Why the U.S. Can’t Take Sides in South China Sea Sovereignty Disputes, Even Against China

China has been allowed to get to much of an economic hold on the US. They now rely and depend on us as much as we do them. Any real conflict would drastically effect us both. That's before the bombs start to fall. We have backed ourselves into a corner to where we must remain openly even sided... sure we can flex some but if we dare over do it it would be bad. China can flex back but if they over do it it will be bad. Our two economies are too intertwined.

All good points.