Pacific Winds 20260617
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Meeting the moment: How the Quad can deliver in a new strategic era
USSC 20260615
https://www.ussc.edu.au/how-the-quad-can-deliver-in-a-new-strategic-era
The Quad’s accountability gap
Lowy 20260616
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/the-quad-s-accountability-gap
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
USS George Washington makes 1st Guam port call of 2026 as security questions sharpen
GDP 20260616
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/uss-george-washington-makes-1st-guam-port-call-of-2026-as-security-questions-sharpen/article_99838f13-7d76-47b9-8cf5-cffed88d5f9a.html
‘Extension of home’: USS George Washington makes port visit
PDN 20260616
https://www.guampdn.com/news/extension-of-home-uss-george-washington-makes-port-visit/article_4fe0c475-4c3c-4f95-8ffa-e18b808b55bb.html
Chinese research vessels suspected of mapping seafloor for submarine warfare
ABC (AU) 20260616
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/chinese-research-vessels-illegally-mapping-pacific-seafloor/106802052
Taiwan to Post Criminal Investigator at Palau Embassy to Combat Transnational Crime
Island Times 20260616
https://islandtimes.org/taiwan-to-post-criminal-investigator-at-palau-embassy-to-combat-transnational-crime/
Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support awards $150 Million IDIQ “Bridge Contract” to support facilities maintenance, repair and operations supplies including Guam and Kwajalein Atoll
US Dow 20260615
https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4517534/contracts-for-june-15-2026/
Island Waves
Solomon Islands prime minister raises Pacific security pact proposal during Australia visit
ABC (AU) 20260616
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-16/solomon-islands-prime-minister-raises-pacific-security-pact/106802200
Japan boosts security ties
FBCN 20260616
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/japan-boosts-security-ties/
Australia Backs Angau Hospital Pharmacy Project in Lae
Post Courier (PNG) 20260616
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/australia-backs-angau-hospital-pharmacy-project-in-lae/
US Army sending Typhon missile systems to southern Japan for upcoming drills
S&S 20260616
https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2026-06-16/army-typhon-missile-system-japan-21980599.html
Taiwan + SCS
Fear of Being Left Behind: Taiwanese Concerns After the Trump–Xi Summit
The Diplomat 20260615
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/fear-of-being-left-behind-taiwanese-concerns-after-the-trump-xi-summit/
India’s direct stake in a Taiwan crisis
Lowy 20260616
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/india-s-direct-stake-in-a-taiwan-crisis
China Is Rehearsing More Than Amphibious Landings
CIMSEC 20260615
https://cimsec.org/china-is-rehearsing-more-than-amphibious-landings/
China’s new naval supergun trained on Taiwan’s shielded shores
Asia Times 20260616
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/chinas-new-naval-supergun-trained-on-taiwans-shielded-shores/
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval ships around country
Taiwan News 20260616
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6383662
Japan defense force to join parachute drill on Philippine islet near Taiwan
Kyodo 20260616
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/77932
West PH Sea: AFP warns Chinese research in Panatag may have military use
Inquirer (PH) 20260616
https://www.inquirer.net/477855/west-ph-sea-afp-warns-chinese-research-in-panatag-may-have-military-use/
German president says Europe is worried over tensions in the disputed South China Sea
AP 20260616
https://apnews.com/article/germany-president-steinmeier-philippines-marcos-china-sea-5752f361a8b132cff0d8b05d2ab65cce
Capabilities
U.S.-funded Project Expanding Drone and Fighter Capacity at Philippine Air Base
USNI 20260616
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/16/u-s-funded-project-expanding-drone-and-fighter-capacity-at-philippine-air-base
What the Rapid Development of the PLA Means for Australia
ASPI 20260615
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/what-the-rapid-development-of-the-pla-means-for-australia/
US military to build war-ready stockpile in Australia
AFP 20260616
https://www.nst.com.my/amp/world/world/2026/06/1464824/us-military-build-war-ready-stockpile-australia
Military stealth coating sold as cheap house paint? China might do it
SCMP 20260616
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3357264/military-stealth-coating-sold-cheap-house-paint-china-might-do-it
US Air Force tanker availability figures may be inflated, study finds
Defense News 20260616
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/06/16/us-air-force-tanker-availability-figures-may-be-inflated-study-finds/
Lockheed, GM announce partnership to bolster production for munitions and more
Breaking Defense 20260616
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06/lockheed-gm-announce-partnership-to-bolster-production-for-munitions-and-more/
AUKUS partners developing uncrewed underwater systems to reinforce deterrence
IPDF 20260616
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/06/aukus-partners-developing-uncrewed-underwater-systems-to-reinforce-deterrence/
Who rules space may shape the world below: The US-China battle for orbit
Think China 20260616
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/who-rules-space-may-shape-world-below-us-china-battle-orbit
China’s military mouthpiece PLA Daily cites SpaceX role in warning of satellite arms race
SCMP 20260616
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3357184/chinas-military-mouthpiece-pla-daily-cites-spacex-role-warning-satellite-arms-race
Chinese defense spokesperson warns against Japan’s remilitarization
Xinhua 20260616
https://english.news.cn/20260616/8ff6884909e14aad87ca47346b85348c/c.html