IMO, the USA will have to deal with a China/Russia coalition; not just China Such a conflict would likely mean a counter Nuke attack on US soil because both China & Russia have that reach.
This is why there will be another Cold War, IMO, because both China & Russia will have counter strategies as had Russia in the 60s-to the present
The USA gave up "The First Strike Strategy" in the 1950s which was the reason for the Cold War rather than a "Hot One".
The USA had a "First Strike" advantage up to the end of the Korean War but lost that advantage shortly afterwards.
