Didn't we once have the same concerns, and the same doubts, about Japan? How did that work out?
Agreed. Taiwan would be completely different to Korea, where they only had to get across the Yalu.
The have ICBM's capable of reaching the US. They have one SSBN. They at this time do not have enough fire power to knock us out but they do have enough to hurt us. My thoughts is it will be conventional and they will try to cost us as much lifes as they can hoping we back out.
Ever heard of COSCO?
Check it out.
Ask yourself . . .
How many PLA troops could China deliver to their container ports in So. CA, Mexico, both ends of the Panama Canal, their world's largest building in the Bahamas . . .
in say only 10-15% (or even in 3-5%) of the COSCO containers used across the Pacific?
Keep in mind PLA troops are used to low creature comforts. Keep in mind China has more than a little bit of a mentality quite comfortable 'living off the land.'
Keep in mind this would likely be AFTER terrorists et al had shredded what they could of our military and infrastructure.
Keep in mind that Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua etc., (with whatever help from North Korea), would not be standing by the sidelines wringing their hands.
Read Jeff Head's "Dragon Fury" before writing another word on this matter.
Lets say I'm seriously over estimating, so we'll cut that figure in half, which ends up being 72,222,222 fighters.