Pacific Winds 20250919
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Ditching AUKUS will "cause grave damage" in Indo-Pacific, says McCaul
Axios 20250917
https://www.axios.com/2025/09/17/aukus-mccaul-indopacom-pentagon-review
Australia and Japan take a big step towards collective deterrence
ASPI 20250918
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-and-japan-take-a-big-step-towards-collective-deterrence/
This is how the Quad dies ... again
Nikkei 20250918
https://asia.nikkei.com/opinion/this-is-how-the-quad-dies-again
Lee says S. Korea will stand together with U.S. in global order but needs to manage ties with China
Yonhap 20250918
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250918003800315
Lee Jae-myung wants to position S.Korea as ‘bridge’ between East and West; vision driven by historical policies, current international landscape: expert
GT 20250918
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343919.shtml
The Devil Is in the Details: US and South Korea Seek Alliance Modernization, But How?
The Diplomat 20250917
https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/the-devil-is-in-the-details-us-and-south-korea-seek-alliance-modernization-but-how/
South Korea Foreign Minister says to discuss Xi's APEC attendance during China visit
Reuters 20250917
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/south-korea-foreign-minister-says-discuss-xis-apec-attendance-during-china-visit-2025-09-17/
South Korea should side with China as bulwark against ‘rampant’ bullying in trade: Wang Yi
SCMP 20250918
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3325962/south-korea-should-side-china-bulwark-against-rampant-bullying-trade-wang-yi
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Senators seek broader federal participation
GDP 20250918
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/senators-seek-broader-federal-participation/article_e4677ba8-913b-4931-9344-3b53ce98d02a.html
Lasky: Security, prosperity 'not competing goals'; Tenorio pushes civilian investment
PDN 20250919
https://www.guampdn.com/news/lasky-security-prosperity-not-competing-goals-tenorio-pushes-civilian-investment/article_e49a4484-a7f4-4a7c-958a-dadc33d4feb0.html
Delegate walks back NDAA spending total
GDP 20250918
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/delegate-walks-back-ndaa-spending-total/article_5c234ae0-de0a-4cc7-a934-69eff68050fa.html
Defense policy panel weighs housing, federal funds, shrinking middle class
PDN 20250918
https://www.guampdn.com/news/defense-policy-panel-weighs-housing-federal-funds-shrinking-middle-class/article_291a636c-057b-4124-8881-3e70c466d4e8.html
DOD official: Housing, energy a priority
GDP 20250918
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/dod-official-housing-energy-a-priority/article_07adbbbb-0bab-4c93-8ef3-4dd114ed3c81.html
Assistant Secretary of War talks housing, 'advanced energy technologies' for Guam
PDN 20250918
https://www.guampdn.com/news/assistant-secretary-of-war-talks-housing-advanced-energy-technologies-for-guam/article_9dc66f00-3681-44c5-94a0-ac9155d530e2.html
Forum explores how defense spending shapes Guam's economy
KUAM 20250918
https://www.kuam.com/story/53093479/forum-explores-how-defense-spending-shapes-guams-economy
CNMI leaders attend Guam Defense Forum
Marianas Press 20250918
https://sites.google.com/marianaspress.com/marianaspress/news/cnmi-leaders-attend-guam-defense-forum
Delegate Moylan: $1.3 billion defense spending for Guam, not $3 billion
KUAM 20250918
https://www.kuam.com/story/53093492/delegate-moylan-dollar13-billion-defense-spending-for-guam-not-dollar3-billion
$116.3M firm-fixed-price task order to design and construct a Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC)-25 Hangar Complex at AAFB (Guam)
US DoW 20250917
https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4306885//
$15.0B IDIQ, multiple award, design-build/design-bid-build contract for Pacific Deterrence Initiative Program projects (includes projects in Micronesia, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Island, Midway and Wake Island)
US DoW 20250917
https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4306885//
USINDOPACOM Commander Underscores U.S.-Guam Partnership, Regional Security at Defense Forum
US IndoPaCom 20250917
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4307217/usindopacom-commander-underscores-us-guam-partnership-regional-security-at-defe/
Guam's threatened species facing further threats from missile project
PIT 20250918
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/guam-s-threatened-species-facing-further-threats-from-missile-project
Island Waves
Forum reaffirms nuclear-free Pacific, calls on U.S to sign Rarotonga Treaty
PINA 20250918
https://pina.com.fj/2025/09/18/forum-reaffirms-nuclear-free-pacific-calls-on-u-s-to-sign-rarotonga-treaty/
Forum Leaders to appoint Special envoy for U.S engagement and deeper regional integration
PINA 20250918
https://pina.com.fj/2025/09/18/forum-leaders-to-appoint-special-envoy-for-u-s-engagement-and-deeper-regional-integration/
China funds $6M military aid package for Fiji
Fiji Times 20250920
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/china-funds-6m-military-aid-package-for-fiji/
Security, stability, and cooperation at heart of strategic Nakamal Agreement draft
Daily Post (VU) 20250918
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/security-stability-and-cooperation-at-heart-of-strategic-nakamal-agreement-draft/article_962e4e2b-bb83-5583-bca7-585d561baa09.html
How China Became a Wedge Between Two South Pacific Neighbors
NYTimes 20250918
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/world/australia/china-pacific-nz-cook-islands.html
Australia and Papua New Guinea: a relationship worth investing in
ASPI 20250918
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-and-papua-new-guinea-a-relationship-worth-investing-in/
USINDOPACOM Commander celebrates PNG’s 50th Independence Day, breaks ground for Fuel Storage Facility
US IndoPaCom 20250917
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4307189/usindopacom-commander-celebrates-pngs-50th-independence-day-breaks-ground-for-f/
Fiji media stays independent amid support
FBCN 20250918
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-media-stays-independent-amid-support/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan’s new missile jointly manufactured with US arms maker won't impact military power balance across Straits: expert
GT 20250918
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343822.shtml
China’s New Giant Underwater Drone Increases Naval Mine Threat Around Taiwan
Naval News 20250918
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/09/chinas-new-giant-underwater-drone-increases-naval-mine-threat-around-taiwan/
Mainland China’s conventional weapons enough to ‘resolve Taiwan issue’, ex-general says
SCMP 20250918
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325984/mainland-chinas-conventional-weapons-enough-resolve-taiwan-issue-says-ex-general
Taiwan’s Successful Japan Diplomacy
The Diplomat 20250918
https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/taiwans-successful-japan-diplomacy/
China's Defense Minister reiterates Taiwan is part of China, vows to defeat interference
GT 20250918
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1343820.shtml
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships
Taiwan News 20250918
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6202859
Scarborough Shoal: Is China’s ‘nature reserve’ a military outpost in disguise?
Think China 20250917
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/scarborough-shoal-chinas-nature-reserve-military-outpost-disguise
China’s Nature Reserve at Scarborough—More than a Decade Too Late
CSIS 20250918
https://amti.csis.org/chinas-nature-reserve-at-scarborough-more-than-a-decade-too-late/
Between law and power: The Philippines, China, and the future of Scarborough Shoal
Think China 20250917
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/between-law-and-power-philippines-china-and-future-scarborough-shoal
Capabilities
Stealth ‘Cranked Kite’ Flying Wing Appears At Chinese Test Base
TWZ 20250918
https://www.twz.com/air/large-cranked-kite-flying-wing-drone-appears-at-chinese-test-base
Air Force Gets Ambitious with Yearlong Test of Autonomous Cargo Craft
Air & Space 20250917
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-ambitious-test-autonomous-cargo-planes/
Navy Determines Planned Ship Inactivations for Fiscal 2026
SeaPower 20250918
https://seapowermagazine.org/navy-determines-planned-ship-inactivations-for-fiscal-2026/
U.S. Army Resurrects Cancelled Marine Corps Tomahawk Launcher for Live Fire Test in 2026
Naval News 20250918
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/09/u-s-army-resurrects-cancelled-marine-corps-tomahawk-launcher-for-live-fire-test-in-2026/
Beyond ‘potpourri’ of sensors: Saltzman pushes holistic approach to space domain awareness
Breaking Defense 20250918
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/beyond-potpourri-of-sensors-saltzman-pushes-holistic-approach-to-space-domain-awareness/
Don’t Make a Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile a Priority
WOTR 20250918
https://warontherocks.com/2025/09/dont-make-a-submarine-launched-cruise-missile-a-priority/
Competing with China’s Public R&D Model: Lessons and Risks for U.S. Innovation Strategy
CSIS 20250917
https://www.csis.org/analysis/competing-chinas-public-rd-model-lessons-and-risks-us-innovation-strategy
New military satcom services program to focus on ‘maneuverable’ small GEO satellites
Space News 20250918
https://spacenews.com/new-military-satcom-services-program-to-focus-on-maneuverable-small-geo-satellites/
Power
China's defence minister urges greater unity to avoid 'law of the jungle'
Reuters 202250918
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-defence-minister-urges-greater-unity-avoid-law-jungle-2025-09-18/
Exercises
Russian, Chinese Warships Increase Operations Near Japan
USNI 20250918
https://news.usni.org/2025/09/18/russian-chinese-warships-increase-operations-near-japan
Events
What Does China Want?
Quincy 26 Sept 2025 1-2 PM EDT
https://quincyinst.org/events/what-does-china-want/