[NewLand]

We can if need be for all intents and purposes annihilate China with just a couple Trident subs parked right off the coast.

True, and they know that.

[Dat Mon]

What happens when China eventually gets the capability to do likewise...assuming we don't also have some comprehensive missile defense that is... (Space based Brilliant Pebbles / Laser would be nice IMO)

Will this current crop of leaders in Beijing play MAD the way we played it with the Russians...or do they have some upstart ego driven young military guys...just like Japan had in the precursor to Pearl Harbor?

Why not mention NATIONALISM...an innate powerful force...