Pacific Winds 20250823
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Can Lee Jae Myung move Donald Trump in the right direction?
USSC 20250822
https://www.ussc.edu.au/can-lee-jae-myung-move-donald-trump-in-the-right-direction
South Korea must navigate the ‘Trump risk’ at key summits in Japan and US
Kyodo 20250822
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/59660
The Variables of OPCON: The Sovereignty Narrative
The Dip,omat 20250822
https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/the-variables-of-opcon-the-sovereignty-narrative/
South Korea President Lee aims to avoid further clashes with Trump
Responsible Statecraft 20250822
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/south-korea-trump-meeting/
South Korea’s Lee to Urge US-North Korea Talks at Trump Summit
Bloomberg 20250822
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-22/south-korea-s-lee-to-urge-us-north-korea-talks-at-trump-summit
Japan, South Korea Have Chance to Be True Neighbors, as Lee Expresses Wish for Closer Ties
Yomiuri 20250822
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20250822-276461/
Ditch AUKUS Pillar One. It involves Australia too much in US strategy
ASPI 20250822
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/ditch-aukus-pillar-one-it-involves-australia-too-much-in-us-strategy/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Micronesia’s strategic significance is rising
The Australian 20250822
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/micronesias-strategic-significance-is-rising/news-story/b04a92024383205df315946b63f24249
Marshall Islands' president: It's wrong to ban partners from Pacific Islands Forum talks
RNZ 20250822
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/570741/marhsall-islands-president-it-s-wrong-to-ban-partners-from-pacific-islands-forum-talks
Petition Calls for Clear U.S.-Palau Defense Agreement to Protect Civilians
Islands Business 20250822
https://islandtimes.org/petition-calls-for-clear-u-s-palau-defense-agreement-to-protect-civilians/
USCGC Oliver Henry bolsters maritime security, community ties in Marianas during Operation Rematau
USCG FM/GS 20250822
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/546214/uscgc-oliver-henry-bolsters-maritime-security-community-ties-marianas-during-operation-rematau
InfraTech International LLC awarded a $18.99M firm-fixed-price contract for Upgrade Generator and Switchgear at NW Field (AAFB)
US DoD 20250821
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4282720//
Modern International Inc. awarded a $16.96 firm-fixed-price contract for airfield repairs at AAFB
US DoD 20250821
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4282720//
Sea Pac Engineering Inc.awarded a $9.91M firm-fixed-price contract for BPS, tank and well repairs at AAFB
US DoD 20250821
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4282720//
Island Waves
FLNKS snubs New Caledonia's constitutional reform talks in Nouméa
RNZ 20250822
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/570736/flnks-snubs-new-caledonia-s-constitutional-reform-talks-in-noumea
Australia and PNG Strengthen Border security Through New Detector Dog Program
Post Courier (PNG) 20250822
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-and-papua-new-guinea-strengthen-border-security-through-new-detector-dog-program/
China & Solomon Islands signs solar project agreement
SIBC 20250821
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/china-solomon-islands-signs-solar-project-agreement/
Students Off to China
Post Courier (PNG) 20250822
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/students-off-to-china/
How Tuvaluans Can Relocate With Dignity Under the Falepili Union
The Diplomat 20250821
https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/how-tuvaluans-can-relocate-with-dignity-under-the-falepili-union/
Taiwan + SCS
U.S. may want stake in TSMC, but Taiwan's interests come first: Source
CNA (TW) 20250822
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202508220006
Chips made Taiwan indispensable. AI can make it unstoppable.
Lowy 20250822
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/chips-made-taiwan-indispensable-ai-can-make-it-unstoppable
Why are 7 large mainland Chinese ro-ro cargo ships sailing in the Taiwan Strait?
SCMP 20250822
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3322697/why-are-7-large-mainland-chinese-ro-ro-cargo-ships-sailing-taiwan-strait
Trump’s Tactical Concessions on Taiwan Are Not Strategic Retreats
The Diplomat 20250821
https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/trumps-tactical-concessions-on-taiwan-are-not-strategic-retreats/
Defense spending to reach 5% of GDP by 2030: President
CNA (TW) 20250822
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202508220024
Taiwan tracks 22 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250822
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6184766
South China Sea: Beijing asserts ‘control measures’ against Philippine ships at shoal
SCMP 20250822
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3322763/south-china-sea-beijing-asserts-control-measures-against-philippine-ships-shoal
Philippine Military Reports Surge in Chinese Activity at Second Thomas Shoal
USNI 20250822
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/08/philippine-military-reports-surge-in-chinese-activity-at-second-thomas-shoal/
CCG releases video of Manila's latest staged provocation at Ren'ai Jiao
GT 202508222
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1341525.shtml
Philippine Military Reports Surge in Chinese Activity at Second Thomas Shoal
Naval News 20250822
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/08/philippine-military-reports-surge-in-chinese-activity-at-second-thomas-shoal/
Philippine Military Claims ‘Increased Chinese Movements’ at Second Thomas Shoal
The Diplomat 20250822
https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/philippine-military-claims-increased-chinese-movements-at-second-thomas-shoal/
Scarborough Shoal Incident 2.0: The PLAN Inches Closer to War
USNI Proceedings August 2025
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2025/august/scarborough-shoal-incident-20-plan-inches-closer-war
No Islet Left Behind: Vietnam Reclaims Land at Every Remaining Spratly Outpost
CSIS 20250822
https://amti.csis.org/no-islet-left-behind-vietnam-reclaims-land-at-every-remaining-spratly-outpost/
Capabilities
Army’s future autonomous launcher could fill Typhon’s ‘large’ shoes
Breaking Defense 20250822
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/08/armys-future-autonomous-launcher-could-fill-typhons-large-shoes/
Air Force Seeks Fivefold Funding Hike for Mobile Base Defense Tech
Air & Space 20250822
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-seeks-fivefold-funding-hike-for-mobile-base-defense-tech/
The Reconfiguration of the ROK-U.S. Alliance and Korean-Adapted Nuclear Sharing
AIPS 20250822
https://asaninst.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=s1_1_eng&wr_id=250