Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Caracas: The United States attacks another alleged drug-trafficking ship off the coast of Colombia in the Pacific Ocean
Palestinian official urges world to force 'Israel' to comply with ICJ ruling: AFP
Israeli media says Knesset approved bill to annex in West Bank in preliminary reading
Kremlin: As part of strategic nuclear force exercise, Cruiser Bryansk launched Sineva ballistic missile from Barents Sea.
Kremlin: Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome at Kura test site in Kamchatka.
Kremlin: Strategic nuclear forces exercise took place under Putin's leadership.
Lebanese MP Imad Al-Hout, following his meeting with the Grand Mufti of the Republic: Lebanon is the last country to move toward peace and normalization [with "Israel"]
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One martyr reported in Israeli drone strike targeting motorcycle in Ain Qana.
Israeli media: Sirens sound in Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Envelope.
Syria: Local sources report that General Security forces targeted the camp of French fighters from the 'al-Ghuraba division' in the Idlib countryside with mortar and tank shells.

Pentagon says tracking Chinese spy balloon over US

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 3 Feb 2023 08:18
4 Min Read

Canada too says it was monitoring a "potential second incident."

  • x
  • The Chinese surveillance balloon
    The Chinese surveillance balloon (Social media)

The Pentagon confirmed on Thursday that it was tracking a Chinese spy balloon flying high over the United States, just days ahead of a rare visit to Beijing by the Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

A senior defense official told reporters that at US President Joe Biden's request, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and top military officials considered shooting the balloon down but decided that doing so would endanger too many people on the ground.

"Clearly, the intent of this balloon is for surveillance," the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, considered.

HAPPENING NOW: Photo shows the massive Chinese spy balloon over Montana.

U.S. military is tracking the balloon. pic.twitter.com/RS52mQE9Og

— Antonio Sabato Jr (@AntonioSabatoJr) February 3, 2023

The official indicated that the balloon had flown over the northwest United States, where there are sensitive airbases and strategic nuclear missiles in underground silos, adding that the Pentagon did not believe it constituted a particularly dangerous intelligence threat.

"We assess that this balloon has limited additive value from an intelligence collection perspective," the official said.

The discovery of the aircraft comes just days before an expected visit to China by Blinken, which follows a meeting last November between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The visit will be Blinken's first trip to the Asian country since 2018.

Relations between the US and China have deteriorated particularly over Taiwan, with Washington selling arms to Taipei, as Biden has said he would help protect the island in case of an alleged Chinese attack.

The defense official said the balloon entered US airspace "a couple days ago," claiming that American intelligence had been tracking it well before that.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who was in the Philippines, held discussions on Wednesday with top Pentagon officials after Biden asked about options for dealing with the balloon. Fighter jets were flown to examine it while it was above Montana as discussions took place.

The Pentagon's decision was "not to take kinetic action due to the risk to safety and security of people on the ground from the possible debris field," the defense official said.

On his part, Pentagon Spokesperson Pat Ryder confirmed that the balloon was still being tracked over US airspace.

Related News

US announces 8th strike on alleged narcotics boat, 1st in the Pacific

Iran rejects talks under excessive US demands, slams snapback claims

"The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic. It does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground," Ryder pointed out in a statement.

According to the senior defense official, China has sent surveillance balloons over the United States in the past, but this one has lingered in US airspace much longer.

"We are taking steps nevertheless to protect against foreign intelligence collection of sensitive information," the official said.

It is noteworthy that Austin was in the Philippines this week to strengthen US defense cooperation, including gaining wider access for Pentagon forces at Philippine military bases.

The defense official said "the seriousness of the issue" with the balloon had been raised with Beijing officials, stressing that "we have made clear we will do whatever is necessary to protect our people in our own land."

Tensions over Taiwan reached a peak last year when Nancy Pelosi, then-speaker of the US House of Representatives, visited the island in a provocative move. After Republicans gained control of the chamber in January, questions have been raised over whether her successor will make a similar trip.

"China’s brazen disregard for U.S. sovereignty is a destabilizing action that must be addressed, and President Biden cannot be silent," current Speaker Kevin McCarthy tweeted Thursday evening.

China’s brazen disregard for U.S. sovereignty is a destabilizing action that must be addressed, and President Biden cannot be silent.

I am requesting a Gang of Eight briefing. https://t.co/KarTCUzbOS

— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) February 3, 2023

Canada says 'potential second incident' linked to spy balloon

On its part, Canada said it was working with the United States to track the surveillance balloon, and it was monitoring a "potential second incident."

"Canadians are safe and Canada is taking steps to ensure the security of its airspace, including the monitoring of a potential second incident," Canada's defense department said in a statement.

"A high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected and its movements are being actively tracked," it added.

The department said that "Canada's intelligence agencies are working with American partners and continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard Canada's sensitive information from foreign intelligence threats."

Read more: Canada plans to increase military presence in Indo-Pacific

  • United States
  • Pentagon
  • Canada
  • US
  • China

Most Read

Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians
Politics

Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians

Greece rocked by EU farm subsidy scandal as dozens arrested
Economy

Greece rocked by EU farm subsidy scandal as dozens arrested

Netherlands holds talks with China after Beijing curbs Nexperia export.
Technology

Netherlands holds talks with China after Nexperia export's curb

Trump said to demand DOJ pay him $230 million for past cases: NYT
Politics

Trump said to demand DOJ pay him $230 mln for past cases: NYT

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS