Why the US Military Has Not Shot Down China’s Spy Balloon

February 3, 2023

The recent controversy surrounding a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon has raised a lot of questions about why the United States has not shot it down. This balloon, which is believed to be a Chinese military surveillance device, has been spotted flying in US airspace for weeks, and it has the potential to be a threat to the US military’s security. The US has a long history of shooting down foreign aircrafts that enter its airspace, so why has it not done so in this case?

The first and most obvious answer is that the US is not sure whether or not the balloon is a threat. It is possible that the balloon is not a Chinese military device, and that it is simply a weather balloon or some other kind of scientific experiment. If this is the case, shooting it down would be unnecessary and could even be considered a hostile act. Therefore, the US has chosen to wait until it can definitively identify the balloon before taking any action.

The second reason why the US has not shot down the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon is because of the potential diplomatic consequences. China is a major world power and shooting down its aircraft could lead to retaliation from Beijing. This could include economic sanctions, military action, or even cyber attacks. The US is not willing to risk such a confrontation and has chosen to take a more diplomatic approach.

Finally, the US may also be concerned about the legal implications of shooting down the balloon. Under international law, the US would be responsible for any damages caused by shooting down the balloon, and it is possible that China could seek reparations. This could potentially lead to a lengthy and expensive legal battle, which the US would rather avoid.