Somewhere in the beginning of this world conflict the manufacturing power of the Chinese makes the outcome obvious.

The US had a middle class from which to draw multitudes and hordes of skilled workers and an economy which could fund the factories. No more. What's left is watching from under the Conservative limousines.

The Chinese has mobs, multitudes, hordes and armies of skilled workers as well as more money than she knows what to do with for facilities. In fact, she has build facilities which are simply sitting waiting for a product to manufacture.

Her design capability is equal to that of the US and Russia (ahead of the US, really, since we are stuck with the F-35 which will never, ever live up to it's promises). China's space abilities are proceeding along a broad front at a pace which seems prudent, speedy and without obvious big mistakes. Of course they have the advantage of Russian and US technology.

Any territorial expansion for China us in their back, front or side yards. To counter these the US has a long, long logistical line, very expensive and unreliable. Any time a Chinese leader thinks he's having a bad day, all he has to consider is the US and Afghanistan. Things will look better.

There will be all manner and types of "feelers", and the US will back down, over and over. For one, the Chinese can't try anything the US hasn't. For another, the US doesn't have the resources without a considerable strain. The Chinese can devote virtually unlimited manpower and money in the high-tech conflicts and virtually unlimited manpower, skill, motivation and morale in the low-tech arena.

Nope, I think the US is in for not only a rude awakening but a revision of it's view of itself as being able to dictate to the world based upon it's economic and military power.