The Pentagon's incentivized to exaggerate any threat though, because it justifies more funding to themselves.

I'd say that the real threat, as far as navies go, is what if our carrier-heavy paradigm is obsolete and cheaper missile cruisers are more effective.

China is, at best, a Pacific power, but really they're just regional. China cannot project sea lane power past Japan at this point. The dirty secret of China's economy is that they're incredibly dependent on the American military for stable trade relations.

150 years ago, the same was said of the US by the then global hegemon, the British Empire.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but it's important to note that these things can change.

The Pax Americana is a real thing, even if it's held up more by Hollywood than gunboats right now.

Largest and strongest are not the same thing.