Pacific Winds 20260702
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
NZ and US sign ‘statement of intent’ over military space operations
RNZ 20260701
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/science-and-technology/648419/nz-and-us-sign-statement-of-intent-over-military-space-operations
‘What have you done for me lately?’ former top US diplomat David Stilwell asks NZ
RNZ 20260701
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/647757/what-have-you-done-for-me-lately-former-top-us-diplomat-david-stilwell-asks-nz
Beijing is trying to turn Tokyo toxic in Southeast Asia
Lowy 20260701
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/beijing-is-trying-to-turn-tokyo-toxic-in-southeast-asia
Is Japan a Model Middle Power?
The Diplomat 20260701
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/is-japan-a-model-middle-power/
Southeast Asia hedges as trust in Washington wanes
EAF 20260701
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/07/01/southeast-asia-hedges-as-trust-in-washington-wanes/
Chinese FM says China, U.S. should stay on course toward building constructive relationship of strategic stability
Xinhua 20260701
https://english.news.cn/20260701/2d4104cb37244ac5a2a7aead24aa94e4/c.html
China’s Wang Yi warns Marco Rubio to approach Taiwan affairs with ‘utmost caution’
SCMP 20260701
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3359077/chinas-wang-yi-warns-marco-rubio-approach-taiwan-affairs-utmost-caution
Worse Than an Axis
FA 20260701
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/worse-axis
US, China should de-escalate from tit-for-tat actions, US lawmaker says
SCMP 20260701
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3358959/us-china-should-de-escalate-tit-tat-actions-says-us-lawmaker
China's tightened export controls on Japan send clearer strategic signal
GT 20260701
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1364914.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
USPACOM Commander Visits Guam and CNMI to Reinforce Regional Partnerships and Readiness
US PaCom 20260630
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/Press-Releases-and-Readouts/Press-Releases-and-Readouts/Article/4530920/uspacom-commander-visits-guam-and-cnmi-to-reinforce-regional-partnerships-and-r/
New Army battalion takes over THAAD
GDP 20260701
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/new-army-battalion-takes-over-thaad/article_52e4b71f-5104-4c8e-9ed1-d96e7a6b5a15.html
USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Returns to Homeport after Completing Sea Trials
US PaCom 20260630
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Articles/Article/4530825/uss-frank-cable-as-40-returns-to-homeport-after-completing-sea-trials/
U.S., Partners Wrap Exercise Valiant Shield
USNI 20260701
https://news.usni.org/2026/07/01/u-s-partners-wrap-exercise-valiant-shield
RNZAF P-8A Poseidon successfully launches Harpoon missiles
NZ DF 20260701
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/rnzaf-p-8a-poseidon-successfully-launches-harpoon-missiles/
Global Hawk move from Guam to Tokyo puts recon drones in Pacific’s front row, experts say
S&S 20260701
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2026-07-01/global-hawk-tokyo-yokota-guam-air-force-22134134.html
Coast Guard Aviation Needs a Presence in Guam
USNI Proceedings July 2026
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2026/july/coast-guard-aviation-needs-presence-guam
Island Waves
Vanuatu deal a sign of what’s to come in ‘permanent contest’ for Pacific influence with China
ABC (AU) 20260701
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-01/how-vanuatu-deal-shapes-pacific-influence-contest-with-china/106863266
The Nakamal Agreement is not quite the deal Australia wanted
ASPI 20260701
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-nakamal-agreement-is-not-quite-the-deal-australia-wanted/
Leadership Change in the Solomon Islands: Implications and Recommendations for the United States
Heritage 20260701
https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/report/leadership-change-the-solomon-islands-implications-and-recommendations-the
Wale, Rabuka Call for Stronger United Pacific Voice
Solomon Star 20260701
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/%f0%9d%97%aa%f0%9d%97%94%f0%9d%97%9f%f0%9d%97%98-%f0%9d%97%a5%f0%9d%97%94%f0%9d%97%95%f0%9d%97%a8%f0%9d%97%9e%f0%9d%97%94-%f0%9d%97%96%f0%9d%97%94%f0%9d%97%9f%f0%9d%97%9f-%f0%9d%97%99%f0%9d%97%a2/
Japan backs Fiji Navy with patrol boats, security support
Islands Business 20260701
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/japan-backs-fiji-navy-with-patrol-boats-security-support/
Japan delivers three navy patrols boats
Fiji Times 20260701
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/japan-delivers-three-navy-patrols-boats/
Taiwan donates NT$63 million to Pacific Islands Forum
Taiwan News 20260701
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6393277
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan ships should ignore boarding requests by China coast guard, Taipei says
Reuters 20260701
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-ships-should-ignore-boarding-requests-by-china-coast-guard-taipei-says-2026-07-01/
The Three Nevers: To Invade Taiwan, China Would Have to Make Military History Thrice
WOTR 20260701
https://warontherocks.com/the-three-nevers-to-invade-taiwan-china-would-have-to-make-military-history-thrice/
Xi Jinping Just Made It a Crime to Be Taiwanese
The Diplomat 20260630
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/xi-jinping-just-made-it-a-crime-to-be-taiwanese/
Too ‘cool’ to resist: China’s soft power captivates Taiwan’s youth
Think China 20260701
https://www.thinkchina.sg/society/big-read-too-cool-resist-chinas-soft-power-captivates-taiwans-youth
Taiwan tracks 13 Chinese military aircraft, 13 ships
Taiwan News 20260701
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6392943
PAF to boost reach with new aircraft, strategic bases as security challenges grow
Manila Bulletin 20260701
https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/01/paf-to-boost-reach-with-new-aircraft-strategic-bases-as-security-challenges-grow
Troubled Straits: Analyzing Trade Chokepoints in the South China Sea
CSIS 20260701
https://www.csis.org/analysis/south-china-sea-trade-chokepoints
Capabilities
What’s next after the failure to end North Korea’s nukes program
Asia Times 20260701
https://asiatimes.com/2026/07/whats-next-after-the-failure-to-end-north-koreas-nukes-program/
B-2 Stealth Bombers Penetrate Chinese Defenses, Launch LRASM Missiles in Pacific Exercise
Chosun 20260701
https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/07/01/K7FO26ODPVH4NCWRPDVHECBLVM/
Lightning strikes: new F-35 radar could have directed-energy attack mode
ASPI 20260701
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/lightning-strikes-new-f-35-radar-could-have-directed-energy-attack-mode/
Philippine exercise showcased Marine Littoral Regiment’s growth
Defense One 20260701
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/07/philippine-exercise-showcased-marine-littoral-regiments-growth/414557/
Coast guards assume growing role in Indo-Pacific security architecture
IPDF 20260701
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2026/07/coast-guards-assume-growing-role-in-indo-pacific-security-architecture/
Unseen threats overhead: Drones endanger U.S. rocket launch sites
Space News 20260701
https://spacenews.com/unseen-threats-overhead-drones-endanger-u-s-rocket-launch-sites/
Power
How to Spin an Empire
FP 20260701
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/07/01/trump-cuba-imperialism-history-empire-cold-war-books/
We became the late 18th Century British. What now?
Responsible Staecraft 202600701
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/america-independence-british-empire/