A lot of comments on military response. None of that really matters. The first is always a political and domestic response, and if that is not there (in the US)

A lot of comments on military response. None of that really matters. The first is always a political and domestic response, and if that is not there (in the US), there will be no military response, only "stern condemnations". Does the US have a political climate to support a defense of Taiwan (current R/D divide), and a domestic story to sell to US citizens on why it should intervene? What is their reason to defend it? That they're saving a free country? But it was never a country even to begin with. Remember, even during the height of WW2, it needed a strong story to sell citizens on why it should intervene only after 2 years. Why would anyone believe the US would act sooner this time? And given Taiwan's size, it's definitely not going to take 2 years for an annexation. Basically after 2 years, "who cares"?