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originally posted by: TheShippingForecast
a reply to: LABTECH767
USA & Taiwan cannot prevent or meaningfully blunt a Chinese invasion using conventional weapons. The geographics and force dispositions are against that. The USA wouldn’t dare use nuclear weapons against China. To do so would invite retaliation. And the USA won’t sacrifice their bases/cities for Taipei.
I’ll be blunt.
Taiwan is a lost cause even before a shooting war begins.
originally posted by: TheShippingForecast
a reply to: yuppa
Specifications for the Chinese anti ship “carrier killer” ballistic missiles is subject to speculation. But it’s not impossible to imagine that Chinese forces could locate a US carrier using aircraft, warships/submarines or their own satellite networks. US aircraft operating from those carriers aren’t particularly stealthy, neither is the ship itself.
Electronic counter measures and the carrier screened by destroyers equipped with anti missile defence may (or may not) prove effective. Meanwhile, while you’re busy playing cat and mouse and trying to protect that carrier, Chinese forces are busily rampaging across the waters and up the beaches. They won’t give you advance notice of their invasion, chances are it’ll be all over before Washington can even decide what to do about it.
Russia wouldn’t mount an invasion of China in the way you describe.
originally posted by: LookingAtMars
a reply to: Nyiah
I have to agree. Unfortunately there are agreements with Taiwan and the US would have to abide by them or risk upsetting the global balance more than it already is.
originally posted by: RAY1990
a reply to: LookingAtMars
I already said that for the Chinese to do that right now they'd use 1000's of missiles and flatten the place, the US would come with a heavy hand and it would most likely escalate from there. Might even see China be invaded from all sides.
I say that because China has good enough missiles and it has nuclear weapons. It can't win without them.
My comments about being careful what you wish for was made in a general sense. Any move on Taiwan will see your country go to war.
If you didn't then everyone will be aiming to get nuclear weapons because anything less would be suicidal. The US is peace in the region, I don't think the support is going to last though.
If China wants to take Taiwan militarily it best be ready to invade the full Pacific and fast.
originally posted by: RAY1990
a reply to: FormOfTheLord
Well they'd have a choice. Allow a televised genocide or do something about it.
Given past events I'm alluded to the latter. Just to add it's a little bit more complex than you make out since the US historically didn't want to recognise the "republic of China" it recognises the governing bodies of Taiwan.
The decision of war would be down to Congress, I'm a little rusty on the historical politics bit rest assured China isn't getting Taiwan without killing far too many people to be palatable to the Western world.
And again, it'll start a nuclear arms race.
originally posted by: FormOfTheLord
Taiwan would fold instantly.
USA knows it will be WW3 if they attack China and simply wont do it.
originally posted by: generik
originally posted by: FormOfTheLord
Taiwan would fold instantly.
USA knows it will be WW3 if they attack China and simply wont do it.
on the other hand if China was to try and anex Taiwan (or other countries), and the US did not do everything in their power, especiallly militarily to stop them. and if needed free them from a Chinese takeover. the end result would likely be WW3.
en.wikipedia.org...
The United States acknowledges that Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. The United States does not challenge that position. The United States has not expressed an explicitly immutable statement regarding whether it believes Taiwan is independent or not. Instead, Washington simply states that they understand the China claims on Taiwan as its own.
originally posted by: FormOfTheLord
originally posted by: generik
originally posted by: FormOfTheLord
Taiwan would fold instantly.
USA knows it will be WW3 if they attack China and simply wont do it.
on the other hand if China was to try and anex Taiwan (or other countries), and the US did not do everything in their power, especiallly militarily to stop them. and if needed free them from a Chinese takeover. the end result would likely be WW3.
So your saying that if the USA did not fight for Taiwan then it would be WW3? I seriously doubt that!
As far as our policy goes they are both China. I do not think we will fight a war wth China for Taiwan. I think we will assist them with the means to fight for themselves without putting US service men in harms way. The US military defends the USA not China. A war with China would not be a conventional one. The USA has zero to gain by entering WW3 with China and its numerous allies.
en.wikipedia.org...
The United States acknowledges that Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. The United States does not challenge that position. The United States has not expressed an explicitly immutable statement regarding whether it believes Taiwan is independent or not. Instead, Washington simply states that they understand the China claims on Taiwan as its own.