[boris]

I have been saying for some time that America's enemies could use our preoccupation -- and hollowed-out military-- to launch well-timed attacks. Not only China against Taiwan, but North Korea against South Korea, and even Hussein against Kuwait.

If they did this more-or-less simultaneously, what would we do about it?

But since I am not George Will...

--Boris

[cibco]

"If they did this more-or-less simultaneously, what would we do about it?"

I have watched this possibility being formed over the past year. I think you have a valid theory. Time will tell and we will see how strong our Allies are. The US can't do it by itself.

[super175]

In the case of China attacking Taiwan...

1. bump post #39.

2. If China attacks using any kind of conventional forces it will take a minimum of 12 to 18 months to blockaide the island...that is with little resistance.

The only way would be for the PRC to go nuclear from the start. In that case, I would not want to be on the recieving end of the retaliation...

The best thing is to have a missile shield over Taiwan and the USA. That will take much of the nuclear threat and missile attacks out of it. From there on out it will be more of a conventional fight, which would take well over a year to win, if they could win at all.

Taiwan vs Normandy

Those beach landings are not so easy.

China freaks out about NMD not so that they cannot only not hit America, but because they won't be able to hit Taiwan either.

Their trump card to stay in power will be taken away.

[super175]

A combination of a missile sheild, a few attack subs, and A LOT of anti-aircraft capacity, (and possibly a stronger Taiwanese air force, or even land-to-sea anti ship missiles) would prevent the CCP from ever taking over Taiwan.

The best thing we can do is plan. If we have all those things in place, then the PRC would be just asking for trouble.

The US's involvement could be very limited to a few jet fighters and two attack subs... and Taiwan would come out on top.