Is the US Ready for War with China?

[ustaad]

The world does indeed need a world policeman. China is not interested in that role, and only the United States is the most suitable for it.

Without the role of a world policeman, regional powers would block trade, start wars, bully the weak, and the world would turn into a nightmare.

Is this sarcasm?

Your 2nd para reminded me of this masterpiece

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Dalit]

All I can say is that you are only seeing a fraction of US military power in use.

What have we seen of China’s experience in military operations? None. All we see is the potential, not the actual use, of China’s military. Let's see how their weapons work in an actual war.

Remember, China is supposed to invade and capture Taiwan, but its military is green. And it doesn't help matters that Xi is busy purging his military.

As if you these details have been shared with you. Everyone knows that Taiwan would be a one day job for China. A few days at most. To dispute this is to ridicule intellect.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

As if you these details have been shared with you. Everyone knows that Taiwan would be a one day job for China. A few days at most. To dispute this is to ridicule intellect.

Going to disagree with you. Unless there is an internal revolt on Taiwan, a "one day job" is not in the cards for the very reasons listed above when the question was posed to ChatGPT.

 

[SolarWarden]

As if you these details have been shared with you. Everyone knows that Taiwan would be a one day job for China. A few days at most. To dispute this is to ridicule intellect.

Ukraine was a 3-day job and Ukraine's military doesn't come close to what Taiwan has.

Taiwan will have days likely weeks to prepare for a CCP attack they have a lot of mobile cruise missile launchers including mobile land base antiship missiles PLAN ships will have to be out of line of sight of these radars below horizon and even that is not going to protect them from antiship attacks.

 

[Dalit]

Ukraine was a 3-day job and Ukraine's military doesn't come close to what Taiwan has.

Taiwan will have days likely weeks to prepare for a CCP attack they have a lot of mobile cruise missile launchers including mobile land base antiship missiles PLAN ships will have to be out of line of sight of these radars below horizon and even that is not going to protect them from antiship attacks.

Taiwan is an island. Behemoth China will swallow it in hours. Ukraine is a massive country. Russia had issues capturing territory and it took time.

 

[KAL-EL]

As if you these details have been shared with you. Everyone knows that Taiwan would be a one day job for China. A few days at most. To dispute this is to ridicule intellect.

Of course China would win any conflict with Taiwan. However it would take heavy losses and a bloody nose of its own before the dust settles.

What good woud unification be if most of the island is a pile of smoke and debris.

All useful tech will be immediately self-destructed as well

 

[F-22Raptor]

Taiwan is an island. Behemoth China will swallow it in hours. Ukraine is a massive country. Russia had issues capturing territory and it took time.

You must be completely oblivious to the US island hopping campaign of WW2. There’s good reason why we bypassed Taiwan. Incredibly difficult to take, few landing zones, and would require enormous resources and manpower to take. CSIS estimates the US would sink 90% of Chinas amphibious ships in the first two weeks of the war. Then you have to worry about sustaining reinforcements and resupply. There’s not a world where China is taking Taiwan in a day or hours.

 

[Dalit]

You must be completely oblivious to the US island hopping campaign of WW2. There’s good reason why we bypassed Taiwan. Incredibly difficult to take, few landing zones, and would require enormous resources and manpower to take. CSIS estimates the US would sink 90% of Chinas amphibious ships in the first two weeks of the war. Then you have to worry about sustaining reinforcements and resupply. There’s not a world where China is taking Taiwan in a day or hours.

I get why the US is backing Taiwan, but let's be real. It’s a lost cause. There is no contest here. China would overwhelm Taiwan in a matter of days. China is a massive powerhouse that outmatches Taiwan a hundredfold geographically and militarily. The US needs a reality check. Even with American help China has a massive upper hand. China is just too strong for Taiwan. Conventionally and otherwise. When push comes to shove China can use overwhelming brute force and capture Taiwan swiftly.

 

[F-22Raptor]

I get why the US is backing Taiwan, but let's be real. It’s a lost cause. There is no contest here. China would overwhelm Taiwan in a matter of days. China is a massive powerhouse that outmatches Taiwan a hundredfold geographically and militarily. The US needs a reality check. Even with American help China has a massive upper hand. China is just too strong for Taiwan. Conventionally and otherwise. When push comes to shove China can use overwhelming brute force and capture Taiwan swiftly.

You understand nothing about island warfare and amphibious campaigns. I suggest Ian Tolls Pacific War trilogy. Compare the vast resources the US expended to take islands like Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Taiwan is 30X larger than Okinawa, with few landing zones, heavy mountain terrain, with a vast underground network of command centers and fortified complexes. A lot of Chinese will die….

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

You understand nothing about island warfare and amphibious campaigns. I suggest Ian Tolls Pacific War trilogy. Compare the vast resources the US expended to take islands like Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Taiwan is 30X larger than Okinawa, with few landing zones, heavy mountain terrain, with a vast underground network of command centers and fortified complexes. A lot of Chinese will die….

Please, do share your CV regarding amphibious warfare. Curious minds would like to know. Especially your FTX experience in beach landings and how many you've participated in.

Because one reads a book does not make them an expert. It simply lessens their ignorance.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

To answer the question regarding China's reunification with Taiwan by force, this was the response from ChatGPT. Interestingly, it is in line with a number of published works on the subject. Be sure to note the commentary regarding US and Allied intervention:


If China attempted to take control of Taiwan by force, it would face one of the most difficult military operations in modern history. Analysts generally identify several major challenges:

1. Crossing the Taiwan Strait​

The approximately 130–180 km (80–110 mile) wide Taiwan Strait is a significant obstacle.

China would need to:

• Transport large numbers of troops, vehicles, fuel, ammunition, and supplies across open water.
• Protect transport ships from missiles, submarines, aircraft, drones, and naval attacks.
• Operate in weather conditions that can be unfavorable for amphibious operations.

Large-scale amphibious invasions are among the most complex military operations to execute.

2. Establishing a Beachhead​

Even if Chinese forces reached Taiwan's shores, they would need to:

• Land troops at suitable beaches or ports.
• Secure those areas before reinforcements arrive.
• Move inland against defenders who know the terrain.

Taiwan has spent decades studying likely landing areas and preparing defenses.

3. Taiwan's Military Defenses​

The armed forces of Taiwan possess:

• Anti-ship missiles.
• Air-defense systems.
• Naval assets.
• Mobile missile launchers and drones.

Taiwan's strategy emphasizes making an invasion costly by attacking transport vessels, command systems, and supply lines.

4. Urban and Mountain Warfare​

Even if major coastal areas fell, fighting could continue:

• In dense cities such as Taipei.
• In Taiwan's mountainous interior.

Urban combat is often slow, destructive, and manpower-intensive. Defenders typically enjoy advantages in familiar terrain.

5. Logistics and Sustainment​

Winning the initial invasion is only part of the challenge.

China would need to:

• Continuously move supplies across the strait.
• Replace losses.
• Maintain fuel, food, ammunition, and medical support.

Any disruption to sea or air supply routes could create serious difficulties.

6. Potential U.S. and Allied Intervention​

A major uncertainty is how the United States and regional partners would respond.

Possible forms of involvement could include:

• Intelligence sharing.
• Economic sanctions.
• Arms support.
• Naval and air operations.

The possibility of outside intervention complicates Chinese military planning considerably.

7. Economic Consequences​

A conflict could trigger:

• Trade disruptions.
• Financial sanctions.
• Capital flight.
• Supply-chain shocks.

This is particularly important because China's economy is deeply integrated into global markets.

8. Political Risks​

Military campaigns rarely go exactly as planned.

Potential risks include:

• High casualties.
• Domestic political pressure.
• International isolation.
• A prolonged conflict rather than a quick victory.

What military analysts generally conclude​

Many experts believe China has significantly improved its ability to pressure or blockade Taiwan and has expanded its options for military action. However, a full-scale amphibious invasion remains one of the most demanding operations any military could attempt. Success would depend on many uncertain factors, including Taiwan's resistance, the effectiveness of Chinese logistics, and whether outside powers intervene.

For that reason, even though China's military capabilities have grown substantially, most defense analysts view an invasion of Taiwan as a high-risk undertaking rather than a straightforward military operation.

 

[SolarWarden]

So my very very short stint at Kratos has made me very pretentious about defense matters that my family and I can't stand me but that sure as hell hasn't stopped me from being a five-star armchair General in defense chitchat so here's how a conflict could likely go down.....

Scenario 1.
There's not going to be any invasion of Taiwan by PLA the conflict will be a cruise/ballistic missile attack and possible aircraft strikes using standoff munitions depending on the state of Taiwan's IADS and air force. If this is the scope of PLA's conflict with Taiwan then US will not intervene in shooting down PLAAF fighters and sinking PLAN ships. US might participate in trying to shoot down incoming missiles but that's about it.

Scenario 2.
Same scenario as 1 but this one has a naval blockade of Taiwan and likely blocking international waters if that is the case depending on the US president you can bet US will challenge the "illegal" blockade and sink PLAN ships if US feels it has no choice.

Now I personally believe a PLAN blockade of Taiwan will be the first move before using missiles and I think Taiwan will have no problems sinking blockading ships.

Ugh. I was going to continue with more scenarios/escalations but it's too much and I'm too old to g-a-f to continue this. Sorry.