Pacific Winds 20260526
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Xi Jinping Criticizes Takaichi, Trump Defends Japanese Leader
Chosun 20260525
https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/05/25/EGVJ3IHMARBWLNHTYNGMFXT2JI/
China Targets Trump’s Top Ally in Pacific
Newsweek 20260525
https://www.newsweek.com/china-targets-trumps-top-ally-in-pacific-11990869
Stable US-China ties? It won’t last long, Evan Medeiros says
SCMP 20260525
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354598/stable-us-china-ties-it-wont-last-long-says-evan-medeiros
Can the Quad keep momentum without a leaders’ summit?
Lowy 20260525
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/can-quad-keep-momentum-without-leaders-summit
No, the Quad isn’t dead. This week’s foreign ministers’ meeting proves it
ASPI 20260525
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/no-the-quad-isnt-dead-this-weeks-foreign-ministers-meeting-proves-it/
How middle powers can stay off the great power politics menu
EAF 20260525
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/05/25/how-middle-powers-can-stay-off-the-great-power-politics-menu/
Japan’s Point of No Return
FA 20260525
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/japan/japans-point-no-return
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Blanket support of military has consequences for Guam
PDN 20260525
https://www.guampdn.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-lotz-blanket-support-of-military-has-consequences-for-guam/article_7b6db5a5-5a79-4476-9d13-2ef8061fdf17.html
PACAF Advanced Combat Skills Assessment showcases region’s best ‘Defenders’
USAF AAFB 20260524
https://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4499951/pacaf-advanced-combat-skills-assessment-showcases-regions-best-defenders/
Island Waves
Korea–Pacific Islands Senior Officials Meet to Advance Regional Priorities
PIF 20260525
https://forumsec.org/publications/release-korea-pacific-islands-senior-officials-meet-advance-regional-priorities
Solomon Islands Participates at 8th ROK-PIF Senior Officials Meeting in Nadi
SIBC 20260525
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/solomon-islands-participates-at-8th-rok-pif-senior-officials-meeting-in-nadi/
Taiwan + SCS
Iran war, China thaw complicate U.S. support for Taiwan
WaPo 20260524
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/05/23/us-pauses-14-billion-taiwan-arms-sale-after-china-summit/
Trump call would be positive, no planning talks have taken place, Taiwan says
Reuters 20260525
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trump-call-would-be-positive-no-planning-talks-have-taken-place-taiwan-says-2026-05-25/
US’ position on Taiwan unchanged, minister says
Taipei Times 20260526
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/05/26/2003857982
FM dismisses Taiwan regional authorities’ claims over Chinese vessels, says China safeguards regional peace, stability
GT 20260525
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361870.shtml
Taiwan needs more missile systems: Wellington Koo
Taipei Times 20260526
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/05/26/2003857983
‘Taiwan independence’ path is growing increasingly narrow
Taiwan News 20260525
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/1361922.shtml
Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships
Taiwan News 20260525
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6369126
Capabilities
Japan’s role in joint drills boosts Philippine, U.S. deterrence
Kyodo 20260525
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/76588
Shipbuilding woes and tired submarines — why there’s more talk of an AUKUS ‘plan B’
ABC (AU) 20260523
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-23/why-theres-more-talk-of-an-aukus-plan-b/106705426
The military says it’s ready to ‘fight tonight’ in the Pacific. Can it sustain that fight?
Defense One 20260524
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/05/military-says-its-ready-fight-tonight-pacific-can-it-sustain-fight/413750/
Can the Pentagon beat China if it struggles with Iran?
Asia Times 20260525
https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/can-the-pentagon-beat-china-if-it-struggles-with-iran/
Why Hainan holds the key to survival for China’s aircraft carriers
SCMP 20260524
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354674/breaking-chain-why-hainan-holds-key-survival-chinas-aircraft-carriers
CRS Report to Congress on China’s Nuclear and Missile Proliferation
USNI 20260525
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/25/report-to-congress-on-chinas-nuclear-and-missile-proliferation-2
Australia is not prepared for the war over perception
ASPI 20260525
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-is-not-prepared-for-the-war-over-perception/
China’s “Bohai Sea Monster” Reappears With Apparent Weapons Hardpoints
TWZ 20260525
https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-bohai-sea-monster-reappears-with-apparent-weapons-hardpoints
Power
Resource dominance reshaping Trump’s rivalry with China
Asia Times 20260525
https://asiatimes.com/2026/05/resource-dominance-reshaping-trumps-rivalry-with-china/
Exercises
Japan Announces 2 Major Western Pacific Exercises with U.S.
USNI 20260525
https://news.usni.org/2026/05/25/japan-announces-2-major-western-pacific-exercises-with-u-s
Japanese training at Darwin offers more combined-force value than Townsville
ASPI 20260525
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/japanese-training-at-darwin-offers-more-combined-force-value-than-townsville/