The Daily Why the U.S. Keeps Shooting Objects Out of the Sky
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Feb 14, 2023 Julian E. Barnes, a national security reporter for The New York Times, discusses the U.S. military's recent actions of shooting down unidentified objects, sparked by the downing of a Chinese surveillance balloon. He dives into the implications of these events on international surveillance and national security. Increased vigilance in U.S. airspace is examined, along with the complexities of adjusting radar for detecting aerial threats. Barnes highlights the delicate balance required in managing these incidents amidst escalating geopolitical tensions.
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Chinese Balloon Capabilities
- After the Chinese balloon shootdown, the Pentagon and FBI gathered debris.
- They revealed it collected images, signals intelligence, and cell phone data.
Pattern of Incursions
- The Chinese balloon incident wasn't isolated; similar incursions occurred since 2019.
- Following this revelation, the U.S. detected another object over Alaska, prompting its downing.
Uncertainty about Objects
- The U.S. is unsure whether the downed objects are surveillance devices or debris.
- Theories range from intentional provocation by foreign powers to harmless airborne trash.