Pacific Winds 20260519
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
The real Thucydides Trap is the story we keep telling ourselves
Lowy 20260518
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/real-thucydides-trap-story-we-keep-telling-ourselves
China gives Trump enough rope
EAF 20260518
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/05/18/china-gives-trump-enough-rope/
China and the U.S. Agreed to ‘Strategic Stability’ in Beijing. They Don’t Define It the Same Way.
CFR 20260518
https://www.cfr.org/articles/china-and-the-u-s-agreed-to-strategic-stability-in-beijing-they-dont-define-it-the-same-way
The Trump-Xi Summit’s Nuclear Shadow Over Asia
The Diplomat 20260519
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/the-trump-xi-summits-nuclear-shadow-over-asia/
Chinese military says ready to work with U.S. to promote stable, positive relationship
Xinhua 20260518
https://english.news.cn/20260518/675ba8716ffe4d898a98a5f946907d9c/c.html
Trump’s China Pragmatism Is Welcome
FP 20260518
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/18/trump-xi-meeting-china-united-states-economics-trade-great-power-competition/
Trump’s China trip highlights bipartisan shift in Washington’s approach to Beijing
SCMP 20260518
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/politics/article/3354019/trumps-china-trip-highlights-bipartisan-shift-washingtons-approach-beijing
Trump–Xi summit delivers a triple win
Think China 202609518
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/trump-xi-summit-delivers-triple-win
Putin’s China visit expected to further advance ties: Chinese spokesperson
Xinhua 20260518
https://english.news.cn/20260518/85e53584f9714472a41bb8afd568d6eb/c.html
The more turbulent the world becomes, the more necessary China-Russia cooperation appears
GT 20260518
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361324.shtml
From indemnity to indispensability: China’s 125-year reversal
Asia Times 20260518
https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/from-indemnity-to-indispensability-chinas-125-year-reversal/
Marcos keen to discuss Japan’s defense, energy posture during Tokyo trip
Kyodo 20260518
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/76242
Senior S. Korean diplomat visits Washington for talks on nuclear sub project, other issues
Yonhap 20260518
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260519000200315
White House gets small rare earth win, but China’s export regime is here to stay
Reuters 20260518
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/china-has-agreed-address-us-concerns-over-rare-earth-shortages-says-white-house-2026-05-18/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
The new Indo-Pacific security architecture: From hub-and-spoke to allied security web
Breaking Defense 20260518
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/05/the-new-indo-pacific-security-architecture-from-hub-and-spoke-to-allied-security-web/
Island Waves
Between backyards and nakamals: Shifting Australia–Vanuatu relations
Lowy 20260517
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/publications/between-backyards-nakamals-shifting-australia-vanuatu-relations
Vanuatu, Australia move towards bilateral deal
Islands Business 20260518
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/vanuatu-australia-move-towards-bilateral-deal/
Anti-China government installed in strategic Solomon Islands
Telegraph 20260518
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/18/anti-china-government-solomon-island/
U.S FUNDED AGREEMENT SIGNED TO REMOVE WWII UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE IN ENB
PNG Haus Bung 20260518
https://pnghausbung.com/u-s-funded-agreement-signed-to-remove-wwii-unexploded-ordnance-in-enb/
Santa Cruz New Terminal Building Reaches 70 Percent Completion
SIBC 20260518
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/santa-cruz-new-terminal-building-reaches-70-percent-completion/
Australian-Backed Programs Develop Construction Leaders
Solomon Times 20260518
https://www.solomontimes.com/news/australianbacked-programs-develop-construction-leaders/13213
Tonga-China Friendship Association condemns Taiwan authorities for undermining PIF leaders meeting
Xinhua 20260517
https://english.news.cn/africa/20260517/993ca2fbf7fe429fbda36396c6b8f0b1/c.html
Taiwan + SCS
America’s Taiwan gap utterly exposed at Trump-Xi summit
Asia Times 20260518
https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/americas-taiwan-gap-utterly-exposed-at-trump-xi-summit/
Trump’s Taiwan Gambit is Already a Gift to China
NYTimes 20260518
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/world/asia/trump-taiwan-china-weapons.html
DPP should recognize trend, face reality, pull back before too late: FM spokesperson on Trump's remarks against 'Taiwan independence'
GT 20260518
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361258.shtml
Trump’s Taiwan independence comments: a blow to William Lai and ruling DPP?
SCMP 20260518
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3354002/does-trumps-not-looking-independence-remark-hurt-taiwans-ruling-party
Taiwan on tenterhooks for Donald Trump’s next move
Times (UK) 20260518
https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/taiwan-tenterhooks-donald-trump-next-move-china-wz5xw80ss
Ex-CIA chief, Defense Secretary Robert Gates predicts China won’t invade Taiwan anytime soon: ‘Don’t think they want to go in’
NYPost 2060518
https://nypost.com/2026/05/18/world-news/ex-cia-chief-defense-secretary-robert-gates-predicts-china-wont-invade-taiwan-anytime-soon-dont-think-they-want-to-go-in/
Taiwan says China deploying over 500 converted fighter-jet drones
Taiwan News 20260518
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6364427
In 2026, a lot of Taiwan’s military equipment is just deadweight
ASPI 20260518
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-2026-a-lot-of-taiwans-military-equipment-is-just-deadweight/
US aircraft respond to PLA pilot demands in Taiwan’s ADIZ
Taiwan News 20260518
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6364659
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese military aircraft, 6 ships
Taiwan News 20260518
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6364367
Chinese scientists land on Sandy Cay reef as tensions with Philippines escalate once again
SCMP 20260518
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3353947/chinese-scientists-land-sandy-cay-reef-tensions-philippines-escalate-once-again
Chinese from survey ship land on sandbars within Pag-asa waters
Phil Star 20260518
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/05/18/2528807/chinese-survey-ship-land-sandbars-within-pag-asa-waters/amp/
Capabilities
Missiles Aren’t Strategy: Lessons From Iran for a Pacific Air War
WOTR 20260518
https://warontherocks.com/missiles-arent-strategy-lessons-from-iran-for-a-pacific-air-war/
‘Cheap’ Patriot Interceptor Costing Under $1 Million Now Being Sought By Army
TWZ 20260518
https://www.twz.com/land/cheap-patriot-interceptor-costing-under-1-million-now-being-sought-by-army
Japan Mulls Introducing Early-Warning Drones to Strengthen Pacific Surveillance, Aims to Cover ‘Blind Spot’
Yomiuri 20260518
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260518-328192/
South Korea’s 500,000 Drone Warriors Will Be a Hollow Force
WOTR 20260515
https://warontherocks.com/south-koreas-500000-drone-warriors-will-be-a-hollow-force/
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 18, 2026
USNI 20260518
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/18/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-may-18-2026