Pacific Winds 20250815

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Aug 14, 2025

Alliances

The United States has changed. Australia hasn’t. It’s time to talk about where the relationship goes from here
USSC 20250814
https://www.ussc.edu.au/the-united-states-has-changed-australia-hasn-t-it-s-time-to-talk-about-where-the-relationship-goes-from-here

China and Australia ready for ‘more productive’ relationship, Beijing’s ambassador says
SCMP 20250814
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321898/china-and-australia-ready-more-productive-relationship-beijings-ambassador-says

China will keep the Quad together. Let’s get through this rough patch quickly
ASPI 20250814
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/china-will-keep-the-quad-together-lets-get-through-this-rough-patch-quickly/

After serving as bulwark for 80 years, Japan's U.S. ties continue to evolve
Japan Times 20250814
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/14/japan/politics/bulwark-us/

Japan constructs image as a ‘victim of war’ through WWII films, revealing distorted historical perspective
GT 20250815
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340899.shtml

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Places Not Bases: A4C Regional Planning Teams are Re-shaping Civil Engineering Capabilities in the Indo-Pacific
USAF 20250114
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/545601/places-not-bases-a4c-regional-planning-teams-re-shaping-civil-engineering-capabilities-indo-pacific

Flu Shots and Post-It Notes: Massive Air Force Exercise Depends on Small Details
Air & Space 20250813
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-dle-exercise-details/

Air Force B-52s Deploy to Guam to Deter China
National Interest 20250813
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/air-force-b-52s-deploy-to-guam-to-deter-china-mc-081325

Island Waves

Taiwan + xCS

Taiwan unveils land vehicle-mounted Hellfire missile
Taiwan News 20250814
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6179754

Hellfire Missile Launcher Disguised As Civilian Truck Breaks Cover In Taiwan
TWZ 20250814
https://www.twz.com/news-features/hellfire-missile-launcher-disguised-as-civilian-truck-breaks-cover-in-taiwan

Taiwan unveils 2 indigenously developed drones, tank
CNA (TW) 20250814
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202508140025

The Implications of the Trump Administration’s New Tariffs on Imports from Taiwan
Hudson 20250814
https://www.hudson.org/economics/implications-trump-administrations-new-tariffs-imports-taiwan-riley-walters

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft and 2 ships
Taiwan News 20250814
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6179077

A South China Sea collision brings US- Philippines alliance to the fore
Lowy 20250814
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/south-china-sea-collision-brings-us-philippines-alliance-fore

Manila’s provocations expose ‘cognitive warfare’ perils
GT 20250814
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340871.shtml

Chinese jet accused of ‘dangerous’ moves near South China Sea’s Scarborough Shoal
SCMP 20250814
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3321879/chinese-jet-accused-dangerous-moves-near-south-china-seas-scarborough-shoal

Chinese Govt Prohibits Fishing Boats from Activities around Senkaku Islands; Ban in Area Set to Expire on Saturday
Yomiuri 20250814
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20250814-275446/

Capabilities

Japan Eyes Fighter Jets, Missiles for Bolstering Defense of Nansei Islands; Prepares for Possible ’27 Taiwan Contingency
Yomiuri 20250814
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250814-275431/

China’s military wants to target US undersea sensor network: Analysis
Defense News 20250813
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/08/13/chinas-military-wants-to-target-us-undersea-sensor-network-analysis/

Super carriers, smaller carriers rise across the Indo-Pacific
Breaking Defense 20250814
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/08/super-carriers-smaller-carriers-rise-across-the-indo-pacific/

Our Best Look At DARPA’s Defiant Uncrewed Surface Ship
TWZ 20250813
https://www.twz.com/sea/our-best-look-at-darpas-defiant-uncrewed-surface-ship

China is working on reusable rockets—and a strategic leap in space power
Defense One 20250814
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/08/china-working-reusable-rocketsand-strategic-leap-space-power/407453/

Army poised to expand role in homeland defense, commander says
Defense News 20250814
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2025/08/14/army-poised-to-expand-role-in-homeland-defense-commander-says/

Exercises

Japan Self-Defense Forces conduct attack drills against Chinese aircraft carriers in June, when the Liaoning and Shandong submarines are deployed to the Pacific.
Yomiuri 20250814
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20250813-OYT1T50183/

SDF Held Training Near Senkakus while Chinese Carriers were Deployed in Pacific; Exercise was Intended to Demonstrate Japan Could Counter China’s Navy
Yomiuri 20250814
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250814-275497/

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