Pacific Winds 20260722
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Colby’s critique of middle power strategy shows why we need it
ASPI 20260721
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/colbys-critique-of-middle-power-strategy-shows-why-we-need-it/
China Must Offer Reassurance on Its Military Buildup, Australian Minister Says
Bloomberg 20260721
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-21/asia-is-seeing-more-destabilizing-actions-australia-s-wong-says
South Korea military buildup is for the alliance – and for itself
Asia Times 20260721
https://asiatimes.com/2026/07/south-korea-military-buildup-is-for-the-alliance-and-for-itself/
Top military officers of S. Korea, Australia vow to expand military exchanges, cooperation
Yonhap 20260721
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260721009700315
New Zealand and Philippines form comprehensive partnership
Reuters 20260721
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-philippines-form-comprehensive-partnership-2026-07-21/
5 Myths About the Five Eyes
The Diplomat 20260720
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/5-myths-about-the-five-eyes/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Dark Eagle at Valiant Shield 2026
DVIDS 20260606
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9819319/dark-eagle-valiant-shield-2026
US Army deploys Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system to Guam
S&S 20260721
https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2026-07-21/dark-eagle-guam-us-army-paparo-hypersonic-22323812.html
US Army reportedly deploys new hypersonic missile to Guam
Defence Blog 20260720
https://defence-blog.com/us-army-reportedly-deploys-new-hypersonic-missile-to-guam/
Dark Eagle Near Guam: Army Photos Reveal Hypersonic Strike Access to China
TechTimes 20260720
https://www.techtimes.com/articles/321114/20260720/dark-eagle-near-guam-army-photos-reveal-hypersonic-strike-access-china.htm
Army Says ‘Quality Defects’ Slowing Lockheed Hypersonic Missile
Bloomberg 20260720
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-20/army-says-quality-defects-slowing-lockheed-hypersonic-missile
The US Air Force Is Pouring 20 Acres Of Concrete At Guam’s Andersen AFB But Refuses To Build Shelters
Simply Flying 20260719
https://simpleflying.com/usaf-pouring-20-acres-concrete-guam-andersen-afb-refuse-build-shelters/
31 community groups receive Palau-Taiwan grants to fight illegal drugs
Island Times 20260721
https://islandtimes.org/31-community-groups-receive-palau-taiwan-grants-to-fight-illegal-drugs/
Island Waves
Wale, U.S. Coast Guard Align on Safer Pacific Vision
Tavuli 20260721
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/pm-matthew-wale-us-coast-guard-maritime-security-ship-rider-agreement/
China ally Solomon Islands invites US Coast Guard patrols
AFP 20260721
https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/china-ally-solomon-islands-invites-030530173.html
China supports intl community in helping Pacific Island countries achieve sustainable development: FM spokesperson on reported Solomon Islands-US water patrol deal
GT 20260721
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366462.shtml
PM Wale Secures Pathway for Peace Corps Return
Tavuli 20260721
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/matthew-wale-signs-peace-corps-letter-of-intent/
Prime Minister Marape: PNG’s One China Policy is a Sovereign National Decision
Post Courier (PNG) 20260721
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/prime-minister-marape-papua-new-guineas-one-china-policy-is-a-sovereign-national-decision/
Auki road upgrade enters asphalt phase as China-aided project moves toward November completion and handover
Tavuli 20260721
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/auki-road-upgrade-asphalt-phase-november-completion/
Riffle Range Roundabout Upgrade Done
Solomon Star 20260721
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/riffle-range-roundabout-upgrade-done/
Big Talks, Bigger Opportunities: Wale Meets U.S. Deputy Secretary
Tavuli 20260721
https://www.tavulinews.com.sb/matthew-wale-us-deputy-secretary-bina-harbour-talks/
U.S. highlights growing Vanuatu partnership on 250th anniversary
Daily Post (VU) 20260721
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/u-s-highlights-growing-vanuatu-partnership-on-250th-anniversary/article_2c3da5b1-e4e8-5bd8-980a-f61358259399.html
PCC warns against militarising Pacific’s ‘Ocean of Peace’ vision
Fiji Times 20260721
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/pcc-warns-against-militarising-pacifics-ocean-of-peace-vision/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan must speak up in Japan-Philippines maritime talks
Taiwan News 20260721
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6405260
Taiwan to slow mobile internet in civil defence drills as China threat grows
Reuters 20260721
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-slow-mobile-internet-civil-defence-drills-china-threat-grows-2026-07-21/
Civil exercises to fully join Han Kuang drills this year
Taipei Times 20260722
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/07/22/2003861165
In apparent 1st, PLA chopper crosses Taiwan Strait median line
CNA (TW) 20260721
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202607210024
Taiwan says Chinese government vessel activity rose 83% in June
Taiwan News 20260721
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6404798
Taiwan tracks 11 Chinese ships, 4 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260721
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6404810
Philippines Says Sailor Was Injured in Skirmish With Chinese Coast Guard
NYTimes 20260721
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/21/world/asia/philippines-south-china-sea-sailor-injured.html
Philippine Marine Injured in Clash With China Coast Guard at Disputed South China Sea Shoal
The Diplomat 20260721
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/philippine-marine-injured-in-clash-with-china-coast-guard-at-disputed-south-china-sea-shoal/
China’s Actions Against Philippine Navy Personnel at Second Thomas Shoal
US DoS 20260720
https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/07/chinas-actions-against-philippine-navy-personnel-at-second-thomas-shoal/
US hypes China-Philippines dispute ahead of ASEAN meetings, showing its attempts to stir up regional affairs and its fear of waning influence
GT 20260721
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366453.shtml
Marcos summons Beijing envoy as PH-China tensions rise
Rappler 20260721
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-summon-china-ambassador-jing-quan-july-2026/
China lodges stern representation to Philippine ambassador over provocations at Ren’ai Jiao: Chinese spokesperson
Xinhua 20260721
https://english.news.cn/20260721/8dc4f0eff1a84eb289d1f65d4a02075d/c.html
China permits humanitarian transfer of injured Philippine personnel from illegally grounded warship at Ren’ai Jiao: CCG
GT 20260721
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366455.shtml
Batanes latest on the list of China-Philippines flashpoints
Asia Times 20260721
https://asiatimes.com/2026/07/batanes-latest-on-the-list-of-china-philippines-flashpoints/
The US mounts pressure across 3 maritime flashpoints. How should China respond?
SCMP 20260721
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3361375/us-mounts-pressure-across-3-maritime-flashpoints-how-should-china-respond
Capabilities
Shared Understanding, Distributed Judgment: USAF Command and Control in Complex Operations
Mitchell 20260721
https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/app/uploads/2026/07/MI_Forum_61-Distributed-Judgment.pdf
Exercises
China, Russia navies hold live-fire drills within Japan’s EEZ: minister
Kyodo 20260721
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/80287
Japan says Chinese and Russian warships held live-fire drills within its EEZ
SCMP 20260721
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3361291/japan-says-chinese-and-russian-warships-held-live-fire-drills-within-its-eez
Japan raises safety concern over Chinese destroyer’s live-fire drills
AP 20260721
https://apnews.com/article/japan-china-russia-destroyer-livefire-drills-7813e7a83f7bdfd2608a486039261502
‘Groundless’: China dismisses Japanese protest over live-fire drill within Okinotori EEZ
SCMP 20260721
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3361291/japan-says-chinese-and-russian-warships-held-live-fire-drills-within-its-eez
Japan hypes China-Russia naval activities near Okinotori; Chinese FM says Okinotori, as a rock, is unfit to claim EEZ, rejects Tokyo’s baseless ‘protest’
GT 20260721
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366477.shtml
China defends drill in waters near Japan as in line with int’l law
Kyodo 20260721
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/80382