Pacific Winds 20250722
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The Chinese readout of Albanese’s visit
Lowy 20250721
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/chinese-readout-albanese-s-visit
New FM puts Peninsula peace first, apologizes for ‘politicized diplomacy’
Korea Herald 20250721
https://m.koreaherald.com/article/10536256
South Korea moves away from former Indo-Pacific Strategy
EAF 20250721
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/07/21/south-korea-moves-away-from-former-indo-pacific-strategy/
Will Trump seek rendezvous with N.K. leader during APEC summit in S. Korea?
Yonhap 20250721
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250719000400315
The strange disappearance of the US-North Korea conflict
Asia Times 20250721
https://asiatimes.com/2025/07/the-strange-disappearance-of-the-us-north-korea-conflict/
Criticism, questions mount about AUKUS & US relations in Australia
Breaking Defense 20250721
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/criticism-questions-mount-about-aukus-us-relations-in-australia/
Japan PM Ishiba Says Japan, U.S. Cannot Keep Going Along Parallel Lines Forever on Tariffs
Yomiuri 20250721
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/business/economy/20250721-270772/
Japan’s Upper House Election: Prolonged Instability
CSIS 20250721
https://www.csis.org/analysis/japans-upper-house-election-prolonged-instability
‘Japan first’ electoral tide turns against Ishiba, LDP
Asia Times 20250721
https://asiatimes.com/2025/07/japan-first-electoral-tide-turns-against-ishiba-ldp/
Philippines' Marcos to meet Trump hoping to secure trade deal
Reuters 20250721
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-marcos-meet-trump-hoping-secure-trade-deal-2025-07-21/
Hegseth, Philippine President Meet to Advance Deterrence in Indo-Pacific
US DoD 20250721
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4250755/hegseth-philippine-president-meet-to-advance-deterrence-in-indo-pacific/
Philippines unlikely to shed role as US strategic pawn
GT 20250721
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1338901.shtml
Chinese perspectives on strategic stability engagement with the United States
Brookings 20250721
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/chinese-perspectives-on-strategic-stability-engagement-with-the-united-states/
U.S. expert warns tariffs against allies and foes alike will make America 'less well-off,' 'less secure'
Yonhap 20250722
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250722000300315
Making America Alone Again
FA 20250721
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/north-america/making-america-alone-again
US Treasury chief says China talks could cover Iran, Russia oil buys
SCMP 20250721
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3319062/us-treasury-chief-says-china-talks-could-cover-iran-russia-oil-buys
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
REFORPAC brings military exercises to Saipan
Isla Public Media 20250721
https://www.islapublic.org/news/2025-07-21/reforpac-brings-military-exercises-to-saipan
Map Shows Reach of US Air Force's Pacific War Games
Newsweek 20250721
https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-us-air-force-pacific-war-games-2101722
With 400 aircraft across 3,000 miles, Air Force puts agile combat strategy to the test
S&S 20250721
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2025-07-21/air-force-ace-resolute-force-pacific-18505037.html
U.S. Coast Guard completes historic Quad Sail to strengthen Indo-Pacific maritime partnership
USN 7th Flt 20250720
https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/4250110/us-coast-guard-completes-historic-quad-sail-to-strengthen-indo-pacific-maritime/
Is Palau about to accept third-country nationals from the US?
ABC (AU) 20250721
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/is-palau-about-to-accept-third-country-nationals-from-the-us-/105553860
Island Waves
Friends to all: Fiji prioritises shared values and regional leadership
Lowy 20250721
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/friends-to-all-fiji-prioritises-shared-values-and-regional-leadership/
Partnership has PNG pilot flying
AU DoD 20250721
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-07-21/partnership-has-png-pilot-flying
Engineers provide water to Timorese island
AU DoD 20250721
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-07-21/engineers-provide-water-timorese-island
Taiwan + SCS
China Issues Diplomatic Protest Over Philippines’ Engagement With Taiwan
The Diplomat 20250721
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/china-issues-diplomatic-protest-over-philippines-engagement-with-taiwan/
From job cuts to suspending plans, Taiwan firms brace for Trump tariff storm
SCMP 20250721
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3319041/job-cuts-suspending-plans-taiwan-firms-brace-trump-tariff-storm
Taiwan tracks 1 military aircraft and 5 vessels
Taiwan News 20250721
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6160210
Capabilities
Credible prompt strike: How hypersonic weapons could transform Pacific deterrence
Breaking Defense 20250721
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/credible-prompt-strike-how-hypersonic-weapons-could-transform-pacific-deterrence/
Passive ground-based sensor networks could bolster air, missile defense resilience: CSIS
Breaking Defense 20250721
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/passive-ground-based-sensor-networks-could-bolster-air-missile-defense-resilience-csis/
Mesh Sensing for Air and Missile Defense
CSIS 20250721
https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2025-07/250717_Dahlgren_Mesh_Sensing.pdf
New Autonomous Air Combat Drones Look Set To Be Unveiled At Upcoming China Military Parade
TWZ 20250721
https://www.twz.com/air/new-autonomous-air-combat-drones-look-set-to-be-unveiled-at-upcoming-china-military-parade
US Navy’s next-gen destroyer looking like a money pit
Asia Times 20250721
https://asiatimes.com/2025/07/us-navys-next-gen-destroyer-looking-like-a-money-pit/
Exercises
Marines rehearse remote airfield seizures during massive Indo-Pacific drills
S&S 20250721
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-07-21/marines-seize-airstrips-talisman-sabre-18504131.html
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 21, 2025
USNI 20250721
https://news.usni.org/2025/07/21/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-july-21-2025