Military leaders and national security officials are increasingly concerned that the Chinese Communist Party may attempt a surprise strike not just on Taiwan but potentially on U.S. military assets in the Pacific and along the West Coast.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) recently warned that the threat is no longer hypothetical. Speaking to radio host Hugh Hewitt, Cotton said China’s frequent violations of Taiwanese airspace and waters aren’t just harassment — they are rehearsals. The repeated incursions train Chinese pilots and naval forces for a full-scale operation, he said.
Will Guam Be America’s Next Pearl Harbor?
Donald Trump’s neocolonial foreign policy could invite a surprise Chinese attack on an underprepared American island in the South Pacific.https://t.co/uMUsbwz0xL
— That is China (@That_isChina) March 24, 2025
According to Cotton, this pattern of activity is deliberately designed to wear down Taiwanese and Japanese defenses while creating the illusion that the threat is routine. He added that at any moment, one of these missions could turn into an invasion.
Military experts like Lt. Col. Thomas McCabe are sounding the alarm about China’s ability to hit U.S. forces directly. In a recent analysis, McCabe outlined multiple scenarios in which China could strike Hawaii, Guam or even ports and military bases on the West Coast.
These strikes could include missiles launched from submarines, merchant ships disguised as civilian vessels, or even drone swarms launched from international waters. He noted that China’s satellite network allows them to gather targeting data across the globe in real time.
McCabe compared today’s strategic risks to the lead-up to Pearl Harbor. He warned that assuming rear bases are safe could prove disastrous. Just as Japan once took advantage of American complacency, he said, China may see similar opportunities in the Pacific theater.
Cotton stressed the need for stronger deterrence and clear signals from the U.S. that it is ready to respond. He said the public must understand that this is not a problem for the distant future — it is a clear and present danger that affects national security today.
Military analysts also raised concerns about the costs of upgrading defenses at vulnerable bases. With budgets already stretched, ensuring full coverage across all U.S. Pacific and coastal installations would be an enormous undertaking.
