Pacific Winds 20250520
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Allied extended deterrence: Towards a collective framework in the Indo-Pacific
USSC 20250519
https://www.ussc.edu.au/allied-extended-deterrence-towards-a-collective-framework-in-the-indo-pacific
A Time to Act: Japanese Security Between the United States and China
SWJ 20250519
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/05/19/a-time-to-act-japanese-security-between-the-united-states-and-china/
The South Korea-US Alliance Is Due for an Overhaul
The Diplomat 20250519
https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/the-south-korea-us-alliance-is-due-for-an-overhaul/
Seoul needs 'win-win' strategy for shipbuilding partnership with U.S.
Yonhap 20250519
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250519002400320
Japan not rushing into a bad trade deal with Trump
Asia Times 20250519
https://asiatimes.com/2025/05/japan-not-rushing-into-a-bad-trade-deal-with-trump/
Nippon Steel to invest US$4 billion for US Steel mill in US$14 billion package
SCMP 20250519
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3310979/nippon-steel-invest-us4-billion-us-steel-mill-us14-billion-package
U.S. eyes region-based tariffs for many nations as deadline nears
Kyodo 20250519
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/05/8f5c8616740e-us-eyes-region-based-tariffs-for-many-nations-as-deadline-nears.html
The 'Trumpcession' is starting to hurt allies more than China
NIkkei 20250519
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/The-Trumpcession-is-starting-to-hurt-allies-more-than-China
Trade war truce isn’t cause for complacency
EAF 20250519
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/05/19/trade-war-truce-isnt-cause-for-complacency/
The US and China called a truce on tariffs, but is the battleground expanding?
SCMP 20250519
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3310954/us-and-china-called-truce-tariffs-battleground-expanding
Trump-Xi direct talks needed soon as clock ticks on trade truce: ex-US diploma|
SCMP 20250519
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3310934/trump-xi-direct-talks-needed-soon-clock-ticks-trade-truce-ex-us-diplomat
United States and China: Who’s Zoomin’ Who?
CSIS 20250519
https://www.csis.org/analysis/united-states-and-china-whos-zoomin-who
Australia’s Port of Darwin move risks ISDS arbitration with China
EAF 20250519
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/05/19/australias-port-of-darwin-move-risks-isds-arbitration-with-china/
In the Future, China Will Be Dominant. The U.S. Will Be Irrelevant.
NYTimes 20250519
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/opinion/china-us-trade-tariffs.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Head of Guam missile defense says project to cost $8B, will be improving 'forever'
PDN 20250519
https://www.guampdn.com/news/head-of-guam-missile-defense-says-project-to-cost-8b-will-be-improving-forever/article_4f9e9364-6230-4891-a6a6-1a6adb149c02.html
Some 50 Marines, Sailors move into new Camp Blaz barracks
PDN 20250519
https://www.guampdn.com/news/some-50-marines-sailors-move-into-new-camp-blaz-barracks/article_0beae047-5d66-47ff-a9f7-06fefdaf36e4.html
Palau president in Taiwan for first time since start of second term
CNA (TW) 20250519
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202505190023
Island Waves
After listening, what’s Australia’s next move in the Pacific?
Lowy 20250519
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/after-listening-what-s-australia-s-next-move-pacific
The Pacific needs to upgrade regional intelligence cooperation
ASPI 20250519
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-pacific-needs-to-upgrade-regional-intelligence-cooperation/
Manele Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to One-China Policy
Tavuli 20250519
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/solomon-islands-reaffirms-one-china-policy/
Solomon Islands reaffirms steadfast commitment to one-China principle in govt statement
GT 20250519
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334362.shtml
Australia's foreign minister to visit Tonga this week
Matangi Tonga 20250519
https://matangitonga.to/2025/05/19/australias-foreign-minister-visit-tonga-week
UK Puts Handover of the Strategic Chagos Islands on Hold
Maritime Exec 20250519
https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/uk-puts-handover-of-the-strategic-chagos-islands-on-hold
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan tracks 21 Chinese military aircraft, 11 ships
Taiwan News 20250519
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6113742
Photos Show US Coast Guard Ship Deployed to Contested Waters Near China
Newsweek 20250519
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-coast-guard-deploys-pacific-south-china-sea-philippines-china-2073986
Prabowo chooses ambiguity in South China Sea policy
ASPI 20250519
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/prabowo-chooses-ambiguity-in-south-china-sea-policy/
PCG: At least 6 Chinese underwater drones retrieved from PH waters so far
GMA 20250519
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/946654/pcg-at-least-6-chinese-underwater-drones-retrieved-from-ph-waters-so-far/story/
Capabilities
U.S. Navy faces tough resource allocation challenges
Japan Times 20250519
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/05/19/world/us-navy-china-resource-challenges/
Allvin says Air Force must grow, even at ‘expense’ of other services
Breaking Defense 20250519
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/exclusive-allvin-says-air-force-must-grow-even-at-expense-of-other-services/
Space Force FORGEing ahead with missile warning ground system
Breaking Defense 20250519
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/space-force-forgeing-ahead-with-missile-warning-ground-system/
Missile Defense Agency takes delivery of first THAAD radar to track hypersonics
Breaking Defense 20250519
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/missile-defense-agency-takes-delivery-of-first-thaad-radar-to-track-hypersonics/
China puts advanced detection, command and control systems at radar expo
GT 20250520
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334441.shtml
Ensuring Australia’s defence through complex interdependence
ASPI 20250519
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/ensuring-australias-defence-through-complex-interdependence/
China to extend UAV combat range as first mission nears for ‘drone mother ship’ Jiu Tian
SCMP 20250519
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3310879/china-extend-combat-range-uavs-jiu-tian-drone-carrier-prepares-first-mission
China's CERES-1 rocket launches new satellites from sea
Xinhua 20250519
https://english.news.cn/20250519/eb50923e56824bc281f35551bfecde72/c.html
Commercial radar satellite firm eyes role in U.S. missile defense
Space News 20250519
https://spacenews.com/commercial-radar-satellite-firm-eyes-role-in-u-s-missile-defense/
Power
The Future of Nuclear Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific
Perry World House 20250519
https://perryworldhouse.upenn.edu/news-and-insight/the-future-of-nuclear-deterrence-in-the-indo-pacific/
Welcome to the New Nuclear Age. It's Even More Chaotic.
Bloomberg 20250518
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/features/2025-05-18/welcome-to-the-new-nuclear-age-between-china-russia-and-the-us
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 19, 2025
USNI 20250519
https://news.usni.org/2025/05/19/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-may-19-2025