Pacific Winds 20260308

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Defense without U.S. help is a live topic for Canada, Japan and Australia
Japan Times 20260307
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/07/japan/politics/japan-canada-defense/

Japan, Philippines advance strategic partnership with defense logistics accord
IPDF 20260307
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/03/japan-philippines-advance-strategic-partnership-with-defense-logistics-accord/

Why China Is Closely Watching US Congressional Support for the Iran War
The Diplomat 20260307
https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/why-china-is-closely-watching-us-congressional-support-for-the-iran-war/

Japan asks U.S. not to slap higher tariffs in weeks before Takaichi’s visit
Kyodo 20260307
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/71805

Leverage in the Australia–China iron ore trade
EAF 20260307
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/03/07/leverage-in-the-australia-china-iron-ore-trade/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Guam’s civilian defenses lag as Iran war raises alarms at home
GDP 20260307
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/guam-s-civilian-defenses-lag-as-iran-war-raises-alarms-at-home/article_a10b7a5e-1ca3-44b0-ac93-67fdad78c22a.html

Island Waves

China’s missile reach forces Japan back to Iwo Jima
Asia Times 20260307
https://asiatimes.com/2026/03/chinas-missile-reach-forces-japan-back-to-iwo-jima/

Taiwan + SCS

Taiwan ramps up space-defense drive amid Beijing threats
Asia Times 20260307
https://asiatimes.com/2026/03/taiwan-ramps-up-space-defense-drive-amid-beijing-threats/

Taiwan starts review of defence bill as competing proposals expose divisions
SCMP 20260307
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3345756/taiwan-starts-review-defence-bill-competing-proposals-expose-divisions

China’s Taiwan threats checked by US operations in Iran
Taiwan News 20260307
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6315960

China military flights near Taiwan resume after mysterious seven-day absence
Japan Times 20260307
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/07/asia-pacific/china-military-flights-resume-taiwan-adiz/

Taiwan tracks 2 Chinese military aircraft and 7 ships around country
Taiwan News 20260307
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6315928

PLA warns and expels Philippine aircraft illegally intruding into territorial airspace over China’s Huangyan Dao: source
GT 20260707
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356511.shtml

China denounces Australia’s provocative operations in Yellow Sea
Xinhua 20260307
https://english.news.cn/20260307/d08ab466ae5e43c5ab5ef822ca913fb4/c.html

Capabilities

Defense companies to quadruple production of ‘exquisite’ weapons: Trump
Breaking Defense 20260306
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/defense-companies-to-quadruple-production-of-exquisite-weapons-trump/

Missile makers agree to ‘quadruple’ production, Trump says
Defense One 20260306
https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/03/missile-makers-agree-quadruple-production-trump-says/411966/

Japan Commissions Fourth Hibiki-class Auxiliary Ocean Surveillance Ship
Naval News 20260307
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/03/japan-commissions-fourth-hibiki-class-auxiliary-ocean-surveillance-ship/

Power

For Xi, Trump’s Embrace of War Proves China Needs More Power
NYTimes 20260307
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/world/asia/china-iran-power.html

Exercises

1,000 Japanese troops to take part in ‘Balikatan’ – AFP
Inquirer (PH) 20260307
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/312809/1000-japanese-troops-to-take-part-in-balikatan-afp