military 20250314
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16375030.html
Capabilities
Hegseth orders ‘disestablishing’ of Office of Net Assessment
Breaking Defense 20250313
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/hegseth-orders-disestablishing-of-office-of-net-assesment/
CRS Report to Congress on U.S. Investigation into Chinese Shipbuilding
USNI 20250314
https://news.usni.org/2025/03/14/report-to-congress-on-u-s-investigation-into-chinese-shipbuilding
Defense Ministry responds to US report ‘China building large nuclear-powered aircraft carrier', says it’s ‘purely speculative’
GT 20250314
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1330128.shtml
US, China and Japan racing for the super-battleship lead
Asia Times 20250314
https://asiatimes.com/2025/03/us-china-and-japan-racing-for-the-super-battleship-lead/
The Navy needs a 180-degree pivot: Embracing autonomy and AI for maritime dominance
Breaking Defense 20250314
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/the-navy-needs-a-180-degree-pivot-embracing-autonomy-and-ai-for-maritime-dominance/
USAF, Japan Look to Share Maintenance on Common Aircraft Closer to the Fight
Air & Space 20250314
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-japan-share-maintenance-common-aircraft/
‘Peace Through Strength’ Starts with Rebuilding the US Air Force
Air & Space 20250313
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/peace-through-strength-rebuilding-us-air-force/
Defense Innovation Unit picks four firms to test one-way drones
Defense News 20250314
https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2025/03/14/defense-innovation-unit-picks-four-firms-to-test-one-way-drones/
Power
A Better Way to Defend America
FA 20250314
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/better-way-defend-america