Tag

Surveillance Balloons

All articles tagged with #surveillance balloons

Chinese Balloons Pose Growing Threat to Taiwan
international-relations2 years ago

Chinese Balloons Pose Growing Threat to Taiwan

Taiwan has accused China of using high-altitude balloons for psychological warfare and posing a threat to international aviation safety by flying over and around Taiwan, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming elections. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense has reported a surge in Chinese balloon activity, with concerns that they could be used for espionage activities, including gathering intelligence on Taiwan's airbases. Tensions between the two countries are already strained, with Taiwan viewing the balloon flights as part of China's "gray zone" tactics. The spike in balloon activity is seen as a potential attempt by China to interfere in Taiwan's politics, with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) being a particular target due to its anti-PRC stance. The United States has expressed support for Taiwan's democratic institutions and raised concerns about potential interference in the upcoming elections.

"Leaked Pentagon data exposes up to 4 more Chinese spy balloons"
national-security2 years ago

"Leaked Pentagon data exposes up to 4 more Chinese spy balloons"

Previously unreported top-secret intelligence documents reveal that US intelligence agencies were aware of up to four additional Chinese spy balloons, including one that flew over a US carrier strike group and another that crashed in the South China Sea. The leaked documents also provide the most detailed government assessment to date of Killeen-23, the Chinese spy balloon that flew over the continental US in January and February, and two balloons from previous years, labeled Bulger-21 and Accardo-21. The documents raise questions about the true capabilities of the balloons and the decision to let them fly over the US before shooting them down.