US Has Few Good Options If China Seizes Islands Close To Taiwan (Update)

CNN: US has few good options if China seizes islands close to Taiwan, war game concludes 

(CNN)If China were to seize one of Taiwan's outlying islands, the US would have few good options to respond without risking a major escalation and a war between the superpowers, according to the conclusions from a recent war game conducted by foreign policy and defense experts. 

The scenario, outlined in a report from the Center for a New American Security, began with China using military force to take control of Dongsha, a tiny atoll in the South China Sea between Taiwan and Hong Kong, where approximately 500 Taiwanese troops are stationed. 

This type of limited aggression could be a precursor to the seizure of other islands near Taiwan or an outright invasion of the democratically governed island as Beijing seeks to test and prod Washington's resolve to defend Taiwan.  

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WNU Editor: There are many options for the U.S. when it comes to Taiwan. Deploy military assets. Recognize Taiwan as an independent country. Sign a mutual defense pact with Taipei. Threaten massive sanctions on all Chinese trade and investments. 

But there is zero political will in Washington to do any of this.  

Update: This has become the new normal for Taiwan .... China Military Aircraft Buzz Taiwan Air Defenses 10 Days in a Row (Newsweek)  

Update #2: China is super confident in its abilities .... Taiwan Strait no obstacle to mainland China if armed conflict erupts — The Global Times (TASS).