You are absolutely correct sir. The war to defend our allies in the Korean war is a historical fact, as is the fact we faced the Chinese hordes and won (some may disagree with the win, but the fact that South Korea thrives is evident to the fact that we won .....albeit some generals did say it might have been prudent to nuke China ....but that is an amorphous debate if ever there was any).
Anyways, we were willing to defend Korea. However, honestly, I ask you to tell me if you think the American public would accept KIAs in the order of the Korean war today? Defending a nation like Taiwan, which while I agree is a great ally (and in my opinion worthy of defending), just doesn't have the (how can I put this) 'public awareness level' among most of the public. And also, I would ask you, how many congressmen do you think would have the integrity and fortitude to support such a war with the premise of protecting Taipei from Beijing? The War on Terror was one thing ....namely because any person who had red blood flowing in them knew that those Jihadists needed to be brought to their knees and destroyed ....it was a necessary war that did not require any persuasion. However, Taiwan is a different issue (not on the part of necessity but the part of persuasion).
My premise was not that we should not defend Taiwan. No, Taiwan is not only an ally but a constant bastion against China.
My paramount observation was that if China could find a way to breach the Strait, then the only option would be for the president to declare a 'not-war' (basically sending troops, but not declaring war since that would require Congressional approval ....and very few Democrats and Republicans would go with that). And any president who did that would be signing off his tenure ....and depending on how things went potentially risking impeachment.
The whole Chinese strategy is that when they are ready, their assymetrical capability will not be directed towards defeating the US. That would be next to impossible (I would say impossible ...but I don't like using the word. But if I did i would say impossible). Their whole strategy is to offer the possibility that we shall suffer losses that we have not seen since the Vietnam war, and losses that would cause our public to raise a huge hue and cry. And think how the media were reporting the Iraq war, making every single death seem like we were 'losing' the war. Now, imagine how they would potray a war against China?
That was my point Rmlew. Not that Taiwan is not worth defending (it is), but that for us to go to war with them would require a president, a congress and a public with b@!!s of solid steel and brass .....and sadly only the prez, a small fraction of congress (in this scenario), and much less than half of the nation (if you take into account almost all democrats, and those conservatives who do not perceive Taiwan as worthy of expending American life). That was my point.
I hope I explained it adequately.