Pacific Winds 20260228
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump’s Foreign Policy: Resurrecting Empire
NYTimes 20260227
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/27/us/politics/trump-rubio-foreign-policy-empire.html
China is our region’s great power. We need to make the best of that
ASPI 20260227
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/china-is-our-regions-great-power-we-need-to-make-the-best-of-that/
Why Did Donald Trump Leave China Out of His State of the Union Address?
The Diplomat 20260227
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/why-did-donald-trump-leave-china-out-of-his-state-of-the-union-address/
China scours for bargaining chips to put on Trump-Xi summit table: sources
SCMP 20260227
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344862/china-scours-bargaining-chips-put-trump-xi-summit-table-sources
Trump will make China trip with one arm tied behind his back
Asia Times 20260227
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/trump-will-make-china-trip-with-one-arm-tied-behind-his-back/
Trump will head to Beijing weakened — and Xi knows it
Asia Times 20260227
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/trump-will-head-to-beijing-weakened-and-xi-knows-it/
China Is Winning by Waiting
FA 20260227
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/china-winning-waiting
China’s Japan squeeze is a warning for Southeast Asia
Asia Times 20260227
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/chinas-japan-squeeze-is-a-warning-for-southeast-asia/
Minister hits back at Chinese criticism over Japan’s defense buildup
Kyodo 20260227
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/71319
S’pore must retain ability to say ‘no’ even if it has to pay a price for position on issues: Vivian
Straits Times 20260227
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/spore-must-retain-ability-to-say-no-even-if-it-has-to-pay-a-price-for-position-on-issues-vivian
The data sovereignty fault line dividing Washington and its allies
Lowy 20260227
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/data-sovereignty-fault-line-dividing-washington-its-allies
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
U.S. Coast Guard accepts delivery of 62nd Fast Response Cutter named for 9/11 hero
USCG FM/SG 20260225
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/559037/us-coast-guard-accepts-delivery-62nd-fast-response-cutter-named-9-11-hero
Baules Responds to U.S. Entry Ban, Rejects Corruption Claims and Defends Senate’s Oversight Role
Island Times 20260228
https://islandtimes.org/baules-responds-to-u-s-entry-ban-rejects-corruption-claims-and-defends-senates-oversight-role/
Chinese tourist accused of entering Andersen Air Force Base, taking photos despite prohibition
PDN 20260227
https://www.guampdn.com/news/chinese-tourist-accused-of-entering-andersen-air-force-base-taking-photos-despite-prohibition/article_9c663199-0719-4513-b899-873ec4a7d20f.html
JICA Volunteers Share Pride, Challenges in Boosting Palau’s School Nutrition and PE
Island Times 20260228
https://islandtimes.org/jica-volunteers-share-pride-challenges-in-boosting-palaus-school-nutrition-and-pe/
Island Waves
US Deputy Secretary Landau signs enhanced maritime security pact in Tonga
Matangi Tonga 20260227
https://matangitonga.to/2026/02/27/us-deputy-secretary-landau-in-tonga
Fiji to host U.S. Deputy Secretary of State
FNBC 22060227
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-to-host-u-s-deputy-secretary-of-state/
Solomon Islands strengthens engagement with MCC toward Threshold completion and compact aspirations
SIBC 20260227
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/solomon-islands-strengthens-engagement-with-mcc-toward-threshold-completion-and-compact-aspirations/
Three Sites of SINBIP On-air in Choiseul Province and Malaita Province
SIBC 20260227
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/three-sites-of-sinbip-on-air-in-choiseul-province-and-malaita-province/
JICA volunteer shares love for teaching at Pango School
Daily Post (VU) 20260227
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/jica-volunteer-shares-love-for-teaching-at-pango-school/article_a22328c2-35a1-5ab4-afd3-23d596bfbcde.html
6 of Japan’s Remote Islands to Be Added to Govt List for Priority Support
Yomiuri 20260227
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260227-313821/
Taiwan + SCS
What does Taiwanese leader William Lai’s rare ‘mainland China’ reference mean?
SCMP 20260227
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3344765/what-does-taiwanese-leader-william-lais-rare-mainland-china-reference-mean
Taiwan’s drone moment has arrived
Taiwan News 20260227
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6310684
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 7 ships
Taiwan News 20260227
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6310458
Drifting through dispute in the South China Sea
EAF 20260227
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/02/27/drifting-through-dispute-in-the-south-china-sea/
Philippines, Japan, US hold joint military drills in South China Sea
Reuters 20260226
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-japan-us-hold-joint-military-drills-south-china-sea-2026-02-27/
China conducts patrol in South China Sea, accuses Philippines of ‘disrupting’ peace
Reuters 20260227
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-conducts-patrol-south-china-sea-accuses-philippines-disrupting-peace-2026-02-27/
PLA Southern Theater Command conducts routine patrols, vows to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty amid Philippines’ ‘joint patrols’to stir up trouble in S.China Sea
GT 20260227
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355832.shtml
Japan, Philippine and U.S. forces conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity in South China Sea
US IndoPaCom 20260226
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4417108/japan-philippine-and-us-forces-conduct-multilateral-maritime-cooperative-activi/
Chinese military slams Philippines for disrupting peace, stability in South China Sea
Xinhua 20260227
https://english.news.cn/20260127/594a8ba0565f498f82063e1effa33e47/c.html
Capabilities
Using ‘China threat’ as pretext to strengthen military deployment in Asia-Pacific not conducive to regional stability, says Chinese FM on $12.6b Pentagon surveillance plan
GT 20260227
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355841.shtml
Koizumi urges pivot away from China for defense equipment supply chain
Yomiuri 20260227
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/27/japan/politics/china-free-supply-chain/
Japan Is Moving to Expand Defense Exports. Constitutional Revision Is a Bigger Ask.
The Diplomat 20260226
https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/japan-is-moving-to-expand-defense-exports-constitutional-revision-is-a-bigger-ask/
AUKUS is working, we can already hunt Chinese subs better, says Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy
The NIghtly 20260227
https://thenightly.com.au/politics/aukus-is-working-we-can-already-hunt-chinese-subs-better-says-defence-industry-minister-pat-conroy-c-21771710
Small B-52 Fleet Size Creates Challenges For Engine, Radar Upgrade Plans
TWZ 20260227
https://www.twz.com/air/small-b-52-fleet-size-creates-challenges-for-engine-radar-upgrade-plans
US must be able to ‘turn around and punch’ in space as China boosts satellites: general
SCMP 20260227
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3344873/us-must-be-able-turn-around-and-punch-space-china-boosts-satellites-general
Events
A Conversation with Ambassador Kevin Rudd
CSIS 16 March 2-3 PM EDT
https://www.csis.org/events/conversation-ambassador-kevin-rudd