What If China Blockaded Taiwan?
A sudden, massive cyber and kinetic decapitation strike targets Taiwan. The global economy hangs in the balance as you advise the Commander in Chief.
At 04:00 Taipei time, a synchronized cyberattack darkens Taiwan's critical infrastructure while PLA Rocket Forces launch a sudden, massive barrage destroying 80% of Taiwan's air defenses. This is not a drill; it is an active decapitation strike aimed at forcing a surrender before the US can mobilize.
You are the US National Security Advisor
The Situation Room
>INDOPACOM reports that three carrier strike groups are currently out of position in the Philippine Sea.
>The President is airborne on Air Force One and demands tactical options in 10 minutes.
>Tokyo is demanding an immediate secure briefing before they commit to launching US jets from Japanese bases.
Internal Briefing Notes
• US response relies heavily on forward basing in Japan, which requires explicit Japanese political approval for combat operations.
• Ammunition stockpiles for Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) will be depleted in exactly 6 days of intensive conflict.
• 92% of the world's advanced logic chips are currently sitting in foundries that are now under a de-facto naval blockade.
Escalation Window
Reveal each phase to see how the situation deteriorates.
Air Force One is touching down and the Pentagon needs their Rules of Engagement. How do you advise the President?
Choose your response. There are no good options.
Launch strikes on mainland Chinese missile batteries. You risk uncontainable escalation between two nuclear-armed superpowers.
Taiwan's defenses will collapse within 72 hours, permanently shattering US credibility in the Indo-Pacific.
Choke off Chinese energy imports in the Malacca Strait. A slow strangulation that avoids direct combat but destroys the global economy.
Related Entities
Explore the institutions, countries, and actors involved in this scenario.
United States
Federal presidential republic and the world's largest economy, with power divided among the presidency, Congress, the states, and the federal courts. U.S. politics is highly polarized, two-party dominated, and globally consequential because decisions made in Washington shape finance, trade, security alliances, technology regulation, and military power far beyond U.S. borders.
Japan
Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. Third-largest economy globally, dominated by the LDP since 1955.
People's Republic of China
Single-party socialist state led by the Chinese Communist Party and one of the two central poles of global power. China combines party control, state planning capacity, export-industrial strength, technological ambition, and a vast domestic market, making its political decisions consequential for global trade, security, supply chains, and regional power balances.
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