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by sriram_malhar 75 days ago
Sure, they will find out it is a good military. No doubt about that. What the US has found out repeatedly but fails to acknowledge is that the opposition proves to be a match. Vietnam, Afghanistan, Somalia have shown just how deep reserves of human resilience and arsenal of guerrilla tactics they have. This doesn't fit the US's mindset about how war is to be waged.

Meanwhile, the American public wants a quick skirmish and a bold "We WON" claim .. it has no appetite for body bags coming home and the price of oil rising.

Which is why if China makes a move on Taiwan, the US can do nothing.
1 comments
whynotminot 75 days ago
I agree with your statement that human resilience can outlast a better army.

But then you go on to say:

> Which is why if China makes a move on Taiwan, the US can do nothing.

If your opening thesis is true, then it's strange you follow it up with that. Taiwan has just as much a chance of outlasting a stronger competitor as those other countries that resisted US dominance.

And with the US providing them weapons, intelligence, and support, maybe a better chance. See Ukraine.

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sriram_malhar 74 days ago
You are right to some extent. But there are huge differences between all the wars the US has fought and is currently involved in, and a China-Taiwan war.

Taiwan is only a couple of miles from mainland China at its closest point. It is possible to land large numbers of boots on the ground. Next, unlike the US, the Chinese govt is not dependent on the approval of its citizens for waging a war. It exercises complete control of the media, and squelches dissent immediately. AndIt has the largest navy in the world and a relatively modern fleet, and the supply chain is very very short. The US has no leverage over China.

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whynotminot 74 days ago
You’re describing all the advantages that Russia in theory had when it invaded Ukraine. That war remains in stalemate.

With US support and the resilience and ingenuity of their people, Ukraine has persisted.

> It is possible to land large numbers of boots on the ground.

I think you need to do more research on how challenging a Taiwan invasion would be. It is nowhere near as simple as “just cross the strait. Put those boots on the ground.”

There is a reason it has not happened. It would be incredibly logistically challenging.

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