Pacific Winds 20250809
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan, South Korea, U.S. pledge to strengthen security cooperation
IPDF 20250807
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2025/08/japan-south-korea-u-s-pledge-to-strengthen-security-cooperation/
South Korean president eyes Japan visit in late Aug. to meet PM Ishiba
Kyodo 20250808
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/58929
South Korean president eyes Japan visit in late Aug. to meet PM Ishiba
Kyodo 20250808
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/58929
Alliance modernization seeks to ensure credible deterrence on, 'beyond' Korean Peninsula: Pentagon
Yonhap 20250808
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250808009652315
US-Korea alliance in the shadow of Trump’s transactionalism
Asia Times 20250808
https://asiatimes.com/2025/08/us-korea-alliance-in-the-shadow-of-trumps-transactionalism/
The Variables of OPCON: The ‘Control Rod’ Logic in Today’s ROK-US Alliance
The Diplomat 20250808
https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/the-variables-of-opcon-the-control-rod-logic-in-todays-rok-us-alliance/
Kim Jong Un’s Letters to Moscow: A Window Into DPRK-Russia Relations
CSIS 20250807
https://www.38north.org/2025/08/kim-jong-uns-letters-to-moscow-a-window-into-dprk-russia-relations/
Australia and New Zealand’s Pacific approach diverges
Lowy 20250808
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-new-zealand-s-pacific-approach-diverges
Beijing warns Manila to stop ‘playing with fire’ after Marcos makes Taiwan remarks
SCMP 20250808
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321176/beijing-warns-manila-stop-playing-fire-after-marcos-makes-taiwan-remarks
Chinese FM and Embassy lodge serious protests over Philippine president’s comment on Taiwan
GT 20250808
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340454.shtml
Philippines urged to stop ganging up with others to stir up trouble in South China Sea: China’s defense ministry
GT 202050808
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340412.shtml
Japan says U.S. to fix Trump tariff order, refund overpayments
Kyodo 20250808
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/58878
Japan Says Trump to Correct ‘Extremely Regrettable’ Error in Tariff Order
NYTimes 20250808
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/business/japan-tariffs-us-trade-deal.html
New ‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs Imposed: Put Japan-U.S. Agreement in Writing and Implement It
Yomiuri 20250808
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20250808-274389/
The new unequal treaties: How US tariff tactics mirror old imperialism
Think China 20250807
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/new-unequal-treaties-how-us-tariff-tactics-mirror-old-imperialism
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Backdoor deal? Yap-US military agreement criticized as a sellout
PIT 20250808
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/backdoor-deal-yap-us-military-agreement-criticized-as-a-sellout
Singapore fighter jet 'bed down' canceled
GDP 20250808
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/singapore-fighter-jet-bed-down-canceled/article_90d0fb5f-d75a-4334-b6c1-365c06daa709.html
OCW670 advocates for a scaled back military training plan in Tinian.
Isla Public Media 20250808
https://www.islapublic.org/news/2025-08-08/ocw670-advocates-for-a-scaled-back-military-training-plan-in-tinian
INDOPACOM Senior Leader Forum: Multiple Participants
DVIDS 20260807
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/973070/indopacom-senior-leader-forum-multiple-participants
JCSE enables DAF’s DLE series
USAF 20250807
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4269386/jcse-enables-dafs-dle-series/
REFORPAC 2025 comes to a close
USAF 20250808
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4269856/reforpac-2025-comes-to-a-close/
Island Waves
Friends to all: Tonga values independence while being reliable security partner
ASPI 20250808
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/friends-to-all-tonga-values-independence-while-being-reliable-security-partner/
Six years after referendum, Bougainville's quest for independence still faces roadblocks
RNZ 20250808
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/569426/six-years-after-referendum-bougainville-s-quest-for-independence-still-faces-roadblocks
Government adopts cautious approach to expanding air routes to China
Fiji Times 20250808
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/government-adopts-cautious-approach-to-expanding-air-routes-to-china/
Solomon Islands defends blocking almost two dozen leaders from Pacific Islands Forum
ABC (AU) 20250808
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-08/solomon-islands-defends-blocking-countries-pacific-islands-forum/105630580
Solomon Islands to exclude China, US, and Taiwan from forum
Taiwan News 20250808
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6175057
Taiwan urges inclusion in Pacific forum amid reports of exclusion
CNA (TW) 20250808
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202508080009
Chinese Medical Team in Rabul
National (PNG) 20250808
https://www.thenational.com.pg/chinese-medical-team-in-rabaul/
Taiwan + SCS
Simulated Chinese blockade of Taiwan reveals Singapore as lifeline
Reuters 2025087
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/simulated-chinese-blockade-taiwan-reveals-singapore-lifeline-2025-08-08/
‘No way to stay out of it’ or actively getting involved? Manila, don’t pretend to be innocent
GT 20250808
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340469.shtml
China firmly opposes any official engagement between US and Taiwan region: Defense Spokesperson
China Military 20250808
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16401483.html
Taiwan Strained by 20% Tariffs, No Trade Deal and Political Uncertainty
NYTimes 20250808
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/business/taiwan-tariffs-chips-trump.html
With all his tricks exhausted, Lai now survives on nothing but lies
GT 20250808
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340468.shtml
Taiwan tracks 57 Chinese military aircraft and 10 ships
Taiwan News 20250808
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6174847
Capabilities
Pentagon doing 'everything' to reorient focus to Indo-Pacific, counter China threat: Press secretary
Joon Gang Daily 20250808
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-08-08/national/defense/Pentagon-doing-everything-to-reorient-focus-to-IndoPacific-counter-China-threat-Press-secretary/2371437
People’s Daily spells out details of PLA’s mid-century goal, with the US as a benchmark
SCMP 20250808
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3321174/peoples-daily-spells-out-details-plas-mid-century-goal-us-benchmark
Bombers Should Be Ready for Continuous Ops, 2-Star Says
Air & Space 20250807
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/bombers-should-be-ready-for-continuous-ops-2-star-says/
Australian navy should go hybrid to outlast a big war
ASPI 20250808
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australian-navy-should-go-hybrid-to-outlast-a-big-war/
The Marine Corps Americans Want Can’t Be Derailed by a Fake Crisis
WOTR 20250807
https://warontherocks.com/2025/08/the-marine-corps-americans-want-cant-be-derailed-by-a-fake-crisis/
Chinese expert warns Japan's increased surprise attack capability with first F-35B deployment for negatively impacting regional peace, stability
GT 20250808
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340450.shtml
Are We Beyond the Event Horizon of War in the Pacific?
RCD 20250808
https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/08/08/are_we_beyond_the_event_horizon_of_war_in_the_pacific_1127631.html
Learning to Love the Bomb? Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons and Limited Nuclear War
Heritage 20250807
https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2025-08/BG3920.pdf
Exercises
Japanese warships arrive in Wellington
RNZ 20250808
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/569370/japanese-warships-arrive-in-wellington
Exercise together, build together: Japan should train in northern Australia
ASPI 20250808
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/train-together-build-together-japan-should-train-in-northern-australia/