Pacific Winds 20260328

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Lee urges swift wartime OPCON recovery, warns against US overreliance
Chosun 20260327
https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-policy/2026/03/27/SQVP3GWVVFCYNA4LBWZVMCJFKI/

Getting past potential? Outcomes of the 2025 Australia-Republic of Korea Dialogue on Security Cooperation
USSC 20260327
https://www.ussc.edu.au/outcomes-of-the-2025-australia-republic-of-korea-dialogue-on-security-cooperation

Two things can be true: China is an economic partner and a threat
ASPI 20260327
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/two-things-can-be-true-china-is-an-economic-partner-and-a-threat/

Japanese combat troops to return to Philippines in ‘significant’ Indo-Pacific defence shift
SCMP 20260327
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3348064/japanese-combat-troops-return-philippines-significant-indo-pacific-defence-shift

Allies and Congress are about to lose a key window into US military plans
Politico 20260325
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/25/allies-and-congress-are-about-to-lose-a-key-window-into-us-military-plans-00844786

America’s Lost Diplomatic Strength
American Conservative 20260326
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/americas-lost-diplomatic-strength/

China, US maintain communication over Trump’s China visit, Chinese FM responds to question on more info about Trump’s visit
GT 20260327
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357693.shtml

Beyond trade: Issues in a Trump-Xi summit
Brookings 20260327
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/beyond-trade-issues-in-a-trump-xi-summit/

China Starts Trade Probes Against US Before Xi-Trump Summit
Bloomberg 20260328
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-27/china-retaliates-with-trade-barrier-probes-against-the-us

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Scholars warn Micronesia in the crossfire as militarisation rises
Island Times 20260327
https://islandtimes.org/scholars-warn-micronesia-in-the-crossfire-as-militarisation-rises/

US rebuilding WWII Pacific airfields amid China threat
DW 20260327
https://amp.dw.com/en/us-rebuilding-wwii-pacific-airfields-amid-china-threat/a-76569562

Developing Reliant friendships
AU DoD 2026031=27
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2026-03-27/developing-reliant-friendships

Island Waves

China reaffirms ‘no strings attached’ support
Daily Post 20260327
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/china-reaffirms-no-strings-attached-support/article_d52160f4-b93f-5bc4-8130-ee1477db5ff3.html

Okinawa PFAS survey records new maximums at sites near US military airfields
S&S 20260327
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-03-27/pfas-okinawa-futenma-kadena-21195316.html

Japan sprinkles fresh missiles across its islands to fend off would-be attackers
Defense News 20260327
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/03/27/japan-sprinkles-fresh-missiles-across-its-islands-to-fend-off-would-be-attackers/

Taiwan + SCS

China stations jets-turned-drones at bases near Taiwan Strait, report says
Reuters 20260327
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-stations-jets-turned-drones-bases-near-taiwan-strait-report-says-2026-03-27/

Hellscape Taiwan: A Porcupine Defense in the Drone Age
WOTR 20260327
https://warontherocks.com/2026/03/hellscape-taiwan-a-porcupine-defense-in-the-drone-age/

Lai backs defense self-reliance in face of Chinese pressure
Taiwan News 20260327
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6329721

Taiwan seeking U.S. consent on payment deferral for HIMARS
CNA (TW) 20260327
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202603270010

The Security Architecture of the Taiwan-US Trade Deal
The Diplomat 20260326
https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/the-security-architecture-of-the-taiwan-us-trade-deal/

PM Takaichi: Japan, U.S. Share ‘Same Awareness’ on Taiwan Situation
Yomiuri 20260327
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20260327-318876/

Taiwan tracks 12 Chinese ships, 6 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260327
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6329212

Philippine Navy Ship Avoids Collision During Chinese Frigate Harassment in South China Sea
USNI 20260327
https://news.usni.org/2026/03/27/philippine-navy-ship-avoids-collision-during-chinese-frigate-harassment-in-south-china-sea

PLA Southern Theater Command urges Philippines to strictly control operations of its maritime and air troops, immediately cease provocative, risky acts
GT 20260328
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1357736.shtml

Capabilities

Magazine depth: Rapid depletion of missile stockpiles in Iran raises concerns about US readiness
SWJ 20260327
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2026/03/27/magazine-depth-iran-missiles-stockpile-readiness/

U.S. uses hundreds of Tomahawk missiles on Iran, alarming some at Pentagon
WaPo 20260327
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/27/iran-war-tomahawk-missiles/

U.S. Is Burning Through Tomahawk Cruise Missile Stockpile At An Alarming Rate: Report
TWZ 20260327
https://www.twz.com/news-features/u-s-is-burning-through-tomahawk-cruise-missile-stockpile-at-a-alarming-rate-report

US uses hundreds of Tomahawk missiles on Iran, alarming some at Pentagon
Defense News 20260327
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/03/27/us-uses-hundreds-of-tomahawk-missiles-on-iran-alarming-some-at-pentagon/

Win the Middle East, lose the Pacific?
WaPo 20260327
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/27/iran-war-asia-china-pacific-oil-shock/

How to Kill a Multidomain Task Force
MWI 20260327
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/how-to-kill-a-multidomain-task-force/

What the debut of a new air-based missile means for China’s nuclear strategy
SCMP 20260327
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3348174/what-debut-new-air-based-missile-means-chinas-nuclear-strategy

Australia will be left with no submarines if it abandons Aukus, senior defence official warns
Guardian 20260327
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/27/australia-will-be-left-with-no-submarines-if-it-abandons-aukus-senior-defence-official-warns

Japanese destroyer acquires Tomahawk missile launch capability
Kyodo 20260327
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/73106

Japanese Aegis Destroyer Completes Modifications to Operate U.S.-made Tomahawk Missiles
USNI 20260327
https://news.usni.org/2026/03/27/japanese-aegis-destroyer-completes-modifications-to-operate-u-s-made-tomahawk-missiles

Japan lays keel of both ASEV Missile Defense Ships
Naval News 20260327
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/03/japan-lays-keel-of-both-asev-missile-defense-ships/

Rise of the ‘wolf pack’: China’s canine robots evolve to think as one for urban combat
SCMP 20260327
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3348167/rise-wolf-pack-chinas-canine-robots-evolve-think-one-urban-combat

A Torpedo in the Trade Lanes: Naval Warfare Returns to the Indo-Pacific
WOTR 20260326
https://warontherocks.com/2026/03/a-torpedo-in-the-trade-lanes-naval-warfare-returns-to-the-indo-pacific/

China successfully launches new test satellite
Xinhua 20260327
https://english.news.cn/20260327/4b75f34e8bff4cc19751e967bed08e08/c.html

Exercises

Will the Pentagon have to cut exercises to pay for the Iran war?
Breaking Defense 20260327
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/will-the-pentagon-have-to-cut-exercises-to-pay-for-the-iran-war/