What China’s Military Balloons Show About Its Spying Ambitions
Chinese military scientists have been looking for ways to make them more durable, harder to detect and even to serve as platforms that fire advanced weapons.
United States International Relations
Chinese Balloon Had Tools to Collect Electronic Communications, U.S. Says
China’s surveillance balloons have flown over more than 40 countries and are directed by the Chinese military, the State Department said. The F.B.I. is studying debris.
North Korea Urges ‘Preparedness for War’ and Displays New Missile
Analysts said the new weapon was probably a solid-fuel ICBM, which the North’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has wanted to add to his country’s growing nuclear arsenal.
China Sends Spy Balloons Over Military Sites Worldwide, U.S. Officials Say
The balloons have some advantages over the satellites that orbit the earth in regular patterns. They fly closer to earth and can evade radar.
Biden Focuses on Domestic Issues in State of the Union Despite Global Tensions
Mr. Biden is proud of reshaping foreign policy to focus on superpower conflict, but knows it is jobs and energy prices that voters want to hear about.
After Spy Balloon Clash, U.S.-China Tensions Loom Over Biden’s Speech
The president has taken steps meant to limit China’s technological advancement and bolster military forces in the Asia-Pacific region.
Russia Pays a Bloody Price for Small Gains in Eastern Ukraine
Russia is relying on masses of troops to overrun Ukrainian positions, producing heavy casualties and incremental gains.
After Spy Balloon Incident, China Rejects Pentagon’s Request to Speak
Chinese officials rejected a request from the U.S. defense secretary to speak with his counterpart after an American fighter jet shot down a Chinese spy balloon.
Your Wednesday Briefing: Quake’s Death Toll Soars
Also, China’s balloon spin and Russia’s mounting losses.
China Tries to Play Down Balloon Dispute With Censorship and Memes
Chinese propaganda also appears to be walking a fine line: looking tough for the crowd at home, without further derailing relations with the United States.