Pacific Winds 20250729

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Australia’s Path: Alliance Credibility Without Conformity
AIIA 20250728
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/australias-path-alliance-credibility-without-conformity/

Australia employs ‘straddle’ diplomacy with China and the US
AFR 20250727
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/australia-employs-straddle-diplomacy-with-china-and-the-us-20250727-p5mi28

Anti‑China rhetoric from Australia fails to grasp global realities
GT 22050728
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1339484.shtml

Expanded USFK role’ on tariff negotiation table as part of alliance modernization
Korea Times 20250728
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20250728/expanded-usfk-role-on-tariff-negotiation-table-as-part-of-alliance-modernization

S. Korea proposes major shipbuilding investment in U.S. ahead of tariff negotiation deadline
Yonhap 20250728
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250728003300320

South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Role Under Discussion in US Trade Talks
The Diplomat 20250728
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/south-koreas-indo-pacific-role-under-discussion-in-us-trade-talks/

Bridging the Ambiguity-Explicitness Gap in the U.S.-South Korean Alliance
WOTR 20250728
https://warontherocks.com/2025/07/bridging-the-ambiguity-explicitness-gap-in-the-u-s-south-korean-alliance/

Inter-Korean ties face bumpy roads as N. Korea snubs Lee's overtures
Yonhap 20250728
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250728005200315

S. Korea vows to consistently take actions for peace after N. Korea rejects Lee's overture
Yonhap 20250728
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250728004400315

The Pentagon’s Policy Guy Is All In on China
The Atlantic 20250728
https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/archive/2025/07/pentagon-china-elbridge-colby/683677/?utm_source=feed

Japan tries to track US tariff deal progress without written agreement
Nikkei 20250729
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/Trump-tariffs/Japan-tries-to-track-US-tariff-deal-progress-without-written-agreement

Trump says tariffs would be in 15-20 pct range for most countries that have yet to strike deal
Yonhap20250729
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250728010851315

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Reviews and criticisms of final EIS for missile defense system
GDP 20250728
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/reviews-and-criticisms-of-final-eis-for-missile-defense-system/article_e47252ab-750c-4435-bc7b-511c738aab5d.html

Group criticizes Guam missile defense study
Isla Public Media 20250728
https://www.islapublic.org/news/2025-07-28/group-criticizes-guam-missile-defense-study

Group criticizes Guam missile defense study
PIT 20250728
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/security-institute-says-guam-missile-defense-is-more-trouble-than-it-s-worth

Protecting Guam residents
PDN 20250728
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/opinion-lotz-protecting-guam-residents/article_97b9064a-f7bb-42e9-8665-6240b1c35a5d.html

Moylan wants advance notice of nuclear reactor plans for Guam
PDN 20250728
https://www.guampdn.com/news/moylan-wants-advance-notice-of-nuclear-reactor-plans-for-guam/article_f72ddd80-6703-46aa-8e47-397b3a420337.html

Eglin test squadron touches down during Exercise REFORPAC 2025
UASF AAFB 20250727
https://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4256606/eglin-test-squadron-touches-down-during-exercise-reforpac-2025/

Island military veterans hope for US action
RNZ 20250728
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/568195/island-military-veterans-hope-for-us-action

East Micronesia Cable System lands at Kiribati
Data Center Dynamics 20250728
https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/east-micronesia-cable-system-lands-at-kiribati/

Island Waves

Six months later, US soft power feels effects of USAID cuts
ASPI 20250728
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/six-months-later-us-soft-power-feels-effects-of-usaid-cuts/

Friends to all: Nauru-Australia security treaty brings confidence and stability
ASPI 20250728
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/friends-to-all-nauru-australia-security-treaty-brings-confidence-and-stability/

New Caledonia: A Historic Agreement for a Unique Status
RSIS 20250725
https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/new-caledonia-a-historic-agreement-for-a-unique-status/

Pacific Partnership 2025 Returns To Papua New Guinea
USN 20250728
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4256778/pacific-partnership-2025-returns-to-papua-new-guinea/

Mission Team Focuses on Strengthening Relations
National (PNG) 20250728
https://www.thenational.com.pg/mission-team-focuses-on-strengthening-relations/

MID and partners inspect bridge projects in Malaita, noting progress and community feedback on climate-resilient works.
SIBC 20250728
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/mid-bridge-inspection-malaita-2025/

Taiwan + SCS

Trump Weighs Whether to Let Taiwan Leader Transit Through US
Bloomberg 20250728
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-28/trump-weighs-whether-to-allow-taiwan-leader-s-transit-through-us

Lai has no plans to go on overseas visit: Presidential Office
CNA (TW) 20250728
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202507280024

2nd batch of 42 M1A2T tanks arrives in Taiwan
CNA (TW) 20250728
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202507280005

Taiwan Straits not a ‘projection screen’ for Britain’s imperial nostalgia
GT 20250728
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1339487.shtml

Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese military aircraft and 10 ships
Taiwan News 20250728
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6165240

Capabilities

Townsville should lead strategic basing for Littoral Lift Group
ASPI 20250728
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/townsville-should-lead-strategic-basing-for-littoral-lift-group/

New Missile for Truck-Based Himars Launchers Has China in Its Sights
WSJ 20250728
https://www.wsj.com/world/new-missile-for-truck-based-himars-launchers-has-china-in-its-sights-8c9685cc

China launches internet satellite group
Xinhua 20250728
https://english.news.cn/20250728/ec3de33e8cce47c5a30791ddd05dd5b5/c.html

Space Force to launch eighth X-37B spaceplane flight next month
Defense News 20250728
https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/07/28/space-force-to-launch-eighth-x-37b-spaceplane-flight-next-month/

Next X-37B mission to carry quantum sensor, laser link experiments
Breaking Defense 20250728
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/next-x-37b-mission-to-carry-quantum-sensor-laser-link-experiments/

Exercises

USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 28, 2025
USNI 20250728
https://news.usni.org/2025/07/28/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-july-28-2025