Pacific Winds 20260317
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Washington’s ‘pivot’ away from Asia
EAF 20260316
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/03/16/washingtons-pivot-away-from-asia/
For Xi, Iran War Reinforces View of U.S. as Dangerous Superpower
WSJ 20260314
https://www.wsj.com/world/for-xi-iran-war-reinforces-view-of-u-s-as-dangerous-superpower-13a8fcd5
Trump Floats Xi Summit Delay If China Doesn’t Help in Hormuz
Bloomberg 20260316
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-15/trump-floats-delaying-xi-summit-if-no-help-for-hormuz-ft-says
Trump’s Threat to Delay Summit With Xi Casts New Shadow Over China Relations
NYTimes 20260316
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/world/middleeast/trump-visit-xi-china-iran.html
Why Trump's push for China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz may hurt trade talks
SCMP 20260316
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3346784/why-trumps-push-china-help-reopen-strait-hormuz-may-hurt-trade-talks
China under pressure as Trump ties high-stakes summit to Strait of Hormuz crisis
SCMP 20260316
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3346792/china-under-pressure-trump-ties-high-stakes-summit-strait-hormuz-crisis
China, US maintain communication regarding Trump's China visit, FM responds to Trump's reported threat to call off visit if China does not help with Strait of Hormuz
GT 20260316
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357037.shtml
China, US hold candid, in-depth, constructive talks on economic, trade issues
GT 20260317
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357086.shtml
Takaichi hypes security environment ahead of US visit; move to seek US support for Tokyo’s military shift, says expert
GT 20260316
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357020.shtml
How Takaichi Can Triumph
FA 20260316
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/japan/how-takaichi-can-triumph
Chinese response to Takaichi ‘usual tactics’: Japanese lawmaker
CNA (TW) 20260316
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202603160017
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
GAO: Funding woes delay Guam military bases’ long-term, post-Mawar fixes such as burying more power lines underground
PDN 20260316
https://www.guampdn.com/news/gao-funding-woes-delay-guam-military-bases-long-term-post-mawar-fixes-such-as-burying/article_0a8467c4-0881-4b77-99dc-0bde84fab964.html
USCGC Frederick Hatch conducts security mission, serves Northern Mariana Islands communities during 20-day patrol
USCG FM/SG 20260315
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/560592/uscgc-frederick-hatch-conducts-security-mission-serves-northern-mariana-islands-communities-during-20-day-patrol
Island Waves
China’s Growing Grip on the Solomon Islands’ Fragile Media Sector
RSF 20260316
https://rsf.org/en/china-s-growing-grip-solomon-islands-fragile-media-sector
Japan – Papua New Guinea Goodwill Exercise
JMSDF 20260316
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202603/20260316en.pdf
Unidentified foam near U.S. military bases in Okinawa raises PFAS concerns
Japan Times 20260316
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/16/japan/society/pfas-concerns-near-us-bases-okinawa/
Taiwan + SCS
MOFA blasts ‘no sovereignty’ remark
Taipei Times 20260316
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/03/16/2003853900
PLA ramps up Taiwan patrols after lull as Beijing slams Lai’s ‘independence confession’
SCMP 20260316
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3346774/pla-ramps-taiwan-patrols-after-lull-beijing-slams-lais-independence-confession
Philippines rejects Beijing’s claim to sovereignty over entire South China Sea
Reuters 20260316
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-rejects-beijings-claim-sovereignty-over-south-china-sea-2026-03-16/
Between sobriety and transparency in the West Philippine Sea
Phil Star 20260314
https://www.philstar.com/news-commentary/2026/03/14/2514279/between-sobriety-and-transparency-west-philippine-sea
Capabilities
The Iran war is eroding America’s China deterrent
WaPo 20260316
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/16/iran-china-military-readiness-war/
South Korea needs to reassess costs, risks of US military presence
GT 20260316
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357072.shtml
Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov’t ‘vacating’ deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war
Yonhap 20260317
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260317000200315
How the Pentagon is working to wriggle out of China’s rare-earths grip
Defense One 20260315
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/03/how-pentagon-working-wriggle-out-chinas-rare-earths-grip/412134/
China launches new highly retrograde Yaogan satellite, KZ-11 rideshare deploys 8 satellites
Space News 20260316
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-new-highly-retrograde-yaogan-satellite-kz-11-rideshare-deploys-8-satellites/
China's Kuaizhou-11 Y7 rocket launches 8 new satellites
GT 20260316
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357035.shtml
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 16, 2026
USNI 20260316
https://news.usni.org/2026/03/16/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-march-16-2026