Pacific Winds 20260628

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Japan’s defense chief in S. Korea for deeper defense ties
Yonhap 20260627
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260627001651315

To Not Lose Southeast Asia, the US Must Look to Northeast Asia
The Diplomat 20260626
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/to-not-lose-southeast-asia-the-us-must-look-to-northeast-asia/

U.S. military preparedness, presence growing in Australia
IPDF 20260627
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/06/u-s-military-preparedness-presence-growing-in-australia/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Guam sidelined as locals speak up on military buildup
GDP 20260627
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/guam-sidelined-as-locals-speak-up-on-military-buildup/article_01e04df2-8101-495f-bc97-e2a5ed11c3e5.html

Boeing CCA to Fly with US Aircraft in Pacific Exercise
Air & Space 20260626
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/boeing-cca-to-fly-with-us-aircraft-in-pacific-exercise/

Temporary waterway restrictions on June 30, July 1 due to live-fire training exercise
PDN 20260627
https://www.guampdn.com/news/temporary-waterway-restrictions-on-june-30-july-1-due-to-live-fire-training-exercise/article_dbd640b8-8a4b-4b7e-b30a-550b7acc8cdc.html

Island Waves

Partnership delivers better water access for Merelava
Daily Post (VU) 20260627
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/partnership-delivers-better-water-access-for-merelava/article_4a381a6e-db40-52d8-a4d1-ed2795689870.html

Beleru landowners welcome Chinese mineral exploration
Daily Post (VU) 20260627
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/beleru-landowners-welcome-chinese-mineral-exploration/article_75adc1c8-9fba-5736-9178-542d8a52c8f3.html

Is Australia a True Friend to Vanuatu?
Daily Post (VU) 20260627
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/is-australia-a-true-friend-to-vanuatu/article_b2cbc137-49bf-5c17-99d2-cde784c351ff.html

Women belong in national security says Australian Border Force
Samoa Observer 20260627
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/120602

Taiwan + SCS

Is the US trying to sway Taiwan’s KMT by receiving its legislative speaker?
SCMP 20260627
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3358539/us-trying-sway-taiwans-kmt-receiving-its-legislative-speaker

How Beijing weaponizes history for Taiwan Strait lawfare
Taiwan News 20260627
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6390738

U.S. leverage wanes as China aims for gains over Taiwan
Kyodo 20260627
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/78737

Taiwan tracks 1 Chinese military plane and 7 navy vessels
Taiwan News 20260627
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6390731

Capabilities

US Navy’s repair gap could hand the Pacific war to China
Asia Times 20260627
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/us-navys-repair-gap-could-hand-the-pacific-war-to-china/

Long road ahead for Korea-US nuclear sub cooperation, says ex-US official
Korea TImes 20260626
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/20260626/korea-unlikely-to-secure-nuclear-sub-deal-with-us-this-year-former-us-official-says

Outrageously audacious! Japan actually simulated an attack on the Liaoning aircraft carrier: report
GT 20260627
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364570.shtml

Nearly 10 Chinese, Russian military aircraft briefly enter S. Korea’s air defense zone: JCS
Yonhap 20260627
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260627001351315

China, Russia conduct joint strategic air patrol
China Daily 20260627
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202606/27/WS6a3faa0ba310986e2b46240b.html

China, Russia Conduct Joint Air Patrol Across Regional Seas
Bloomberg 20260627
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-27/china-russia-conduct-joint-air-patrol-across-regional-seas