Among the many lingering questions is why the balloon, which the Chinese maintain is a “civilian airship” used mostly for weather research that was blown off course, was in U.S. airspace – and why now.
that it was pausing several departures and arrivals on the east coast to"support the Department of Defense in a national security effort."Chinese maintained was a “civilian airship”Beijing is unlikely to gather more information from the balloon than it can learn from the satellites both countries use to spy on each other. And an airship as large as two buses was not going to go undetected.
If the balloon was intended as a retaliatory poke in the eye, it’s backfired, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. China is now lying about losing it and apologizing for entering U.S. airspace. “What I would tell you right now is that information is classified,” Ryder said. “I'm not able to provide it other than I can confirm that there have been other incidents where balloons did come close to or cross over U.S. territory.”
Thomas Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the balloon is likely to contain multiple sensors used to assess U.S. civilian and military facilities, intercept communications and possibly even more operational technologies that can help China detect U.S. missiles.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FAA halts departures and restricts airspace on Carolina coast for 'national security effort'US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed his upcoming trip to China in response to the flying of a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the United States. Follow for live news updates.
Read more »
FAA Pauses Flights After Biden Said ‘We’re Going to Take Care of’ Chinese BalloonThe FAA has paused all air traffic in and out of three airports in North and South Carolina, citing the reason as “national security initiatives.” Many are now speculating the U.S. may shoot down the suspected Chinese spy balloon floating over the country.
Read more »
FAA Grounds Planes In Carolinas As Chinese Spy Balloon Suspected NearbyThe balloon is believed to have floated over Charlotte, North Carolina, Saturday morning.
Read more »
FAA shuts down airpsace near Atlantic amid reports of plan to shoot down Chinese spy balloonUnited States officials are considering shooting down the Chinese spy balloon once it crosses over the Atlantic, according to reports.
Read more »
US downs Chinese spy balloon off Carolina coastThe Coast Guard advised mariners to immediately leave the area because of U.S. military operations 'that present a significant hazard.'
Read more »
US downs Chinese balloon off Carolina coast; operation underway to recover debrisBlinken was due to visit Beijing on Sunday for talks aimed at reducing U.S.-China tensions, the first such high-profile trip after the countries’ leaders met last November.
Read more »