Pacific Winds 20260319
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump says America needs no one’s help – Australia included
Lowy 20260318
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/trump-says-america-needs-no-one-s-help-australia-included
In Delaying China Summit, Trump Faces a Familiar Mideast Distraction
WSJ 20260318
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/in-delaying-china-summit-trump-faces-a-familiar-mideast-distraction-86089d2c
Chaos over Donald Trump’s China trip likely to further test Beijing’s patience with US
SCMP 20260318
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3347055/chaos-over-donald-trumps-china-trip-likely-further-test-beijings-patience-us
Japan’s leader heads to D.C. bearing gifts of peace for a president at war
WaPo 20260318
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/03/18/japan-sanae-takaichi-trump-washington/
Trump’s Friendship With Japan’s Leader Faces Test Over Iran
NYTimes 20260318
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/world/asia/trump-japan-takaichi-iran-hormuz.html
Japan’s Takaichi leaves for U.S. to meet Trump amid Mideast conflict
Kyodo 20260318
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/72533
The Japan-US Summit: Takaichi’s Impossible Task
The Diplomat 20260318
https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/the-japan-us-summit-takaichis-impossible-task/
Takaichi Walks A Tightrope
CFR 20260318
https://www.cfr.org/articles/takaichi-walks-a-tightrope
Japan is now the most trusted Asian power in Australia and New Zealand
Lowy 20260319
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/japan-now-most-trusted-asian-power-australia-new-zealand
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Indian Navy joins US-led exercise at Guam; Russian warships dock at Visakhapatnam
Tribune India 20260317
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/indian-navy-joins-us-led-exercise-at-guam-russian-warships-dock-at-visakhapatnam/
Taiwan Navy trainees make port call in Marshall Islands
Taiwan News 20269318
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6323014
Island Waves
Pacific islands walk a ‘delicate tightrope’ as China influence rises
RFA 20260318
https://www.rfa.org/english/pacific/2026/03/18/pacific-region-china-influence-belt-and-road-graeme-smith/
Papua New Guinea launches foreign policy blueprint amid rapid global change
RNZ 20260318
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/589942/papua-new-guinea-launches-foreign-policy-blueprint-amid-rapid-global-change
Fiji and Japan strengthen heritage and development cooperation
FBCN 20260319
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-and-japan-strengthen-heritage-and-development-cooperation/
How Smaller States Survive a World on Fire
AIIA 20260318
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/how-smaller-states-survive-a-world-on-fire/
Pacific leaders lobby Australia for rugby cash splash after NRL deal
SMH 20260319
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/pacific-leaders-lobby-australia-for-rugby-cash-splash-after-nrl-deal-20260318-p5oo1c.html
US to require $15,000 bond to visa recipients from 12 more countries
Reuters 20260318
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-require-15000-bond-visa-recipients-12-more-countries-2026-03-18/
NOTE: PNG is added. Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu were earlier inscribed on the U.S. visa bond list.
Taiwan + SCS
Mainland outlines measures to boost cross-Strait integration in next five years
Xinhua 20260318
https://english.news.cn/20260318/4e953459e0da431aab79a6952c2ef881/c.html
US assesses China not planning to invade Taiwan in 2027
Defense News 20260318
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/03/18/us-assesses-china-not-planning-to-invade-taiwan-in-2027/
US assesses mainland China not planning to attack Taiwan in 2027
SCMP 20260319
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3347083/us-assesses-mainland-china-not-planning-attack-taiwan-2027
Taiwan simulates coastal combat, drone defense in Kinmen drills
CNA (TW) 20260318
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202603180012
Battlefield demand turning Taiwan into drone manufacturing hub
Japan Times 20260318
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/18/asia-pacific/taiwan-domestic-drone-industry/
Official dives into Taiwan defense strategy
Taipei Times 20260319
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/03/19/2003854088
PLA sends 8 vessels, 24 aircraft across median line
Taipei Times 20260318
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/03/18/2003854048
Taiwan tracks 36 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20260318
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6322972
PCG sends ships, plane to Bajo de Masinloc after alleged Chinese harassment vs Pinoy fishers
GMA 20260318
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/980490/bajo-de-masinloc-china-west-philippine-sea-coast-guard/story/
Beijing’s South China Sea militia fleet largest ever, report says
IPDF 20260318
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/03/beijings-south-china-sea-militia-fleet-largest-ever-report-says/
PLA repels Philippine aircraft’s illegal intrusion over China’s Huangyan Dao: source
GT 20260318
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357156.shtml
PLA Southern Theater Command drives away Philippine aircraft illegally intruding into China’s Huangyan Dao
China Military 20260318
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/2025xb/H_251454/L_251456/16449665.html
Capabilities
China Gains an Edge From Trump’s War With Iran, Officials Say
Bloomberg 20260318
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-18/china-gains-an-edge-from-trump-s-war-with-iran-officials-say
Shuffling the deck: realising ACE in the Indo-Pacific
IISS 22060316
https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/military-balance/2026/03/shuffling-the-deck-realising-ace-in-the-indo-pacific/
Japan Should Help Sink China’s Invasion Fleet
FP 20260318
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/18/japan-should-help-sink-chinas-invasion-fleet/
N. Korea committed to expanding nuclear, missile programs; poses ‘significant’ threats to S. Korea, Japan: U.S. report
Yonhap 20260319
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260319000200315
US becoming dominant military force in Northern Territory, report says
ABC (AU) 20260318
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-17/nt-usa-becoming-dominant-military-force-northern-territory-aspi/106460770
For northern logistics, communication is key
ASPI 20260318
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/for-northern-logistics-communication-is-key/
Pentagon official calls U.S. ‘flexibility’ to meet urgent needs a ‘strength’ amid THAAD redeployment concerns
Yonhap 20260318
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260318000400315
By the numbers | US missile production shortfalls
USSC 20260318
https://www.ussc.edu.au/by-the-numbers-us-missile-production-shortfalls
In new timeline, Army set to take full control of THAAD missile program by 2027
MDAA 20260318
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/in-new-timeline-army-set-to-take-full-control-of-thaad-missile-program-by-2027/
Fear and Loathing in Pyongyang: What the Iran Strikes Imply for North Korea
The Diplomat 20260318
https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/fear-and-loathing-in-pyongyang-what-the-iran-strikes-imply-for-north-korea/
Despite a supposedly defensive policy, China’s military budget rises fast
ASPI 20260318
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/despite-a-supposedly-defensive-policy-chinas-military-budget-rises-fast/
The Pentagon wants to field laser weapons at scale within 3 years
Defense News 20260318
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/03/18/the-pentagon-wants-to-field-laser-weapons-at-scale-within-3-years/
US sounds alarm over China’s humanoid robots amid security concerns
SCMP 20260318
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/politics/article/3346942/us-sounds-alarm-over-chinas-humanoid-robots-amid-security-concerns
US tech firms, including Boston Dynamics, push for curbs on Chinese robot makers over alleged 'security risks'; Chinese experts say claims reflect anxiety, envy
GT 20260318
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357166.shtml
Power
American Hegemony Is Collapsing Before Our Eyes
Project Syndicate 20260318
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/iran-war-american-alliance-network-beginning-to-crumble-by-carla-norrlof-2026-03
Events
China’s Greyzone Fleet: Detecting and disrupting Beijing’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific
ASPI 26 March 2026 5:30-6:50 PM AEST
https://www.aspi.org.au/event/chinas-greyzone-fleet-detecting-and-disrupting-beijings-strategy-in-the-indo-pacific/
Cross-strait crossroads: Pathways for America’s Taiwan policy
Brookings 23 March 1000-1115 EDT
https://www.brookings.edu/events/cross-strait-crossroads-pathways-for-americas-taiwan-policy/