Pacific Winds 20260505
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
“Why would Japan meet with a small country like Australia?”
Lowy 20260504
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-would-japan-meet-small-country-australia
Japan, Australia Agree to Boost Cooperation on Cyberspace, Security as Takaichi, Albanese Release Joint Statement
Yomiuri 20260504
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20260504-325861/
Japan, Australia affirm closer cooperation in securing minerals, energy
Kyodo 20260504
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/75354
Australia and Japan sign agreements on energy, defence and critical minerals
ABC (AU) 20260504
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-04/australia-japan-sign-agreements-energy-defence-critical-minerals/106638864
Takaichi pushes ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’ with Australia to contain China, but effect will be limited: expert
GT 20260504
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1360268.shtml
Under Trump, the US-Philippines alliance enjoys a renaissance, for now
NIkkei 20260504
https://asia.nikkei.com/opinion/under-trump-the-us-philippines-alliance-enjoys-a-renaissance-for-now
US Indo-Pacific commander Samuel Paparo visits Canberra, warns US needs more naval power
Nightly (AU) 20260504
https://thenightly.com.au/politics/us-politics/andrew-greene-us-indo-pacific-commander-samuel-paparo-visits-canberra-warns-us-needs-more-naval-power-c-22229487
Five things to watch as Trump goes to Beijing
Brookings 20260504
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/five-things-to-watch-as-trump-goes-to-beijing/
U.S. Warns China Over Iranian Oil as Sanctions Fight Intensifies
NYTimes 20260504
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/us/politics/us-china-iranian-oil-sanctions.html
Why Kim Jong Un Won’t Pick Up the Phone and What to Do About It
WOTR 20260504
https://warontherocks.com/why-kim-jong-un-wont-pick-up-the-phone-and-what-to-do-about-it/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Think tank says FY27 DOD budget ignoring Guam housing, eyes land outside the fence
GDP 20260504
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/think-tank-says-fy27-dod-budget-ignoring-guam-housing-eyes-land-outside-the-fence/article_f250f8f8-2035-4e60-b574-0c8e4e85fbde.html
Hegseth: Guam housing, workforce support, power support set in department’s budget plan
PIT 20260504
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/hegseth-guam-housing-workforce-support-power-support-set-in-department-s-budget-plan
Don’t just arm Guam but fix its roads, power grid, too
PDN 20260505
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/editorials/our-view-dont-just-arm-guam-but-fix-its-roads-power-grid-too/article_bcc9a323-394d-46e1-a4d2-5bfe863280e8.html
Island Waves
Prime Mnisters James Marape’s Visit to China: POMCCI
Post Courier (PNG) 20260504
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/prime-minister-james-marapes-visit-to-china-pomcci/
Australia’s top ministers to visit Fiji
Fiji Times 20260504
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/australias-top-ministers-to-visit-fiji/
Japan-Funded Mini-Hydro Project in Malaita Reaches Line Installation Phase
Solomon Star 20260504
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/japan-funded-mini-hydro-project-in-malaita-reaches-line-installation-phase/
THREE TOWERS NOW ONLINE IN RANONGGAH WESTERN PROVINCE
Solomon Star 20260504
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/three-towers-now-online-in-ranonggah-western-province/
Mendana Avenue – Heritage Park Roundabout Opens
Solomon Star 20260504
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/mendana-avenue-heritage-park-roundabout-opens/
Taiwan + SCS
US calls Taiwan ‘trusted and capable’ partner, praises its ties with Eswatini
Reuters 20260504
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-calls-taiwan-trusted-capable-partner-praises-its-ties-with-eswatini-2026-05-04/
The KMT Goes to China: Assessing the Political Stakes of Cheng Li-Wun’s Visit
Heritage 20260504
https://www.heritage.org/china/commentary/the-kmt-goes-china-assessing-the-political-stakes-cheng-li-wuns-visit
Taiwan overhauls military readiness framework to counter China threats
Taiwan News 20260504
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6353752
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese ships, 2 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260504
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6353661
China Coast Guard officers raise national flag at Tiexian Jiao in South China Sea, clean up garbage left by illegal Philippine personnel
GT 20260504
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1360269.shtml
Capabilities
Hedging our bets: a Japanese option for managing risk in the AUKUS Optimal Pathway
ASPI 20260504
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/hedging-our-bets-a-japanese-option-for-managing-risk-in-the-aukus-optimal-pathway/
Japan’s PM raises China, ‘nuclear missiles’ in Albanese meet
News (AU) 20260504
https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/japans-pm-raises-china-nuclear-missiles-in-albanese-meet/news-story/5acaa70ae5e71aa6fee70e2ef482cd88
5 Ways Shipbuilding Can Be Shipshape Despite Geopolitical Instability
SeaPower 20260504
https://seapowermagazine.org/5-ways-shipbuilding-can-be-shipshape-despite-geopolitical-instability/
Air Force Wants to Arm Tanker, Cargo Aircraft with Active Defenses
Air & Space 20260504
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-tanker-cargo-aircraft-active-defenses/
Interview: Gen. Ronald Clark, US Army Pacific commander
Military Times 20260504
https://www.militarytimes.com/global/asia-pacific/2026/05/04/interview-gen-ronald-clark-us-army-pacific-commander/
Power
The End of America’s Soft Power
FP 20260504
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/04/trump-soft-power-usa/
Exercises
Green Berets Deploy Ship-Killing Drone in Luzon Strait Maritime Strike Exercise
USNI 20260503
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/03/green-berets-deploy-ship-killing-drone-in-luzon-strait-maritime-strike-exercise
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 4, 2026
USNI 20260504
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/04/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-may-4-2026