Recent developments indicate that the United States is actively preparing for a potential prolonged conflict with China, particularly centered around a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Military officials and strategic reports highlight the risk of disruptions to U.S. bases and the homeland, driven by China’s rapid military buildup and escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. military is undertaking significant steps to bolster its readiness for a potential conflict with China.

On May 16, 2025, Reuters reported that U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Doug Wickert, commander of the 412th Test Wing, briefed civic leaders at Edwards Air Force Base, California, warning of “massive disruption” in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Wickert emphasized China’s rapid military growth and its preparations for a major war, signaling that U.S. bases, including those in the U.S., could face direct impacts from the outset of such a conflict.

The Wall Street Journal, cited in posts on X on May 4, 2025, noted that the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is considering scenarios such as a Chinese blockade or amphibious invasion of Taiwan.

Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, stated that while the U.S. could currently defeat China in a Taiwan conflict, China’s rapid military expansion poses increasing challenges.

The U.S. maintains advantages in undersea capabilities but is adapting to counter China’s strategies to isolate combat zones and block access to U.S. forces.

The Pentagon is also restructuring its forces in the region.

CBS News reported on April 1, 2025, that the U.S. is upgrading its command structure in Japan to create a “war-fighting headquarters” to enhance joint operations with Japanese forces, explicitly aimed at deterring Chinese aggression.

This includes coordinating with Japan’s newly established Joint Operations Command to respond to contingencies.

A report to Congress, referenced in the Reuters article, warned of the risk of simultaneous conflicts involving China, North Korea, Russia, and potentially Iran.

It highlighted that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could coincide with North Korean aggression, complicating U.S. response efforts.

The report also noted that the U.S. population is unprepared for disruptions in supply chains and services, potentially caused by cyberattacks or physical attacks on critical infrastructure.

Fox News reported on March 31, 2025, that the Heritage Foundation warned of U.S. unpreparedness for a nuclear conflict with China.

The think tank outlined a scenario where China could use a tactical nuclear weapon to target U.S. bases, such as the Air Force Base in Guam, to shift the balance in a Taiwan conflict.

China’s nuclear arsenal is projected to double to over 1,000 warheads by 2030, enhancing its strategic and tactical capabilities.

China’s military exercises around Taiwan, reported by CNN on March 31, 2025, and The Guardian on April 2, 2025, demonstrate its capability to simulate blockades and precision strikes on key targets like ports and energy infrastructure.

These drills, involving 71 aircraft, 21 warships, and the Shandong aircraft carrier, underscore China’s intent to deter Taiwanese independence movements and test U.S. resolve.

The Reuters article emphasized that a conflict with China could directly affect U.S. bases and the homeland.

Wickert’s briefing suggested that local communities near military installations, such as Edwards Air Force Base, should prepare for significant disruptions due to cyberattacks, supply chain interruptions, or direct attacks.

The report to Congress echoed this, warning of vulnerabilities in U.S. infrastructure and the need for greater public preparedness.

Newsweek reported on April 22, 2025, that China’s warnings against U.S. missile deployments in Taiwan-facing islands indicate Beijing’s readiness to target U.S. assets in the region.

This escalatory rhetoric suggests that U.S. bases in Japan, Guam, and potentially the mainland could become targets in a broader conflict.