Pacific Winds 20260327
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The Asia-Pacific Pivot Is a Zombie Policy
FP 20260326
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/26/asia-pacific-trump-pivot-japan-china-defense/
Why the US Won’t Be Making a Pivot to Asia Anytime Soon
The Diplomat 20260326
https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/why-the-us-wont-be-making-a-pivot-to-asia-anytime-soon/
The Iran war seen through Asia’s eyes
Asia Times 20260326
https://asiatimes.com/2026/03/the-iran-war-seen-through-asias-eyes/
Xi-Trump summit: White House locks in new dates in May, Beijing silent
SCMP 20260326
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3347914/xi-trump-summit-white-house-locks-new-dates-may
Chinese FM responds to Trump’s claim of visiting China from May 14 to 15: Two countries are in communication regarding the matter
GT 20260326
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357589.shtml
White House announces Trump plans to visit China on May 14-15; Chinese analyst says rescheduling reflects US high expectations for the trip
GT 20260326
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357589.shtml
Trump eyes China deal, but dragging out talks risks backlash, warns former diplomat
SCMP 20260326
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348020/trump-eyes-china-deal-dragging-out-talks-risks-backlash-warns-former-diplomat
The United States Has Become a Rogue State
FP 20260326
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/26/united-states-trump-rogue-state-iran/
Achieving Middle Power Resilience via a CANZUK Agreement
AIIA 20260326
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/achieving-middle-power-resilience-via-a-canzuk-agreement/
Japan’s change of China’s description is not a ‘significant shift’
Japan Times 20260326
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/26/japan/politics/japan-bluebook-china/
Not just nukes: Why the US won’t strike North Korea
Think China 20260325
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/big-read-not-just-nukes-why-us-wont-strike-north-korea
Military leaders should take an active role in strengthening allies through burden sharing
Brookings 20260326
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/military-leaders-should-take-an-active-role-in-strengthening-allies-through-burden-sharing/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam homes costlier, with median price now $452K
PDN 20260326
https://www.guampdn.com/news/guam-homes-costlier-with-median-price-now-452k-old-louis-vuitton-building-in-tumon-sold/article_fb301ce9-0a8c-4c53-b6aa-fe0195e112fd.html
U.S. Coast Guard, CNMI partners strengthen maritime security presence in Saipan’s waters
DVIDS 20260325
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/561335/us-coast-guard-cnmi-partners-strengthen-maritime-security-presence-saipans-waters
Island Waves
Japan’s closest garrison to Taiwan takes bigger role 10 years on
Nikkei 20260326
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/defense/japan-s-closest-garrison-to-taiwan-takes-bigger-role-10-years-on
What Japan’s missile plan for remote Pacific island reveals about its defence goals
SCMP 20260326
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3347873/what-japans-missile-plan-remote-pacific-island-reveals-about-its-defence-goals
VPF equipped with VT15M safety gear
Daily Post (VU) 20260326
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vpf-equipped-with-vt15m-safety-gear/article_7efb881d-8762-5d6d-828c-01be330adf6b.html
Taiwan + SCS
Trump’s Ambivalence on Taiwan Opens a Historic Opportunity for China
WSJ 20250325
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/trump-taiwan-china-opportunity-e56d8ac8
Taiwan indicates next US arms sale is on track after receiving guarantee letter
Reuters 20260326
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-indicates-next-us-arms-sale-is-track-after-receiving-guarantee-letter-2026-03-26/
Taiwanese Leadership Visits First Domestically-built Attack Boat, Highlights Deterrent Role
USNI 20260325
https://news.usni.org/2026/03/25/taiwanese-leadership-visits-first-domestically-built-attack-sub-highlights-deterrent-role
U.S. envoy calls on Taiwan legislators to pass special defense budget
CNA (TW) 20260326
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202603260022
There is no ‘Taiwan Shield,’ only ‘Taiwan Cage’ in front of PLA: MND spokesperson
GT 20260326
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357616.shtml
Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese ships, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260326
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6328424
Capabilities
The War With Iran Is Exposing Big Problems for the Military
The Atlantic 20260325
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/03/iran-war-reveals-american-weakness/686532/
Iran war shows why China must change course on missile interception tech: analysis
SCMP 20260326
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3347981/iran-war-shows-why-china-must-change-course-missile-interception-tech-analysis
U.S. approves support for Japan’s development of upgraded HVGP missiles
Japan Times 20260326
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/26/japan/politics/us-support-japan-missile-development/
China warns US against building ammunition facility in Philippines
CNA (SG) 22060326
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-us-philippines-ammunition-facility-warning-conflict-war-asia-pacific-6018256
‘Fragility’ of Military Sealift Command Could Hold Navy Back from World Class Status, CNO Caudle Says
USNI 20260326
https://news.usni.org/2026/03/26/fragility-of-military-sealift-command-could-hold-navy-back-from-world-class-status-cno-caudle-says
Veteran KC-135 Base Commander’s View Of Epic Fury’s Strain On The Tanker Force
TWZ 20260326
https://www.twz.com/air/veteran-kc-135-base-commanders-view-of-epic-furys-strain-on-the-tanker-force
‘Jury’s still out’ on future of Army’s mobile prepositioned stock: AMC head
Breaking Defense 20260326
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/jurys-still-out-on-future-of-armys-mobile-prepositioned-stock-amc-head/
China prepares for submarine warfare against America
WashExam 20260325
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/4503397/china-prepares-submarine-warfare-against-america/
China’s ocean-floor push blurs the line between mining and war
Asia Times 20260326
https://asiatimes.com/2026/03/chinas-ocean-floor-push-blurs-the-line-between-mining-and-war/
China launches two new satellites
Xinhua 20260326
https://english.news.cn/20260326/1f7fda502de147e38f26c3de2cfdb876/c.html
Chinese satellite performs landmark refuelling test in low Earth orbit
SCMP 20260326
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3347888/chinese-satellite-performs-landmark-refuelling-test-low-earth-orbit
Vulcan grounding could impact multiple Space Force, NRO satellite launches
Breaking Defense 20260326
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/vulcan-grounding-could-impact-multiple-space-force-nro-satellite-launches/
SDA hopes to bring satellite laser links into use within next 6 months
Breaking Defense 20260325
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/sda-hopes-to-bring-satellite-laser-links-into-use-within-next-6-months/
Golden Dome and the velocity race: Why ground-based optics are the key to mission persistence
Space News 20260326
https://spacenews.com/golden-dome-and-the-velocity-race-why-ground-based-optics-are-the-key-to-mission-persistence/