Comment by Animats

7 hours ago

> If China gets bogged down in Taiwan...

Look at the geography. Taiwan is a long, narrow island. All the important parts are in a narrow plain on the west side, facing China. There's only about 20km of depth from the sea.

The war in Ukraine is like fighting over Iowa, one farm at a time. Taiwan is not like that.

> There's only about 20km of depth from the sea

Don’t underestimate the stopping power of water. Taiwan will be China’s first combined-arms assault with a critical amphibious component.

> war in Ukraine is like fighting over Iowa, one farm at a time. Taiwan is not like that

Wide-open plains are traditionally easier for large armies to conquer than mountains.