What If China Invades Taiwan?

Healdsburg CA

Description

More and more, I am hearing discussions of the possibility of China invading Taiwan. There are now almost daily encroachments by Chinese fighters into Taiwan airspace and "near misses" of Chinese ships in international waters. It appears China is testing the resolve and reactions of the US and our allies. China has always considered Taiwan to be a "wayward" province of the mainland and has vowed for years to "reunite" the island "by peaceful means, if possible". Does that mean by UN-peaceful means if Taiwan doesn't surrender? Most analyst are thinking when it comes, it will come fast and furious with overwhelming force, taking the island in a matter of days. Retaking the island once occupied, would be next to impossible both militarily and politically. Losing Taiwan would be another devastating diplomatic blackeye on the US following the debacle of Afghanistan. Losing Taiwan by force would put in question our commitments to Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and the rest of independent South Pacific countries. My question is, do we have a plan? A response? In the can and ready to execute on a moment's notice? Do we have the military assets in that part of the world to execute the plan, assuming we have one? I mean, has all this "what if this" and "what if that" been hashed out? If that event happens and we need to take it to Congress for debate and approval, it's too late. I can only hope that this has been a part of wargaming and we have a plan in place. Even if the decision has been made to forfeit Taiwan, it is better to just go to the podium and tell the world we are not going to do anything, than to convey the message, "We're thinking it over". CAN China take Taiwan? Most certainly. Even now, China has overwhelming military strength over Taiwan, and it is growing every day. WILL China take Taiwan? That is yet to say. Eighty years ago come December, the United States was caught flat footed at Pearl Harbor by Japan. After the attack, Japanese Admiral Yamamoto is reported to have said, "I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve". My fear is we are again flat footed and have neither the resolve nor the assets to take on China. Now, maybe 90% of our consumer goods plus steel, micro chips and almost everything we buy on a day to day basis, and most everything we need to wage war, comes from China. My guess the current administration would just say, “Sorry Taiwan. Have a nice day.”