I realize that's sarcasm, but a war with China would end Xiden. There is no way Xiden can enter a hot war with any entity, because everyone mistrusts his lucidity. And the fallout from that may literally be fallout.
I was serious.
Both the Chinese leadership and the Democrats would use their troops as cannon fodder while they increase domestic control over their own people.
The nukes would stay in the bunkers—this would be designed to be another Vietnam—long and ugly.