Tensions over Taiwan are the highest they’ve been in nearly three decades.

China has warned it will take Taiwan by force if necessary, while US military strategists are now mapping out war games to predict the impacts of a conflict.

They forecast it could become a brutal regional war, with casualties and carnage on a scale not seen since WWII.

It’s increasingly becoming a question of when – not if – China will launch an assault. Experts say it could be as early as 2025.

And Australia would play a key role in the conflict as it spills across the Pacific.

The investigation reveals how the US has been quietly building up its military assets in northern Australia, including plans to deploy nuclear capable B-52 bombers south of Darwin.

There are now fears that relationship could pull Australia deeper into any future conflict.

_________

Watch more Four Corners investigations here: https://bit.ly/2JbpMkf​
You can also like us on Facebook:   / ​  
Follow us on Twitter:   / 4corners​  

___________

Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.

#ABCNewsIndepth #ABCNewsAustralia