Pacific Winds 20260224
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
S. Korea turns down U.S. offer for 3-way drills with Tokyo right before Japan’s commemoration on Dokdo
Yonhap 20260223
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260223007551315
McMaster Warns Exercise Cuts May Provoke Kim Jong-un
Chosun Daily 20260223
https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/02/24/PAEH2NG2FZFD7GSRLLIUVFMI54/
Seoul is not America’s launchpad
Korea Times 20260222
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/editorial/20260222/ed-seoul-is-not-americas-launchpad
The Alliance Runway: The Capability-Expectations Gap of Being a “Model Ally” in Trump 2.0
AISP 20260220
https://asaninst.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=s1_1_eng&wr_id=277
Japan faces ‘most significant structural changes since WWII,’ Foreign Minister Motegi tells Diet
PINA 20260223
https://pina.com.fj/2026/02/23/japan-faces-most-significant-structural-changes-since-wwii-foreign-minister-motegi-tells-diet/
Elbridge Colby and the Reordering of the Indo-Pacific
FP 22060223
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/23/elbridge-colby-indopacific-trump-china/?tpcc=recirc_latest062921
The Supreme Court ruling means we need international institutions more than ever
Lowy 20260223
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/supreme-court-ruling-means-we-need-international-institutions-more-ever
New US Tariffs, Same Problems for Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan
The Diplomat 20260223
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/new-us-tariffs-same-problems-for-japan-south-korea-and-taiwan/
Trump warns of ‘much higher’ tariffs for countries that want to ‘play games’
Yonhap 20260224
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260224000252315
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
"Palau's sovereignty is disrespected at this time," says Palau's Senate Leader.
ABC (AU) 20260223
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/palau-deportee/106375078
Why Japan Must Help Counter China’s Presence in the Pacific
The Diplomat 20260224
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/why-japan-must-help-counter-chinas-presence-in-the-pacific/
DOD Should Improve Natural Disaster Cost Tracking and Planning for Resilience Improvements
GAO 20260223
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-107786.pdf
Island Waves
Japan seeks cooperation with Pacific island nations over free, open seas
Kyodo 20260223
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/71058
Japan seeks cooperation with Pacific island nations on ‘free and open’ seas
Nikkei 20260223
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/japan-seeks-cooperation-with-pacific-island-nations-on-free-and-open-seas
Tikoduadua pushes Pacific stability agenda at Japan Defence Dialogue
Fiji Times 20260223
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/tikoduadua-pushes-pacific-stability-agenda-at-japan-defence-dialogue/
Japan-Fiji Defense Minister’s Meeting
JP MoD 20260223
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2026/02/9fd4755085868fdf8555d4e59c2bb6e9d49d6834.html
Japan- Tonga Defense Minister’s Meeting
JP MoD 20260223
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2026/02/02680a8cd0e274196316ce29600af572d2ccec62.html
Keynote Address The Pacific – at the center of resilient connectivity
JP MoD 20260223
https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2026/02/943b03d55e3e3b350e72c0a3ac7844810c2b3755.html
Japan to Invite Defense Officials from Pacific Island Nations
Nippon 20260223
https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2026022300415/
Solomon Islands denies China will run new police station in the heart of Honiara
ABC (AU) 20260224
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-24/chinese-police-establish-temporary-post-solomon-islands/106376922
Fiji, China mark Year of the Horse with renewed unity
FBCN 20260223
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-china-mark-year-of-the-horse-with-renewed-unity/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan arms sales reported in limbo spark speculation of possibility of delay, triggering concerns from island media about being abandoned by the US
GT 20260223
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355635.shtml
Taiwan’s Strong Bow missile ready for mass production
Taiwan News 20260223
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6306642
Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese naval ships around nation
Taiwan News 20260223
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6306658
All Together Now: China’s Militia in 2025
CSIS 20260223
https://amti.csis.org/all-together-now-chinas-militia-in-2025/
China may yet persuade Southeast Asia to support new maritime order
ASPI 20260223
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/china-may-yet-persuade-southeast-asia-to-support-new-maritime-order/
Second South China Sea transit for Toowoomba
AU DoD 20260223
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2026-02-23/second-south-china-sea-transit-toowoomba
Capabilities
Maritime dominance requires the Coast Guard
Breaking Defense 20260223
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/02/maritime-dominance-requires-the-coast-guard/
China’s 155mm naval gun seen on test vessel, signalling boost to amphibious landing power
SCMP 20260223
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3344362/chinas-155mm-naval-gun-seen-test-vessel-signalling-boost-amphibious-landing-power
Revelations of Chinese nuclear tests mark start of a new era
ASPI 20260223
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/revelations-of-chinese-nuclear-tests-mark-start-of-a-new-era/
China launches more than 120 remote-sensing satellites in 2025, ranks second globally
GT 20260223
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355608.shtml
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 23, 2026
USNI 20260223
https://news.usni.org/2026/02/23/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-feb-23-2026