[Mariner]

"They don't have to leap-frog us. All they have to do is close the gap enough that our losses in combat exceed our ability to replace them. "

I agree with that.

But if you shoot down 300 US aircraft and sink 3 US aircraft carriers you would then have to deal with total, and complete, US domination in nuclear weapons and delivery systems.

[neutronsgalore]

But if you shoot down 300 US aircraft and sink 3 US aircraft carriers you would then have to deal with total, and complete, US domination in nuclear weapons and delivery systems.

That's only if they use nukes to achieve it. For first-use of nukes by us would require a President with a Pat Buchanan personality. See any of those among the current GOP or Dem establishment? Bush Jr. couldn't show any spine during the EP-3 incident. So far our track record on aggression by China, as well as trade issues, is very poor.

Considering how much industry and technology has disappeared overseas (or just disappeared) they could collapse our military production just by interdicting or intimidating our foreign suppliers.