Pacific Winds 20260221
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Former Biden official says US must work with allies to counter China
SCMP 20260220
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3344053/former-biden-official-says-us-must-work-allies-counter-china
What Is Trump’s China Policy?
FP 20260220
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/20/kurt-campbell-trump-xi-china-policy/
Australia-Japan cooperation is key to sustained Indo-Pacific order
ASPI 20260220
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-japan-cooperation-is-key-to-sustained-indo-pacific-order/
The JAUKUS Option Revisited: Will Japan Join AUKUS under the Takaichi Administration?
ISDP 20260218
https://www.isdp.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Blog-122-Akimoto-new.pdf
Can China Sway Australia?
CSIS 20260219
https://www.csis.org/podcasts/pekingology/can-china-sway-australia
Japan’s Takaichi targets Chinese ‘coercion’ in first parliament speech after landslide win
SCMP 20260220
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344178/japans-takaichi-targets-chinese-coercion-us-ties-first-speech-after-landslide-win
Why Chinese hawks cheer Takaichi’s win
Think China 20260219
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/why-chinese-hawks-cheer-takaichis-win
Japan foreign chief stresses need for communication with China
Japan Times 20260220
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/20/japan/politics/motegi-speech-need-communication-china/
U.S. Supreme Court rules Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs unconstitutional
Kyodo 20260221
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/70972
S. Korea to mull response in line with nat’l interests following U.S. Supreme Court ruling on reciprocal tariffs
Yonhap 20260221
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260221000300315
Trump to Impose 10% Global Tariff After Supreme Court Ruling
Bloomberg 20260220
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/live-blog/2026-02-20/us-supreme-court-tariffs-ruling
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Palau States Challenge U.S.-Linked Radar Projects as Ngaraard Files TACMOR Lawsuit
Island Times 20260220
https://islandtimes.org/palau-states-challenge-u-s-linked-radar-projects-as-ngaraard-files-tacmor-lawsuit/
Palau Court Rejects Senate Bid to Block U.S. Migrant Deal
Island Times 20260219
https://islandtimes.org/palau-court-rejects-senate-bid-to-block-u-s-migrant-deal/
Island Waves
Cabinet approves US$12m MCC Compact funding for Fiji
FBCN 20260220
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/cabinet-approves-us12m-mcc-compact-funding-for-fiji/
Japan’s $4.6M aid to strengthen Fiji’s health system
FBCN 20260220
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/japans-4-6m-aid-to-strengthen-fijis-health-system/
Japan, UNICEF to launch $5.4m youth drug fight
FBCN 20260220
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/japan-unicef-launch-5-4m-youth-drug-fight/
U.S deputy secretary Landau to host Pacific Summit, visit Fiji, Tonga and Samoa
PINA 20260220
https://pina.com.fj/2026/02/20/u-s-deputy-secretary-landau-to-host-pacific-summit-visit-fiji-tonga-and-samoa/
U.K. Denying U.S. Use Of Key Bases Would Impact Bombers’ Role In Iran Air Campaign
TWZ 20260219
https://www.twz.com/news-features/u-k-denying-u-s-use-of-key-bases-would-impact-bombers-role-in-iran-air-campaign
U.S. says return of Futenma base site to Japan remains on track
Kyodo 20260220
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/70918
Taiwan + xCS
Holding out: for domestic munitions supply, Taiwan needs drones. Millions of drones
ASPI 20260220
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/holding-out-for-domestic-munitions-supply-taiwan-needs-drones-millions-of-drones/
Taiwan’s constitutional impasse is jeopardising defence resilience
EAF 20260220
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/02/20/taiwans-constitutional-impasse-is-jeopardising-defence-resilience/
Taiwan tracks 14 Chinese military aircraft and 6 naval vessels
Taiwan News 20260220
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6305776
Philippines says communication channels still open with Beijing on South China Sea
Reuters 20260220
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-says-communication-channels-still-open-with-beijing-south-china-sea-2026-02-20/
Seoul ‘strongly protests’ Japan FM’s territorial claim to Dokdo, calls for retraction
Yonhap 20260220
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260220008700315
Shaping up in the South China Sea
AU DoD 20260220
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2026-02-20/shaping-up-south-china-sea
Capabilities
China’s submarine surge testing Pacific’s undersea balance
Asia Times 20260220
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/chinas-submarine-surge-testing-pacifics-undersea-balance/
U.S. Submarine Maintenance Period Demonstrates Forward Sustainment in Australia
USN 20260220
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4410356/us-submarine-maintenance-period-demonstrates-forward-sustainment-in-australia/
Experts worry about nuclear quid pro quo in Russia-North Korea alliance against Ukraine
Defense News 20260220
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/02/20/experts-worry-about-nuclear-quid-pro-quo-in-russia-north-korea-alliance-against-ukraine/
Japan PM Takaichi warns of China ‘coercion’, vows security overhaul
Reuters 20260220
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japan-pm-takaichi-warns-china-coercion-vows-security-overhaul-2026-02-20/
Boeing Adds Production Line to Boost Space Force’s Missile Warning Push
Air & Space 20260220
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/boeing-production-line-missile-defense-sensors/
US Plans Peace Corps Revamp to Gain Edge in AI Race With China
Bloomberg 20260220
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-20/us-plans-peace-corps-revamp-to-gain-edge-in-ai-race-with-china
Washington offers US$200 million to boost American smartphone industry in Indo-Pacific
SCMP 20260220
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/economy-trade-business/article/3344055/washington-offers-us200-million-boost-american-smartphone-industry-indo-pacific
Exercises
USFK, Chinese fighter jets in brief aerial standoff over Yellow Sea this week
Yonhap 20260220
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260220003151315
Rare US-China standoff in West Sea signals USFK shift to counter Beijing
Korea Times 20260220
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/defense/20260220/rare-us-china-standoff-in-west-sea-signals-usfk-shift-to-counter-beijing
Exclusive: South Korea Rejects U.S.-Japan Drills, Protests U.S. After Standoff
Chosun Daily 20260221
https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/02/21/O5JQ4HISQJA5XLZP2GMFU3JLWQ/
China scrambles fighters to confront US warplanes based in South Korea
SCMP 20260220
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3344147/china-scrambles-fighters-confront-us-warplanes-based-south-korea
US military conducts activities in Yellow Sea; PLA effectively responds and handles situation: sources
GT 20260220
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355519.shtml
USFK Aerial Encounter With China Underlines the Hidden Danger of OPCON Transfer
The Diplomat 20260220
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/usfk-aerial-encounter-with-china-underlines-the-hidden-danger-of-opcon-transfer/
U.S., Japan Air Forces Conduct Joint Drills with 4 American Bombers
USNI 20260220
https://news.usni.org/2026/02/20/u-s-japan-air-forces-conduct-joint-drills-with-4-american-bombers
Events
Restoring Peace Through Strength: The 2026 Index of U.S. Military Strength
Heritage 4 March 2026 10:30AM - 12:00PM
https://www.heritage.org/defense/event/restoring-peace-through-strength-the-2026-index-us-military-strength