TOKYO -- If the U.S. and China were to engage in a battle midway between the two countries, where time and geography were irrelevant, the American side still has superiority. But in reality, only a fraction of U.S. forces -- roughly 10 to 15% of its naval and air assets -- are deployed in the Western Pacific.
If China were to attempt to take Taiwan by force, its geographic proximity and dramatic military expansion make it increasingly likely that Beijing will have an advantage in the early stages of a conflict.
