Pacific Winds 20260305
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Under Takaichi, JAUKUS is increasingly plausible
ASPI 20260304
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/under-takaichi-jaukus-is-increasingly-plausible/
Taiwan’s FM calls for Taipei to be part of ‘first island chain’ security framework
Japan Times 20260304
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/04/asia-pacific/politics/taiwan-foreign-minister-lin-chia-lung-interview/
Increasing Tensions Between China and Japan Create Risks for the Region
CNAS 202603003
https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/in-brief-increasing-tensions-between-china-and-japan-create-risks-for-the-region
PH, China explore new areas of cooperation in Beijing dialogue
PNA 20260304
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1270309
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US military expansion in the Marianas enters new phase
RNZ 20260304
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/588613/us-military-expansion-in-the-marianas-enters-new-phase
Australia’s patrol boat program boosts Marshall Islands’ maritime security capabilities
IPDF 20260303
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/03/australias-patrol-boat-program-boosts-marshall-islands-maritime-security-capabilities/
Draft plan for Andersen dieldrin investigation now with Guam EPA; JRM says military water ‘safe to drink’
PDN 20260304
https://www.guampdn.com/news/draft-plan-for-andersen-dieldrin-investigation-now-with-guam-epa-jrm-says-military-water-safe/article_4c75618f-778f-4b7d-b684-f7a13d54f058.html
Island Waves
French Senate votes on New Caledonia’s future status
RNZ 20260304
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/587937/french-senate-votes-on-new-caledonia-s-future-status
Taiwan foreign minister visits Tuvalu to strengthen diplomatic ties
Taiwan News 20260304
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6313698
Japan’s reported plan to boost Iwoto island military build-up signals resurgent militarism, undermining regional peace: expert
GT 20260304
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356307.shtml
Taiwan + SCS
What’s the one big thing missing from Beijing’s Taiwan deterrence strategy?
SCMP 20260304
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3345400/whats-one-big-thing-missing-beijings-taiwan-deterrence-strategy
Taiwan is still working itself out
Lowy 20260305
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/taiwan-still-working-itself-out
The enduring logic of US Taiwan policy
Brookings 20260304
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-enduring-logic-of-us-taiwan-policy/
A pawn’s bet: Can DPP find security as the US’ chess piece?
GT 20260304
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356291.shtml
Philippine Forces Hold Naval Drills with U.S., Japanese Warships Near Taiwan
USNI 20260304
https://news.usni.org/2026/03/04/philippine-forces-hold-naval-drills-with-u-s-japanese-warships-near-taiwan
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese ships around country
Taiwan News 20260304
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6313498
DFA defends Provisional Understanding in Ayungin, says 13 RORE missions completed
ABS-CBN 20260304
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/4/dfa-defends-provisional-understanding-in-ayungin-says-13-rore-missions-completed-1637
Capabilities
2026 Index of U.S. Military Strength
Heritage 20260303
https://static.heritage.org/2026/Military_Index/2026_IndexOfUSMilitaryStrength.pdf
China Airpower Tracker
Mitchell 20260304
https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/china/
Colby calls N. Korean, Russian nuclear weapons ‘primary existential threat’
Yonhap 20260304
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260304001500315?input=tw
Top defense officials push back on concerns about U.S. munitions shortage
WaPo 20260304
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/04/us-iran-air-defense-missile-burn-rate/
The US built up its missile defenses—and will need to do it again
Defense One 20260304
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2026/03/us-built-its-missile-defensesand-will-need-do-it-again/411881/
Defense executives plan to meet at White House as strikes on Iran diminish stockpiles
Reuters 20260304
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/defense-executives-plan-meet-white-house-strikes-iran-diminish-stockpiles-2026-03-04/
The Iran war’s troubling missile math
CNN 20260304
https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/04/politics/missiles-weapons-stockpile-iran-us-war
The importance of hard power for the ADF
ASPI 20260304
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-importance-of-hard-power-for-the-adf/
China team’s space laser breakthrough takes communication speeds to high orbit
SCMP 0260304
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3345369/china-teams-space-laser-breakthrough-takes-communication-speeds-high-orbit
Power
Is the US in decline? After Iran strikes, maybe not, Chinese analysts say
SCMP 20260304
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3345445/us-decline-after-iran-strikes-maybe-not-chinese-analysts-say