Not only the greatest symbol of American imperialism, they are the most effective. And vulnerable. Stick them in the Persian Gulf and someone is going to find a way to mess with them. And not only there.

The Chinese are too big, too powerful to let the challenge of an American aircraft group go unanswered. I would guess their days as being unchallengable are over and from now on they will remain in the Chinese area of influence only with the permission of the Chinese. And will have to leave if the Chinese get adamant about it.

Not only could the Chinese blow them out of the water, but the US knows that retaliation would invite economic problems which would dwarf the military issues. Another legacy of Conservative economic and military policies.

Arf