The thing the Chinese have, and what we found out all the way back in Korea, is the ability to fight a war of attrition. The US these days is appalled by any death. I have no doubt that the US can inflict far more casualties on any several opponents they face in war, but that's not always what wins.

All that said, I don't think this conflict will escalate to war. I think the worst that would happen is a naval battle. In that regard the Chinese would back off almost immediately and let their state TV concoct a story about a merciful Chinese withdraw. By all accounts, they are trying to develop a superior navy, and getting in a battle that would almost assuredly lead to the destruction of their force is not what they want right now. It would set them back decades. One of China's strengths is in looking strong. A bout with a US supercarrier would put any other navy's confidence in check.

All in all I think the Chinese are too smart to pursue these islands if the US gets involved. Hopefully the president will do the right thing and tell them they're in the wrong, and we won't tolerate it. This conflict is about a lot more than fishing rights in the East China Sea. It's about respect for international borders. If China wants to act like some small rogue nation, then we should treat them as such. Big boys need to act like big boys.