Pacific Winds 20250317
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
How America ripped off Australia with 'free trade'
ABC (AU) 20250316
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-16/verrender-us-free-trade-analysis/105053766
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Washington Loves Guam...TO DEATH!
Un-Diplomatic 20250316
https://www.un-diplomatic.com/p/washington-loves-guamto-death
Island Waves
Fears funding gap left by USAID cuts could be filled by China
1News (NZ) 20250316
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/03/16/fears-funding-gap-left-by-usaid-cuts-could-be-filled-by-china/
French Ambassador for the Pacific makes first official visit to Vanuatu
RNZ 20250317
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/545045/french-ambassador-for-the-pacific-makes-first-official-visit-to-vanuatu
Taiwan + SCS
Uncertainty and Strategic Shifts in Taiwan-US Defense Cooperation Under Trump 2.0
The Diplomat 2250314
https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/uncertainty-and-strategic-shifts-in-taiwan-us-defense-cooperation-under-trump-2-0/
Mainland China’s PLA ‘ready to fight’ for Taiwan at any time, commander warns
SCMP 20250316
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3302588/mainland-chinas-pla-ready-fight-taiwan-any-time-commander-warns
Taiwan tracks 1 Chinese military aircraft and 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250316
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6060570
Capabilities
Japan eyes deploying long-range missiles on Kyushu island
Kyodo 20250316
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/2e5ffec87325-japan-eyes-deploying-long-range-missiles-on-kyushu-island.html
It’s official: Space Force wants laser weapons.
Task & Purpose 20250316
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/space-force-orbital-laser-weapons/
N. Korea warns U.S. war reinforcements will be 'wiped out' after stealth jet deployment to Japan
Yonhap 20250316
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250316002400315
Did a US military contractor use a Chinese-made jet engine in ‘Strategic Strike’ missile?
SCMP 20250316
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3302388/did-us-military-contractor-use-chinese-made-jet-engine-strategic-strike-missile
Power
The end of nonproliferation?
Defense One 20250316
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/03/end-nonproliferation/403779/
The West spent 15 years on an extraordinary plan to contain China. Could Trump undo it?
Telegraph 20250316
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/16/trump-biggest-military-threat-china-pacific/