[1967 R50/2]

Seriously, except on a small scale, like the gulf war or the initial stages of the Iraq war, I think that "conventional" warfare as fought in WW2 is over. It is just too expensive. Even the most advanced economies (ie US) have a limited tolerance for the kind of expenses it would take and a limited capacity for producing the kind of weapons it would need.

Back in the 80's a potential war between the Warsaw Pact and Nato was viewed as a "come as you are" war, meaning each side would be fighting with whatever supplies of arms and men it had on hand at the start. It might last only a few weeks or months before one side or both either caved...or pressed the nuclear button.

China may make threats about such a thing, but their army is stuck in 1951 (mostly infantry) and their economy is still fragile and many, many, many leagues behind the US. Their capacity for fighting such a war is very limited.

If they are smart they will follow the Japanese example: Military hegemony doesn't work and doesn't last...but being an economic superstar is just awesome!