Pacific Winds 20250803
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Our US alliance is essential—yet we must also be more self-reliant
ASPI 20250802
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/our-us-alliance-is-essential-yet-we-must-also-be-more-self-reliant/
Trump says U.S. has 'great' relationship with S. Korea
Yonhap 20250802
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250802000200315
China’s New Regional Policy: A Challenge to the Indo-Pacific?
The Diplomat 20250731
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/chinas-new-regional-policy-a-challenge-to-the-indo-pacific/
Trump’s Asia policy should prioritize security over revenue
Asia Times 20250802
https://asiatimes.com/2025/08/trumps-asia-policy-should-prioritize-security-over-revenue/
Bessent says US has 'makings of a deal' with China
Reuters 20250801
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/bessent-says-us-has-makings-deal-with-china-2025-08-01/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
What’s the big deal if the US reduces troop numbers in Korea?
Hankyoreh 20250801
https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/1211098.html
Island Waves
Beyond the Second Island Chain: It’s Time to Mitigate Strategic Risk in Oceania
MWI 20250801
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/beyond-the-second-island-chain-its-time-to-mitigate-strategic-risk-in-oceania/
Trump slashes US tariff on Fijian goods from 32% to 15%
Fiji Times 20250802
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/trump-slashes-us-tariff-on-fijian-goods-from-32-to-15/
Taiwan + SCS
Failure of Taiwanese recall elections leaves defence build-up in gridlock
ASPI 20250801
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/failure-of-taiwanese-recall-elections-leaves-defence-build-up-in-gridlock/
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese military aircraft and 7 ships
Taiwan News 20250802
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6170160
Trump takes step back from Philippines in South China Sea
Asia Times 20250802
https://asiatimes.com/2025/08/trump-takes-step-back-from-philippines-in-south-china-sea/
Capabilities
US-China race for air supremacy at sea hits critical phase
Asia Times 20250802
https://asiatimes.com/2025/08/us-china-race-for-air-supremacy-at-sea-hits-critical-phase/
Why industry says Golden Dome’s biggest challenge isn’t missiles, it’s data flow
Space News 20250802
https://spacenews.com/why-industry-says-golden-domes-biggest-challenge-isnt-missiles-its-data-flow/
Exercises
Exercise Tests Large-Scale Patient Movement From Indo-Pacific Region
US DoD 20250801
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4262515/exercise-tests-large-scale-patient-movement-from-indo-pacific-region/