I mean, its a huge no-win situation.

We'd get washed in the same way the Soviets would have gotten washed if we'd done a Korean offensive in Cuba.

But the fallout would be hellish for everyone in the region. Everything of value on the island would be destroyed. Millions would be killed, of not in the initial assault than in the subsequent famines and plagues that always follow war.

Nobody in China wants to see Taiwan come to that. Meanwhile, the Americans see every island resident as acceptable casualties.