[ragnot]

Hence the emphasis on cyber and (US) dollar attack vectors. War without the bullets.

[einpoklum]

US dollar attack vectors are gradually drying up. Ironically, the more they are used - e.g. in sanctions - the stronger the motivation for detachment from USD as a reserve currency and direct trade in the parties' own currencies. Plus - how much of the world can the US sanction at the same time before it's only the select few that it trades with? Russia + Iran + China + Venezuela + Mexico + Canada + + + ...

[Neonlicht]

I agree. Mao once said that he was willing to accept US atomic bombs. But that was when China didn't have fancy cities... Both sides are simply too vulnerable in an all out war.

Xi wants to make China great again he doesn't want a nuclear wasteland.