Leaked Pentagon report warns US could suffer major defeat in war with China

WASHINGTON: A highly classified Pentagon report has revealed that if the US intervenes in a conflict over Taiwan, it could face a serious defeat at the hands of China.

According to foreign news agencies, Pentagon war games simulated various scenarios of a Chinese attack on Taiwan. The exercises showed that China could potentially disable US fighter squadrons, major warships, and satellite networks even before they are fully deployed. This warning is detailed in a secret document called the Overmatch Brief.

The report, prepared by the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment, points out that America’s reliance on expensive, high-tech weapons could put it at a disadvantage against China’s rapidly growing arsenal of cheaper but highly effective weapons.

China has reportedly developed capabilities that could neutralize key US military assets at the very start of a conflict.

The timing of the report is significant. Just days ago, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gao Jiakun warned the US to handle the Taiwan issue very carefully.

The document highlights China’s fast-growing military strength, including long-range precision missiles, a modern fleet of aircraft, major warships, and space-based capabilities. Together these give China a clear operational advantage in the region.

China is believed to possess around 600 hypersonic weapons, which can travel five times faster than the speed of sound and are extremely difficult to intercept.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists that the island, home to 23 million people, will eventually be reunified with China. Taiwan, however, sees itself as an independent, sovereign nation and says its future should be decided by its people, not by China.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has also warned that in a war with China, America’s key weapons could be depleted very quickly.

Sadiq Khan