Pacific Winds 20260315
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump says meeting with N. Korea’s Kim could happen during his China trip or afterward: S. Korean PM
Yonhap 22060314
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260314000700315
Trump tells South Korea he is only leader who can break North Korean deadlock
SCMP 20260314
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3346571/trump-tells-south-korea-he-only-leader-who-can-break-north-korean-deadlock
Japan to join Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ project, expects missile requests
Reuters 20260313
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/japan-join-trumps-golden-dome-project-expects-missile-requests-2026-03-13/
Iran war challenges nuclear latency strategy of Japan, South Korea
Asia Times 20260314
https://asiatimes.com/2026/03/iran-war-challenges-nuclear-latency-strategy-of-japan-south-korea/
Asia Pacific steps up as US order falters
EAF 20260314
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/03/14/asia-pacific-steps-up-as-us-order-falters/
South Koreans Keep the Faith in America Even as Washington Tests It
The Diplomat 20260313
https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/south-koreans-keep-the-faith-in-america-even-as-washington-tests-it/
US warned of China rare earth curbs if Section 301 tariffs expand
Asia Times 20260314
https://asiatimes.com/2026/03/us-warned-of-china-rare-earth-curbs-if-section-301-tariffs-expand/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Japan supports fire trucks
MIJ 20260312
https://marshallislandsjournal.com/japan-supports-fire-trucks/
Island Waves
Japan’s Pacific Moment: Recalibrating Japan’s Pacific Islands Engagement
SPFUSA 20260313
https://spfusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Ms.-Paik-Japans-Pacific-Moment.pdf
Vanuatu signs Waste Management Cooperation with Japan
Daily Post (VU) 20260314
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-signs-waste-management-cooperation-with-japan/article_22b168ca-298e-54f1-a55c-f03ede9c27c9.html
Diego Garcia-Chagos Islands deal is delayed
Asia Times 20260314
https://asiatimes.com/2026/03/diego-garcia-chagos-islands-deal-is-delayed/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese naval ships and 3 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260314
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6320660
Will Paracels dispute overshadow China and Vietnam’s drive for stronger strategic ties?
SCMP 20260314
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3346539/will-paracels-dispute-overshadow-china-and-vietnams-drive-stronger-strategic-ties
Capabilities
North Korea fires about 10 ballistic missiles toward Sea of Japan
Kyodo 20260314
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/72284
N. Korea fires ballistic missiles as S. Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills
Yonhap 20260314
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260314002453315
The US is shifting THAAD from South Korea to the Mideast. What does that mean for China?
SCMP 20260314
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3346575/us-shifting-thaad-south-korea-mideast-what-does-mean-china
Takaichi vows to bolster Japan’s defense capabilities
Japan Times 20260314
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/14/japan/takaichi-defense-academy-speech/
China May Be Preparing for Nuclear War. Trump Can’t Ignore It.
Heritage 20260312
https://www.heritage.org/china/commentary/china-may-be-preparing-nuclear-war-trump-cant-ignore-it
China's Long March-8A rocket launches new internet satellites
GT 20260313
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356901.shtml