Pacific Winds 20260624
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
S. Korea defends extended deterrence cooperation with U.S., urges China’s constructive role
Yonhap 20260623
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260623009500315
Ex-Pentagon official calls for greater strategic flexibility of USFK for deterrence in Indo-Pacific
Yonhap 20260623
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260623012100315
PM calls for taking bilateral exchanges to next level in talks with China’s premier
Yonhap 20260623
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260623012500315
The Mirage of China’s Military Edge
FA 20260623
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/mirage-chinas-military-edge-dennis-blair
Why “China First” Will Fail
FA 20260623
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/why-china-first-will-fail-patricia-kim
Japan’s defence outreach to counter China’s military rise hits hidden roadblocks
SCMP 20260623
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3357876/japans-defence-outreach-counter-chinas-military-rise-hits-hidden-roadblocks
Poll shows over half of Australians see China ties more important than US ties; economic realities outweigh security narratives in public perceptions: Chinese expert
GT 20260623
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364218.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Pentagon wants $29M for Guam land acquisition in defense spending bill
KUAM 20260623
https://www.kuam.com/story/310534976/pentagon-wants-29m-for-guam-land-acquisition-in-defense-spending-bill
2026 Draft Programmatic Agreement officially put on hold
KUAM 20260623
https://www.kuam.com/story/310607325/2026-draft-programmatic-agreement-officially-put-on-hold
Island Waves
Bougainville Sets 2027 Self-Govrnment 2030 Independence Target
Post Courier (PNG) 20260623
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/bougainville-sets-2027-self-government-2030-independence-target/
Australia Prioritised as Primary Alliance Partner
National (PNG) 20260623
https://www.thenational.com.pg/australia-prioritised-as-primary-alliance-partner/
Australian media's renewed hype over Solomons minister's remark on China 'policing plans' exposes exclusionary mindset, says Chinese expert
GT 20260623
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364214.shtml
Officers get Skills Boost in US-PNG Partnership
National (PNG) 20260623
https://www.thenational.com.pg/officers-get-skills-boost-in-us-png-partnership/
Please explain: One Nation, Australian aid and the Pacific
DevPolicy 20260624
https://devpolicy.org/please-explain-one-nation-australian-aid-and-the-pacific-20260624/
Taiwan + SCS
China’s most advanced aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait, Taipei says
Reuters 20260623
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-most-advanced-aircraft-carrier-sails-through-taiwan-strait-taipei-says-2026-06-23/
When the Davidson Window Meets the ‘Xi Window’
The Diplomat 20260619
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/when-the-davidson-window-meets-the-xi-window/
Returning to ‘one China’ status quo key to restarting talks: KMT head
CNA (TW) 22060623
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606230024
Former security official urges Taiwan to define cross-strait status quo
Taiwan News 20260623
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6388094
Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese ships, 6 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260623
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6387664
China and Philippines have a rare naval stand-off near disputed Scarborough Shoal
SCMP 20260623
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3358063/china-and-philippines-have-rare-naval-stand-near-disputed-scarborough-shoal
PH Navy to send more vessels to Bajo de Masinloc
PNA 20260623
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1277848
Are China-Philippines tensions sinking the South China Sea Code of Conduct?
Think China 20260623
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/are-china-philippines-tensions-sinking-south-china-sea-code-conduct
China builds record-breaking 100-metre observation tower in South China Sea
SCMP 20260623
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3358092/china-builds-record-breaking-100-metre-observation-tower-south-china-sea
The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz will not replay itself in the South China Sea
Lowy 20260623
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/the-crisis-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-will-not-replay-itself-in-the-south-china-sea
Capabilities
US Marines in Okinawa receive first MADIS, NMESIS platforms
Defense News 20260622
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/06/23/us-marines-in-okinawa-receive-first-madis-nmesis-platforms/
U.S. Navy Sets Sights on 10 Commercial Tankers To Rapidly Expand Logistics Fleet
Naval News 20260623
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/06/u-s-navy-sets-sights-on-10-commercial-tankers-to-rapidly-expand-logistics-fleet/
Trump Summons Munitions Makers as Worries Grow Over Low U.S. Stockpiles
WSJ 20260622
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-summons-munitions-makers-as-worries-grow-over-low-u-s-stockpiles-7af0ddc8
Changes to US weapons sales practices should emerge later this year, says Pentagon official
Breaking Defense 20260623
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06/changes-to-us-weapons-sales-practices-should-emerge-later-this-year-says-pentagon-official/
The Navy’s Big 3-D Printing Bet
USNI 20260623
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/23/the-navys-big-3-d-printing-bet
Japan’s frigate sales pitch masks a wider regional power play
Asia Times 20260623
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/japans-frigate-sales-pitch-masks-a-wider-regional-power-play/
What is China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning testing – and why does it matter?
SCMP 20260623
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3358058/what-chinas-aircraft-carrier-liaoning-testing-and-why-does-it-matter
United States gives Philippines four underwater vehicles worth $13 million
Reuters 20260622
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/united-states-gives-philippines-four-underwater-vehicles-worth-13-million-2026-06-23/
U.S. Transfers Ocean Aero Tritons to Philippine Navy USV Unit
Naval News 20260623
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/06/u-s-transfers-ocean-aero-tritons-to-philippine-navy-usv-unit/
U.S. Asymmetric Aid Program Transfers Unmanned Vessels to the Philippines, Plans Attack Drone Transfer by 2027
USNI 20260623
https://news.usni.org/2026/06/23/u-s-asymmetric-aid-program-transfers-unmanned-vessels-to-the-philippines-plans-attack-drone-transfer-by-2027
US provides Philippines with four autonomous surveillance vehicles; equipment emboldens Manila’s maritime provocations, risks increased miscalculation: Chinese experts
GT 20260623
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364253.shtml
Drones Are Not the Future of War—They Are the Problem to Be Solved
MWI 20260623
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/drones-are-not-the-future-of-war-they-are-the-problem-to-be-solved/
Losing the War of the Future
FA 20260623
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/losing-war-future-paul-scharre
Space Superiority Through the Spectrum of Conflict: Findings and Recommendations from the Conflict in Space Workshop
Mitchell 20260623
https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/space-superiority-through-the-spectrum-of-conflict-findings-and-recommendations-from-the-conflict-in-space-workshop/
Report: U.S. needs framework for responding to hostile acts in space
Space News 20260623
https://spacenews.com/report-u-s-needs-framework-for-responding-to-hostile-acts-in-space/
Exercises
Valiant Shield, U.S.-Led Multilateral Exercise with Japan’s Self-Defense Kicks Off
Yomiuri 20260623
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20260623-334350/