"In the report, the Defense Department explicitly describes what would happen if China should attack Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island that Beijing claims as its own. It says China does not yet have “the military capability to accomplish with confidence its political objectives on the island, particularly when confronted with the prospect of U.S. intervention.”

The article discusses political sanctions which could be suasive, but it's hard to see what the US could do militarily to prevent the Chinese from taking Taiwan. Maybe support a resistance movement, but my guess is the Chinese would learn from Vietnam and Iraq, and move in enough troops to control the land.

I doubt if China would attack Taiwan, myself. They will "get" it far more easily, as US industry finds more and more less expensive places to manufacture things.

Any thoughts as to what the US could do militarily? The 7th fleet? Would the US risk carriers against Chinese SS missiles? If the Chinese sank a few, would the US launch nukes, either tactical or longer-range?

I don't think the US could stop the Chinese, and I think the effective balance of power is changing, as the Chinese strengthen their military to provide effective cover for their interests, such as oil. If, for instance, Venezuela developed a cozy relationship with China, or Iran got very friendly, would the US dare confront them?

Bush's policies and American military-industrial interests seem to have created another superpower and Cold War.

Arf