Why China Can’t Challenge the US Military Any Time Soon

There’s been a lot of fearmongering about the Chinese military recently.

Alarmist headlines meant to drive clicks are common:

“Only a matter of time: Warnings of China-U.S. military miscalculation grow” from The Japan Times.

“Pentagon calls out China’s military threats as Taiwan tensions worsen” from The Washington Post.

“Top US general warns of China’s military advancements” from The Independent.

But here’s the thing — despite Chinese military advancements in recent years, (much of it from stolen U.S. intellectual property) China still lacks two key elements that make it unlikely that they could challenge U.S. military primacy any time soon:

1. A lack of an overseas military presence, and
2. No combat experience in modern history.

Power projection — a lack of overseas military bases

After 1945, the United States found itself in a unique position. Largely untouched by the global war that just ended, the U.S. emerged as the world’s champion for the democratic order.

Together with other post-war victors, the Allies vowed to never again allow regional hegemons that might result in a third world war.

Indeed, it was this vow, and their attempt to contain Communism, that resulted in numerous U.S.-involved conflicts from the Korean War to…