[GAB-1955]

China is vulnerable to seapower attacks. Most of the population and wealth is on the East Coast, well within range of American carrier airpower. China depends on shipping to make money by sending exports overseas. Ships can be torpedoed. We need to make sure not only we have sufficient seapower, but Taiwan and Japan have as well. I think the Philippines should be supported as well, but they are a poor nation that would be better offer support as a base.

[Nervous Tick]

>> American carrier airpower... Ships can be torpedoed.

I selected from your post two items, to which I’ll add a third: China has focused on sophisticated supersonic anti-ship missiles... and is now focusing on increasing their submarine fleet, as well as innovative basing techniques for their subs.

Consider also that Chinese shipbuilding capability is strengthening (while our own capability is decreasing).

Add in the fact that once the Chines come up with a reference design for (say) a nuclear sub — and I’m SURE their US spies (and allies like the Clintoons) have helped with that — they can knock it off quickly and CHEAPLY (maybe lower quality, but when you have 200 fast attack boats, who cares if you lose a few crews and boats).

Roll it all up and I wouldn’t be quite so glib about our carrier capabilities against the Red Chinese going forward.

[Nervous Tick]

>> China is vulnerable to seapower attacks. Most of the population and wealth is on the East Coast, well within range of American carrier airpower.

The US is quite vulnerable to seapower attacks also. True, it’ll be a while before the chinese have massive carrier firepower (but only a fool will believe they never will). BUT... it won’t be so long before the Chinese have a credible IRBM threat from their subs. Holding Washington state, California and Oregon hostage to the threat of nuclear attack is NOT a stretch for the imagination.