Pacific Winds 20260217
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
In Munich, the US urges ‘collective strength’ among allies to deter China
SCMP 20260216
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343636/munich-us-urges-collective-strength-among-allies-deter-china
Japan to strengthen Indo-Pacific strategy amid ‘new challenges’
Japan Times 20260216
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/16/japan/politics/free-and-open-indopacific-strategy-update/
Japan rebuts China’s renewed criticism of PM Takaichi remarks
Kyodo 20260216
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/70630
Japan Says China’s Warning Over Militarism Not Based on Facts
Bloomberg 20260216
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-16/japan-says-china-s-warning-over-militarism-not-based-on-facts
Japan's reaction to China's fact-based warning over militarism at Munich Security Conference shows unease, lacks diplomatic decorum: expert
GT 20260216
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355431.shtml
Japan’s Foreign Minister Says No Contact With China’s Counterpart During Security Conference in Munich
Yomiuri 20260216
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20260216-311669/
Diplomatic Feud With China Weighs on Japan’s Economy
NYTimes 20260216
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/business/japan-economy-china-tourism.html
Blind and Deaf to AUKUS: Australian Planners and Elusive Submarines
Counter Punch 20260216
https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/02/16/blind-and-deaf-to-aukus-australian-planners-and-elusive-submarines/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Baules Barred From U.S. After State Department Corruption Designation
Island Times 20260216
https://islandtimes.org/baules-barred-from-u-s-after-state-department-corruption-designation/
What’s killing Guamanians? The island is tainted with 25 types of toxic chemicals
PIT 20260216
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/what-s-killing-guamanians-the-island-is-tainted-with-25-types-of-toxic-chemicals
Island Waves
RSDP delivers $1.5m in Down-Stream Processing Equipment to Central Makira Constituency
Solomon Star 20260216
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rsdp-delivers-1-5m-in-down-stream-processing-equipment-to-central-makira-constituency/
America tells Pacific countries to buy its AI to counter China
Times (UK) 20260215
https://www.thetimes.com/business/companies-markets/article/america-tells-pacific-countries-to-buy-its-ai-to-counter-china-gx8c9ngdl
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan legislature addresses US concerns over defense budget approval
Taiwan News 20260216
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6303570
Review status of relatives of opposition: ex-Marine
Taipei Times 20260217
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/02/17/2003852455
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval ships, 3 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260216
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6303653
Capabilities
China’s Wing Loong X Maritime Drone Set to Dominate Global Skies and Seas
AeroNewsJournal 20260216
https://www.aeronewsjournal.com/2026/02/chinas-wing-loong-x-maritime-drone-set.html
Why the growing network of American MQ-9 drones is a challenge for China
SCMP 20260216
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3343673/why-growing-network-american-mq-9-drones-challenge-china
Major Upgrade Sees Hypersonic Ship-Killer Missiles Aboard China’s AIP Submarines
Naval News 20260216
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/02/major-upgrade-sees-hypersonic-ship-killer-missiles-aboard-chinas-aip-submarines/
Philippine Navy to receive first follow-on SSV this year after PT PAL delays
Naval News 20260216
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/02/philippine-navy-to-receive-first-follow-on-ssv-this-year-after-pt-pal-delays/
The Navy Must Make Its Case to the American People
USNI Proceedings 2026 February
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2026/february/navy-must-make-its-case-american-people
Portions of the Pentagon’s LEO constellation on hold as acquisition reviews proceed
Space News 20260216
https://spacenews.com/portions-of-the-pentagons-leo-constellation-on-hold-as-acquisition-reviews-proceed/